Check out these CAT Ferry Video Room highlights

• Funny man Cyril Lunney from CTV’s Breakfast Television will show you how to harvest salt hay in Yarmouth, NS, discover what it takes to be a captain of the CAT and take you to the top of Cadillac Mountain in the State of Maine.
• Save a surfing trip to Hawaii and check out the waves at Lawrencetown Beach.
• After watching the How to Cook a Nova Scotia Lobster Dinner, you might want to take a peek into the How to Eat a Nova Scotia Lobster Dinner.
• Rev up the ol’ Harley and hit road for some incredible coastal sightseeing.
• Fiddles. Bagpipes. Highland dancers. Acadian folk music. Crank it up and get an earful of Atlantic Canada’s Celtic culture.

Still looking for more? With everything that’s happening all over Atlantic Canada and the State of Maine, you can be sure we’ll keep the cameras rolling! Check back for videos that are added regularly.

Discover interesting things hidden deep in the valley!

• CFB Greenwood is Atlantic Canada’s largest operational air force
• The town of Windsor is the birthplace of hockey.
• The town of Berwick is Nova Scotia’s Apple Capital.
• Domaine Grand Pré is Nova Scotia’s oldest operating winery.
• Hans Fundy Shore is home to the world’s highest tide. Once the tide goes out, walk on the bottom of the Bay of Fundy.
• Fort Anne National Historic Site is the site of many battles as France and England fought for control of North America in the 17th and the 18th century.
• The Blockhouse at Fort Edward is the oldest blockhouse in Canada.
• The Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, held every spring, celebrates the region’s thriving apple industry is the largest of its kind in North America.
• Annapolis Valley is home to many of Nova Scotia’s wineries; Benjamin Bridge Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré, Muir Murray Estate Winery, Sainte Famille Wines, Gaspereau Valley Vineyards.
• Old Holy Trinity Church in Middleton is the oldest church still in use in Canada.
• The Isle Haute, located in Harbourville gives the illusion of moving around the Bay, a trick made possible by light.

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Acadian tidbits to feed your curiosity

• Cape Forchu Light station’s “applecore” style is the prototype for its kind in the world.
• Musée Église Sainte-Marie Church Museum is the largest wooden church in North America.
• The community of Pubnico is the oldest Acadian region in Nova Scotia.
• There are over 400 sea captains’ homes which have been built between 1850 and 1900.
• Bangor Sawmill Museum is one of the last functioning mills of its kind in North America.
• The Killam Brothers Shipping Office represents Yarmouth’s golden age of sail.
• Smuggler’s Cove Provincial Park was a prime location for smuggling liquor during prohibition.
• The Argyle Township Court House & Archives is the oldest standing courthouse in Canada.

Not too sure where to start? No problem! Our Guided Tours can take your around the area, visiting various historical and cultural Acadian sites as well as Yarmouth’s shoreline beauty. Pair up with one of our Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Vacation Packages and you’re set.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Browse through a collection of vintage photos of the 1917 Halifax Explosion and bring new meaning to the old saying. The images of this disastrous historical event instantly grab your attention and the only words you know are “Oh, my God”. They say the moments between the Mont-Blanc and Imo’s collision and the explosion were set apart with a momentary silence…

You can’t help but stop and take a closer look of a mushroom cloud photo. Again, words fail you and you can only utter “Woa…”. Silently, you continue clicking through a series of before and after pictures that leave you shuddering with goose bumps. Suddenly, the clicks stop as you come upon a photo that literally cuts your breath short. The caption reads “Bodies in Chebucto Road Mortuary”

After getting over the initial shock of these pictures, you start looking into the information. Whether you’re from the East Coast or not, the information will leave your head spinning and you will need a moment or two to recollect yourself.

The Mont-Blanc exploded in a fraction of a second.

The most immediate and devastating effect of the explosion was a shockwave produced by the detonation that was the equivalent of 2989 tons of TNT. The shockwave travelled at a speed of more than 1500 meters per second.

