Journeys of a Tourist, or, A Day in Vieux Montreal

[gridlore]

Today was our dedicated tourism day. After a shaky start, we got reservations for the Aquabus tour through the hotel concierge and set off for a leisurely walk down to the St. Lawrence. Taking extra time meant we were able to amble and admire the amazing beauty of Old Montreal. I'm sure if we ventured farther out into downtown things would look a little more like generic Western Big City, but in the Old Port and Old Montreal they have made an effort to preserve thir heritage sites. For the Bay Area folks, imagine if the area around Pacific and Kearny had been kept looking as it did in the days after the Gold R ush while remaining a vital part of San Francisco. That's what they've done here. Plenty of things to see and do as a tourist, but it is still a part of the city.

We arrived at the bus tour very early. While kshandra sat and rested, I bought drinks in a tiny little shop. It was there I encounter a very young, French-speaking Giants fan. Through his mother he expressed his love for the Giants, and I explained that even though I did go to games, I had yet to meet Tim Lincecum.

The actually bus tour was both educational and fun, especially the part where the bus drove into the St. Lawrence River for a quick drive around the harbor. It would have been better if the guide didn't have to say everything twice, once in English, once in French.

After a bit of souvenir shopping, we paid the five dollars to visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de Quebec. It would have been worth fifty. Just seeing the magnificent pipe organ would have been worth the price of admission.

At that point we were seriously tired out. After trying, and failing, to find an ATM, we returned to the hotel for a nap. Venturing forth a few hours later, we found the ATM, the Place Victoria, and a chance to explore a little bit of the underground city.

There appears to be no such thing as a bad glass of wine in this city.

We're having a lot of fun, and I'm taking a ton of pictures. Tomorrow, the con starts.

Comments

[fearsclave.livejournal.com]

If you get the chance, try for St. Joseph's Oratory and Mount Royal park. It makes for a nice day's outing...

No news re the car but expect to have it tomorrow AM.

[bkwrrm-tx.livejournal.com]

SO jealous. Envious. Take your pick. :-)

Have fun, keep us posted and have fun!

Social Distortion is playing there.....

[redc1c4.livejournal.com]

but they're prolly a bit too much for you.

/white smoke

[patagucci-thong.livejournal.com]

I've always liked Old Montreal. :) Have fun and enjoy some wine for me!