Touring The Great North – Part 12 – Headed To Lunenberg

Still continuing with our Canadian travels, we went from PEI to Lunenberg, still traveling along the Trans-Canada Highway. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive and about 400 km or 250 miles away, but again, definitely well worth it. Lunenberg is part of the province of Nova Scotia.

We still had magnificent scenery all along the way. I could see all these beautiful fall colors everyday and would never tire of them.

Of course we had to make a necessity stop. This sign shows how we were feeling at the time too. Maureen and I both got a kick out of it. 🙂

This sculpture told us we were near the sea.

At last, we are in Nova Scotia.

Before heading into Lunenberg, we stopped at our hotel in Halifax to drop off our luggage. Can you believe this was our view from our hotel????? WOW!!!

This is the owner’s backyard, that is adjacent to the hotel. She allows the guests to enjoy her yard as well.

Once we pulled into Lunenberg, we were awed by the charm of the town. Lunenburg is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. Established in 1753, it has retained its original layout and overall appearance, based on a rectangular grid pattern drawn up in the home country. The inhabitants have managed to safeguard the city’s identity throughout the centuries by preserving the wooden architecture of the houses, some of which date from the 18th century. Lunenberg is an 18th century fishing village off the Canadian Atlantic coastline. Founded in 1753, the town was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia. Historically, Lunenburg’s economy relied on the offshore fishery, and today it hosts Canada’s largest secondary fish-processing plant. Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lunenberg is a cute, quaint fishing village, with a strong, proud history of their fishing industry. We strolled around town first, taking in the sights. It is heavily influenced by life on the sea.

I love these street signs. Yes, I live on Mako Way.

Or Snapper Circle.

I could use one of these crab door knockers.

Just like so much of the east coast, Lunenberg was definitely in the fall spirit and ready for Halloween.

One of the main attractions of Lunenberg is the Blue Nose II, a replica of an old 18th century tall ship. Bluenose II is a replica of the fishing and racing schooner Bluenose, commissioned by Sidney Culverwell Oland and built in 1963 as a promotional yacht for Oland Brewery. Sidney Oland donated the schooner to Nova Scotia in 1971 and it has since operated as a sailing ambassador and promotional device for Nova Scotia tourism. She just happened to be in town, for her last day of the season on the day we were there too. Her home port is Lunenberg, and she will be docked here until she sets sail once again next season. We were lucky to catch her out on the waters, with her sails up before she docked for the season.

Here she is pulling into her final resting spot after ending her final voyage of the season.

We saw a replica of another tall ship in port too, as well as many other boats. Lunenberg is a coastal town, after all. 🙂

Larry made a new friend.

Because it was the end of the season for the Blue Nose II, the local museum had free admission. I wish we could have spent more time in the museum. It was dedicated to life on the sea and to all those who lost their lives at sea. It was a very nice museum, and very well done. I got to meet and talk to the Master Model maker who crafted most of the boats in the museum too. His name was Ben. Ben was a sweetheart. He was proudly showing me how he makes all his models.

Some of Ben’s handiwork.

Other exhibits at the museum.

These waters are filled with all kinds of sharks, and marine life.

The largest Great White found in the area. They were actually holding an eco class at one of the nearby islands, talking about the sharks and how vital they are to a healthy ecosystem. Had I known, I would have loved to attend. As you all know, I LOVE my sharks.

And a dedication to all the lobster fishermen. Lobster and fishing are still very prominent industries in the area.

The largest lobster ever caught in the area. He was preserved because he would NOT be good eating at all.

Sadly, because these are rough, rough waters, there have been many tragedies and many losses at sea.

As we were leaving Lunenberg, we saw a few old historic buildings and curiosities that needed to be highlihted as well.

The weather vane on top of this church steeple is a fish. Considering that Lunenberg has such a history with the sea, it is only fitting.

We asked some of the locals what this castle on the hill was and they told us it was on old school.

We all fell in love with Lunenberg. As with all the other places we visited, too much to see and not nearly enough time to see it all.

And of course, we worked up an appetite as well. it was time for dinner.