Mahone Bay, a charming, postcard-perfect fishing town in Nova Scotia is our eastern-most destination. It's also my birthday present from Patrick: two nights in a bed and breakfast, which seems oh-so Nova Scotia and storybook to me.We arrive at the Fairmont House soggy and sniffly after camping in the rain at Fundy National Park, looking forward to a roof, warm bed and a jet tub. (The home-made chutneys and quiche will be an added perk.)
Our room overlooks the harbor, a gritty, industrial shipyard that's endearing for it's metal and usefulness and purpose in an otherwise fairy tale place. We clean up, continuously dissuade Ophie from claiming the king-size bed (it gets worse when we try to sleep. She figures she can wait us out and then overtake the giant mattress.), and then head across the street to the pub for a dinner of seafood chowder.
It's cold and misty outside and I bundle up in a sweater, scarf, hat and furry coat. This prompts the first of many entertaining moments for the Canadian innkeeper and guests, who seem to never tire or mocking the poor, cold California girl and wonder out loud what she would do should she visit in the winter when down coats and wool hats are actually needed. Patrick likes this game, too.
The seafood stew—and any mussels, clams, fresh fish—tastes hot, fresh and amazing. The IPAs, on the other hand, taste like Pilsners, something we've noticed throughout Canada and inspires our next potential business venture: Canadian IPA brewers.
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