Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Day 13: Montreal
June 8: First, hi dad, happy birthday!
Unfortunately we were meant to go to Monmorency Falls but due to time restraints in Montreal, we continued on. Was a little disappointed, but turned out I loved Montreal, so having the extra time was great!
Did a brief city tour and had a group photo taken at the Kindiaronk lookout (unfortunately though it was overcast and drizzled all day)... and drove passed La Criox (the steel cross) and the Oratoire St-Joseph (a massive cathedral/basillica). Also saw some Jewish areas, Chinatown and the main streets of town.
Most of the group went jet-boating on the St Lawrence River, but I didn't as I did a heap of that in New Zealand recently. Instead in my free time, I saw a number of cathedrals and old buildings (but didn't have time to go inside - including the Notre Dame Basillica where Celine Dion was married), had a look at the Olympic Park area (Montreal had the summer olympics in 1976), went up the world's tallest leaning tower (mind you view was not so good due to weather), and had a look at the Botanical Gardens, in particular the Chinese and Japanese exhibitions. Loved the bonsai gardens too!
They say the locals are 50/50 French-English speaking... but interestingly all the signs etc are in French, but the people are bilingual.
The Canadian Formula One Grand Prix is this weekend, and what do you know it's in Montreal - so all the streets were colourful, car displays everywhere, promotions and concerts in the streets - very exciting. Had a quiet walk through the old McGill University and a brief look at some exhibitions in the McCord Museum, before taking another quick walk to Place Royale, Place Jacques-Cartier and the pier/foreshore area - the old part of Montreal is very beautiful and interesting.
Was so engaged in my sightseeing today that I missed my bus to the hotel! Lucky I had the address and a day ticket for the train as I made my own way there.
Later, a huge group of us went out for dinner to a very cheap but tasty place - $2 soups, $5 pasta, $8 steaks - need I say more! Then a taste of the nightlife. Won't elaborate here.
Had a walk later through Rue Saint-Laurent to see some locals hanging in their area of the woods (at clubs, bars, restaurants) before retreating back at the hotel at some ungodly hour of the morning.
Seems everyone else had a big night too. Thank god we have a long drive tomorrow, and well, I can't say I didn't make the most of Montreal!
Unfortunately we were meant to go to Monmorency Falls but due to time restraints in Montreal, we continued on. Was a little disappointed, but turned out I loved Montreal, so having the extra time was great!
Did a brief city tour and had a group photo taken at the Kindiaronk lookout (unfortunately though it was overcast and drizzled all day)... and drove passed La Criox (the steel cross) and the Oratoire St-Joseph (a massive cathedral/basillica). Also saw some Jewish areas, Chinatown and the main streets of town.
Most of the group went jet-boating on the St Lawrence River, but I didn't as I did a heap of that in New Zealand recently. Instead in my free time, I saw a number of cathedrals and old buildings (but didn't have time to go inside - including the Notre Dame Basillica where Celine Dion was married), had a look at the Olympic Park area (Montreal had the summer olympics in 1976), went up the world's tallest leaning tower (mind you view was not so good due to weather), and had a look at the Botanical Gardens, in particular the Chinese and Japanese exhibitions. Loved the bonsai gardens too!
They say the locals are 50/50 French-English speaking... but interestingly all the signs etc are in French, but the people are bilingual.
The Canadian Formula One Grand Prix is this weekend, and what do you know it's in Montreal - so all the streets were colourful, car displays everywhere, promotions and concerts in the streets - very exciting. Had a quiet walk through the old McGill University and a brief look at some exhibitions in the McCord Museum, before taking another quick walk to Place Royale, Place Jacques-Cartier and the pier/foreshore area - the old part of Montreal is very beautiful and interesting.
Was so engaged in my sightseeing today that I missed my bus to the hotel! Lucky I had the address and a day ticket for the train as I made my own way there.
Later, a huge group of us went out for dinner to a very cheap but tasty place - $2 soups, $5 pasta, $8 steaks - need I say more! Then a taste of the nightlife. Won't elaborate here.
Had a walk later through Rue Saint-Laurent to see some locals hanging in their area of the woods (at clubs, bars, restaurants) before retreating back at the hotel at some ungodly hour of the morning.
Seems everyone else had a big night too. Thank god we have a long drive tomorrow, and well, I can't say I didn't make the most of Montreal!
# posted by mishij @ 3:28 PM 
