It has been strongly suggested to me to take my vacation time this year instead of letting it accumulate in my time bank - because my time bank is full, not taking my vacation would mean a one-time payment in lieu, and the relatively-new payroll system has some issues (to put it mildly).
So, I have enough money and time to drive to Nova Scotia (which, of course, means driving through New Brunswick twice - and I already know enough to pack a roll of loonies in the glove box for tolls and an emergency kit in the trunk just in case). I understand that I have relatives somewhere in Cape Breton, but I'm not sure exactly where - however, I do have an email address to follow up.
Other than The Halifax Citadel and Pier 21 (both in Halifax), what do I want to see?
Where do I want to eat? I've already been told by a chef acquaintance of mine that the freshest seafood in Nova Scotia is found outside of Halifax, but where? Can I get any decent Scottish-style meals, or is the only Scotland left in Nova Scotia in the province's name? And I have no idea where to find a memorably-good meal in New Brunswick.
Where do I want to drink? Are there any craft breweries in NS and NB? (I don't count Keith's as a craft beer any more.) Are there any craft distillers?
Where can I get souvenirs to bring back for friends and family?
Where can I get CDs from the local bands, in any musical styles? Which local bands are the good ones?
What do I want to do with my time other than sightsee, shop, and eat? (If I do have those relatives, at least one day will be spent getting to know them, assuming Maritimers from Nova Scotia are anything like my co-workers from Newfoundland... but that leaves me more than a few days to fill.)
And while I'm in the area, does anybody want to meet me?
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
So, I have enough money and time to drive to Nova Scotia (which, of course, means driving through New Brunswick twice - and I already know enough to pack a roll of loonies in the glove box for tolls and an emergency kit in the trunk just in case). I understand that I have relatives somewhere in Cape Breton, but I'm not sure exactly where - however, I do have an email address to follow up.
Other than The Halifax Citadel and Pier 21 (both in Halifax), what do I want to see?
Where do I want to eat? I've already been told by a chef acquaintance of mine that the freshest seafood in Nova Scotia is found outside of Halifax, but where? Can I get any decent Scottish-style meals, or is the only Scotland left in Nova Scotia in the province's name? And I have no idea where to find a memorably-good meal in New Brunswick.
Where do I want to drink? Are there any craft breweries in NS and NB? (I don't count Keith's as a craft beer any more.) Are there any craft distillers?
Where can I get souvenirs to bring back for friends and family?
Where can I get CDs from the local bands, in any musical styles? Which local bands are the good ones?
What do I want to do with my time other than sightsee, shop, and eat? (If I do have those relatives, at least one day will be spent getting to know them, assuming Maritimers from Nova Scotia are anything like my co-workers from Newfoundland... but that leaves me more than a few days to fill.)
And while I'm in the area, does anybody want to meet me?
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012