Trouble getting accustomed to being 4 hours ahead of Kelowna, however, we have a full day ahead. Halifax Citadel was a highlight. This star shaped fort is just up the hill (quite a climb – we chose to drive) from the Maritime Museum and the Science Centre. Weather was cool, cloudy, and some drizzle but tapering off by early afternoon. We just made it in time to hear and see the “soldiers” fire the noon cannon. (Actually they are summer government employees and fired it at 11:58 by my watch – not sure who was wrong.) The shot was from a 200 year old cannon that still works! Great views of Halifax Harbour and Georges Island from up top. Eye opening tour of what life was like for these guys – harsh, cold, and lots of rules. 
Then on down the hill we visited St. Mary’s Basilica. Beautiful Church, lots of stained glass windows – gothic design. Nothing modern about this church! Upon entry you felt still and silent knowing it was a place of worship and prayer. Considering converting to Catholicism… just kidding Dad. Simply awesome.
Cool Facts we learned:
1) The Halifax Citadel was so well planned and protected, they never fired a cannon out of anger. It had a great reputation of being impenetrable, so enemies didn’t even try.
2) Drums were used to tell the soldiers what to do – they couldn’t hear commands yelled out over gun\cannon fire.
3) The fort raised discs and flags on the fort's flagpole to alert townspeople to the type of ship and its country-of-origin entering the harbour.
4) Soldiers were locked up in their barracks at night to keep them from escaping.
5) Windows in St. Mary’s Basilica were blown out in the Halifax Explosion. They were then replaced by a company based out of Germany who used the old ancient style of stain glass windows – the colors actually get more vivid as they age.
1) The Halifax Citadel was so well planned and protected, they never fired a cannon out of anger. It had a great reputation of being impenetrable, so enemies didn’t even try.
2) Drums were used to tell the soldiers what to do – they couldn’t hear commands yelled out over gun\cannon fire.
3) The fort raised discs and flags on the fort's flagpole to alert townspeople to the type of ship and its country-of-origin entering the harbour.
4) Soldiers were locked up in their barracks at night to keep them from escaping.
5) Windows in St. Mary’s Basilica were blown out in the Halifax Explosion. They were then replaced by a company based out of Germany who used the old ancient style of stain glass windows – the colors actually get more vivid as they age.
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