Day 3 - Apr 12th - Halifax: Visit to a Cemetery, Museum and Fish & Chips

"Dick and Sandy began to play Amazing Grace on their bagpipes at this hallowed spot. I looked up from my camera monitor and was stunned to see a small crowd that had gathered around me with dozens of cameras, including large news format,  pointed toward this touching memorial. "

In spite of a late night before talking, I found myself up before the alarm.  Another visit to my new morning favorite spot, the Spa, for a steam, shower and shave. Dressed quickly I could enjoy a light breakfast and then headed down to meet Dick and Sandy who were beautifully adorned in full traditional Scottish kilts with bagpipes in hand. 


Along was another gentleman, Harlan, from Milwaukee who had earlier befriended Dick and Sandy.  Our arrival in Halifax was prompt and we were off the Azamara Journey and back on terra firma by 9:30am.  We lost Harlan for a few minutes as got caught taking several photos for passers by of a Halifax guard in traditional kilt next to a TITANIC 100th Anniversary banner.  It was a quick ride to Fairview Cemetery with a brief sightseeing tour on the way, passing the restaurant that was once the SNOW funeral home where so many victims were tended to. 


Our timing was excellent as there were barely a few people there, but many more arrived shortly thereafter. Chills went down my spine and up the back of my neck as  Dick and Sandy began to play Amazing Grace on their bagpipes at this hallowed spot. 


I looked up from my camera monitor and was stunned to see a small crowd that had gathered around me with dozens of cameras, including large news format,  pointed toward this touching memorial. 

The presentation was then repeated, with Dick and Sandy now walking along past each of the small dark grey headstones. The date on every stone, one after the other - whether for a named or for an unknown victim - each read April 15, 1912. 

The taxi was waiting with the meter running, so we headed back towards the center of town. I dropped Dick, Sandy and Harlan off at the Citadel underneath the clock tower and I headed back briefly. My next stop was to the Red Stag Tavern nearby for some of the best Fish n Chips in Nova Scotia and a Lager shandy. 


I learned that my waitress, a lovely young woman named Brianna Kioski had a Great Grandmother, Mara Osman, who was a third class passenger and Survivor on TITANIC. Apparently this relative had come across, like so many immigrants, searching a new life. She was one of the lucky few who made it to CARPATHIA. Ms. Kioski said she had only recently learned of this family history and she that other relatives were recently interviewed for a book.  It has become 1 degree of separation in every direction.

Afterwards I had to stop by the Halifax Museum of the Atlantic to check out the new Cable Ship exhibit that had just opened this morning as well as the Titanic artifacts. 


Many of the items on display were picked up by the cable boats as they pulled bodies out of the water. Included is an actual deck chair, sections of wood, an ornately carved part of the arch above an entrance into the First Class lounge, piece of a column, a pantry cabinet, gloves, and a pair of shoes thought to belong to the Unknown Infant. 

Further Gallery included below.  Regarding this longtime unidentified child, recent DNA testing allowed for a positive ID and a new headstone was added to the Fairview grave of this young victim as Sydney Leslie Goodwin. A wall gallery features close up photographs of 150 headstones of TITANIC victims from several of the local Halifax Cemeteries. 

After the museum it was a nice walk along the Halifax waterfront to grab some more video and stills. Shortly thereafter it was back to the warm comfort of the Azamara Journey drawing room to catch up on my blog entries.

 As 5 o’clock nears and we are getting ready to sail,  I felt a literal chill thinking that after this port our next stop is, indeed, going to be right over TITANIC. 

Perhaps Jack Dawson?

Needless to say, there is a calm sense of normalcy as the evening drew on. A cabaret show, cocktails, folks burning off calories in the Looking glass lounge.  Assorted guests mingled in period costume, constantly drawing attention of cameras. Conversations continue with speculations about what we will encounter as we get closer to Titanic with further discussions about the White Star Liner and her history.