Let's hope a new government can help clean up our streets, as this is a problem across the entirety of Canada, not limited to one province or another (though, BC is arguably the worst).
So, just some info with the cruise ships: They don't stay long and there are no real excursions unfortunately. Sydney harbor is more just a way point for the cruise ships to unload garbage/sewage and take on supplies and fuel more or less. We only had one birth for the longest time so the cruises couldn't wait long as there's usually another one trying to get in to do the same, usually before they head to Europe. Though now we have a second and there are attempts to get the cruise ships to stay longer and set up excursions but yeah, when you were there it was still basically a pit stop for the ships so the people only get to really go to downtown Sydney before they head back. Since its such a short stop, most cruisers will just stay on board.
Most cruise ships I look up that stop here are part of an east coast route that starts in Boston. It's definitely a part of the package....I think alot of people hit up the Cabot trail for excursions
Definitely - I didn't see one tourist poking around, except in the touristy cruise ship center right at the dock. It would have been pretty bad day for the Cabot Trail, though - visibility was so poor, especially towards the afternoon.
I am a vendor set up at the Port and the passengers take bus excursions all around parts of the island from doing the infamous Cabot Trail to the Fortress in Louisburg to Baddeck to the famous Alexandra Bell Museum to the Glace Bay Miners Museum as well as the Iona Village and more. We have ships that arrive weekly and dock for the day with passenger from around the world that do excursions daily. The Volendam cruise runs every week from Bar Harbour Maine to Montreal as well as the Emerald Princess. Many of these ships arriving are continuing to PEI, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland then back
@@heatherday610 That's changed recently then. I interviewed the ones in charge of the port authority and one of the biggest problems was they never docked long enough to do more than hit down town Sydney.
Nice! It seemed so slow that day, so I'm sure passengers were out on excursions. I sure wish I had a rental car during my visit, as it sounds like there's a lot to discover in the surrounding areas!
You didn't spend very long in Sydney. Sydney is not just the boardwalk and Charlotte St. There is so much on Cape Breton Island to explore. Lots of buildings going up so lots of construction going on. Charlotte St is going through 3 year overhaul. There are usually 3 cruise ships a day during the peak season. You happen to be here on a slower day. Perhaps you will come again to visit us and take in the Cabot Trail which is one of the most breathtaking places in Canada, world renown. Lots of museums, such as the Miners Museum in Glace Bay, Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck, and the Fortress Of Louisburg, as well as tons of hiking trails galore, and our beaches are second to none. Hope you enjoyed your stay...do come back. I suggest you do sone research before you make your next trip so that you will have a more eventful full time. 😊
@@mammat2612 I don’t doubt that Cape Breton has much more to offer than the little sliver of Sydney that I saw. This was a completely spontaneous visit. I was on my way to St. Pierre & Miquelon (France) to work with a tourism partner out there, and had the choice to either fly to St. John’s, or leave a day earlier and take the ferry. I decided to fly to Sydney, spend a day there, and then take the ferry to Newfoundland the next day! So - I didn’t have a rental car, or any extra time beyond that one afternoon, so I decided to just check out what I could on foot. I’ll do a larger trip out your way maybe next summer or the following summer - I’d love to properly explore the island with the depth that it deserves. But one day in Sydney was better than none!
I did enjoy my visit! Keep your eyes peeled for my journey into Newfoundland. And if you're interested, I released some videos of Charlottetown & the Magdalen Islands a few months ago - check them out!
@@DrifterDave - I watched your Newfoundland ferry ride, Charlottetown visit, and your trip to Magdalen. My uncle lives in Montague PEI so I took that ferry a few times over the years. Never been to Newfoundland but that ferry ride is on my bucket list... ride over, stay the night, ride back. :) You should consider revisiting Cape Breton... Sydney is okay but there's so much more here - tour the Fortress Louisbourg, Miner's Museum in Glace Bay and tour down into a coal mine (Glace Bay is also the site of a Marconi's first Trans-Atlantic transmission) and of course, if it's the fall, rent a car and travel around the Cabot Trail and enjoy our celtic colours. So much to see here beyond the waterfront area :)
@@KennCrawford I bet! This was a spontaneous visit to Sydney - I was originally going to fly to St. John’s, but when I saw an award ticket to Sydney open up, I jumped at the chance to head out a couple days early and take the ferry to Newfoundland instead! Unfortunately the rental car costs were prohibitively expensive ($130+!) so I was limited to where my two legs took me! I still had a great visit - but you’re right, there is plenty more that I missed that I’ll need to return to explore! 😎
I live in Sydney. Used to be a much better place years ago. Theres beautiful sights yes , but it's been turning into a place where you see dirty needles on the sidewalks , people begging on the corners , homeless people everywhere. It's sad. PS.. 3 years ago that room would've been $140 per night. Average 2 bedroom apartment was $800/month , now its $1500.
Definitely sad to see Canada on the decline (for the first time in my lifetime). I attribute it to horrible Federal leadership - this is the worst government we've ever had. And it's not just the lame "but Covid!" excuse - other countries have picked up the pieces just fine, but ours just gets worse and worse and worse. Trudeau is inept like no one else in our nation's history.
I don't know how much you travel but every place we Travel in Canada, USA , UK , even in Australia , have drug problems and homelessness. So don't blame it on just Canada.
The most common activity in the downtown Sydney Area is not church OR hockey. It’s unfortunately doing CRACK and PILLS! Dave your video on the Sydney Area was only more than kind.
