Marine Canada

A travel journal to Nova Scotia by samepenny

Humpback Whale Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote: I got an interesting e-mail concerning my various postings about Nova Scotia. It was about money and credit cards; so I hope to provide some information. Which cards worked, the writer wanted to know, and which didn't. Here are some of my experiences. Some of the places I stayed, shopped. Marine Canada is a wonderful place to visit. Just plain wonderful!

15 Photos

Marine Canada

Overview

Tall Ship Europa Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

In our group of 4 adults we had a selection of credit and ATM (debit) cards. To get to the bad news first: the ATM card issued by a major employee credit union in the U.S. failed to work in any cash machine. The ATM cards issued by 'regular' banks did work fine, although no hometown bank balances were available. A real irritation to those of us who keep track of our bank balances with ATM receipts! Of the major US credit cards; off the bat, we found that the one most honored was VISA. Unlike the US where most places which accept VISA will also take Master Card, but many stores were VISA only locations. Now and then a major hotel and/or restaurant would take American Express. Only once could we u...Read More

Cheer!
Flag

Cambridge Suites Hotel

Hotel | "Cambridge Suites"

Quote:

Cambridge Suites was the only place that 'accepted' my Discover Card. Much appreciated as I enjoy that 'cash back bonus.' There was a generic cash machine in the hotel, but I never saw anyone using it. I preferred to use a 'name' bank cash machine. Room price includes a buffet breakfast. This Cambridge Suites is the best designed suite hotel I've ever seen so far as the rooms are concerned. Of course, the outstanding view on one side of Halifax Harbour is part of the pleasure. We had 2 suites, both the same. Each was a large 2 level, but set up in such a way that both the bedroom and the kitchette on the upper level had a full view from the living room windows. Such a clever design th...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 20, 2000

Cambridge Suites Hotel
1583 BRUNSWICK STREET
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J3P5
902-420-0555

Cheer!
Flag

Westgate Lakes Vacation Resorts

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Bayview Cottage by the Sea"

Quote:

Gloria & Jacques Lemay run this wonderful cottage in addition to their new Driftwood Cottages next door. When you visit this scenic coastal fishing village nestled between Cape D''or and Cape Chignecto on the Bay of Fundy. Advocate is famous for its lobster and scallop fishing and of course the incredible tide changes of the Bay of Fundy. Take a trip back in time to the days when sailing ships sailed all the seas from the Fundy shores. Many of these ships were built in this area from the trees of Nova Scotia. Take a long walk on the Fundy beaches, built a driftwood campfire, watch the sun set from your own private deck. This is a delightful, fully equipped housekeepin...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 12, 2001

Westgate Lakes Vacation Resorts
10000 TURKEY LAKE RD
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-345-0000

Cheer!
Flag

various

Restaurant

Picton Castle Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

The restaurants in smaller towns in Canada appear to be less credit card oriented than what we are used to in the US when even Burger King takes credit cards. Most of the time we were able to find a 'name bank' cash machine in larger towns such as Parrsboro, but the further we went out to the end of the road, the more we had to depend on cash. If a restaurant in a smaller place (or almost no town at all) did take a credit card, I can virtually guarantee that it was only VISA. Keep this in mind to avoid hunger.

We pooled our bills and settled up when we got back to an ATM machine.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 21, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

Harbourlite Restaurant

Restaurant

Fundy at Low tide Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

The Harbourlite became our 'hang out' restaurant in Advocate largely because it's the ONLY restaurant in Advocate. We really enjoyed the food, the people who run it and the atmosphere. The seafood was served in huge quantities. This restaurant is open very long hours most of the year. It closes for part of the winter which is a time the owner takes everything apart and cleans and paints. The seafood platter is so large it can easily feed a couple. Everything is home made. To keep this posting on my subject for this journal, I will add that the owner 'takes' VISA.

The only local restaurant, we were there during a large family party. No problem, we just got a table and enjoyed the fun.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 21, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

Cape d'or Lighthouse

Restaurant

Quote:

In the former lighthouse keeper's home there is a cafe and a couple of guest rooms in a nearby building. Outstanding view and circumstance, but the walk down from the road is difficult.

Even if you stop at the top and just (JUST!) enjoy the view, it's wonderful. Oh Canada! We happened to be there at the exact moment he opened for lunch. Well worth the climb.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 23, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

Bluenose II Company Store

Attraction

Quote:

The Bluenose II Preservation Trust opened the Company Store to bring in revenue to support the Lunenburg-made sailing ship, the Bluenose II. You can shop in person or order by telephone at (800) 763-1963. They have a WEB site: click here for the Bluenose website. Ordering from the WEB site is awkward at this time. I purchased a winter jacket that is both warm and rain proof. I like the jacket very much. They also have books, calendars, posters and childrens' games. Well worth a look-see either in person or online. The Bluenose II is a fabulous ship that has taken part in several Tall Ship sailing adventures. It is so incredibly beautiful. Buy something...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 25, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

Local shopping

Attraction

The Eagle, USCG Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

Local shopping is, for us, the best part of traveling after scenery! However, being credit card oriented residents of major cities in the US, we are accustomed to using credit cards just about every where to pay for just about everything. In our party of 4 people, our 'at home' preferences for credit cards leaned very heavily toward Discover and American Express. Well, those tv ads might warn you no to leave home without your American Express card, but it's not going to do you a lot of good in Maritime Canada. Fortunately 2 of the 4 of us had VISA cards and 2 of the 4 of us had ATM debit (cash machine) cards that would work in 'name brand' bank machines. Three of the 4 of us were very expe...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 21, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

West Advocate, Bay of Fundy

Attraction

The rock is seen at low tide Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

The Bay of Fundy area is remarkable. You have to see and experience to believe. I think that just about everyone would enjoy such a visit. We happen to like to get out into the more remote areas, but if you only get as far as the Tidal Bore in Turo, you've done a lot.

Mother Nature has given Canada so much. The Canadians take care of what they have. The pace of life is gentle. Some of many reasons to pack a bag and head North! A wonderful vacation is waiting for you.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 21, 2000

Cheer!
Flag

In Canada, watch for the dollar signs!

Story/Tip

Peggy's Cove sea view Photo - Nova Scotia, Canada

Quote:

We found out, when we were making hotel and cottage reservations six months prior to out trip, that some prices were quoted in U.S. dollars, some in Canadian dollars and some were just plain vague about which they were talking about. In print the dollar sign for U.S. currency has 2 slashes through it, the Canadian one only one. This becomes very important as you read through listings and send in paperwork. In June 2002, the rate of exchange between the two currencies values the Canadian at 65 cents U.S. Every time we made a reservation via telephone, we tried to make good notes about what we had agreed to, but still, when we arrived at the location, often there was still confusion. In one c...Read More