Wonderland, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake

Hi all,

Sunday 16th June we took a bus from Montreal down to Toronto, took almost 6 hours as Toronto traffic is awful! Anyway, found our hostel, went to the shop, ate and headed to bed. It was supposed to rain the next day so we decided to go to Wonderland - the Canadian version of Disneyworld. It turned out to be a lovely, hot day and was great as it was so quiet, the longest we queued was 10 minutes!

 It is a beautiful park with some really cool rides. Don't think many tourists are aware of Wonderland as it seemed to just be Canadians there.

Behemoth with a 230ft drop...not as big as Leviathian which was over a 300ft drop and the world's 5th biggest roller coaster.

Was a really cool day, and was nice to do something a bit different. We then met up with Sheila, a friend from back home. Went for dinner to the Salad King, an amazing (and cheap) Thai restaurant just off Dundas Square.

The following day, we went on a guided tour to Niagara Falls. Got picked up pretty early and got to Niagara mid morning. Started at the actual falls, then headed to Clifton Hill where you get a good view of the Falls and it is where the Maid of the Mist is situated.

Looking sexy heading on to the Maid of the Mist

Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side) with the Maid of Mist

After the Falls we went on to a gorgeous little town called Niagara-on-the-Lake, right in the heart of wine country! Such a cute little place, tour buses aren't allowed to drive through in order to keep it more peaceful.

Wine tasting at a vineyard outside of the town

A lovely end to a lovely day: cocktails with Lisa and Sheila sat outside overlooking Dundas Square.

Au revoir Montreal!

I have really fallen in love with this city, here a few reasons....

There are so many cool neighbourhoods to explore and can always find one to match your mood. Tonnes of things to see and do, from history, to art, chilling with a drink, eating, theatre, cinema, you name it.

 It's bilingual! Love walking into a shopping and being greeted with, "Bonjour, Hi" and no one is offended at what language you choose.

People are cool, friendly and helpful, but not in your face.













So many parks to chill in, so you really feel like you've been transported out of a city environment.











It is so easy to get around, the metro is awesome, bikes everywhere.

So many events going on in the summer...Montrealers really love to party!!

Another reason is Juliette et Chocolat.....mmmm.....

So on the Friday we just walked around, visited most of the places we had been too before but just loved strolling and seeing new parts, relaxing, grabbing some street food. Friday night, we decided to have a night out on the town...and had such a great time. Dancing all night and rolling in at 4.30am, great, only downside, didm't get any poutine on the way home!! 

Saturday we had a bad head each, so we decided to go to Parc Mont Royal which is a huge park that looks over the city. Took us about an hour to get up to the lake at the top, but it was worth it. So busy and beautiful, felt like we were no longer in the city. Felt a bit pathetic with our salad and crisps compared to everyone else's picnics and BBQs! Great day sunbathing and relaxing nonetheless. 

Lake at Parc Mont Royal

All in all, very enjoyable day, topped off with an AMAZING meal! An Asian all veggie restaurant, fantastic. Absolutely shattered, so off to bed. Really didn't want to leave this city, but have to move on.

Au revoir Montreal, hello Toronto!!

Montreal...the city of my dreams...

Hi all, sorry for the lack of postings...it's been a hectic 2 weeks!!

So got the early bus to Montreal on Monday June 10th and head out to have a look round the city. So impressive...felt right at home straight away! Busy and jam-packed like New York, yet a pretty relaxed place.

Wandered round the Old Town, nowhere near as nice as Quebec City, but it was still charming and was glad we saw it. Enjoyed watching the locals practicing their Par Cours on the Champs de Mars near the Old Town. Had a walk down to the Quartier des Spectacles where they were setting up for the many festivals during the summer, one was due to start on the Thursday we were there...Francopholie (French music from around the world). Buzzing atmosphere, headed to hostel and chilled.

Woke the next day to discover it was absolutely peeing it down...great! So did a bit of research and found there was a place called the Biodome which recreates different ecosystems and environments like the rainforest, woodlands etc and has loads of different plants and animals. Pretty interesting place...the rest of Montreal, it seemed, had the same idea.







Rainforest in Biodome


So was crowded, but we didn't mind as someone rather special decided to come too. Paul Walker. The God. For those of you who don't know him, he is the star of the Fast & Furious movies, but mainly, he is fit, really fit. Even more fit in the flesh. He sat on the table next to ours (where me and Lisa were having heart palpations). He was so lovely and even gave us directions to the show we were seeing (which he was in too!). So all in all, a great day!