Thank you for your honesty - unfortunately, that's the case for most urban centers in Canada these days (even here in Calgary and in smaller cities across Alberta). It's a systemic issue that's a reflection of our government's policies and the rampant inflation and housing crisis that we're facing. Hopefully things will improve after the next election & we can get our country back on track.
You were lucky St Patricks was opened and you didn't mention about it being haunted by a ghost and that he will play with you if you ring the bell downstairs as he will then open a door upstairs and this happens almost every time someone rings this bell.
honestly downtown sydney is probably one of the most underwhelming places in cape breton/nova scotia, there is a ton of beautiful places and this is definitely not one of them, advice from a local venture out and travel around the island, there is lots of amazing spots, just not around sydney lol
I don't doubt that! Sadly I only had the morning and afternoon, and rental cars were a bit too pricey to be worthwhile during that visit. So, I made the best of it and explored Sydney. My channel is all about 'lesser known destinations' and Sydney definitely fit the bill! I'm glad I visited for the day - great little town to explore by foot.
Drifter Dave , it seems you are attracting a lot of negative people on this page . Cape Bretoners have a wonderful sense of humour. I think most of them are pulling your leg . If you really want to see Cape Breton fully , take lots of time to drive around and visit all the quaint places and beautiful beaches and the historical places. I think you would change your mind and of course like any Canadian holiday spots , visit in July or August. Maybe you could do another video.
I didn't hate Sydney, Donna. The only problem I encountered was the weather, but what can you do? I was only in town for a single day en route to Newfoundland, so there was no opportunity to get out beyond Sydney's waterfront and downtown. I'll definitely be back to Cape Breton to film a more fulsome video - but as you mentioned, I'd sooner do that sort of video during the beautiful summer months. As a vlogger, I capture almost every travel day, and some days are more comprehensive than others (I'm often limited by schedule changes, weather, and off-camera commitments). Regardless, it was a great introduction to Sydney!
Hi Dave and guests. I live in Halifax but have never been to Sydney, so thanks for the show... About the increasing immigration, drugs/homelessness and cost of living (inflation/stagflation): Probably it's related to crossing global *peak* *oil* in 2018 and, as a result, to how our entire global-industrial 'economy' (so-called because it's in reality, uneconomic/wasteful) is slowly *contracting* . Immigration is probably a bit of a questionable way to kick the can down the road a little longer, so with the gov't turning people into pawns for that. USA has a similar over-immigration and increasing homeless/social problems as well, as do many other countries. Alas, changing gov't leaders or parties, isn't likely going to change the world's relentless oil energy decline. And, so-called renewable energies won't likely do it either, nor will all these electric transportation vehicles.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the origins of these social issues. It'll be interesting to see how Canada changes (for better or for worse) in the years and decades to come.
across the water from your hotel is Westmount not north sydney. North sydney is across the water from point Edward. which is on the other side of Westmount.
Yes, another commenter on the video already corrected this error. I should have consulted a map before speaking so confidently! Thanks for the clarification 👍
It was a Crown corporation that closed in 2001 and was liquidated that same year. Employed a big chunk of the city with good paying work (including my grandfather - Electrician). So the closure was a nail in the coffin for the city
@@DrifterDave aweee , glad you came around Love my area, sucks the weather wasnt great for yea, but Glad you enjoyed and great videos your doing good work keep up the grind. ppl watch
My husband and I moved here bout 15 yrs ago from Ontario and LOVE it here! The laid back life style we wanted and the people here are Fantastic!!! It's too bad that you didn't go inside the Pittman Hall Big Fiddle Market, just past the Beard shop at the stairs/ramp. Inside you would have found around 50 local artisans inside the hall with various hand crafted pieces and some of artisans are demonstrating how they craft their pieces and tell their stories. I am one of those artisans that is inside the Big Fiddle Market Hall. Like you, many people bypass this hall inside the building which is a shame because the area is rich with local artisans and crafters and each being uniquely made and each has a story to tell. As do many of the shanty shops outside along the dock where many of those shops are hand crafters. So please, don't give us a thumbs down yet. The next time you are here visiting try to take a little more time to see the area and time to talk to the locals within the market and shops and really get a feel for the culture here. The passengers take bus excursions all around parts of the island from doing the infamous Cabot Trail to the Fortress in Louisburg to Baddeck to the famous Alexandra Bell Museum to the Glace Bay Miners Museum as well as the Iona Village and more, there is lots to see by excursions depending on your time frame. Hope I hope you will "come from away" and visit us again when you have more time. Thanks for the video and take care :)
That's really good to know! Sorry that I missed the artisans at the Big Fiddle Market Hall - was it well signed? I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the area! And that's completely understandable about the cruise ship passengers heading out around the island on excursions. There were a couple of passengers inside the market hall, but not too many. This was a bit of a spur of the moment trip so there was no advance planning, but I'm glad I was able to see a little bit of Sydney before catching the ferry, at the very least!
Might be! I used my IHG Rewards points for a free stay, so my decision of where to stay was entirely economical! Definitely saved me some cash, even if it wasn't an impressive hotel.
I'm sure I'd love them! I've always wanted to visit Louisbourg - really wish that I had got a rental car for my time there, but they were running well over $150 a day. Not exactly in the budget.
That makes sense! I figured I only had a day, so given the cost, I'd just make a video about what to see and do in Sydney, but would have loved to include Louisbourg & other nearby sights. Next time!
