Nova Scotia’s Street Performer Festival

by Neil Woodburn on

When there is nothing else to see in a city, you better hope there are at least buskers to entertain you.

Buskers are street performers and they are as common at tourist destinations as streets themselves.

While it seems the majority are talentless hacks or annoying mimes you’d like to strangle, there is some amazing talent making a living from hats full of loose change on the sidewalk.

The very best make their way to Nova Scotia every August to compete in the Annual Halifax International Buskers Festival. For ten days, the city is crawling with dancing, singing, joke-telling, acrobatic buskers engaged in street theater performances that wow and impress.

This is cool but I’m pushing for a Halifix December Mime Festival when the average temperature is only 24 degrees and the mimes can all pretend they’re dead and frozen stiff.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of August 27

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s the beginning of a new month, but still the end of the week for us here and with that we bring you some of the week’s best:

5. Pilot Locks Self Out:
This is the kind of story one reads and rubs their eyes in disbelief. Sure it’s humorous, but somewhat scary too. A pilot locked out of the cockpit? How can that be? You’ll need to head over for more details.

4. Sex and Violence, Elk-style:
Iva Skoch wastes no time in making her presence known with this alarming headline. I won’t spill all the details here, but let’s just say its got a something to do with hiking and animal acts. Read further – I dare you.

3. Cape Verde:
I’m giving this plug on Cape Verde the number three spot because we don’t get around to Africa much and it seems like such an amazing place. (Understatement, yes – of course.) Cape Verde is beginning to attract interest according to this piece and you wouldn’t want to be the last to find out why would you? Go check it out!

2. Backpacking in California’s Sierras:
We love first-hand experiences here and Neil does a fantastic job on recounting his trip through California’s Sierras. Complete with photos and enough tips to help you plan your own visit out yonder.

1. Never Heard of:
Great post if you’re the traveling type that likes to wander into places no one has ever been or few people know little about. I know I’m one of them and this list from Budget Travel is worth clipping out and saving for later when an exciting destination where no-one will find you is much needed.

Kayaking Photos

by Erik Olsen on

I love to post people’s random kayaking photos when I come cross them, and being on several listserves here in town, I get lots of emails with people’s photos. This one from David Gottlieb shows some wonderful shots of his recent paddling excursion on the Saguenay River.

Last Minute Labor Day Ideas

by Adrienne Wilson on

Say bye-bye to bargains and get ready to dig down in your pockets if you’re planning a last minute getaway for Labor Day. Shouldn’t have waited so late, but hey some one out there is looking out for procrastinators and it just happens to be the NY Times. Go figure. They make it no secret that the deals will be few, but the determined can still find a cool not-so-pricey destination to spend the weekend. Their suggestions hit areas such as accommodation, amusement parks, Canada, and hurricane holidays. In other words, there is something there for everyone and no reason anyone should be inside the house glued to the tube. Unless, of course that’s your idea of a grand Labor Day weekend.

Start searching for the deals now and get out there and do something fun!

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of August 6

by Adrienne Wilson on

End of the week means it’s time for a quick review. Pay close attention as Erik and Neil both part ways with their latest travel installments, but let’s not babble and jump right to it, okay!

5. Balkan Odyssey Part 24: The End:
Looks as if Neil’s Balkan days are numbered and in his farewell blog he still does a damn fine job of highlighting while summing up his incredible fantastic voyage. I’m sad to see it end here, but I’m sure there will be more travels and features like this one headed our way.

4. Mermaids of the Weeki Wachee Springs:
Who here can honestly tell me they’ve never wanted to see a real live mermaid? I’m well past the suggested age of (believing in) fairytales, but I think this show is fabulous for kids and the kid at heart. The mermaids might not be in Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs much longer, which is why I bring the topic to your attention a second time anyway. Don’t let this attraction swim away before you get there.

3. Gadling Audio Slideshow: Newfoundland Part III:
And yet another so-long, farewell piece from Erik this time as he wraps up his great Newfoundland adventure. Be sure to watch the first two first if you’re just checking in on this last showcase.

2. Alaska’s Seward Highway:
Does Erik have a way of picking up on some good travel pieces or what? This one on Alaska’s Seward highway has you virtually traveling to incredible photo galleries and a guide provided by Alaska.com on the highway itself. So awesome!

1. Top Ten Scenic Routes from the Sky:
If you’re the type that begs and demands window seats on flights you’ll probably want to know where some of the most scenic window seat routes are from 35,000 feet above. Neil points out this Telegraph piece on some of the top 10 and the readers follow right behind by leaving what they think are the best from above. Really cool read if you ask me.