Come to Lunenburg for a fun trip in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

by Aug 25, 2017Nova Scotia2 comments

We drove to Lunenburg on a beautiful summer day

Lunenburg is just an hour’s drive from Halifax. We set out in the morning with no plan other than to have fun at a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a fabulous summer day. We had fun getting there; we had fun while we were there; and we had fun on the return trip.

Lunenburg is one of the prettiest towns in Canada.

Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.

UNESCO Designation

Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seventy percent of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to greet visitors with their colourful façades.

 

http://www.novascotia.com/explore/top-25/lunenburg

Photo of shoreline in Lunenburg for boomervoice

The Lunenburg shoreline is one of the most photographed towns in Canada

This is a well-known photo of Lunenburg. I took a photo of the photo. I wanted to hire a boat to take us out in the harbour so that we could see this panorama of Lunenburg.

Purple and white house in Lunenburg for boomervoice

We made many stops on our way to the harbour in Lunenburg

The buildings are very colourful in Lunenburg. The purple and white house to the left in this photo was the most perplexing. Were they painting the house white or purple? Actually, there were no signs of anyone painting so I guess they decided that a white splotch on a purple house was just right.

Poutine in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Our walk to the harbour was fun and funny

Is poutine our national dish?

Oh my cod in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Would you eat here?

Bluenose pillow in Lunenburg for boomervoice

We had fun inside the shops

The Bluenose was built in Lunenburg. The shops are filled with Bluenose memorabilia.

It was said the Bluenose could dance on top of the ocean, cutting through waves like no other ship on the sea. As a racing schooner, she was undefeated in her 18-year career and became a Canadian icon.

 

Today, her spirit lives on in the Bluenose II – Nova Scotia’s tribute to our shipbuilding heritage.

 

http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/tours/bluenose-ii/2330

The refit of the Bluenose II turned into a boondoggle

Bluenose II cost probe requested by Nova Scotia government

CBC News  2014

The Nova Scotia government is asking the auditor general’s office to delve into the cost overruns and delays in the rebuild of the Bluenose II as the premier called it a “boondoggle” project.

 

“From the day we came into power, we’ve dealt with this. Our No. 1 focus is to get that boat in the water.”

 

The high-profile restoration project is two years behind schedule and more than $4 million over budget. The original budget for the project was $12.5 million and the latest estimate stands at $16.7 million, but the government has admitted labour costs will push that amount higher.

 

Lawsuits and management infighting have also delayed the project.

 

“There was zero good will, quite frankly, on any front,” he said.

The price tag of the refit is finally in:

Eight years after the refit was announced, Nova Scotia taxpayers finally know the official cost of rebuilding the Bluenose II:

 

$24 million.

 

That’s about $10 million more than the original estimate.

I don’t think the story of the boondoggle refit will go out with the tide!

Loom in Lunenburg for boomervoice

The shops in Lunenburg are filled with beautiful local crafts

Quilt art in Lunenburg for boomervoice

We loved the quilts in this quilt-art gallery

The quilts are stunning and so are the price tags. This quilt is $55,000

Whale jaw in Lunenburg for boomervoice.jpg

I am inside the mouth of a whale!

Anchor and little girl in Lunenburg for boomervoice

It was too sunny for harbourfront photos!

Bluenose sign in Lunenburg for boomervoice

This plaque is dedicated to the captain of the Bluenose from 1921 to 1938

Knot for sale stand in Lunenburg for boomervoice

If you are in Lunenburg, look for this knotty guy

Knot for sale cart in Lunenburg for boomervoice

We had lots of fun with the knotty guy

We asked the knotty guy where he learned his craft. He said that he was a sailor on a Columbia University research vessel in the 1970’s. He had lots of spare time on his hands so he learned to tie knots.

Hands tying knots in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Tying knots is hard work

Knotting tools in Lunenburg for boomervoice

These are knot-tying tools

The knotty guy explained the process to create a knot. He starts with a single piece of rope. He soaks the ends in water. Then he combs out the ends and knots the middle.

He sells everything he makes. I bought a knot as a souvenir.

Compass rose Fisherman's Memorial in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Fishing is a harsh life

The Fisherman’s Memorial on the waterfront is dedicated to fishermen who have died at sea.

Monument to seafarers in Lunenburg for boomervoice

The Fisherman’s Memorial is a compass rose

There are eight three-sided granite columns, one at each compass point.

The names of all the mariners who have lost their lives at sea are inscribed on the black granite. The saddest part of this monument is the blank columns where future names will be inscribed.

Whale watching in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Whale watching is safer than fishing

Boardwalk artist in Lunenburg for boomervoice

There are lots of en plein air artists in Lunenburg

Artist on boardwalk in Lunenburg for boomervoice

See the view through an artist’s eyes

Artists in Lunenburg for boomervoice

Where can you see the panoramic view of the Lunenburg waterfront?

These artists know that the road to the golf course has the best panoramic views of Lunenburg.

These artists are having lots of fun on their outing. They were picnicking, painting and laughing.

 

Do you want to be an en plein air artist? It looks like fun!

Golf Course view in Lunenburg for boomervoice

We didn’t have to get in a boat to enjoy one of the prettiest waterfront pictures in Canada

We drove to the golf course across the harbour to take in the panoramic views of the Lunenburg waterfront

Panorama of Lunenburg for boomervoice

Take a trip to Lunenburg and capture your own picture of the prettiest UNESCO World Heritage Site

Rose Ann MacGillivray

World Heritage Traveller at BoomerVoice.ca
I love visiting World Heritage Sites, celebrating the world’s most fascinating places and cultures, and most of all, having fun on a trip. Join me on the road to fun and fascinating places. Thanks for reading – and remember to add your e-mail below for updates!
Rose Ann MacGillivray