My family is from Sydney (the Pier, actually). I'd say that the music on Cape Breton is the #1 attraction. A close #2 would be the Glace Bay Miners Museum. Cruisers could do both easily if there's a pub in the area that has live music over lunch. Louisbourg is also interesting but kind-of far from the port. We live in Alberta, and the Cabot Trail is vastly over-rated - give it a pass.
Interesting! I did the Cabot Trail on a rainy day in 2011, and I agree, as an Albertan it doesn't hit quite like the Rockies or the foothills out here do. So, it was a bit underwhelming - I'd like to visit in the summer, though, as I think the weather soured my mood that day. Thanks for the tips about what to see & do around the area - I wish I had a car during my visit!
As a local I have to say you have an amazing review of our city!! I actually learned a lot from your video and I’m born and raised here in Sydney,, I had to stop watching your video just now to tell you about the little flies 😂,, we call them no see em’s ,, because they are are so small . They only last for a few weeks ,, great video brother 👍.. awesome editing 👍.. awesome research👍.. just a little suggestion for you because your video is so good,, get yourself a DJI mini drone .
Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I actually have a DJI Mini drone, but I didn't take it on this trip due to the weather forecasting rain most days. But it would have been good to get some drone shots - maybe next summer!
Glad you came to visit our foggy little island! Fun fact: the First Nations name for Cape Breton is "Unama'ki," meaning "Land of the Fog." I think i heard you say it was in September, which is a shame, since all the beauty, good weather and fun stuff happens between June and late August. But I do agree with others that Sydney is, for the most part, pretty boring. The real fun and adventure lies to the north on the Cabot Trail, or south at the Fortress of Louisburg, and all through-out on the many hiking trails, parks, and lakes that criss-cross and dot the island. I hope you get a chance to come back during the summer.
I would definitely love to come back! I'm sure the weather is much nicer in the summer months - will definitely try to make it out there again next year 👍
@@Thewordisfunkadelic Possibly! I was only in Sydney for one short afternoon - I flew in, poked around, and headed on the ferry to Newfoundland the next day. Literally only had 24 hours notice that I was even going there so it was purely spontaneous and not at all planned out! Sounds like it would have been worth checking out 👍
@@DrifterDave You're not mislead. There are no more "cities" in Nova Scotia, at least not administratively. Halifax (Regional Municipality) has a population of around 550,000, and Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Sydney and the towns that surround it) has a population of about 110,000 people, so your statement is correct.
@DrifterDave . Just don't get sick when you're here. Fill out your will & toe tag before you go to the hospital. Highest mortality rate in all of Canada for five years in a row. We're best for being the worst. Woo hoo !!
@@badgermacleod5588 Thats interesting! You couldn’t tell on film, but I actually was suffering from a major sprained neck during this visit (chiro adjustment gone wrong!). I didn’t have to seek any medical care while there, but from what you’re describing I may have been better off
Good to know about the mussels! I was only in Sydney for a day, but would have liked to have a car so that I could have explored a bit more around the area. Been to the highlands back in 2011 and loved it. Need to get back out there again!
Great video!! When you are looking out your window across harbour that is actually Westmount you can see you would see North Sydney in the distance if you were looking towards the fiddle
Come to Sydney yes but stay in Sydney no ... Travel around the Cabot trail and other small towns like baddeck and Inverness .... Sydney is crack head central not a very nice place to live ... I've been here all my life and the true beauty is far away from Sydney bro
@@michaelconnors2468 Good to know! I didn’t mind one day in Sydney & didn’t experience any problems, but I do wish I had a rental car to explore the surrounding area more fully. This was a spontaneous trip - I was originally flying into St. John’s, but when I found a cheap Air Canada reward flight to Sydney a couple days prior, I decided to plan to get to Newfoundland via ferry, as I’d never been! Unfortunately I only had the one day free in my schedule to do Sydney as an add-on, but I’ll certainly be back to Cape Breton in the future 👍
I don't doubt that! It's important to dignify the person even if one has concerns about the system. Our immigration levels are unsustainable given the housing crisis (and from what I see on the news, many immigrants agree - Canada isn't the utopia they had expected before they arrived here, given the high cost of living)
@@DrifterDave I thought you were American lol .. but I see you obviously know how JT and how he is destroying our country. I didn’t want to say anything mean about the Indian immigrants because they have for the most part have always been nice and respectful to me ,, but your right ,, Cape Breton is becoming like little New Delhi
Yeah, I don't have any issues with immigration, but I obviously have my concerns when immigration is increased to record levels during a housing crisis during which they'd have nowhere to live & struggle to make ends meet. It raised a lot of eyebrows when I saw that Global News story about how many Indian and other immigrants are moving back overseas because Canada has failed them. We are inviting them to arguably live in poverty & struggle to ends meet, so obviously the system needs some changes. I think JT is banking on these new immigrants supporting him in the next election, as there's no other explanation for the sheer recklessness and dubious morality about encouraging immigration during a housing crisis.
not only nova scotias second largest city, but nova scotias second ONLY "city" lol. hope you enjoyed your time here bro. it's not the greatest place but it was fun growing up here
10:55 those were knats or fruit flys i reckon. and i took a walk behind that church you were pointing out there and holyyyy. there were disposed needles and crack pipes everywhere lol. i was sketching
That is actually Westmount on the opposite side of the Sydney Harbour not North Sydney. The indigenous Mi’kMaq peoples proper pronunciation sounds like (Mig Maw) not meegmaw. LMAO they’re small black flies which we refer to them as “no see ums”. The lady obviously just moved here the day you landed here!😂 East Indian immigrants are here because of the University recruitment process. And yes it’s hard to find nicer people in Canada 🇨🇦 then here… well maybe except for Newfoundland! 😉
Please send a stamped self-addressed return envelope with $5 CAD handling fee and I will happily mail the 50 rupees back! 😂 I'll even take your word for it!
