Get caught up on what I did on Day 1 of Tall Ships, then read about what I’ve been eating over at the Taste of Nova Scotia’s Food Fare by the Sea.

I’m having so much fun at Tall Ships 2012, it’s probably not fair. Day 2, Friday, July 20 was chockablock with adventures on land and sea, and the food. So much good food.

First up, Day 2′s events have solidified the notion that I must add a tall ship adventure to my travel priorities list. I overheard a conversation where one of the crew was telling a guest why the love travelling by tall ship, “When you arrive by plane, no one notices you’ve arrived. But when you arrive on a ship…”

A note of caution: watch out for pirates!

Also, follow all strongly worded warnings about explosives.

I spent a lot of today on the ships (and eating). Furthering my Klout-renowned expertise in unicorns, I found another to add to my collection on the all-female-crewed training vessel, the Unicorn.

Some of the ships let you go below deck to see common areas and crew living quarters. Funny thing, there’s not a tremendous difference between the galley kitchen on the Roseway and the one in my place. One big difference, the Roseway has a skylight which is also used for storing watermelons.

Parks Canada’s commemoration of the War of 1812 continues with lots of fun for kids (and short adults). First stop, fresh 1812-style ink.

Tested out 1812-style masks.

And wore a wool uniform in the middle of the hottest Nova Scotia July in my lifetime.

Then, a pipes and drums band put on a short concert.

With visits by so many ships from the past, it can be easy to avoid thinking about the future, and that’s why Bullfrog Power was on hand to explain how they were providing green power to Tall Ships 2012. It’s not at all travel-related, but I found their approach to green energy fascinating.

One of my favourite discoveries of the day was learning Halifax Regional Police was patrolling Halifax Harbour on Sea-Doos. I can’t top my original Tweet about it, so I’m just going to go ahead and plagiarize myself. “Did you know @HfxRegPolice is patrolling by Sea-Doo? Boss move, 5-0.” The very cool HRP officers who patrol their social media channels validated me by laughing, so I’m just going to keep making Hawaii/Halifax 5-0 jokes.

The Gazela was a lovely old ship with a fascinating history. Her original Portuguese owners installed Portuguese navigational equipment, which remains in place today.

The biggest ship joining us for Tall Ships this year is the US Coast Guard training vessel Eagle. I happened by just as she was arriving in port.

What did you say your name was again?

Just another day at the office on board the Bounty. I really liked the well-dressed lady figurehead, which I shot from every conceivable angle.

The Peacemaker was fascinating. Relatively spacious by ship standards. Crew make stoneware pottery on board, selling the mugs and bowls to finance the operation of the ship.

The Picton Castle, which makes her home in Lunenburg when she’s not exploring the South Pacific, had a lot of fun things on board. Like this literal banana hammock.

On Day 3, I’m heading back to the island (that one’s for you Lost fans). Georges Island.

The opinion presented within this post is my own, and I would like to thank the Waterfront Development Corporation Limited  for inviting me to participate in Tall Ships 2012 and providing a media pass for the event. Any time I receive a discount or complimentary service in my capacity as a travel blogger, I disclose it.