Chichen Itza Virtual Challenge Progress Report June 22, 2023

After finishing the Ring of Kerry Virtual Challenge, I pondered if I wanted to do another one, of course I signed up for one, I'm hooked on these! Heading south across the Atlantic Ocean, I am now virtually trekking in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.  The Chichen Itza Virtual Challenge is 154 kms in length and takes you to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  This tourist beach area is not a location I have any urge to actually visit but I am good to go there virtually.  I do love water and beaches having grown up in Nova Scotia, it is in my blood.  

You can see the "start" sign in the centre of the bushes with the sandy trail on the left and the beautiful blue water on the right.  

a far out view of this virtual location

closing in

the 154 km route is one way

This is a fairly new challenge put out by the Conqueror People.

I began this virtual challenge on the first day of summer along the boardwalk at the Halifax Nova Scotia Waterfront.  I am using this photo as my maker along the route.  

my first postcard

For this 154 km route, I picked a time frame of 42 days to complete it.  I am feeling motivated to be "out & about" now that I am back in Calgary where we are blessed with smoke-free air.  Stay tuned for progress reports!  

Ring of Kerry Virtual Challenge COMPLETE June 19, 2023

Well, that's a wrap much sooner than I had planned and my medal is already in the mail!  As of right now, it is leaving Pontiac, Michigan on its way to Canada.  I will receive it this coming week.  The kilometres accumulated quickly and easily once I reached Nova Scotia and put my feet to the pavement to sight see.   

My pacer (red marker) was far behind when I reached the finish line.

Excerpt from postcard:  "When the first transatlantic cable was installed in 1858 between Newfoundland Canada and Valentia Island near Waterville it didn't come without its problems. Working for a mere three weeks due to weak cables, it took five further attempts across nine years to eventually succeed in maintaining a lasting connection. The Atlantic Telegraph Co. had a monopoly over the industry and as a result the Commercial Cable Company from New York was established to break the monopoly and reduce prices by successfully installing cables in 1884 from Waterville to Nova Scotia. This brought a hive of activity into the village and the need for more housing to accommodate company personnel who settled in the area. Waterville became the European hub for the Company and at its peak was the largest cable station in the world." 

 

Waterville Golf Links (photo from google maps)

view at Waterville from along the Ring of Kerry route (photo from google maps)

These are the final two postcards that popped into my mailbox.

Early on in this challenge, I spent time learning about the places I was traveling through and admired many of the virtual views.  Once I arrived in Nova Scotia, doing that fell by the way side.  The guide who drove me out to Peggy's Cove did say that many think Ireland looks similar to the landscape around Peggy's Cove.  The real thing beats out virtual every time but viewing virtual fills the void and can be where dreams begin! 

Hello Summer! Hello Valley Gals! Halifax, Nova Scotia June 2023

Soon after noon time, the Valley Gals pulled up to a parking spot outside my home away from home.  I was patiently waiting for the second my friend stepped out of the vehicle, when she did, we embraced!  They then had a tour of my suite for a few minutes before we aimed for that hill and headed down it to the Waterfront.  Finally, it was warm with blue sky and the Harbour was alive.  

I enjoy framing a story and this is the beginning of ours!

Areas along the boardwalk were new to my friends since their last visit here.  

A hang in these hammocks was a first for them.  

There was loads to see and we tried our best to hit it all.  It took standing beside my friend at a certain angle, to actually see what this wire sculpture was.  I walked by it many times but never viewed it like I did today.  There is a tall ship in there.  Do you see it?  This piece of art is called “Sail”.

a story about “Sail”

The water was a happening place!  

I am not 100% positive but I believe as the boats come and go, 

so do the flags of their countries.  

I hoped the Vive La Vie would still be here for my friends to see, but this was the view now of where it was docked.  

This is “Beyond”, a much, much smaller beautiful yacht listed as a sailing vessel.  It sails under the flag of Gibraltar.  Previously it  docked at Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas before Halifax.  It left Halifax, destination unknown.

One of the sights my friend was determined to see was Queen’s Landing at Queen’s Marque.  This is where the stairs lead to the water.  She was brave to enter this far, taking a chance as she stated the last step was slippery with algae.  We sat for a like while on the stairs, enjoying the sun, the water and two fellows strumming tunes on their guitars.

We opted for an early dinner at Salty’s, sitting inside at a booth with a window view.  We all enjoyed our delicious meals and our adult beverages. I went for Fish Tacos! I knew I would pick fish of some sort. This time the locally brewed beer is by Spindrift Brewing Company which rebranded and is now Burnside Brewing Company.

