A DAY IN MONTREAL

OUR FIRST DAY IN MONTREAL - 

We were up early, downstairs before breakfast was ready and enjoyed a very nice cup of coffee, rich with full body and full of flavor. Breakfast was a nice continental breakfast with fruit, various breads and pastries, yogurt, and hard boiled eggs. We spent some time working on photos and finishing the entry for the train ride, as well as planning our day. 

After breakfast we walked about three blocks to a Metro Station were we bought a three day Metro pass. One day is $10 and a three day pass is $19, not a very hard decision to make. 

The metro here is efficient and a nice way to move about the city. From our station (Sherbrooke) we traveled to Berri-Uqam station and transferred trains to take us to Parc Jean-Drapeau. The Parc Jean-Drapeau encompasses two islands IIe-Sainte-Helene and IIe-Notre-Dame.  IIe Sainte Helena sits in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River. The Island was named after Samuel de Champlain’s wife.  This was also the site of the 1967 Worlds Fair.  The most notable remnant of the fair is the United States Pavilion, which now houses the Biosphere. In the Biosphere one can learn about the St Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. Located at the islands high point is the Levis Tower. One can climb to the top of this tower for wonderful views of Montreal.   

Yes some colors are starting 

Biosphere 

We did climb the tower, then walked the trails back to the Ferry Dock. During this walk we did see two fox, even the Parc staff were excited to see them. At the ferry dock we bought our tickets for the ferry to Old Montreal. I was amazed at how fast the St Lawrence River was flowing. 

When we docked, we walked along the waterfront to the Clock Tower. Then we found the Clock Tower Beach of Port Montreal. 

One building we were interested in seeing was the Marche Bonsecours, as the exterior is amazing and we though the interior would be like shopping halls in Europe. While in inside did have various shops, it was not as ornate as the exterior. We walked along the Promenade Des Artistes to Place Jacques Cartier, an lively pedestrian walk way. The architecture and the diversity of eating establishments in this are are amazing. At the top of the walkway is a monument to Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. I will not diverge into a dissertation about Lord Nelson other than to say many of our travels have crossed  places of significance. 

From there we made our was to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal. This, I must say, is one of the most splendid churches in North America. One is humbled when they enter. 

Gothic in style, it was built in the 17th century, and seats 3000. The wood carvings and stain glass, coupled with the alter and nave, are resplendent beyond words. 

From the Basilique, we walked to the metro station to return to our hotel. We did make a stop for some Tim Bits. Back at the hotel, we relaxed in the breakfast sitting area and planned an evening out at a local pub.  

Yes a trip to Montreal is well worth your time, simply a wonderful city with oh so much to offer.