Can't be sure, not having seen any this year yet, but those pesky Itty, bitty little pests are likely what we know as "No see 'ems". Not fun, but not as bad as black flies or mosquitoes! Glad you liked our hospitality. Most of us take great pride in it. My brother once drove a couple, who'd had an accident on the Cabot Trail and totalled their vehicle, to the US border. 😊
Probably "no see 'ems"! And your story about your brother proves my point exactly - that level of hospitality is unheard of here in Alberta, but comes second nature to Maritimers.
Most locals consider Ice Hockey their religion, so you might want to change your comment to fit the new religion. Canadians have not been challenged by a major war that might cause them to look deeper within themselves. If this happens then churches and chaplaincy might once again gain some importance within them.
That's very true. I heard that church attendance is declining in the Maritimes, but I'm not sure what motivated that decline and why it's more of a rapid decline in the Maritimes compared to the rest of Canada. Reginald Bibby has some good research about the phenomenon - it's pretty interesting!
@@DrifterDaveas a M26 Cape Breton resident, I think it has a lot to do with the dissatisfaction with the establishment of the church, and people are turning to other community building events like square dances or simply spending time hanging out. It’s not easy though, I will be honest.
Next time you are in Sydney you go to the town of Glace Bay. When you told the story about the lion the Royal Bank it was in front of was the brick building when you came up Dorchester st. and turned on to Charlotte st. I loved how kind to us in Sydney. I wish you a very good day 🎉
I would have loved to explore Sydney a bit further! Unfortunately, I didn't have a rental car on this trip, so I was limited to only what I could see and do on foot. Glace Bay would have been interesting to explore!
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i seen two homeless people fighting over crack in sydney the other day
Let's hope a new government can help clean up our streets, as this is a problem across the entirety of Canada, not limited to one province or another (though, BC is arguably the worst).
sorry about that buddy me needs ma fix bi.
That happens everyday in the downtown area mostly in the corner by doctor lukes
@@Thewordisfunkadelic That’s unfortunate but not surprising to see anywhere in Canada these days, sadly
@@DevinOngo Naughty!
So, just some info with the cruise ships: They don't stay long and there are no real excursions unfortunately. Sydney harbor is more just a way point for the cruise ships to unload garbage/sewage and take on supplies and fuel more or less. We only had one birth for the longest time so the cruises couldn't wait long as there's usually another one trying to get in to do the same, usually before they head to Europe. Though now we have a second and there are attempts to get the cruise ships to stay longer and set up excursions but yeah, when you were there it was still basically a pit stop for the ships so the people only get to really go to downtown Sydney before they head back. Since its such a short stop, most cruisers will just stay on board.
Most cruise ships I look up that stop here are part of an east coast route that starts in Boston. It's definitely a part of the package....I think alot of people hit up the Cabot trail for excursions
Definitely - I didn't see one tourist poking around, except in the touristy cruise ship center right at the dock. It would have been pretty bad day for the Cabot Trail, though - visibility was so poor, especially towards the afternoon.
I am a vendor set up at the Port and the passengers take bus excursions all around parts of the island from doing the infamous Cabot Trail to the Fortress in Louisburg to Baddeck to the famous Alexandra Bell Museum to the Glace Bay Miners Museum as well as the Iona Village and more. We have ships that arrive weekly and dock for the day with passenger from around the world that do excursions daily. The Volendam cruise runs every week from Bar Harbour Maine to Montreal as well as the Emerald Princess. Many of these ships arriving are continuing to PEI, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland then back
@@heatherday610 That's changed recently then. I interviewed the ones in charge of the port authority and one of the biggest problems was they never docked long enough to do more than hit down town Sydney.
Nice! It seemed so slow that day, so I'm sure passengers were out on excursions. I sure wish I had a rental car during my visit, as it sounds like there's a lot to discover in the surrounding areas!
The flies we call “no see ums” I usually don’t notice them 😅
We definitely don't have them here in Calgary! They were new to me 😂
@@DrifterDave I think they are or are similar to midges
I'm glad we don't have them out this way! 😂
Very well done video bud.
Thanks for the kind words! 😎
You didn't spend very long in Sydney. Sydney is not just the boardwalk and Charlotte St. There is so much on Cape Breton Island to explore. Lots of buildings going up so lots of construction going on. Charlotte St is going through 3 year overhaul. There are usually 3 cruise ships a day during the peak season. You happen to be here on a slower day.
Perhaps you will come again to visit us and take in the Cabot Trail which is one of the most breathtaking places in Canada, world renown. Lots of museums, such as the Miners Museum in Glace Bay, Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck, and the Fortress Of Louisburg, as well as tons of hiking trails galore, and our beaches are second to none.
Hope you enjoyed your stay...do come back. I suggest you do sone research before you make your next trip so that you will have a more eventful full time.
😊
@@mammat2612 I don’t doubt that Cape Breton has much more to offer than the little sliver of Sydney that I saw. This was a completely spontaneous visit. I was on my way to St. Pierre & Miquelon (France) to work with a tourism partner out there, and had the choice to either fly to St. John’s, or leave a day earlier and take the ferry. I decided to fly to Sydney, spend a day there, and then take the ferry to Newfoundland the next day! So - I didn’t have a rental car, or any extra time beyond that one afternoon, so I decided to just check out what I could on foot. I’ll do a larger trip out your way maybe next summer or the following summer - I’d love to properly explore the island with the depth that it deserves. But one day in Sydney was better than none!