I threw a thought out there, and that was to get an ice cream for the walk back up that hill.  There was no need to put pressure on that idea, they were game. We stopped at that little blue hut and bought our locally made Black Bear Ice Cream, cherry chocolate for them and maple pecan for me.

We made it up that hill, then headed to my home away from home where we went straight up to the roof top first.  In front of us was the Halifax Harbour and behind us is Citadel Hill. 

Evening approached and it was time for the Valley Gals to drive back to the Valley.  We said our goodbyes and I watched walk the m walk down the hall and giving a goodbye wave. Thank You so much for coming to spent these precious hours with me and for making fun memories.  

Halifax Citadel, Halifax Nova Scotia June 2023

This National Historic Site sits kitty-corner from my home away from home and was the view out the picture window in my bedroom.  The Halifax Citadel was an active military installation for over two hundred years first for the British Army and then the Canadian Army. The first Citadel was build in 1749 to 1776.  There was a second and third one built and the Citadel standing now was constructed in 1828.

History was not my most favourite subject in school and still remains low on my interest scale.  I am good with a little bit of information but much prefer seeing the sights at locations rather than hearing or reading all the stories.  Visiting here was on my list of things I would like to do if time permitted during this trip to Nowa Scotia.  On this morning I had a few hours to pass so I crossed the street and climbed the Hill to the entrance.

On the way up, I saw this, it's a remotely operated lawn cutter.  I saw one recently off a major road through Calgary with the operator close by.  There was no operator in sight for this one on Citadel Hill.  

I presented my National Parks Discovery Pass at the ticket booth so no additional fees were required.   

passing through the tunnel

views around the lower area

After visiting some of the sites at the base, I climbed the stairs to the upper level and strolled around the entire area.  It was a gorgeous morning and it was hot already.  There was no shelter to be had up here.

Drill Demonstrations take place throughout the day.

Troops heading to perform a Cannon Firing Demonstration.

I watched for awhile and carried on with walking around.  This is the cannon the troops were heading for and eventually performed a firing demonstration as I watched and listened from a far. 

at one of the cannons on the upper level

It was time to head down Citadel Hill and continuing heading down to the waterfront.

looking up at the Citadel Clock Tower

When I landed down at the Waterfront, I strolled around a bit but wanted to save big strolling for the afternoon with friends.  Our plan was for a late late lunch so I wanted something light right now to hold me over.  In all my visits to the waterfront, there was always a line up at Katch. That tells you something! It just opened for lunch and I was the first customer.  

I ordered one Fish Taco.  I found a table with an umbrella for shade and settled in for a short time savouring the sights, the sounds and this Fish Taco.  If there had been a long line up when I was ready for a bite to eat, the wait would have been well worth it!  

Point Pleasant Park & Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia June 2023

In all my years of living in Nova Scotia decades ago, today I asked myself, “Why during those years did I not visit Point Pleasant Park?”  That question came in a matter of minutes once I walked through the entrance off Young Street.  It was green, lush with forest lined trails, little ponds, open meadows, history, water vistas, birds, peaceful and so pretty. I stuck to the main trails but there were many options to veer off those and take routes less travelled.

Blue Jay

This was one of the historic points, it is The Prince of Wales Tower.  It was the first of 200 towers that were built (5 being in the Halifax area) for coastal defence.

view along the Northwest Arm

Sailors Memorial with view towards the Atlantic Ocean

walking along Sailors Memorial Way

After a couple of hours strolling around Point Pleasant Park, I arrived back at where I entered.  From here I aimed for the water, again.  I noticed a sign I did not see on my prior visits. A section of The Great Trail includes the Halifax Waterfront boardwalk.  

I brought a light lunch with me but when I saw the entrance to The Lower Deck, my focus was diverted to something much more tasty.  

an Alexander’s Keith Blonde Ale brewed a couple of minutes down the street

The other day I had a Lobster Roll, I had Atlantic Salmon at the wedding, and yesterday I went with Fish & Chips. Today was the day for Fish Cakes! 

While searching for local flare, I came upon Black Bear Ice Cream.

The single scoop of Salted Carmel on a waffle cone paired nicely with the scenery.

I picked one of those colourful chairs lining the harbour and settled in. The sea sung a song that embraced me.  An hour later, I pulled myself away from the chair and once again hit that hill back up to my home away from home.