New Brunswick deserves better, I think ... A quick dinner in Halifax, Nova Scotia

They call New Brunswick the drive-through province. The reason, of course, is because many folks skip past it (which takes a good, long while by the way) on their way to Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia, which seem to have scooped up most of the big tourism dollars and attractions.

I'm guilty of the drive-through this time. I had to make it from Quebec City Wednesday morning to Halifax Wednesday night so I didn't have time to see much of New Brunswick. We stopped for coffee in Edmundston, which is bigger than I expected, than had some lovely countryside and river views along the way to Fredericton; also bigger than I thought.

I saw maybe one boat in all the glorious rivers we passed and didn't see anyone fishing. But they looked like great fishing rivers to me, and I'd love to try some time.

I expected things to be busier between Fredericton and Moncton but saw maybe a couple houses and a gazillion trees and not much else until we were on the outskirts of Moncton.

As I said, I feel guilty about skipping through it but I did spend a night in Saint John a few years ago, checking out the lovely market and having a fine fish dinner. We also checked out Magnetic Hill on that trip, and let's just say I don't see what the big deal is about sitting in your car and feeling like your rolling uphill.

Anyway, next time I hope to spend more time in a province that seems to have a lot to offer; mountains and rivers and small cities and nice-looking beaches; all wrapped in a nicely bilingual package...

Oh, I almost forgot what might be a great travel story someday; the Potato World Museum in Florenceville-Bristol; between Edmundston and Fredericton. It looks pretty cool and you gotta love a museum dedicated to spuds, doncha think?

 

THAI ONE ON IN HALIFAX

Thanks to the good folks at the Halifax Tourism  for recommending the Cambridge Suites downtown. I love a big room, and this one has plenty of space to spread out, with a separate bedroom, a living area  with a sofa bed and tv, a work station off to one side and a kitchenette with an eating counter, fridge and microwave. Breakfast is included and there's a pool and jacuzzi and gym and a rooftop lounge with great views eastward to the harbour.

It's right downtown and kitty corner to Citadel Park, so it's absolutely ideal for families.

We wandered down to Barrington St. and, at the urging (again) of the tourism folks had dinner at Talay Thai. The verdict? A smashing success.

It's a nice spot with beads hanging from the ceiling and Thai artwork and nicely polished floors. It was some of the best Thai food I've had anywhere, and they were quite busy on a Wednesday night, so that says something.

The spring rolls were just good, but the Tom Yum soup was nicely spicy and the mango salad also had a nice kick to go with huge chunks of fresh fruit. Wonderful.

The Pad Thai needed fresh lime for a kick but they were happy to provide some. The cashew chicken was gently spicy but rich in flavours and the Massaman curry was to die for; rich and coconuty and spicy all at the same time, with big chunks of carrots. 

I would've drunk the curry sauce out of the bowl but it was too hot to hold in my fingers and there were too many people around.

Also tried my first local beer; a Propeller Pale Ale that was pretty hoppy for my taste but likely would be a big hit with lots of folks, I'm sure. I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to beer, so I may not be the best guide about anything heavier than a Heineken or a Creemore...

More to come soon on this lovely Nova Scotia city...