Im Mi'kmaq we call Cape Breton Unama'ki. Which translates to Land of The Fog.
@@kylenepoulette4803 I can see why that would be the traditional name! 😃 Very foggy place!
Thanks for visiting Sydney..... it's beautiful in the summer time here. Always welcome back anytime :)
Thank you! I would definitely like to return to Cape Breton to see more of the island. I'll be back!
I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to our picturesque island. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos as you explore the Maritimes.
I did enjoy my visit! Keep your eyes peeled for my journey into Newfoundland. And if you're interested, I released some videos of Charlottetown & the Magdalen Islands a few months ago - check them out!
@@DrifterDave - I watched your Newfoundland ferry ride, Charlottetown visit, and your trip to Magdalen.
My uncle lives in Montague PEI so I took that ferry a few times over the years. Never been to Newfoundland but that ferry ride is on my bucket list... ride over, stay the night, ride back. :)
You should consider revisiting Cape Breton... Sydney is okay but there's so much more here - tour the Fortress Louisbourg, Miner's Museum in Glace Bay and tour down into a coal mine (Glace Bay is also the site of a Marconi's first Trans-Atlantic transmission) and of course, if it's the fall, rent a car and travel around the Cabot Trail and enjoy our celtic colours.
So much to see here beyond the waterfront area :)
@@KennCrawford I bet! This was a spontaneous visit to Sydney - I was originally going to fly to St. John’s, but when I saw an award ticket to Sydney open up, I jumped at the chance to head out a couple days early and take the ferry to Newfoundland instead! Unfortunately the rental car costs were prohibitively expensive ($130+!) so I was limited to where my two legs took me! I still had a great visit - but you’re right, there is plenty more that I missed that I’ll need to return to explore! 😎
been to sydney countless times and i law alot of new things watching
I'm glad! Pretty nice little city 👍
@@DrifterDave glad you had a good time, definitely will continue to check out your videos
Thank you! I appreciate your interest in my travel content 👍
I live in Sydney. Used to be a much better place years ago. Theres beautiful sights yes , but it's been turning into a place where you see dirty needles on the sidewalks , people begging on the corners , homeless people everywhere. It's sad.
PS.. 3 years ago that room would've been $140 per night. Average 2 bedroom apartment was $800/month , now its $1500.
Definitely sad to see Canada on the decline (for the first time in my lifetime). I attribute it to horrible Federal leadership - this is the worst government we've ever had. And it's not just the lame "but Covid!" excuse - other countries have picked up the pieces just fine, but ours just gets worse and worse and worse. Trudeau is inept like no one else in our nation's history.
Hlo brother
I totally agree. Downtown Sydney not as safe as it was in the 80’s &90’s
@belindadeveaux841 Yeah... I hate to say it , but it's a real shit hole now.
I don't know how much you travel but every place we Travel in Canada, USA , UK , even in Australia , have drug problems and homelessness. So don't blame it on just Canada.
The most common activity in the downtown Sydney Area is not church OR hockey. It’s unfortunately doing CRACK and PILLS! Dave your video on the Sydney Area was only more than kind.
Thank you for your honesty - unfortunately, that's the case for most urban centers in Canada these days (even here in Calgary and in smaller cities across Alberta). It's a systemic issue that's a reflection of our government's policies and the rampant inflation and housing crisis that we're facing. Hopefully things will improve after the next election & we can get our country back on track.
You should see where I live in BC. The drugs and homelessness is depressing. Sydney can't be worse here because we have a higher population.
Great view at the Holiday inn, but, the Membertou hotel is far far nicer
Perhaps, but I paid exactly $0 for the Holiday Inn, so Holiday Inn it is 😂😂
You were lucky St Patricks was opened and you didn't mention about it being haunted by a ghost and that he will play with you if you ring the bell downstairs as he will then open a door upstairs and this happens almost every time someone rings this bell.
@@capeRCouple Crazy! That sounds pretty creepy
honestly downtown sydney is probably one of the most underwhelming places in cape breton/nova scotia, there is a ton of beautiful places and this is definitely not one of them, advice from a local venture out and travel around the island, there is lots of amazing spots, just not around sydney lol
I don't doubt that! Sadly I only had the morning and afternoon, and rental cars were a bit too pricey to be worthwhile during that visit. So, I made the best of it and explored Sydney. My channel is all about 'lesser known destinations' and Sydney definitely fit the bill! I'm glad I visited for the day - great little town to explore by foot.
Drifter Dave , it seems you are attracting a lot of negative people on this page . Cape Bretoners have a wonderful sense of humour. I think most of them are pulling your leg . If you really want to see Cape Breton fully , take lots of time to drive around and visit all the quaint places and beautiful beaches and the historical places. I think you would change your mind and of course like any Canadian holiday spots , visit in July or August. Maybe you could do another video.
I didn't hate Sydney, Donna. The only problem I encountered was the weather, but what can you do? I was only in town for a single day en route to Newfoundland, so there was no opportunity to get out beyond Sydney's waterfront and downtown. I'll definitely be back to Cape Breton to film a more fulsome video - but as you mentioned, I'd sooner do that sort of video during the beautiful summer months. As a vlogger, I capture almost every travel day, and some days are more comprehensive than others (I'm often limited by schedule changes, weather, and off-camera commitments). Regardless, it was a great introduction to Sydney!
