Nova Scotia: Canada’s Ocean Playground

Tags

beach, beauty, canada, food, lighthouse, lobster, local food, National Park, nova scotia, photo, seafood, travel

I challenge everyone reading this blog to send us a picture of a nicer beach (In Canada). I don’t think it is possible. Read on to see our self proclaimed winner, in the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

This post, much like our last, is full of many different stops in different towns. If you have never visited Nova Scotia, you will be surprised. Contrary to popular belief Nova Scotia has much more to offer besides amazing seafood and fisherman.

We ran into this lighthouse somewhere on our journeys, but cannot remember now.

We have seen many lighthouses during our travels in Atlantic Canada, this one you can squeeze up to the top. The fumes of spilt oil over its 100 year life is thick.

View of the Bay of Fundy

Quick food share: Seafood Chowder!

No big deal: loaded with Lobster, Scallops, Haddock and Shrimp.

We made a quick stop in Grand-Pre National Historic Site.

Grand-Pre was once the epicenter of Acadian Culture before they were removed from Nova Scotia, or as the Acadians called it  L’Acadie. We have touched on this before, but essentially they would not agree to become full out British Citizens, and the British expelled them from the land. The statue is of Evangeline, who is a big deal for the Acadians.

We are in the Scallop Capitol of Canada! Digby, Nova Scotia.

Most of the fleet is in today.

We stopped into the Shoreline Restaurant, on the Water in Digby for some Scallops.

Front is the Seafood Chowder, right are the famous fresh Digby Scallops and in the back is a Lobster Roll. Life does not get any better than this.

We hit the road again and headed further south. The tides in the Bay of Fundy are the biggest in the World, at 48 feet. This means at low tide, your boat is sitting on rocks, and high tide, you can sail away.

.

.

And yet another Lighthouse. Today the Government calls them light stations, because they are automated and no one lives onsite anymore, so the houses are long gone.

St. Mary’s Lightstation

St. Mary’s was cool to check out as it was a foggy day and the fog horn was wailing every 50 seconds. Ohh to live near a light station must be enjoyable.

The point below St. Mary’s

.

We made it down to Yarmouth and funny enough one of the nicest things in town is…. another light station. This one is unique! Built in the 1960’s it is called an Apple Core style.

.

.

kicking back for a rest

Time to tackle the rocks, and head down to the water.

.

Lobster traps washed up on the shore.

.

We picked up more seafood on the way to Kejimkujik National Park, good thing because its a fair trek to the beaches.

Massive Digby Scallops.

And Prince Edward Island Mussels.

Kejimkujik National Park has some beautiful water and beaches, but not the nicest. While looking at these photos remember this is not the Barbados, Tahiti or anywhere Tropical for that matter. The sand is just as white, and the water just as clear, but the water is freezing cold!

.

The water! The Third island from the left has about 25 seals sunbathing on it.

.

Check out that Water! Crystal Clear Water, Bleach White Sand.

.

Next we rolled into the tiny town of Summerville Center. We spent two nights in Summerville, enjoying our stay with Aya’s friend Kimberlea who used to live in Vancouver.

Kimberlea and Greg, our gracious hosts.

They have a beautiful cottage right on the water!

The view from the front deck

Clam Feast!  Very tasty indeed

Nova Scotia is home to some beautiful beaches. Here is the proof, we strolled along Summerville Beach on day one.

Summerville Beach

We found a few Sand Dollars.

I made Aya stop in the freezing Water for this Photo!

Aya + Kimberlea

.

Day two we headed over to Carter’s Beach. My personal favorite is Summerville Beach, but many believe Carter’s is the nicest beach in all of Nova Scotia.

.

Check out how clear that water is!

Living the Dream

We departed Summerville Center on our way to Halifax, but had some stops to make along the way. Lunenburg is home to the Bluenose II (on the ten cents coin)

Well the Bluenose was out at sea, but we saw the life ring!

.

After leaving Lunenburg, on our way to Peggy’s Cove, we found a roadside Lobster Stand. After admiring the live 10 pound! lobster (we missed the photo), we were in awe at the very rare live lobster’s the proprietor pulled out next.

A Genetic mutation causes 1 in 2 million lobsters to be completely blue.

Other rare finds

From Left to Right:  First one is red (1 in 10 million) usually they are black / brown before cooking. Second is a Maine Calico,(1 in 30 million) Third is a yellow (1 in 30 million) and Blue (1 in 2 million) on the end. These were all alive, and very rare. Now to find an Albino Lobster would be cool. But at 1 in 100 million, seems a daunting task.

We visited Peggy’s Cove and didn’t take any photos. Sometimes its nice to travel sans camera. But if you visit be prepared for bus loads of tourists!

Halifax we are a coming!