No guesses where we are - spot us in the "J"
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13
Fortuitous that we had ended the day yesterday with our feet up because we definitely needed to be in fine fettle as we used today to familiarise ourselves with this island of #Montreal.
Greeted in the morning with rain! Donned a layer of warmer clothes and threw the rain gear in the backpack. It was slightly cooler to start the day but by the time the afternoon rolled around we were definitely overdressed as the sunshine reappeared. The wettest I got was standing in the steam of a statue on the waterfront. What looked like a gloomy start turned into another top notch weather day for tourists.
The wettest experience of the day
Headed towards the water in the form of the #Lachine Canal and then onto the #Saint Lawrence River. Looped around the #Old Port, tramped over the cobblestones of #Old Town, took in the architecture of the #City Hall precinct, did a tour of #Notre Dame Basilica, bypassed #Chinatown, wandered through the #Quaatre Spectacles and were relieved to find the #Tourist Information Centre to pick up a #Metro Pass to get us home.
We red lined after the #Basilica and succumbed to taking the #Green Line home
Noting again, how well the cities we have visited are set up for tourism. Lots of signage (yes, translation in English) along the way and an incredibly comprehensive booklet prepared by the tourism authority. It has maps and "waypoints" for suggested routes - all with commentary/descriptions of what you are encountering. I'm thinking of it as a mini "Lonely Planet."
This is our walking almost talking guide - got one downloaded as well - very handy
The early part of the day took us along the #Lachine Canal - a series of 5 locks that provided a navigable seaway that avoided the rapids if the #St Lawrence River. The history of these locks and the role they played in trade for North America along the #St Lawrence Seaway helped shape the city we see today. We haven't got to the rapids yet, but it is on our agenda.
The #Old Port precinct is similar to our #Southbank area with lots of entertainment possibilities including an #Imax Theatre, a #Shywheel and even a #Science Museum. Fountains, gardens, plenty of bikeways and walks, restaurants, hire equipment and souvenir shops.
We climbed up the boardwalk to access the glass tower of the port and to stroll the cruise terminal. Everything in the precinct all ready to receive the hundreds of visitors who arrive each year on the cruise ships. A perfect docking location actually - certainly no tender boat and don't even need a shuttle bus - you would step off the ship and you are right there in #Old Town.
Long walk along the canal - plenty of history, graffiti and everything is sponsored by CocaCola!
Parks and interactive activities surround the glass tower of the port
We were keen for lunch and actually took the first restaurant on the left as we entered the cobblestone #Rue Saint Paul in the #Old Town. What a find. Lobster bisque, shrimp crepes and the best cocktails enjoyed at #Suzette's Crepes & Fondue. @Mac was racking his brains trying to come up with a method of licking the inside of the mason jar that held his chocolate #Vida Loca.
A definite gem. We loved every sip and slurp
Street after street of history - and a missed opportunity for a fish and chips - too far to come back for dinner
Enjoyed our visit to #Notre Dame
Visited the #Notre Dame Basilica which was #Canada's first Gothic Revival church and is reflective of its French-catholic roots. Settled by the French in 1642, the first stone iteration of the church was built in 1672 and had various iterations until 1824 when the current foundations were established. So beautiful onside with scenes depicting the Eucharist recreated on the altar, a spiral pulpit rising above the congregation, intricate stained-glass windows, a 7000-pipe organ and a 10-bell carillon tower.
Must say I was a little taken aback by the presence of technology here. You could swipe your credit/debit card at any one of ten stations inside to "light" a battery operated votive candle for $10. I have since discovered that you can go on line and light one remotely! What will they think of next.
Moved from old to new and glad to find the #Green Line train
So much to see in all of these areas. We had run out of time and waved as we passed by the entrance to #Chinatown but did do a little detour through the mall to have a look at the #Place des Arts. Very reminiscent of our #Cultural Centre precinct at home.
By this time of the afternoon we were focussed on finding the blue arrow pointing underground for the #Metro. We needed the #Green Line. All so very easy to navigate - well, easy for @Mac. He identifies the colour, notes the last station on the line and follows the signs. The only challenge we had was holding onto our hats in the face of the little whirlwind created by opening the doors onto the street after emerging from underground. Our place is literally across the road from #Guy-Concordia Station.
We were spent. Couldn't face the thought of having to walk outside to get dinner. Made do with fruit, Doritos and cheese.
Stretched out with feet up and in our near comatose state, we were content to watch the one news channel we can access on the TV, on a repeat loop.
PS: Have to comment again on the smoking. So intense. Some parts of the pavement are swathed in cigarette butts. A little carpet of these little orange stubs. Big change given much of #Whistler is smoke free, #Ontario cities had yellow curved lines demarcating 9 metre smoke free zones around buildings - definitely not seeing that here.
PPS Part of the fun of travel is investigating each new setup in the accommodation you land in. For this one - the shower is definitely a marvel (that we have mastered), the TV remains a mystery with two remotes and lots of communication with the @Concierge (still a mystery.) These guys are definitely into technology, with all their cross checks for payment, the key less multiple passcode security to enter the lobby, the lift and the apartment (mastered now we are using the right keypad) and their "boarding pass" video instructions for each and every aspect of the apartment. But, they definitely didn't count on giving advice for these little gems that @Mac has made his personal favourites. I refused his offer of a massage. He is so funny.
Meanwhile in Europe 🇪🇺 with @M&I
We thought we were clocking up the ks, but not in the same class as these hikers. They are making the most of that last day in their private pool in #Santorini.
No comments:
Post a Comment