Lisa, PAUL WALKER and me :)

The following day, i.e. the come down after meeting Paul Walker, was quite cool also (not as cool though). We went to Parc Jean Drapeau which is located on the Island just across from Montreal and is where the F1 is held. It only ended the Sunday before we arrived so it was pretty quiet and they were pulling everything down. Still, we had a nice walk around in the sun and popped in the Casino for a drink.

Structure at Parc Jean Drapeau with Montreal skyline behind

Then on to the gay village, which was lively, colourful and had a great vibe. Mooched round the financial district and checked out some of the amazing hotels that are in the very rich area...dreaming of a day when we could swap our dorm beds for a luxury suite. Walked round McGill University, lovely architecture and had a great feel to it. Then across to the art museum, where there was lots of funky art on the street for everyone to see. Had a bite to eat, grabbed our stuff and headed for a friend of a friend's place where we were crashing for the rest of our time in Montreal.

Financial District

< Looking down onto the Fine Art Museum












After chatting to our new friend Olivier til late, the following day we decided to have a lie in. Walked to Jean Talon market - the largest in North America. Was huge, loads of variety and very multicultural. Ate in a little Mexican place, so cool to be speaking French and English, plus hearing Spanish being spoken by the waiters! Long walk down Blvd St Laurent into town, but worth it, as for the summer, it has been turned into a pedestrian street. The mural festival was on, where different artists from around the world came and basically painted murals on the end of buildings, which livened them up and created something so different! Such a cool vibe.


Later we headed out to the Francopholie festival and watched a couple of acts, then headed to the Latin Quarter for a couple of drinks. Ended up in a place called Sainte Sulpice which had the largest beer garden we'd ever seen! Headed back home after a tiring day....

Québec City Part Deux

The following day, Friday, the sun had deciding to stop shining and opted for rain! We had a lie in anyway after our excursion the day before. We got ourselves organised and started to look at hostels and buses for the next part of our trip. After chatting and researching, we decided to add a couple of extra places to our trip as Lisa has changed her plans slightly, therefore has longer in the area. So after Toronto, we are now heading to Boston and then on to New York for a few days!! 

The updated itinery is now, Montréal (10th-16th), Toronto (16th-21st), Boston (21st-23rd), New York (23rd-27th). I am then flying to Calgary from NYC and Lisa will be heading back home shortly after. Lovely to be flexible :)

We ventured out on Friday despite the bad weather and went down to the Lower town (Basse-Ville) to check out some of the lesser visited places of Québec City. Stopped off in a nice tea shop and then started our climb back up the hill! Spent the evening having dinner and chatting.

Weather was awful on Saturday as well, even so, the three of us decided to visit the Ile d'Orléans, an island across the river from the City. Very quaint and lovely countryside, a nice little city getaway. 

Ile d'Orléans

After our drive around the Island, we went back home for some lunch, then Marie Joelle had to pop to work for a couple of hours. That evening we all got dressed up (as much as a backpacker can!) and set off for Chateau Frontenac for cocktails. We then went for dinner at a nice little Breton place then rented a movie and spent the night in.

For our last day in Québec we decided to go to a Native Reserve just outside of the city called Wendake. I love learning about the native culture and traditions and how it is managed here in Canada. A sort of park has been created to educate tourists about their traditions, way of live, history and current situation. 

Wendake Village

We took a guided tour around the place and learnt so much about their culture and history and was quite shocking some of the things we found out. The treatment of the natives when the Europeans came over, how they have been treated in general by the Canadian government and all the problems that they face in a modern society. It seems that many things need to change in order for the quality of life to improve amoungst the native tribes dotted around Canada. 

The Sweat hut 

Marie Joelle and Lisa making friends!!

Our guide showing us how snow shoes were made

Overall a very enjoyable day, the only downside...all the animal skins dotted around!! I know it is their tradition, just horrible to see dead wolves and beavers everywhere! However, their marriage traditions where interesting...trial period. Plus, their nation is matriachal...women rule, how it should be...I think Lisa was ready for joining haha! 

Our last night tonight, so we are staying in as we have an early start tomorrow...bus to Montréal at 6.30am.

So night night world...

New Brunswick and Québec City

Hi everyone,

Last Monday it was time to set off for Québec City, so we packed up and set off. We drove through New Brunswick and made a couple of stops along the way. The first was at Magnectic Hill, an optical illusion that has become well known and attracts many tourists. Basically, you drive what appears to be downhill, put your car in neutral and it rolls up the hill. Strange. The next stop was reversing falls where the waves seem to go both ways. Again, strange. That was my experience of New Brunswick, I'm sure it has much more to offer, although we didn't get that much time to explore.

Reversing Falls

Monday night we stayed over in Rivière du Loup in Québec province and we decided to get the ferry across the St Lawrence River, lovely crossing and it was a beautiful day.

