9/27/18 TO THE SHIP:  

We were up at our usual 0600 and got cleaned up and ready for breakfast. This morning Jean prepared a wonderful pancake, more like a crepe as well as all the other breakfast goodies. Jean apologized that there were no croissants or muffins as Oushki at some time during the night helped himself to the pastries. He was somewhat in the dog house.

I ate the pastries, but I am too cute to be made at 

We packed up and retired to the B&B front porch where we met the other couple staying there. They are from Saguenay and when they learned we were sailing on the Disney Magic, they explained the city would be out to greet us. We will be looking forward to the greetings and fireworks.

We called for an Uber ride to the port and he was there in no time. This driver was from Tunisia. After being dropped at the entrance to the port, our bags were dropped off. As the port did not open for check in until later we were off looking for a coffee shop, and one was found just a couple blocks away. 

Soon it was time to head back to the port and check in, ID check, health card, get room key etc etc and see friends from near and far. Soon we boarded and made our way to lunch. Soon our room was ready and we changed clothes and started some laundry. Our bags arrived rather quickly so we got unpacked and settled into our stateroom. It is nice to unpack and not live out of a suitcase for the next couple weeks. 

As this is the Halloween Season the ship is decorated accordingly, as you can see in the picture posted here. 

With laundry done, hung and folded, we did a walkabout the ship and got ready for the mandatory safety drill. 

After the safety drill, knowing it was over 4 hours till we are scheduled for dinner, we went and grabbed a small bite to fill the gap. We then got off the ship and headed to the ferry terminal to get information for operational hours. Thinking it might be some nice photo light in the morning, we put off this journey. We decided to head up to the Chateau Frontenac, a landmark of Quebec City.   After visiting the Chateau Frontenac, we strolled  along the board walk and climbed the 310 stairs of the Governors Promenade.  

Making our way back down the hill we decided to stop at Mary’s Popcorn and get a small bag of very tasty popcorn, I got the Quebec Mix a combination of maple covered, yellow cheddar and white cheddar popcorn. Lynn decided on the maple covered and the salted caramel flavor. Back to the ship to clean up for dinner with plenty of time to spare. 

Thus far, on about 14000 steps, but I am beginning to think Quebec City is a city of stairs and inclines. 

TOASTERS, PORT CONTROL, RAIN AND SEEING FOLKS

9/26 Fun And Very Wet Day

After another bountiful breakfast we were off again. The decor here just blows me away. As I mention the toasters from days gone by, as well as many little touches.  

This is your place if you like toast

First stop was the gas station for a bus pass. We caught the 801 bus and headed to the Port of Quebec, well as near as we could get, as we had to walk to the Port area. 

Prior to starting this trip we had learned of the Port Of Quebec Historical Pedestrian Rally. This is a self guided walking tour where you had to find various aid bits about the port area. Answer the question and turn in your answer sheet at the end to be entered into a drawing. 

The Port Authority Building

Here is where the port is controlled from. It all happens here.

We journeyed through this important site marking the history of Québec and Canada. For many Quebeckers and visitors, the city of Québec and its port are part of our heritage. Many of us have ancestors who at one time or another trod upon the grounds of the Port of Québec upon arriving from Europe or elsewhere. This is where, by dint of hard work and courage, people seeking a better life settled or moved out toward the Canadian West. 

Since the 1665 arrival of Jean Talon in New France and the establishment of commercial trade between France, Acadia and the French West Indies, the city of Québec had expanded from a trading post into a fast growing colony. The French Crown’s  forbidding of the burgeoning trade so as to avoid competition with French shipyards, Quebec City became the cradle of Canada’s shipyards. 

After the British defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham and ending their reign in Canada, many English shipyards sprung up to meet the demand. 

Today, the Québec Port Authority (QPA) manages all port activities in the city of Québec, from the Island of Orléans Bridge to the Québec Bridge, and the activities inside its headquarters at 150, Dalhousie St. Built in 1913, it is one of the few buildings in the city with a clock tower.  We struck up a conversation with the receptionist and the next thing we know we are visiting the port control center. 

We walked along the shore stopping to gather the answers along the way. 

All this was done as a steady rain fell. We did take a break for some coffee to sit and get out of the rain. When we finished answering all the question we turned out answer sheet in and will now wait. Till October 29 to see if were lucky enough to win a prize.  I think if we win were will just donate it to a good cause.

We walked about the city running into folks we know and did some catching up. This was a good thing. Next we stopped for a a short visit to the Notre Dame Basilica. This is a beautiful church and there was a mass in progress. 

Look a pub

We then found the St. Patrick’s pub and went in for lunch. Fish and chips were recommended, and they were good. I tried a great local dark beer. We were soon joined by friends, and did some more catching up. 

Back to the cruise dock to meet others and make plans for our arrival at the port. 

The skies were looking rather threatening and we decided not to stay for the greeting arranged by the Port of Quebec. Later we learned it was a very nice welcome event. We were just too darn wet to enjoy.

Wet bus stop

As we walked back to catch our bus the skies really opened up, and soon we were soaked, even with our rain gear. We boarded a packed buss filled with wet commuters. When we got back to the area of our lodging we found a local restaurant and had dinner. Arriving back at the B&B we got out of our wet clothes and started to arrange our bags for our departure. 

Por

  

9/25 A DAY in QUEBEC CITY

9/25 A day in Quebec City : 

We were up early and got cleaned up before breakfast. Our breakfast was at 0700 and it was amazing. It included, pastry, toast, jams, butter, cheese, ham, yogurt, granola, nice strong coffee, juice, and French toast made fresh.  The toast was the most fun as Jean collects toasters from 1920 to 1940. Yes, they work, and our toast was toasted in a vintage toaster. Some photos will be in order tomorrow. 