I'm pretty sure they're black flies. They like to Come out when it's not windy, and when it's wet.
Makes sense!
No it sucks here don't come here
Why do you say that?
Don't be so negative, it's a beautiful place to live and a gorgeous island.
@@mariaq8087 I love it here Just don't want people to come here lmaooooo
I'm sorry for spilling your secrets!! 😎
hell yea i am from Sydney Love it sweet video Subbed
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@@CapeBretonOutdoors Thank you for the kind words!
Hi Dave and guests. I live in Halifax but have never been to Sydney, so thanks for the show...
About the increasing immigration, drugs/homelessness and cost of living (inflation/stagflation):
Probably it's related to crossing global *peak* *oil* in 2018 and, as a result, to how our entire global-industrial 'economy' (so-called because it's in reality, uneconomic/wasteful) is slowly *contracting* .
Immigration is probably a bit of a questionable way to kick the can down the road a little longer, so with the gov't turning people into pawns for that.
USA has a similar over-immigration and increasing homeless/social problems as well, as do many other countries.
Alas, changing gov't leaders or parties, isn't likely going to change the world's relentless oil energy decline. And, so-called renewable energies won't likely do it either, nor will all these electric transportation vehicles.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the origins of these social issues. It'll be interesting to see how Canada changes (for better or for worse) in the years and decades to come.
I live there I'm not in Sydney but New water ford I Always travel to go back because Town Doesn't have much
You live in a beautiful part of Canada! I definitely enjoyed my time out there 👍
The bugs are called No See ems, they are similar to black flies that are in Ontario and Quebec. They are bad for a few weeks
Terrible little creatures! My first encounter with them 👍
Home of our hearts Cape Breton... the flies "no see ems" lol lil black flies
Would love to return to see more of Cape Breton - maybe next summer!
across the water from your hotel is Westmount not north sydney. North sydney is across the water from point Edward. which is on the other side of Westmount.
Yes, another commenter on the video already corrected this error. I should have consulted a map before speaking so confidently! Thanks for the clarification 👍
2:13 thats the exact room i stayed in, think its 305 or something close to it
Very cool!
Welcome to my hometown hope u enjoy your stay and its prob little black flys there allot tmof them around here
I survived! 😂 I've since moved on from Sydney but it was a great visit - thanks for having me!
I love the recognition, though I wish you mentioned the steel plant.
I hadn't heard of it! I was only in town for one day, so didn't get a chance to explore as much as I had hoped! It was a bit of a spontaneous visit.
It was a Crown corporation that closed in 2001 and was liquidated that same year. Employed a big chunk of the city with good paying work (including my grandfather - Electrician). So the closure was a nail in the coffin for the city
@@daveheighton4052 thank you
Very sad!
we're are you from? your accent is interesting
@@eb.3764 I’m from southern Alberta, Canada 👍
just realized in the clip you say its very foggy in september? was this not recently but a few months ago?
I visited in September 2023, so quite a while ago! I’ve had a few sponsored trips ahead of this series in the queue, but better a bit late than never!
@@DrifterDave aweee , glad you came around Love my area, sucks the weather wasnt great for yea, but Glad you enjoyed and great videos your doing good work keep up the grind. ppl watch
Thank you, friend!
My husband and I moved here bout 15 yrs ago from Ontario and LOVE it here! The laid back life style we wanted and the people here are Fantastic!!! It's too bad that you didn't go inside the Pittman Hall Big Fiddle Market, just past the Beard shop at the stairs/ramp. Inside you would have found around 50 local artisans inside the hall with various hand crafted pieces and some of artisans are demonstrating how they craft their pieces and tell their stories. I am one of those artisans that is inside the Big Fiddle Market Hall. Like you, many people bypass this hall inside the building which is a shame because the area is rich with local artisans and crafters and each being uniquely made and each has a story to tell. As do many of the shanty shops outside along the dock where many of those shops are hand crafters. So please, don't give us a thumbs down yet. The next time you are here visiting try to take a little more time to see the area and time to talk to the locals within the market and shops and really get a feel for the culture here. The passengers take bus excursions all around parts of the island from doing the infamous Cabot Trail to the Fortress in Louisburg to Baddeck to the famous Alexandra Bell Museum to the Glace Bay Miners Museum as well as the Iona Village and more, there is lots to see by excursions depending on your time frame. Hope I hope you will "come from away" and visit us again when you have more time. Thanks for the video and take care :)
My wife is coming to Sydney and I hope to visit Big Fiddle Market Hall and meet you soon !!!
That's really good to know! Sorry that I missed the artisans at the Big Fiddle Market Hall - was it well signed? I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the area! And that's completely understandable about the cruise ship passengers heading out around the island on excursions. There were a couple of passengers inside the market hall, but not too many. This was a bit of a spur of the moment trip so there was no advance planning, but I'm glad I was able to see a little bit of Sydney before catching the ferry, at the very least!
Lovely, and informative commentary !!! Hope he reads this.
Thank you for the kind words!
Hlo 🙂
The Hampton is a much nicer hotel
Might be! I used my IHG Rewards points for a free stay, so my decision of where to stay was entirely economical! Definitely saved me some cash, even if it wasn't an impressive hotel.
also visit the neighboring Louisbourg and Baddeck i'm sure you get inlove with CapeBreton like me.
I'm sure I'd love them! I've always wanted to visit Louisbourg - really wish that I had got a rental car for my time there, but they were running well over $150 a day. Not exactly in the budget.
