Have you been to Nova Scotia before? It is one of the most exciting places in Canada. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, tourism plummeted by 84% in 2020. We were fortunate enough to pack our bags and book a gorgeous place in St. Peters.
First Stop: A Taste of Farm Life
It was almost two years ago when we packed our bags for a vacation. We originally planned to go to the Netherlands, but unfortunately, the pandemic had different plans.
Nova Scotia was on our bucket list, so we decided to give it a go. Instead of leaving right away, though, we spent a week taking care of our oldest son’s hobby farm. It was an exciting experience, and we enjoyed many beautiful days taking care of the goats, chickens, cows, you name it; they have it all.
Journey Before Destination
The journey to Nova Scotia is gorgeous. Nature has always been one of the main reasons we love Canada, but New Brunswick tops it. The beauty of the countless lakes and miles of outstretched, untouched forest is incomparable.
We noticed that the people are much friendlier and relaxed compared to the GTA. It shows that the hustle and bustle of the city can have negative effects on people.
Not only that, but we also noticed that the pandemic was barely noticeable. We entered a Tim Hortons with a mask, and everyone looked as if we had some sort of disease.
We came across a hotel along the Trans Canada Highway called Amsterdam Inn. Of course, this called our name. The owners were Dutch, and we had the pleasure of meeting them. We chit-chatted in our mother language and felt at home at this family-owned hotel.
After a good night’s sleep and a lovely breakfast, we continued our trip towards St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia.
Entering Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia handled the pandemic a little differently. We would stop at a grocery store or gas station, and if they saw that we were from Ontario, they would avoid us like the plague. The otherwise maskless society would switch in a heartbeat, and the 6 feet rule became 12 feet.
Perhaps we should have worn t-shirts that said: “Fully Vaccinated.”
Our journey ended in St. Peters, where we rented a beautiful cottage with an ocean view. It was a gorgeous location. It’s always a little nerve-wracking when you book beforehand, but we couldn’t be happier with the spot.
Touring the Cabot Trail
We planned to rest for a day and then continued towards the world-famous Cabot Trail. It is known to be one of the most beautiful scenic routes in North America.
On the one side, you have the ocean roaring with all its might, while on the other, you have the sloping hills and the serene nature of Cape Breton. It is such a great experience. You are awestruck with each turn of the road.
I read somewhere in a book:
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
The sea is His, for He made it,
and His hands formed the dry land.*
We found a beautiful spot to eat our lunch that had a view of the ocean with clear skies as far as the eye could see.
At one point, my wife noticed that the moon was displaying its full glory. It was so clear and beautiful how the moon reflected the sun back to earth.
I read that He gave us the sun to guide us by day and the moon for the night. However, this was in the middle of the day and so close by.
The ocean in front of us with her mighty waves, the sun sky high touching and searching everything, and the moon who took this opportunity to demand her place in this creation. It was a picture I’ll never forget.
The Beginnings of a Deeper Meaning
This picture that was painted before us sparked an interesting conversation. However, there is a deeper meaning behind this painted picture in front of us.
I will discuss that in my next post. Sign up to receive the next post directly in your email!
*Psalm 95:3-5 NIV