Halifax boasts that it has the longest Harbourside boardwalk in the world. We certainly explored it today. 11000 steps and one blister later you can now be awarded a certificate for walking its length. I love how right along the boardwalk are brightly coloured chairs , picnic tables and murals. 
Every new or renovated building has to include some type of public art…..a statue, mural or display. The atmosphere is vibrant with both locals and tourists enjoying the area.
The city is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia. It has been able to retain some of its historical buildings although many of course were lost in the massive explosion of 1917. There is an extensive pedi way that joins from the modern towers , office blocks , hotels and extends over major roadways. A pedi way is a covered walkway. This must be a boon in winter with the temperatures they experience, don’t you think.
Were you impressed? 
I found you a maritime museum since you will miss the Tokyo one. Halifax has created a Museum of the Atlantic. This region has always had a maritime history dating back to the birch covered canoes of the indigenous Mi’kmaq people. Yes there were models of ships, but more interesting, well to me , was the section on the Titanic and the explosion. As I said previously, the explosion happened when two ships collided in the narrows.
The pictures show the before and after for the church in the area . Shrapnel and parts of the exploded ship were found up to 8 kilometres away from the explosion site. Pieces still turn up today buried in the ground or in buildings that could be repaired.
You and I both know the story of the Titanic and have seen at least one documentary or fictionalised movie. Halifax was the nearest city to the ship. They expected the casualties to be brought to the city but the survivors were taken to New York. Instead Halifax got the job of collecting the dead and the debris. Many were identified and returned to families but despite best efforts , others weren’t and were buried . Artefacts are displayed showing the opulence and disparity between the passengers. To avoid scavengers , clothes and belongings that could not be returned were destroyed except those that could lead to identification. The saddest of these were a pair of baby shoes. Parts of the beautiful decorations in the ship also washed up. Many pieces were taken and turned into other pieces by the locals.
Class system was evident in both life and burial. Look at these three rooms and menus. The first class had coffins, the second and third canvas shrouds and the crew, a stretcher. 
The third class menu is not to my liking but for the person , it may have been luxury compared to their usual meal.
What was your favourite part of the Museum. For me it was the section on sail boats. You walked in to the sound of the wind in the sails, the creak of the boards under your feet and the smell of the ropes. The Museum showcases the time of the sailboats but has gone further to teach children and others some of the traditional skills. They can learn how ropes were made, figureheads caved and better still, how to make their own rowboat. The scheme seems to be successful with one group already rowing beautiful boats and a Mi’kmaq family has made a traditional canoe. The Museum is planning to expand the scheme. Rest time…….see you tomorrow. Oh if the photos aren’t coming through to your email, just flip over to the website…….site powers don’t know why sometimes they don’t come through.
Wives of the soldiers could earn money working in the school, washing , cooking , sewing or running the stores for the garrison. I wonder if they got to keep the money?
When the suburb was rebuilt, it was styled on an English garden village. The houses are wooden ,like most homes in Canada ,but you have sections of just one style and then another of a different design. 
Painted different colours , they are known locally as ‘salt box houses’and have a small roadside garden in front. Some are now rundown but still look picturesque from afar don’t you think?
Well after a year in planning and umpteen plane changes , we are at the airport. Bags have been booked through and Mike remembered the passports( yes I did decide to give him one more chance).
The plane is here!
Bounty Day is Norfolk Island’s special day to remember the arrival of the Pitcairn Island people in 1856. It is naturally a public holiday. All the families dress as their ancestors did and meet at the pier.
Passport out and onto the plane. There are lots of restrictions, entry passes to complete(after you make an account, verify it and then sign in), masks to wear but yes we are going to Norfolk Island. There was an advantage , we were invited to have breakfast in the first class lounge. We felt very special. Our order was collected by staff in white coats, black gloves and masks. Not half posh. Breakfast was pretty good as well.
I hope you slept well. ….no one scrambling up or down the ladder to the top bunk or thumping on the door as they went past. Oh you were on the top bunk. 
Today you stop in Alice Springs. It was called Stuart-town until 1932. Alice Springs was actually where the original Telegraph Station was located on the Todd River. Alice Springs is now a sprawling township made up of 12 suburbs. Our train is down there somewhere. Can you spot the red engine?. 
Australian children all learnt by booklets, internet activities and zoom classes in 2020. For many children this is a normal situation. At present 92 children attend the School of the Air situated in Alice Springs. They see their teacher in person twice a year at their home and their class mates 3 times a year in Alice . Each child is equipped with everything they need by the school for $18,000. This includes a computer, printer, camera and satellite dish. Once the child no longer need it , all the equipment goes back to the school for the next child.. 
When the telegraph was invented, this slow delivery of news improved . However there were still complications caused by distance. Telegraph lines
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Check out the cabin then off to the lounge to calm your nerves. 
Don’t drink too much because it will soon be lunch and then we will be arriving in Katherine. I volunteered you for the cruise with the 2km stroll.
The scenery of the Gorge is spectacular.
Ready to be a tourist? We are taking a bus trip to Kakadu. It’s only a small bus and the driver assures us he knows lots…..it was a little worrisome that he left the door of the luggage van open ……….We are off. 
Kakadu is about a 3 .5 hour drive from Darwin. It is the end of the wet season so there is lots of water still around and some areas are still closed.
Water lilies cover huge areas and are in flower with white and purple flowers. Salvia weed was a problem in the creeks but the Australian weevil they have introduced is gradually bringing it under control. No swimming here …..there are crocodile and although we went looking , they were shy and we didn’t see any.
Later today you are going to East Alligator river to watch crocodiles.
As you can expect,I have thousands of photos to show you. We are on the Ghan today. See you soon.
Conditions were hard for the inmates as there was initially no electricity or toilets. Ventilation was through a small window high in the wall.Prisoners were taken to the beach to wash. Without facilities the rooms would have been hot , smelly and dark. The only advantages were :staff had a good relationship with the prisoners (even joined them in games) and there were areas for communal dining and activities.
Next stop for the day…. I know you thought you were done…. is return the car and walk to the Flying Doctor exhibition. This exhibition is mainly information boards but there are virtual displays too. I really liked the holograph movie telling the history of the Flying Doctor service and one American Naval officer’s experience during the bombing. Reverend Flynn certainly had forward thinking about the needs of supporting the people of the outback , initially by camel, then car and finally by air.
