Wake Up Little Sydney, Wake Up

 May 25, 2022

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Wake Up, Little Sydney, Wake Up

Sydney is a sleepy town until the season officially gets underway next week end. There’s a lovely pedestrian boardwalk that winds along the coast line from the cruise terminal to the city. It’s sunny and mild, and how often do we get to stroll along the water’s edge? Big plans were to visit some of the shops and then have oysters for lunch. The issue now is, what survived two years without visitors from afar. I found the yarn shop I’d visited five years ago. Same lady running it. We went around the corner to the Cape Breton Craft and Art Gallery. Everything is made by local artists/artisans. From paintings to jewelry to wood, fabric and yarn items. Found something a little different for our son Jay’s birthday next week. A hint Jay, it’s NOT a T-shirt!

Still too early for lunch so we just retraced our steps back to the ship for a Flat White at the onboard “Starbucks” where everybody DOES know your name. Jim is once again, as he magically dubbed on every cruise, Sir James, to the waitstaff, bartenders, baristas, etc. This time I am M’am Susan. Dunno why.

The ship can carry 1400 or so passengers but only 900+ on this trip. The numbers will go up as the summer weather arrives, peaking in late September-October when the fall color blazes. We have no experience sailing on one of the mega ships, but even at capacity the HAL ships don’t feel crowded. On this trip, getting a reservation at one of the specialty restaurants is no problem at all so we’re taking advantage. The surcharges are ridiculously low, the food is wonderful and the waitstaff very attentive.

Tonight the Pinnacle Grill became Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie with a special menu, china, flatware. It was soooooo good. Jim had a tower of cold seafood and something that grazed in a meadow. I had Dover Sole, filleted and boned table side that was delicious. In years past when in Phoenix with The Girls we always went to a French place (Christopher’s?) for dinner just so we could have profiteroles for dessert so I had to order them at Rudi’s. Best. Profiteroles. Ever. I even recorded the presentation. I’ve probably watched that 8 second video a dozen times since.

Tonight I also tried my first Dirty Martini, vodka, straight up, two olives. Not bad but needs a little tweaking. Perhaps Extra Dirty with three olives next time. Jim suggested that I just ask for a jar of olives with a jigger of vodka, shaken not stirred.