Seniors Head East to Nova Scotia

Eastern Canada is loaded with exciting places for seniors to visit.  While I personally have not visited Québec City nor Montréal, they are both on my “bucket” list.  Going further to the east coast however, is the focus of this blog and is on my wife’s bucket list. Way way up the coast and way way to the east is where we’re headed today.

Champlain named Nova Scotia “Acadie” and claimed it for France in 1604. French settlers were exiled to Louisiana by the British in the 1750s and their descendants are known as Cajuns.

For a population just under a million Nova Scotia is remarkably diverse, Mi’kmaq, Scottish descendants, black Nova Scotians, French Acadians, Annapolis Valley farmers, Cape Bretoners and Haligonians all form distinct groups with their own unique quirks, culture and language.

Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s three maritime provinces, is the most populous province along the Atlantic and is the second smallest province. The provincial capital is Halifax. I recall when I left Ohio State I had two married friends who took jobs at the University of Halifax. I had no idea where that was. They fell totally in love with the environment.

Halifax is the kind of town that people flock to, not so much for the opportunities, but for the quality of life it has to offer. Sea breezes off the harbor keep the air clean and parks and trees nestle between heritage buildings, cosmopolitan eateries and arty shops. Several universities keep the population young and the bars and nightclubs full.

Nova Scotia museums and historic sites offer a glimpse into the country’s cultural and geological history.  From the historic Fortress Louisbourg in Cape Breton to the Joggins Fossil Center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), there is plenty for senior visitors to experience throughout Nova Scotia.

Senior Visitors Meet Friendly People in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of the friendliest places on earth with more than 550 festivals and events celebrating tartans, harmonicas, ukuleles, and blueberries along with traditional powwows and saber-tossing men in kilts.

Renowned events include DRUM! – a spectacular production celebrating the rhythms of the founding cultures and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the world’s largest annual indoor show. Nota bene: this show has nothing to do with skin tattoos. The Tattoo strikes a unique balance, featuring pipes & drums, military and civilian bands, historic re-enactments, dancers, acrobats, choirs, military displays and competitions, drama and comedy in a fast-paced, two and half hour, family show.

One can not leave without viewing the Bay of Fundy with its world famous high tides that can rise 5-8 feet in only one hour,  one of the highest vertical tidal ranges in the world.  I think that you will enjoy exploring every area of Nova Scotia. jeb