At the center of the blast the heat produced by the chemical reaction was in excess of 5000C. The heat and pressure pushed a fireball of hot gases, and debris consisting of soot, unburned coal, carbon from explosives, and shrapnel high into the sky above the harbour. As the gases cooled a giant cloud formed, the soot, carbon, and shrapnel fell as a deadly shower.

Around the Mont-Blanc the water was vaporized by the heat, the pressure of the explosion sent a 16 meter tidal wave out into the harbour and up into the Richmond neighbourhood for three city blocks. – Passage from the Halifax Explosion, In the blink of an eye…

December 6, 1917 will be a day that Halifax will forever remember.

Halifax Explosion Resources

• CBC – Halifax Explosion
• Historica by the Minute – Halifax Explosion
• The Halifax Explosion, In the blink of an eye

Share the experience
Having a whale watching buddy comes in handy when the tour lasts a couple of hours. Not only will company help make time go by quicker when the whales decide to be a little shy, but you if you’re prone to motion sickness, you don’t want to go through it alone if you forgot to take sea sickness medication.

Disposables vs Digital Cameras
Wanting to capture every moment of your first whale watching experience is understandable so consider the type of camera you have. If your digital camera isn’t in grade-A condition or you’ve simply forgotten it, grab a disposable camera at the local gift shop.

Up, down, up, down, side to side… oh boy.
Make sure you don’t spend the entire journey hugging the railing. Visit your local pharmacy for Dramamine or other motion sickness medication. The best way to take care of a little sea sickness when there isn’t any medication on board is to stay outside on deck, find a spot on the horizon and keep your eyes glued on it. Talk to your whale watching buddy to keep your mind off your rumbling tummy.

“Are we there yet?”
Some tours can last anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. After a I was while, the “Look over there! Oh and there!” scenario can become a little monotonous. Make sure to bring something with you to make the time trickle by. Again, remember that friend we were talking about?

Dressing for the part
When you’re contemplating to join a whale watching tour, remember this; the temperature on the ocean is far cooler than onshore. You are very welcome to wear your shorts and tank top with a pair of flip flops, but it’s hard to take a clear picture when you’re shivering. Wear warm clothes. You’ll be happy you did.

Keep in mind, many things can factor in your whole whale watching experience. Choosing the right tour company, the weather, the actual appearance of the whales. So if your first time isn’t as you expected, don’t be discouraged. There’s always another day! Now, in the spirit of old clichés, let’s get ready for a whale of a good time!

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Festival July 1-8
The highly disciplined world of the Canadian and international military opens its doors and invites you to 2.5 hours of pipes, drums, dancers, military bands, acrobats, choirs, military displays and competitions. Did we mention men in uniform?

TD Atlantic Jazz Festival July 10 – 18
The Atlantic Jazz Festival is more than a full line-up of top-notch jazz musicians. During this musical summer fest, Halifax’s main downtown drag, Spring Garden Rd is closed down and makes way for performances that range from international favourites to local jam sessions.

Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival July 11
Yes indeed. We do mean those games where men throw a 20ft log so that it flies end over end. The Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival gives you the chance to hang with the Scots with a little highland dancing and some Celtic beats. And remember, they’re called kilts, not skirts!

Tall Ships Nova Scotia July 16 – August 1
Think of this festival as days spent with the Black Pearl from movie trilogy Pirates of the Caribbean. You may not see this vessel in person, but when you see humongous ships from all over the world gather in the Halifax Harbour, you’ll only be able to say woooooooooow…

Alexander Keith’s Natal Day Festival July 30 – August 3
Honestly, not all politicians are awful. Alexander Keith, mayor of the city of Halifax and Conservative member of the provincial legislature brought his brewing talents to Canada and founded the Alexander Keith’s Brewing Company. Natal Day Festival also shows his support for civic events. Cheers to that!

Halifax International Buskers Festival August 6 – 16
Wikipedia calls busking “the practice of performing in public places for tips and gratuities”. Well, make way towards the Halifax Harbour and hold on to your hats. These streets performers come from all over the world and their performances are worth the spare change you carry in your pockets.

