Wednesday 25 May 2011

Buddhist Monks to the Rescue

For the past three days I've been travelling around Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, with the Salty Bear Adventure group. There were only three of us on the tour (four if you include Tour Guide Tony). We had perfect weather for the first two days and were able to go whale watching, kayaking and hiking.

Today we woke to find it raining and foggy but we were determined to find a spot to go hiking so we set off for the other side of the Cape. Tony suggested we check out a look off (or 'look out' as we call them in Australia) he was shown the night before so we headed there first. Apparently we were all thinking the same thing as we headed onto a dirt road but it was Aimee who asked first if the van was a 4WD - it turned out not to be. We headed onto the grassy track into the look off spot, took in the views, then jumped back into the van to get out of the rain and be on our way - so we thought. We had managed to get ourselves bogged.

The view

The van bogged and enjoying the view



After several attempts to get out (including a half-hearted attempt to push) and with the van edging ever closer to the 100 foot cliff drop, Tour Guide Tony decided to run to the Buddhist Monastery, Gampo Abbey, up the road to enlist the aid of a monk with a truck.



Yep - definitely bogged!


Upon his arrival, Monk with the Truck told us three girls to go and stand out on the road, in the rain, away from the action because, apparently, we are hysterical girls and he didn't want us ruining his ch'i or something with our hysterics - crazy hysterical girls - we just can't handle a good bogging!

Anyway... after we got out of sight (we did manage to peek between some trees) the guys did their thing and got the van out, ch'i intact. Tour Guide Tony is now devoting his year to Buddhism and will be telling this story to every tour group from now on.


All Photos Above © Noeleen Warman

Friday 20 May 2011

Some Signs of Spring

I've been trekking around Nova Scotia the last few days and have to admit I'm a little in love! I'm finding it hard to concentrate on driving when every corner I go around or every hill I go over makes me oooh and ahhhh over the scenery. I'll post later with more picks from my trip but for now, I finally got to see some blossoms - Spring is in the air!




Tuesday 17 May 2011

So I'm trying to wean myself off sugar...

Ha Ha Ha!!!




























There is something about being by the water that always makes me want to eat ice cream and the fact that the sun managed to peak through the clouds today - well, I just couldn't say no, could I?! 
Vanilla ice cream with Chocolate Rum Cake (made here in Halifax) mixed in! Too good to pass up. I think I should've packed my running shoes...










































































































All Photos Above © Noeleen Warman

Sunday 8 May 2011

The Bay of Fundy and the Bustling Metropolis of Maitland

So I thought I should probably post some photos of the area where Four Seasons Farm is situated because it is really beautiful.




The Bay of Fundy has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world at 17 meters. This creates some pretty amazing mud which has a consistency and look of a really creamy chocolate frosting. Unfortunately for me, it's still too cold for mud sliding (a favourite past time in the area) but it didn't stop me going through it with gum boots on, which in hindsight, wasn't the smartest idea in the world. The mud has a fairly powerful suction and my boots got stuck so I had to remove them and pry them out with my hands - I managed it without face planting the mud or getting too much over myself.



The town of Maitland has a population of maybe 200 (that is a rough guess because no one seems to be able to give me a real answer). I happened to meet some locals on Friday night when Garret Mason (a local Blues musician) came to play at the Fire Hall in town. I think it was the biggest thing to happen in Maitland for quite some time. T'was a merry ole shindig with $3 beers - can't go wrong!



All Photos Above © Noeleen Warman