For the first time on this cruise, I have encountered a destination that simply does not live up to expectations. Although Baddeck is the logical center of yachting activity in the Bras d'Or Lakes, it functions largely as a tourist magnet drawing visitors arriving by automobile and tour bus (photo left). This doesn't mean Baddeck lacks the facilities and amenities that allow it to claim being a first class yachting center. What Baddeck lacks is authentic charm.
We stayed alongside at Baddeck Marine just west of the Town Wharf, and the service and facilities were more than satisfactory. However as I was walking through the village, I had to
force myself to use the camera. There simply were no photographic subjects that compelled me to shoot pictures. There are indeed one or two attractive churches (photo right), offset by many tourist-oriented restaurants. There is a multitude of tourist gift shops filled with identical "junk" imported directly from China and stamped "Baddeck." Indeed there is no unifying characteristic that pulls Baddeck together.
The biggest tourist disappointment was the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, an agglomeration of every conceivable detail related to this man's life and considerable achievement, but at the same time an almost unmanageable array of minutiae that would put even a Bell enthusiast to sleep. And a good sound sleep it would be. However the Bras d'Or Lakes Interpretive Center (photo left) was both an interesting exhibit on local ecology and the nature and characteristics of the Lakes, as well as well staffed facility whose representatives were able to answer all the questions we posed. The Lake system is a marvel and it deserves the care and attention is seems to be getting.
I am glad I finally visited Baddeck, "the goal of many a cruising man" as they say in all the stuffy New England cruising guides. However I won't fret long about leaving.
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For the first time on this cruise, I have encountered a destination that simply does not live up to expectations. Although Baddeck is the logical center of yachting activity in the Bras d'Or Lakes, it functions largely as a tourist magnet drawing visitors arriving by automobile and tour bus (photo left). This doesn't mean Baddeck lacks the facilities and amenities that allow it to claim being a first class yachting center. What Baddeck lacks is authentic charm.
We stayed alongside at Baddeck Marine just west of the Town Wharf, and the service and facilities were more than satisfactory. However as I was walking through the village, I had to force myself to use the camera. There simply were no photographic subjects that compelled me to shoot pictures. There are indeed one or two attractive churches (photo right), offset by many tourist-oriented restaurants. There is a multitude of tourist gift shops filled with identical "junk" imported directly from China and stamped "Baddeck." Indeed there is no unifying characteristic that pulls Baddeck together. 
The biggest tourist disappointment was the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, an agglomeration of every conceivable detail related to this man's life and considerable achievement, but at the same time an almost unmanageable array of minutiae that would put even a Bell enthusiast to sleep. And a good sound sleep it would be. However the Bras d'Or Lakes Interpretive Center (photo left) was both an interesting exhibit on local ecology and the nature and characteristics of the Lakes, as well as well staffed facility whose representatives were able to answer all the questions we posed. The Lake system is a marvel and it deserves the care and attention is seems to be getting. 
I am glad I finally visited Baddeck, "the goal of many a cruising man" as they say in all the stuffy New England cruising guides. However I won't fret long about leaving.
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