Did you stumble upon a festival extravaganza during your last trip to Halifax that we haven’t mentionned? Let us know, leave a comment! Looking for more? Take a peek in our 2009 Nova Scotia Festivals & Events calendar!

A deal so good it’s Purr-fect! Purchase our round-trip Portland, Maine Weekend Getaway Passenger Fare ($149pp) and with this package you’ll receive 2 nights free at the Clarion Hotel.

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While the city of Halifax is settled in the heart of Canada’s ocean playground, there are plenty of things to do without getting your pinky toe wet. Laugh until the cows come home during a show at the Halifax Comedy Fest or watch a full line-up of piping muscle during the ancient Scottish heavyweight events at the Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Still looking for more land-lubber action? Glance through our Top 10 list of things to see and do. You’ll be glad you did.

Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tours

You may not get your hands on the secret recipe, but you’ll be able to impress your buddies back home with your newfound knowledge on the brewing process. Of course, samples of Keith’s are available. Cheers!

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

A trip to Halifax’s Citadel lets your imagination run amuck while completely surrounded with historic artifacts and kilt-bearing individuals topped with bearskin hats play the pipes.

Halifax Public Gardens

For your sake, take the time to appreciate this fine example of the blossoming colors of nature at its best and take a deep breath. Feel better? Now onto more thrill seeking Halifax adventure!

McNabs and Lawlor Island Provincial Park

Discover the outdoor enthusiast in you with 400 acres of woodland at your disposal. Create your own Crusoe adventure but make sure you catch the Ferry boat to get back to the urban jungle.

Pier 21 National Historic Site

You may not know somebody personally, but wouldn’t it be neat to discover an old family name within the books of immigrants? Pier 21 takes you through an emotional rollercoaster as you explore the stories of immigrants. Word of caution, a Kleenex or two might be needed.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica

Regardless what you’ve been taught, it’s ok to stare. When you come within steps of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, you just can’t help but to look up, up.. and up!

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Did anybody mention the Titanic? Yes, indeed, Halifax was the final resting place for the notorious Titanic disaster. So how about giving Leonardo DiCaprio a rest and seeing real 20+ artifacts and photographs down at the Maritime Museum’s exhibit? Feel free to hum the Titanic theme song for the full effect.

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

Calling all art buffs! Soak up the cultural influences at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The AGNS has been working on bringing out some old faves from the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts out of the vault and showcasing in several exhibitions.

The Halifax Harbour & Waterfront

Boats, boats and more boats. Take a whale watching tour. Discover the delicious culinary wonders of a Beavertail. Simply enjoy being close to the east coast waters. Did we forget to mention there are a lot of boats?

Fairview Cemetery

Yes, that’s right. We want you to squeeze in some time, during your weekend trip to Halifax to journey through a bunch of headstones. But here’s the catch, the Fairview Cemetery is the Final resting place of the 121 victims of the Titanic. Interesting, no? You might even find Mr. Jack Dawson.

Now before we go into the formalities of introducing our newest feature, we’d like to share some travel tidbits that you might not have been aware of.

• There is such a thing as lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor, Maine
• There is life at 4:30 in the morning. It’s at the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, waiting to see the first sunrise in the United States.
• Forget trying to make the English Royal Guards laugh. Save your money. Visit the Halifax Citadel and see the 78th Highlanders instead.
• Horror novelist Stephen King’s Victorian-style mansion is located in Bangor, Maine
• The Canadians have a lot to thank Maine for. The state is the proud inventor of the donut hole machine, earmuffs and the snow plow.

And now to properly introduce our new Travel Blog. Since Canada’s East Coast and the state of Maine are among the top vacation destinations in the world and the CAT Ferry is one of the World’s Super Ships, a travel blog seemed like the next step.

A dubious amount of Atlantic Canada and Maine travel information is now available at your fingertips, including details on popular attractions, ideas on what to do during your vacation and of course, awesome vacation packages to Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador.

Like everything so far? There’s a lot more where that came from, so throw the CAT Ferry Travel Blog in your ‘favourites’ list and check back for recent postings!

See you on the CAT.