The perspective of a city, any city, is usually from the streets. After all, streets are what a city has the most of. But some cities have more options than others.
Halifax is such a city. The famous Harbour Hopper service allows tourists to get a tour of the city through the streets and finish with a tour on the water, all inside the same vehicle.
Granted, the ride was not very comfortable, as the amphibious vehicles have no suspension other than their massive tires. But all in all, the ride was fine. Once we had had the city part of the tour, the guide was asking everyone aboard, “Do you want a big splash or a small splash?”
Harbour Hopper on wheels
Everyone was yelling “BIG SPLASH!” while I was holding my camera nearly overboard. I was tempted to add in a tiny voice, “Small splash, please!” but by the time I was ready, the big splash had already occurred. We were now in the water.
Norwegian cruise ship
Halifax from the waterside is something that every resident of Nova Scotia and every visitor to this province should have experienced at least once. The point of entry in the water is close to the Royal Navy of Canada, with big signs of “No Photography”. I complied, no need to get in trouble over a few snapshots, right?
Paddleboat to George’s Island
Once on the water, the heavy, hot air from the city is gone. A little cool breeze is a welcome change. Even more so, this summer has been particularly warm and, above all, dry.
Waterfront
The province has banned all activities in any woods, with a fine of up to $30k for being there anyway. I think I can do without the woods for a bit; they are not worth my hard-earned money to the tune of 30k. To others, that may be different.
HMS Sackville
When I was offered a fine of $2k during COVID for having travelled too far from my house or returning where I came from, I chose the latter. No need to finance other people’s coffee this way. Meanwhile, we were getting further and further on the water, making sure that I really needed my trusty Zoom lens to get some decent pictures.
Drunken lampposts
Halifax on the waterfront has three different sections. Far away is the cruise ship dock, then you have the boardwalk, and lastly the Navy yards. The Navy Yards are not accessible to the public. Don’t even think about it. We Canadians look very friendly, but don’t take it too far, eh?
Hopped Harbour Hopper
So you have seen the Harbour Hopper on land, where we got on board, and this is what they look like on the water. They are easy to spot, they have this frog-green colour.
Angus A MacDonald bridge
On the way back, I got a chance to shoot the MacDonald Bridge from the water, not an everyday opportunity for me. At the time, the bridge was under renovation and was closed to traffic. Then we were back on land and returning to our starting point.
Wispy clouds
Then I noticed the clouds in the sky and waited a little to take a shot of them, too nice to pass up on, and it still looks as if I was on the water 
.
Until next time…