There is a Captain in everyone of us

H.M.C.S. Sackville

1675 Lower Water St adjacent the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic,

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5X5, Canada

http://canadasnavalmemorial.ca/

 

I have visited the ship with my husband (Member of the DND-military) , as you can imagine, we visit anything that is related to war (sea, air or ground). This vessel was no exception. We have waited for a cloudy day. Usually it’s 5.00$ per adults, but free for military members and their family (with proper ID’s) . The ship, has a rich history, it is the last of Canada’s corvettes, it was responsible of many convoy escort ships, it was  built in Canada and the UK during WWII. It’s the Canada’s oldest warship ( that was fighting). It was nominated as an official Naval Memorial in 1985.

If you are eager to learn more on Canada’s contribution to war, it’s a must see. You’ll learn a lot on the living conditions of the Men onboard, they were quite a  large group living in a confined spaces, at sea for months and without too much commodity . 

I loved my visit, but once you’ve seen one of those warship, it’s like seeing the same all the time . On the other hand, if you take time to listen during the tour, each one has it’s individual story to tell.

Would I recommend this tour? yes, of course. But I am not sure, that it would be appropriate to bring young kids to that activity, they might get bored in time ( I think that it would be great for pre-teens , teens , young adults , adults, veterans, or Naval history passionate).

 

 

You’ll love it!

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

1586 Queen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I have seen a few military tattoo in my life. I used to think that kind of activity was boring, just hearing the sounds would get me irritated. But in time, you just hear a few notes coming from somewhere and you start tapping your toes on the ground ( you have to move to the sounds). Most of the musical instruments are used during the tattoo (bag-pipes, flutes, drums, etc.).

I was just walking around in the parks that day, and I got to the Province House, on Hollis street and a band was playing (free), I stayed and enjoyed the show. I know that during the International Tattoo, they have paying shows, you can see many fantastic bands coming from all over the world, but you can also see many of those bands for free during the day at specific locations (mostly parks and outside some government’s buildings).

Suggestions: If it fits in your budget,  don’t hesitate to pay to see the big show (lots of great bands ) it’s spectacular! If you can’t buy a ticket, you’ll have fun as well at the free outdoors show.

 

CERCLE NATIONAL DES ARMÉES

 

CERCLE NATIONAL DES ARMEES
http://www.cnaparis.com/en

8, place Saint Augustin
75008 PARIS

Phone: +33 (0) 1 44 90 27 28
Fax: +33 (0) 1 44 90 27 55
Email: hotel@cnaparis.com

The Cercle National Des Armees In Paris, France
Travelled in March 2010 and August 2011 (couple)

This Institution, consist of two Hotel , The Saint-Augustin and The Sainte-Genevieve; These Hotels are only accessible to Military staff and their families ( you have to show your card at the check-inn). The price is very reasonable if you compare to other well known establishments in that area. I had the chance to stay at the Sainte-Genevieve for a week in March 2010 and then I stayed at the Saint-Augustin in August 2011 for more then 2 weeks.

When it comes to choosing the right place, you might not even have a choice, it’s on first comes-first served, and it also depends on the time of year, sometimes one are the other might be closed for a certain period of time . Whenever you know that you have a chance to go to Paris, you have your date fixed , contact them immediately to make your reservation , and if you have a preference in the Hotel you want to go , you have to mention it then.

The rooms are pretty small, so if you want to have a bigger room , you will have to take a deluxe -privileges double size room or even an Apartment If you travel with family . At both locations it’s the same thing; for ourselves we booked the double room, at the Sainte-Genevieve we booked a double-privileges and at the Saint-Augustin we booked the double room (what a mistake we did there). The double-privilleges is perfect if you are not travelling with children, it’s small but comfy, while the double room, is too small , but will be perfect if you travel alone (1 person).

Comparison, I found the Saint-Augustin better located, it’s just a few steps from all the major attractions Paris as to offer, very close to the subway station, train, etc. You even have a shopping mall in front of the door, so you can get a little treat for yourself ( lots of excellent wine for a few bucks). The room that we had as I already said was too small, the establishment was almost full, so no way to get a upgrade at this point, the look in general, it could use a good refreshment (painting, new beds, new tv’s, etc.) , it’s very very old, they have no refrigerator in the room , and it’s noisy as it can be, we were situated in between two young families , so heard arguments, crying, etc ….in resume they were pretty much alive and we were exhausted with the jet-lag and everything. But again, the location, made us forget about the less interesting things and we were outside most of the time. They have a lounge and a fine-dinning restaurant, but we did not tried, we prefer to eat at different places everyday, so we tried quiet a few ones.

The Sainte-Genevieve, I a bit far from the major attractions, but If you like to walk you will be happy , it’s an area of Paris where it more calm , depend on the time of the year, when we were there it was during an episode of manifestations, so Cops even block the entrance to our Hotel at one point, so we had to wait a while before we could get back in, but everything was ok. The room was a good size, we could see the garden in the back of the hotel , lovely. We had breakfast on site (a restaurant) a few morning, it’s just a regular European breakfast ( a few croissants , a coffee, a juice), don’t expect bacon or sausage there. Suggestion: go to a caffee, you will get more for your money, because you pay the same price at the hotel, too expensive for what your getting.

At both locations, you are surrounded by so much beautiful buildings, little caffees, gardens, parks, etc.
So, anywhere you choose to go , you’ll be happy about the location and the price.

Tips: -Use one shuttle service to get to the Hotel, http://www.paris-shuttle.com/ it’s not expensive and you’ll get to you location more relaxed.
-About tipping in Paris, Gratuities are already included in the price your are paying so even if the waiters look at you funny when it’s time to pay, don’t act on it, they’ve already received their money,One of them made a scene when I ask to get my 3 euros back (that was the change he owed me).