@@DrifterDaveduring cruise ship season rental costs are high and the availability is extremely low. Also the insects were most likely Gnats
I do tours there weekly! I uploaded a few videos of Louisbourg, I would also recommend trying a Donair if you’re not into seafood… cheers
That makes sense! I figured I only had a day, so given the cost, I'd just make a video about what to see and do in Sydney, but would have loved to include Louisbourg & other nearby sights. Next time!
Nice! I should have got in contact with you to ask about a tour. Too bad! Next time 😎
My family is from Sydney (the Pier, actually). I'd say that the music on Cape Breton is the #1 attraction. A close #2 would be the Glace Bay Miners Museum. Cruisers could do both easily if there's a pub in the area that has live music over lunch. Louisbourg is also interesting but kind-of far from the port. We live in Alberta, and the Cabot Trail is vastly over-rated - give it a pass.
Interesting! I did the Cabot Trail on a rainy day in 2011, and I agree, as an Albertan it doesn't hit quite like the Rockies or the foothills out here do. So, it was a bit underwhelming - I'd like to visit in the summer, though, as I think the weather soured my mood that day. Thanks for the tips about what to see & do around the area - I wish I had a car during my visit!
As a local I have to say you have an amazing review of our city!! I actually learned a lot from your video and I’m born and raised here in Sydney,, I had to stop watching your video just now to tell you about the little flies 😂,, we call them no see em’s ,, because they are are so small . They only last for a few weeks ,, great video brother 👍.. awesome editing 👍.. awesome research👍.. just a little suggestion for you because your video is so good,, get yourself a DJI mini drone .
Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I actually have a DJI Mini drone, but I didn't take it on this trip due to the weather forecasting rain most days. But it would have been good to get some drone shots - maybe next summer!
Glad you came to visit our foggy little island! Fun fact: the First Nations name for Cape Breton is "Unama'ki," meaning "Land of the Fog." I think i heard you say it was in September, which is a shame, since all the beauty, good weather and fun stuff happens between June and late August.
But I do agree with others that Sydney is, for the most part, pretty boring. The real fun and adventure lies to the north on the Cabot Trail, or south at the Fortress of Louisburg, and all through-out on the many hiking trails, parks, and lakes that criss-cross and dot the island.
I hope you get a chance to come back during the summer.
I would definitely love to come back! I'm sure the weather is much nicer in the summer months - will definitely try to make it out there again next year 👍
My home city
Amazing!
September. You must have just missed the annual pow wow on the reserve that’s just on top of the hill in Sydney.
@@Thewordisfunkadelic Possibly! I was only in Sydney for one short afternoon - I flew in, poked around, and headed on the ferry to Newfoundland the next day. Literally only had 24 hours notice that I was even going there so it was purely spontaneous and not at all planned out! Sounds like it would have been worth checking out 👍
It's actually the 3rd largest
Metro? I read somewhere the entire Cape Breton Regional Municipality is technically the second-largest 'city' - let me know if I was mislead!
@@DrifterDave You're not mislead. There are no more "cities" in Nova Scotia, at least not administratively. Halifax (Regional Municipality) has a population of around 550,000, and Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Sydney and the towns that surround it) has a population of about 110,000 people, so your statement is correct.
That was my understanding as well! Thanks, @w.a.l5202
Great video, I live here. I love this place. There's no other better place, the best seafood best golf, best scenery amazing food list goes on
It's a great part of the Maritimes for sure! I can't wait to go back and explore it more fully 😎
@DrifterDave cabot trail for sure and lobster fishing season is May 15th to July 15th ill hook you up with splendid freshly cooked lobster
That would be amazing! Would love to visit during the lobster fishing season.
@DrifterDave . Just don't get sick when you're here. Fill out your will & toe tag before you go to the hospital. Highest mortality rate in all of Canada for five years in a row. We're best for being the worst.
Woo hoo !!
@@badgermacleod5588 Thats interesting! You couldn’t tell on film, but I actually was suffering from a major sprained neck during this visit (chiro adjustment gone wrong!). I didn’t have to seek any medical care while there, but from what you’re describing I may have been better off
The mussels are awesome at the flavor on the water. Cape Breton Island is great but i think Sydney is boring.
Good to know about the mussels! I was only in Sydney for a day, but would have liked to have a car so that I could have explored a bit more around the area. Been to the highlands back in 2011 and loved it. Need to get back out there again!
It's boring but it's simple living
Sometimes that slow pace is definitely the best kind of life that anyone can ask for! I HATE city life!
Great video!! When you are looking out your window across harbour that is actually Westmount you can see you would see North Sydney in the distance if you were looking towards the fiddle
Good to know! I wasn't quite sure. Thanks for the kind words about the video!
Next time don't come back to Sydney
How come?
Come to Sydney yes but stay in Sydney no ... Travel around the Cabot trail and other small towns like baddeck and Inverness .... Sydney is crack head central not a very nice place to live ... I've been here all my life and the true beauty is far away from Sydney bro
@@michaelconnors2468 Good to
know! I didn’t mind one day in Sydney & didn’t experience any problems, but I do wish I had a rental car to explore the surrounding area more fully. This was a spontaneous trip - I was originally flying into St. John’s, but when I found a cheap Air Canada reward flight to Sydney a couple days prior, I decided to plan to get to Newfoundland via ferry, as I’d never been! Unfortunately I only had the one day free in my schedule to do Sydney as an add-on, but I’ll certainly be back to Cape Breton in the future 👍
Welcome to Sydney, lived here all my life,hope u like it.
