We spent the day on L’Ile-d’Orleans, a fascinating island in the St Lawrence River, just outside Quebec City. The island is known as the garden of Quebec City and it features a number of local producers.
On the island we found well-preserved 17th and 18th century French/American Architecture.
We stopped for tea and a strawberry treat with a view of the St Lawrence when a barge went by. It looked like a floating city in the pic.
Traveling on, we came upon a fromagerie where we stopped to buy some fixings for our own cheese fondue (not like you might be thinking). The handmade cheese is only produced on the island and is the first cheese ever made in the Americas. That means it has been enjoyed for centuries! We bought enough to take to a recent dinner party and to be given as gifts back home.
In the evening we found an Afghanis restaurant just around the corner from home. What an amazing day of various cultures and food!
Kath’s quote: “Food is central to travelling and is a vivid entryway into another culture…”- Lucy M. Long
We were still away in Quebec, but had travelled to Quebec City. D was on vacation for our time in Montreal but had to work remotely in Quebec City.
Our new Home Exchange location was absolutely fabulous. This was the view to the north, with the hills (mountains?) in the distance.
Our third story walk up was accessible from the fire escape. We didn’t know that the loft did not have an elevator. It was a lot of stairs, especially for D who had to keep moving our car rental on the crowded streets.
We were smack in the middle of the Montcalm area. The neighbourhood is known for their vibrant arts and foodie district, located just a short walk away from the Plains of Abraham. This Michelin Restaurant was just around the corner.
We did our food (and liquor) shopping just a short walk away on Cartier Ave. These giant iconic street lights feature artwork from local Quebec artists that lit up at night and added colour during the day.
This was the interior of one of the many beautiful shops along the street.
We did dine out but not that first evening, We loved the concrete island and Jen-air stove in our loft.
We love to cook with unusual local ingredients, so we were all set.
We snuggled up for the evening just as the sun was setting.
Kath’s quote: “Bring me the sunset in a cup“.-Emily Dickinson
We walked to another spot famous for poutine. We knew we had come to the right place because there was a line up for the restaurant AND the take out counter.
The portion was huge (of course!) so we shared. We wanted a purist ‘s version of poutine not with peas and chicken like our first dish.
We had some calories to wear off so we continued walking to the stadium at McGill. We were too early as it was an evening game so we found this lovely stretch of green. We wallowed in the sun and read our books until we got hungry again!
We stayed in the vicinity of McGill and actually had a hard time finding a place. I was dying for a salad but had to make due with a portabella burger.
We were cheering for the Bombers at the football game but were obviously outnumbered by Alouette fans. D could have made himself quite unpopular with the Als’ fans. He traded jabs with a couple of guys. The most boisterous fan was godsmacked when D bought him a beer! The fan then bought our beer along with the rest of the row! A true Canadian moment in my mind. Our cheering didn’t help the Bombers, they lost pretty miserably. Ironically the Bombers head to Montreal again this weekend for the Eastern Final! Go Bombers, go!
We took a packed Metro home.
Kath’s quote: “Being a sports fan is a complex matter, in part irrational but not unworthy…” -Richard Gillman
We took a short day trip to Fort Chambray. The fort told the fascinating story of French/British/American struggles over the decades.
This is a pic of the of the Jacques Cartier Bridge that we crossed over a number of times as it links the island of Montreal to Longueuil on the south shore.
Speaking of Jacques Cartier, I always assumed that this was his likeness until Google Lens told me it was Raphael-Lambert Cross and his dog Pilote.
We had a picnic supper at a Chinatown park. I would not suggest that you try what we did. Everywhere we have travelled in Montreal and area with the electric vehicle that we rented, there was no parking charge when you were charging the car. Not so when we parked in Chinatown. We got a $100 ticket!
Then we attended “Aura”- a music and light experience at Notre Dame Basilica. It was absolutely stunning. There was a flute section in the music and an acquaintance of mine who was a flutist had recently passed away. I was moved to light a Prayer candle for her. If you are not familiar with the tradition, this act is a form of prolonged prayer, where the burning flame represents your continued prayer and devotion for the person even after you leave. I have done so in other places in the world too. You typically leave a little offering for the privilege of lighting a votive. I was sort of taken aback when Notre Dame charges $13 and there is a kind of ATM set up to take your money.
D loves nightlife whereas I am usually content to snuggle up with my book or a movie. But to appease him, we did stop on our way home from the Basilica. We enjoyed a night cap and a tapas at “Darling” (a happening place close to “home”). I must admit, I felt very uplifted by the youthful energy.
Kath’s quote: “The night is always young when you’re young at heart.“
We had a wonderful day exploring our neighbourhood of Mile End/Plateau.
The two most famous bagel makers are here. We started at Fairmont Bagel this am. While there, a black sedan pulled up and unloaded a group of well dressed business men. They all ordered bagels and were quickly on their way.
Fairly soon after, we lunched at Welenski’s. Talk about a blast from the past.
D had fried balonie and salami on a bun and I a hot dog.
In between we read in the park by Église Saint-Enfant-Jésus du Mile-End and walked St. Laurent St.
We passed two Michelin restaurants on our stroll as well as the Chez Claudette, famous for their poutine.
We enjoyed our happy hour at Siboire right across from the fire station.
We walked to dinner at Corbeli. It was crowded, and noisy, there were people from all walks of life and amazing food. Just the way we like it! 14,000 steps and not a vegetable in sight.
Kath’s quote: “To walk is to travel at the speed of the soul”.
