My Sunday in Halifax was pretty much dictated by my dear friend Colin. When I originally messaged him saying I was coming to visit his city he replied with an excel sheet of everything there was to do. I mainly concentrated on the bars, and that he did include that surfing was an option.
After a heavy night of drinking the night before, during which I agreed to jump in the ocean, Colin came to pick Alex and I up at our hotel. Colin did a fabulous job, not just of chaffeur but also tour guide. He explained everything we were seeing, and gave background information during our trip out to Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park.
The Beach itself was absolutely beautiful. Although, it was rocky I can only imagine how busy it gets in the summer. Even in the winter there were many people walking along the beach. There was in fact people surfing as well. That may have boosted my confidence a bit about going in the water.
We spent a bit of time walking the beach. Colin had brought his dog Luna, and I wanted to get some footage of where we were. However, all too soon we were back at the car and changing into our bathing suits. I had brought a robe from the hotel, and wore that as well as my winter jacket down to the water. Colin handed Alex Luna's leash and the two of us went in the water.
Colin being an old pro had worn flipflops, I was barefoot. I feel this almost helped since I was so concentrated on the rocks I could push out the thoughts of how cold the water was. While walking out we got to a sandbar, it was getting more shallow. Colin made the decision that we should just lie down then and there instead of trying to go deeper. I watched him do it and then followed suit. As I went under all the air was expelled from my lungs. I came up gasping, even though it had been mere seconds. Both of us scrambled out of the water, noticed all the people who had been watching, and went to the warmth of the car.
It took me 15 minutes before I could take proper breathes. Colin remarked that usually when you do things like this you have medical supervision. Well, good thing we're both healthy individuals.
Colin drove us back to his house in Dartmouth where we changed. We then set out to Battery Park brew pub where Colin works. It was a fabulous little place with 20 different beers on tap. We had a bit of food, as well as a flight. Then walked down to the ferry and lived out my Joel Plaskett dream of taking the Dartmouth ferry into the town. The ferry only cost us $2.75 and I would highly recommend people take it just for the views. After that it was a walk back to the hotel, and directly into the hottub.
It was definitely a day to remember, and I am really happy with my stupid drunken decision to agree to the plunge. Hemingway says "Do Sober what you said you would drunk. It'll teach you to keep your mouth shut" but in my case I don't think it will.
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