Thank you! I enjoyed my time in Sydney 👍
Crazy to see you here. I’m in Glace Bay a town over.
Nice! I've heard good things about Glace Bay 👍
As for the Indian people,, that’s government. But I will say most of them are very nice
I don't doubt that! It's important to dignify the person even if one has concerns about the system. Our immigration levels are unsustainable given the housing crisis (and from what I see on the news, many immigrants agree - Canada isn't the utopia they had expected before they arrived here, given the high cost of living)
@@DrifterDave I thought you were American lol .. but I see you obviously know how JT and how he is destroying our country. I didn’t want to say anything mean about the Indian immigrants because they have for the most part have always been nice and respectful to me ,, but your right ,, Cape Breton is becoming like little New Delhi
Yeah, I don't have any issues with immigration, but I obviously have my concerns when immigration is increased to record levels during a housing crisis during which they'd have nowhere to live & struggle to make ends meet. It raised a lot of eyebrows when I saw that Global News story about how many Indian and other immigrants are moving back overseas because Canada has failed them. We are inviting them to arguably live in poverty & struggle to ends meet, so obviously the system needs some changes. I think JT is banking on these new immigrants supporting him in the next election, as there's no other explanation for the sheer recklessness and dubious morality about encouraging immigration during a housing crisis.
@@DrifterDave god bless you brother
You as well!
Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for having me!
Might be sand flies
Might be!
10:40 noseeums
@@Nelson_Nicholson Good to know!!
No see ums. akin to mosquitos
Much worse, I'd say!
Little black flies
And are they ever little!
Glad you enjoyed downtown sydney !
Thank you!
ayo im from there!
Nice! Thanks for watching!
@@DrifterDave my pleasure dude! Thanks for coming to our town!!!
@@martinclerked-6262 You’re welcome - I’ll be back!!
I’m confused as to why you said the Lord Fin and Feather was there since 1976….
It was noted on one of their signs out front!
@@DrifterDavethe original is in Glace bay since 1976 on commercial street I believe
That's good to know!
not only nova scotias second largest city, but nova scotias second ONLY "city" lol. hope you enjoyed your time here bro. it's not the greatest place but it was fun growing up here
10:55 those were knats or fruit flys i reckon. and i took a walk behind that church you were pointing out there and holyyyy. there were disposed needles and crack pipes everywhere lol. i was sketching
Crazy - very sad!
That is actually Westmount on the opposite side of the Sydney Harbour not North Sydney.
The indigenous Mi’kMaq peoples proper pronunciation sounds like (Mig Maw) not meegmaw.
LMAO they’re small black flies which we refer to them as “no see ums”. The lady obviously just moved here the day you landed here!😂
East Indian immigrants are here because of the University recruitment process.
And yes it’s hard to find nicer people in Canada 🇨🇦 then here… well maybe except for Newfoundland! 😉
Thanks for the clarifications! I figured North Sydney was somewhere out there, lol. Thanks for having me in Sydney! 😎
The small black bugs are likely gnats. They're little buggers that bite and are super annoying certain times of the year.
@@outlawheart2 Annoying is the perfect word! 😅
As a sydney nova scotian. No the place is right shit
What makes you say that? What would you change about the city, in an ideal world?
He dave thats 50 bucks was mine can your return them ?
Please send a stamped self-addressed return envelope with $5 CAD handling fee and I will happily mail the 50 rupees back! 😂 I'll even take your word for it!
Can't be sure, not having seen any this year yet, but those pesky Itty, bitty little pests are likely what we know as "No see 'ems". Not fun, but not as bad as black flies or mosquitoes! Glad you liked our hospitality. Most of us take great pride in it. My brother once drove a couple, who'd had an accident on the Cabot Trail and totalled their vehicle, to the US border. 😊
Probably "no see 'ems"! And your story about your brother proves my point exactly - that level of hospitality is unheard of here in Alberta, but comes second nature to Maritimers.
These bugs are new they started yesterday!!!!
They're so annoying! I hope you can adjust to them without too much bother! 😂
I live here, no, no it isn't worth visiting. lol
@@apocalisk What makes you say that?!
Glad you like our hometown.
I did! I wish I could have seen a bit more of it!
Most locals consider Ice Hockey their religion, so you might want to change your comment to fit the new religion. Canadians have not been challenged by a major war that might cause them to look deeper within themselves. If this happens then churches and chaplaincy might once again gain some importance within them.
That's very true. I heard that church attendance is declining in the Maritimes, but I'm not sure what motivated that decline and why it's more of a rapid decline in the Maritimes compared to the rest of Canada. Reginald Bibby has some good research about the phenomenon - it's pretty interesting!
@@DrifterDaveas a M26 Cape Breton resident, I think it has a lot to do with the dissatisfaction with the establishment of the church, and people are turning to other community building events like square dances or simply spending time hanging out. It’s not easy though, I will be honest.
Interesting phenomenon, to say the least!
Next time you are in Sydney you go to the town of Glace Bay. When you told the story about the lion the Royal Bank it was in front of was the brick building when you came up Dorchester st. and turned on to Charlotte st. I loved how kind to us in Sydney. I wish you a very good day 🎉
I would have loved to explore Sydney a bit further! Unfortunately, I didn't have a rental car on this trip, so I was limited to only what I could see and do on foot. Glace Bay would have been interesting to explore!
No one wants to go to glacé bay. It’s a fucking shit hole .
Lol, now I want to go to Glace Bay and check it out for myself....seems like quite the mixed reviews! 😳