Pagentry in Halifax!

The highlight of our 4 nights in Halifax had to be the 2010 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. We bought our tickets a few months ago when we decided that we were definitely going to be in Nova Scotia this summer. This was the second Tattoo for Barry and I, having seen our first one in Edinburgh, Scotland several years ago. We enjoyed that experience so much that we knew we wanted to see this one in Halifax. It was the first Tattoo for our friends, Barb and Jim.

What is a Tattoo? It is basically a military band extravaganza. But, to give a more thorough explaination, I will quote a few lines from our souvenier program. "Thousands of Canadian and international military and civilian performers have made the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo the world's largest annual indoor show. First performed in Halifax in 1979 to mark the visit of the Queen Mother for the International Gathering of the Clans, the Tattoo has now become a permanent fixture, seen by more than a million and a half spectators. The countries represented this year were Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Canada. The pagentry and precision of the military bands were a sight to behold. The music was stirring and the colors of the uniforms and costumes were bright and beautiful. There were not only bands but a choir with over 100 members, gymnasts, acrobatic bicyclists, Irish Dancers, The Canadian Mounted Police, and an unbelievable female Canadian singing group consisting of 5 sisters from Newfoundland, singing Celtic songs.
If you ever have a chance to see a Tattoo I would encourage you to go. It is an awesome experience. And................if interested, we have learned that there is to be a Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, Virginia from April 28 - May 1, 2011. Phone number for tickets is 1-877-741-2787. NO.........I am not paid for promoting the Tattoo. Just a fan.

The other highlight while in Halifax was our visit to the Citadel. This huge star shaped military fortress is built on a hill overlooking the Halifax Harbor. In 1952 the Citadel was declared a national historic site, signaling the end of its proud nilitary career. It has been restored and now welcomes visitors to learn of its history. We were on hand to see and hear the daily shooting of the Noon Gun, a tradition since 1857. It all began with the changing of the guard.............dressed in full military uniform (plaid kilts and plumed helmets), followed by pipes and drums. Lots of photo ops!

We also enjoyed time at the waterfront, wandering thru the shops, having lunch at a waterfront dining spot and visiting the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. One of the highlights there was listening to shanty songs sung by a man playing banjo and guitar and dressed in period costume. We also toured the Titanic exhibit, which told of the heroic efforts of local seamen to save victims of the sinking of the Titanic and also to retreive dead bodies and prepare them for burial in Halifax.

We continue to enjoy the cooler temperatures of the north and the beauty and simplicity of the countryside. Next stop will be Hubbard's Beach for 4 nights. This is a good location for visits to Peggy's Cove, Lunenberg and Mahone Bay.

We feel so fortunate to be able to live out a dream of traveling this beautiful country, seeing God's handiwork everywhere and meeting kind, interesting and wonderful people around every bend in the road.