, I got to sit in the cockpit on my Air Canada flight!! The pilots were so impressed with my husbands "questionnaire" that they invited us to the cockpit post flight. I got to wear the pilots hat and move the engines left and right. It was super fun (terrifying!) and a great way to start my vacation.
Our Canadian adventure started in Montreal. Montreal is a very interesting city filled with many different types of cultures and people; from the corporate downtown to the very laid back Mont Royal. Montreal may be one of the most international cities I have been to. Normally, when you go to a new city or country, its residents are from that country of origin; not in Montreal. It was so refreshing to be in such a culturally diverse and accepting place. We arrived slightly after the Pride Parade, but in the middle of the International Jazz festival; such a great mix!
We were very fortunate that our hotel was within the jazz festival's grounds, so at night we were able to relax with a cocktail and enjoy some world renown jazz. I didn't think of jazz as a very popular genre of music, but I was proved wrong as the festival was attended by thousands of people each and every day! That evening we arrived, we relaxed and enjoyed some of the jazz festival from our hotel patio. The next morning was a full day! We adventured up to
Mont Royal, Montreal's huge outdoor park. Within the park there is a large hill/small mountain that many locals use to mountain bike ride or work out. We accepted the challenge of climbing this "mountain" in order to see the great views of the city. Mont Royal was probably one of my favorite things we did as it was different than anything we've done in a city trip. Normally, when you visit a city you don't think of hiking up a mountain! It also was so "hippy" and down to earth with local shops and eateries. At the base of our walk there were about a hundred people banging drums and enjoying some folk dancing in the middle of the park; it was extremely entertaining! We were especially pleased that after the long hike up, the view was well worth it!
|
the drums and dancing at Mont Royal |
|
view from the top of Mont Royal |
As we got up early, we had plenty of time to wonder the streets of Montreal after our climb. We got to see the
Notre Dame Basilica, the cobblestone streets of
Old Montreal, and the
Old Port. We ended the day walking down Rue St. Denis in the
Latin Quarter, sipping on strong cider at a microbrewery. We had a great spot outside, perfect for people watching. The Latin Quarter is a very hipster area filled with college students. There was a live band playing in the street which was quite nice after the long day we've had. Summer in Montreal is so relaxing. We enjoyed the nice summer's evening so much, we lost track of time. The sun stays out so late, we were surprised to find that we were walking back to the hotel in complete day light at 9 pm in the evening!
|
Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal |
|
Old Port |
The next day in Montreal happened to be Canada Day, July 1st! We went down to Old Montreal to rent two bikes to explore the rest of the city on two wheels. We hopped on and followed a massive bike trail over a GINORMOUS bridge to the islands on the St. Lawrence River and the
Parc Jean-Drapeau. It was so peaceful leaving the bustling city behind to bike through the park. Not only was it peaceful, but it also had great views of the city skyline.
Park Jean-Drapeau also is where the Canadian Grand Prix is held. Well, of course we had to go see it! Not only did we get to go see it, we were able to ride our bikes around the entire track! We were zipping along (unfortunately I zipped through a pack of bugs, forgetting I did not have a windscreen, gross!) racing each other along this world renown Grand Prix Track. That definitely was one of the highlights for my husband as he grew up watching the Grand Prix.
|
Jayda on the Grand Prix circuit |
|
near the end of our bike path through the industrial part of Montreal |
Our Canada Day celebrations ended in the evening at the Old Port. We grabbed two crepes and parked a seat on the grass for the 20 minute firework display to celebrate Canada Day! It was so much fun! We picked the perfect time to go to Montreal. We actually didn't even realize it would be the Jazz Festival or Canada Day when we booked our trip, it was a nice surprise.
|
waiting for the fireworks, Happy Canada Day! |
One thing I did find quite surprising and still don't understand about the people of Montreal, is there love of
poutine! Montreal was very french (obviously as it is French Canada), very modern, and a very "foodie" city. However, poutine is only french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. I tried two different kinds (I really tried to like it as I LOVE FOOD) and it was just "meh". Nothing special, but poutine was literally everywhere. I thought it was very ironic that there were so many different types of different great food available, but poutine was advertised and ate everywhere I saw! Maybe it was because of Canada and the festival? I will never figure it out, but it is something you must try while in Montreal!
|
street are in Mont Royal |
|
view of downtown from the Old Port |
Montreal is such a fun and exciting city. Not only was it a beautiful place, it was so clean and safe! Not once, in the entire city, did I feel unsafe. It was so clean, no homeless, no trash, I was shocked. Living in a city myself, trash and homelessness are just a daily part of life. I don't understand how such a huge city manages to keep itself so safe and clean. I truly had a blast! Montreal has history, was modern, and so culturally diverse. I still am blown away by all the different kinds of people all in one place at once, it truly was a magical experience. Montreal is a MUST on any trip to Canada! Early the next morning, we walked to the train station for the next leg of our trip, it was bye bye Montreal and hello Quebec!
|
bye Montreal, you will be missed! |