After our wonderful breakfast we went to the local gas station and purchased our bus fare for the day, $8.60CDN for an unlimited day pass. We then took the bus towards Vieux Quebec, transferring to another bus to make our way to Montmorency Falls.

Some trees are turning 

Art in the Parc 

Presents for The Boys 

Interesting piece 

Elegant dining 

Falls higher than Niagara 

Nice flowers 

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a few minutes from Québec City. Located between the river and the cliffs, it's one of the province's most spectacular sites. With its 83 meters high (30 meters higher than Niagara Falls), Montmorency Falls dominates the landscape. It can be discovered on foot, by cable car, or from the gourmet restaurant. 

After walking about the Parc, and finding a Geo Cache we boarded the bus to head to a market by the Cruise Port. The Marche Du Vieux Port is small but lively, offering many local products from fruits and vegetables to wine, honey, maple products, and more. 

Amazing number of spices and the blend of aromas was amazing

We had an empanada from a booth selling Chilean food. One shop there was a spice shop which had a wonderful aroma as the spices were stored along a wall of wooden drawers filled with spices. 

We next continued to the cruise port and beyond to the waterfront area where we made our way into the cobble stone streets of Vieux Quebec. This area is full of all sorts of shops selling many things from art work to clothing, to tourist shops and many restaurants and hotels. 

More interesting Art 

A classic Hotel 

Soon it started to rain and we sought shelter in a pub where we savored a bowl of hot French Onion Soup and a local Cider. The cider was the house cider and it was quite good, a pinch of sweetness and full of flavor.  The French Onion Soup warmed us and we headed out as the rain stopped.  

Easy Way Up

A great mural 

Typical street in Old Quebec

Being a bit lazy we took the funicular up the hill and continued to wander about Vieux Quebec’s shops, hotels, and restaurants.  

The Black Squirrel (that would make a great pub name)

The Holy Trinity

Leaving the walled city we made our way to a bus top and took the bus to a local Metro grocery store. Here we purchased a bottle of wine, some cheese and meat, and a baguette, and some apples for our dinner. Then two bus routes found us back at Aux Annees Folles as the rain continued to fall. 

We had our simple evening meal on the front porch as Oushki slept on the front room couch. 

Tomorrow we will explore much more of Vieux Quebec. Today we have logged about 9 miles of walking.   

Montreal to Quebec City Via Rail

Leaving Montreal to Quebec City Via Rail:

Last night we did an evening walkabout and discovered a very nice local park. In the park was a decorative fountain. The architecture of the houses in this are is harkens to a time of elegance. I now know why this Sherbrooke area is known as the Golden Square Mile. Interspersed among the residences are murals on the full sides of some of the buildings. These, along with the vibrant colors on some residences, just adds to the funky vibe of this area. 

The diversity of this area is so very evident in it’s food scene, there is scarcely an ethnic food offering we did not see. Name it and it will be within a block of where you are. 

As we neared McKibbins the Irish pub, I asked Lynn if she wanted a ginger beer, her favorite. So we went in and the music was starting, I enjoyed a Sunday Pint of Guinness as we enjoy the music. 

Simply put, we enjoyed our time in Montreal and could envision a return. There is so much to do and see here. The people of Montreal are warm and friendly and really added to our time here. We felt very welcome. 

Today we packed our bags and walked to the Metro so as to make our way to the main rail station. As it was rush hour the trains were packed and we had to wait a bit for a space on the car for us and our bags. We finally got on board and traveled to Gare Central. We checked our bags and checked out what provisions we could purchase for our rail journey.  We scored a couple really nice deli sandwiches. 

At about 1225 we were cleared to board our trip and found our reserved assigned seats and settled in. Nice comfortable seats, power outlets, and WIFI. 

After we pulled out of the station we crossed the St. Lawrence and a nice lady with a trolley came by offering food and drinks for sale. A Molson was in order. And so our east bound odyssey begins as we roll through well kept villages and fields of corn. 

I am sitting in an emergency exit row and have been briefed on how to bust out the window. Lynn is not letting me play with the window breaking tool.      

As this train ride is only 3.5 hours, we opted for coach seating. The seats are cosy and very comfortable, the rail car is clean and tidy, with plenty of carry on storage at one end of the car. 

A hostess comes by with a trolley of various snacks and drinks twice during this journey and twice to collect trash.  Station stops are made in French and the repeated in English. 

When we arrived at Quebec City the checked luggage was off loaded and as ours was the first on it was the last off. Thus we were the last to get in line for a taxi. I decided Uber would be much fasted and punched in our request.  Six minutes later our Uber arrived and wisked us away ahead of 40 - 50 other waiting passengers. 

In a few minutes we arrived at Aux Annees Folles (we were told this translated to the roaring 20’s), Lynn says more like the crazy years. Our Uber driver was from the Congo and appreciated the cash tip, I guess that is a good thing for them. Our host, Jean, greeted is with pastries, fruit and refreshing juice. 

Aux Annees Folles is a three bedroom B&B with a Husky as a mascot. His name is Yusky and he is eight years old and all dog of the north. We did bring treats for him and he took to us in no time. 

This property is amazing with it’s Art Deco theme. All of the furniture and decorations are from the 1920’s.  No elevator and a shared bath are par. There are two other couples here tonight and they will depart tomorrow. We will then have the run of the house for one night. Breakfast is staggered and our time will be at 0700. 

After we settled in, we went for a walk about of the neighborhood and discovered where to purchase a bus pass. There is a couple Vietnamese restaurants, a take out chicken place, and a couple pizza places and the obligatory Tim Hortons, all near our lodging. 

Looking forward to tomorrow as we will first head to the old city area.