Canada - East Coast Cruisin'

Many know I work for Carnival Corporation - The cruise travel company.  Many don't know that they actually have 9 different cruise brands around the world (Carnival Cruise lines is only one of these brands) with over 100 cruise ships.  This month I had to do an extended two week trip to research two ships in the Holland America brand which first had me going to the east coast of Canada followed by a second week on a different ship to Alaska out of Seattle.  I traveled with my work colleague and from LA - Ryan Fiorentino.

Here are a few pic's from the trip out east.While we worked a lot, we did try to get off a little at the different ports.  Since the cruise started out of Montreal QC, I was able to get together with a couple of old friends of mine - Roger Berthelot and Elise Lacoste who are first met and worked with at my first job out of university - Deloitte Consulting in Ottawa.  (first pic l-r Daniel (Elise's fiance, Elise, Roger, me), second pic me, Roger, Ryan on Mount Royal overlooking Montreal)  

We sailed out of Montreal on Saturday Sept 9.  First stop was Quebec City on Sept 10.   A beautiful city that felt like Europe.  First picture is the world famous Chateau Frontenac.  The pano shot from the deck of the ship is taken along the St. Laurence river North east of Quebec city. 

Sep 11 had us in Prince Edward Island for the day.  We took a few hours off to rent a car and drive around the center part of the island.  We were on a quest for fresh PEI muscles and we found them at a little place on the north shore in the middle of the island in a town called new Glasgow.  Picture below is on the south coast with PEI's famous red mud cliffs at Argyle shore Provincial Park. 

Sept 12 had us calling on Sydney Nova Scotia.  We were working most of the day but did get off for a 30 min walk around the harbor as the weather was simply spectacular.  Warm sun with a cool breeze.  Exactly what you want in an early fall day in September.   Second picture is from the ship as we made our way east from Sydney with the water like glass.  
 

 
Sept 13 had us landing in Halifax Nova Scotia.  While the ship was sailing on to Bar Harbor Maine and then to Boston, Halifax was our exit point for this journey.  Friday September 14 I was flying back to Seattle to catch the next ship so spend an afternoon exploring Halifax.  Again - simply beautiful weather.  
Picture list:
1. - coming into the port of Halifax in the morning.
2,3 - Halifax Public Gardens
4 - View from the Citadel (old fort built by the british)
5 - Guard on duty at the Citadel... no talking or interaction with this guy
6,7,8 - The Halifax public library - an amazing piece of architecture.  Not the 'piece' jutting out and overhanging.  The picture of me inside the library if a seat in the corner sticking furthest out where I spent some time relaxing.
9 - A beer at the Halifax Alehouse - established in 1717.


  

Quick Weekend in Montreal

On the way back from a US business trip, I routed up through montreal to visit some family and friends this past weekend.  I flew in Friday evening from Boston and met up with my good friend Roger.  He had got us seats at the pre-season NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks, so after landing at 6pm, clearing customs and changing in the car ride over, we were at the game by 7:10.  We had great seats!

This was only the start to a very fun evening that had us arriving back home around 3:30 AM.  Our goals was to cab it to old Montreal in hopes of getting a seat at Garde Manger (by Chuck Huges).  Lady luck was on our side: just as we walked in there was a couple leaving, and with about 30 minutes until the kitchen closed.  The menu looked so good we decided to pick a few things and share.  We starting with Lobster Poutine, and Jerk Crab legs, followed by a main course of Filet Mignon and Braised short ribs (slow cooked for 60 hours).  I finished the meal off with a low fat:) deep fried Mars bar. The food was supported by excellent wine, and amazing service.

Saturday turned out to be sunny and clear so after getting a morning shot of coffee we headed down to old Montreal to wander around.  What a great area for walking and exploring.

At the same time, my sister Leanne, her husband Nelson, my niece Karly, and my dad were driving down for the afternoon, so we all met up for lunch at a restaurant called Deville - Sort of an upscale retro diner with a fun atmosphere.  It was great to see family and hang out for the afternoon.

Alas, they had to get back to Ottawa, so that evening a number of other friends from Montreal and Ottawa got together for evening drinks and a meal at Zero8.  Alex and his wife Elise, Elise (different person) and her boyfriend Daniel, my friend Dale, and Roger of course. It was amazing to see so many friends that I haven't seen in some time - thanks everyone for making the trip down.  Look forward to the next time we can meet up.  

A quick whirlwind trip with a (very) early morning flight back to the UK on sunday but well worth it.