During all this we are having trouble to get our tickets out of the ticket machine. A young fellow offers to help us. We get our tickets successfully and then we find out these two young men - with packs and guitar are from California. They rode a bus to Vancouver and have hitch hiked all across the country to Quebec. They are both very nice, adventurous young men.
We get off at Peel and start to look for the downtown and info centre. Downtown is very crowded and compact - so we choose a direction and head that way, hoping for success. It's a bustling place, not unlike any other downtown I guess. I spot a question mark the sign of an info centre. We follow that and find a very friendly group at the centre. We get some directions and downtown maps for Old Montreal and off we go.
First stop is the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. This church was inspired by the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and was built in the Anglo-Protestant sector of Montreal at the end of the 19th Century. It is open daily for visitors and it is huge. The architecture is very Roman, inside is a marvel of gilded arches and carvings with marble bases. The church has a most peaceful feeling of awe and serenity, if that makes sense.
Next we get back on the Metro - I should clarify that statement - getting on and off the Metro means going down under the city and climbing back up many times. It is definitely lots of walking, and lots of up and down. We are at Central Station and on our way to the train we pass what we think is the underground city, full of shops and eateries. This is on the middle underground level, we need to be at least one more level down. We may seem lost looking at our map and a fellow stops and asks where we are going. He points us in the right direction and off we go. He told us we could have walked to Old Montreal in about 15 minutes! Hmm it has already taken us about that amount of time and we are still not at our station, ha! Oh well we need these experiences to make our day interesting. We are off to our stop - Place D'Armes and it is only a few stops from where we get on. Now the climb back up to the street. Ok which direction, looking at our map again another nice fellow stops and asks where we are going and points us in the right direction. In Montreal it seems you don't need to ask for help - you just need to look confused and people help you.
On our way in the square are the horse and buggies calmly waiting to take passengers for a tour of the city. We think about it but it is $48 for half an hour tour and we don't have that much cash. So that's put on the back burner.
We are off in the direction of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. It massively protrudes into the skyline, all grey and ornate. It was built between 1824 and 1829. Gothic architecture abounds this church. Many are lined up to enter and pay for a tour which we decline.
Next we are looking on the map and a lovely older lady (older than us that is) comes along and takes the map from Dan and points out free things to do, where to shop, etc. wonderful - we have free tour guides along the way!
Down we head in the direction of the Old Port. The streets are lined with shops, tables with umbrellas and people wandering about. This is a romantic place this Old Montreal. We are thirsty so we find a shop and bistro combined and order a latte to drink while we sit outside under the umbrella watching the activity around us. Hmm, coffee is excellent, waitress is very pleasant and we enjoy. My feet are starting to protest a bit, but we still have lots of walking to do yet.
A bit rested and thirst quenched we head off toward the port. There are benches full of people of all ages sitting, chatting and looking out into the harbour. Lots of boats, including tour boats, are moored along the harbour. There are many shapes and sizes of tour boats just waiting to take out the next group for a tour of the area. We wander along the pier while beside us is the set up for Cirque de Soliel, it is fenced all around, so we assume they are opening a show soon. The area is very relaxing with trees and walkways everywhere, not a place to be driving - it is set up for those on foot. In and out of the little shops we walk up the hill, lined with cafés and flowers everywhere Dan decides to seek out a building he saw down at the dock. It is tall with a Canadian flag flying. I sit on one of the benches to wait for his return - hmmm getting hungry we should look for a spot for lunch.
Dan found the buildings at the top of the hill, one was City Hall and the other two were law courts - very stately and old. Wandering along the streets we listen to music and look for a place to sit. It is very busy and obviously there are not too many places available. We get seated on the street at Chez Suzelle Crepes & Fondues. Ah, so romantic! We order some wine and food and just enjoy!! Awesome.
Now we are off to make our way back - it is already 2 pm and we have a long ways to go and Dan hopes to be out of the city before rush hour. We wander in and out of the shops - I am looking for a magnet that has the Fleur de Lis on it for my collection. Yes I found it and some other souvenirs and off we go to find the Metro. Our journey back to the campsite is without incident and we sit outside and revel at our day. Dan's take on the day - Old Montreal is reminiscent of Gastown - old, quaint and very clean.
We did not have to pay for a tour guide, we had many very helpful citizens provide us with info and directions. We both remarked how impressed we are with the locals - thanks Montreal for a great time. We met a couple in the park here that came to show us a good place to camp in Quebec City - right before the bridge and they have a shuttle. So I call to make reservations - we were told by the fellow at the tourist info that we should be looking at making reservations now that all kids are out of school. So I guess we will have to plan more now - no more flying by the seat of our pants. Till tomorrow.
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