Ferry terminal at Rivière du Loup

Tuesday afternoon...arrivée au ville de Québec!! I grabbed a bite to eat (and a couple of happy hour specials as per!) and waited to meet up with Marie Joelle. For those don't know, she is a friend of mine that I met while I did my exchange in Bordeaux and we've kept in touch ever since (2009!). Was so nice to see her and also practice my French which is pretty rusty. 

The next day, she was up early with work and I headed out to explore Québec. Well, what an amazing place! Felt like I had stepped into France, so many beautiful buildings and old streets. Helped that it was a gorgeous day and was able to get amazing pictures of the place. 

One of the many beautiful gardens in Vieux Québec (the old part of the town)

Chateau Frontenac - now a hotel

Best part of my day...Lisa arrived!! Met her at the airport, so amazing to see her after so long and had sooo much to catch up on! The next day was gorgeous again so we got ourselves sorted and headed out, to the Old Town again. Was lovely just wandering around, chatting and enjoying the sun.

Looking down onto the town and the St Lawrence river

Marie Joelle arranged a guided tour around Vieux Québec in the evening with one of her friends who is a historian. Fasinating night learning about the history of the city and seeing parts of it that tourists wouldn't normally go. Stopped off for some famous poutine...although for me wasn't as great as no veggie version :( It really is like going to France!! So the tour that we thought would last about an hour, turned into 5, so we were pretty shattered by the time we got home!!

 Vieux Québec at night

 Outside the Parliament building

Until next time...

Last few days in Halifax

My time in Halifax is coming to an end...

The weather has been lovely since getting back from Cape Breton Island, sunny and warm, so decided to spend some time downtown. On Friday, I relaxed in the beautiful public gardens of Halifax. Lovely and peaceful, I was quite photo happy, so as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words".

                                 Bandstand

Just a few of my pictures from the Halifax public gardens.

Saturday I headed down to Pier 21, the immigration port of Halifax and Canada on the East Coast. Pre, during and post World War II, Halifax received millions of immigrants wanting to start a new life in this relatively new country. This was also the port that Canadian troops left from when they came to help us in World War II, 1 in 10 soldiers that came back brought their "war brides" with them. Such a fascinating place, especially as my relatives here originally came over from England. Their parents arrived here in 1929 and set up a new life with only $25 in their pockets.

Display depicting the journey across the Atlantic

Centre of the museum showing what the waiting room may have been like

Recreation of a ship, now a movie theatre

Some of the ships that came across the Atlantic

All in all it was a lovely day out to say that I am not usually a museum go-er. Later that day I went to go and watch the Hangover Part 3...not so cultural, but fun all the same!! Spending today chilling out, having a BBQ and packing. 

Leaving here tomorrow morning and starting our road trip to Quebec. Heading through New Brunswick, stopping off in a few places, staying over somewhere then getting a ferry across the St Lawrence river then on to Quebec City! 

Has been amazing seeing family and friends again, but looking forward to continuing on with my adventure! A bientot! 

Cape Breton Island

Hi all,

Last Wednesday we set off for Cape Breton Island, north of Nova Scotia. We stopped off at a relative's cottage near to New Glasgow. Was great to see them again, spent a bit of time with them last time I was over. The sun was out so we spent a few hours relaxing on the deck over looking the sea...bliss! The drive up to Cape Breton Island was fantastic! The views were incredible, lake views, trees, beautiful homes.

View on the drive up to Cape Breton Island

We arrived in Louisbourg around 8.30 that evening, after checking into the hotel, we were informed that everything shuts at 6pm in town! So we had to head to Sydney, a half an hour drive away, to grab a bite to eat. The next day we woke up to awful weather, cold, windy, rainy, grey...not what I was expecting! Anyway we headed of to the Louisbourg fortress, the reason why we came to this town. The Louisbourg fortress was the last stronghold the French had in New France. It has been maintained and kept in the same style as it would have been in that time, end of the 1700s. It was fascinating to learn all about soldiers travelling from France in order to have a better life, which clearly wasn't that great. They employ people to just walk around in the clothing of that time period and act like they are still in that era. So spent a while chatting to the 'soldiers' who were 'on duty' and they gave us an account of what life was like there. Was a very enjoyable day despite the bad weather.

 
Louisbourg fortress                                        


We spent the rest of the day driving round and visiting some of the towns. We visited one place called Baddeck where Alexander Graham Bell flew his first plane from, there is now a museum commemorating his life and work.

Alexander Graham Bell museum

We arrived back at the house around 9.30 on Thursday night, trip was lovely, just wish the weather would have been better!