Happy 40/50 to us!

This year I turn 40. Last year Brent turned 50, but we dealt with Jim’s death instead of celebrating Brent’s birthday. As much as I enjoy my friends, I decided I wanted to travel somewhere instead of having a party. I wanted to leave the country and travel with Brent somewhere neither of us had been. Although Europe was high on my list, time and $1200 airline tickets were preventative to our going to Europe this time. So next on the list was Montréal or Puerto Rico. Although a terrible tragedy for those in Puerto Rico, we are grateful we didn’t choose Puerto Rico given the terrible hurricanes that decimated the island. Our choice was Montréal and we were very happy. I have found my favorite city! Thanks to Nana, Granddaddy and Nonni for watching the kids. It was our first time away from the kids by ourselves for 3 nights since they were born. We left very early on Wed morning, Oct 25th, flying through DC to Montreal. We landed and found we were able to purchase a three day pass for $18 each that let us travel on all public transport. We hopped on the bus downtown and met a lovely lady who pointed us in the direction of the metro that shortened our trip to our accommodations. 

 Views from airplane while coming in

USB chargers on the buses!

We have found we enjoy staying in neighborhoods and through some looking, we found LeQube Apartments that were self-checkin and a cross between a hotel and Airbnb. Ours was a studio with views to a great street in the Plateau area of Montreal. The apt was equipped with everything we needed and access to a beautiful rooftop terrace that had a hot tub we enjoyed a couple of times. 

After dropping our bags we headed out in search of food and adventure. Not yet being well oriented to our surroundings we found a diner of sorts for lunch. Throughout our stay we found folks friendly and willing to help with language, speaking English in a thoroughly bilingual city. 

After lunch we headed to the Basilica Notre Dame - about 500 years old. While we didn't think to get an outside picture we were enamored with the inside. 

The mighty Casavant organ!

The pulpit, elevated and in the middle of the sanctuary so the voice would carry to the back.

After visiting for a bit, we walked to the Old Port at the water. 

Funnily, as we walked, I smelled scents reminiscent of a spa for about a block and sure enough we passed a local spa that stretched the width of a city block - smelled divine. I certainly have a nose for spa ;)

We also came across this sign, you won't see in our area anytime soon!

The Old Port was gorgeous. We just missed a ride in this ferris wheel as they had closed up shop as we arrived.

Vieux Montreal

We then walked through cobblestone streets and old buildings, likely similar to streets in Europe, on our way to our accommodations. 

We headed back to the apartment but on the way we stopped by a local market and came across some crazy flavors of chips - none of which we bought. 

We headed back out to explore Park Fontaine - a park close by that was well visited by locals. I was amazed at all the folks on bikes. In the evening there was a rush hour time of bikes, with panniers, and kids in seats heading home. 

While in the park, we saw the first of a few albino squirrels - I don’t think I have seen one before. 

Throughout our time here I was reminded why fall is my favorite season. I love the crispness in the air, the promise of a fire in the fireplace, the beauty of the changing leaves - God’s marvelous paintbrush reminding us of times of change, of times of latency that will one day turn into new beginnings when my other favorite season of spring comes to be! 

Dinner was a fortunate find at L’express, a hoppin’ French bistro. 

We had no reservations and the maitre’de told us there was a spot at the bar that we could have for 1hr - he wasn’t kidding. They were speedy and we enjoyed a two course dinner at the bar. As we were getting up, they seated someone right after us. We enjoyed walking around the neighborhood, walking more than 20000 steps that day. 

Although Montreal is the 2nd largest city in Canada, I found it surprisingly uncrowded. It also was clean, lacked the stale-beer-sewer smell of other large cities while also lacking the brach bravado amongst residents I have seen in other large cities. 

On Thur we had a leisurely morning of coffee and oatmeal and put on our rain gear. It would be a bit drippy all day but we came prepared. We took the metro to the Olympic pavilion. 

 We first took the funicular to the top of the Olympic tower where we we enjoyed views of all of Montreal.

The design of the Olympic pavilions were based on marine biology - such as the Biodome which looks like a trilobyte

 We then went into the Biodôme where there were 4 habitats with vegetation and animals from tropics to much more northern climates. 

Pirhanas

Poison Dart Frog

See the teeny tiny frog on the log -

Those black dots are bats.

Crocodile.

Blue Macaw, reminiscent of the Pixar Movie Rio.

Scarlet Ibis.

Raccoons having fun.

A huge Flounder.

A painted backdrop to look like Maine.

Emperor Penguins.

Remember these? They now have credit card slots.

We then headed to the BotanicalGardens. This area was magnificent - 90%  of the gardens were outside. We loved walking through the Japanese gardens and the Alpine forest. 

 This Kid's playground was great!

 The artist that created this is the same that created one at the Sarah Duke Gardens.

The greenhouse was also magnificent. 

They were so well planned out with a path leading through each clime, culminating in a very large display of pumpkins that had been decorated by school children. 

We then took the metro to the Jean Talon Market in Little Italy with many fresh fruits, veggies and delicacies to view. We had a yummy late lunch in a little cafe then decided to take a long walk back to LeQube. We stopped at St. Laurent Bagels - an iconic Bagel shop that is open 24/7 making bagels all the time. They were yummy! 

On our way home we came across a woman on a bike, walking 6 dogs - that is talent!

We had a late dinner at a Vietnamese place close to our apt. 

No Pho but very good food. After dinner we walked some more and found a little shop selling pastries and picked up a chocolate pastry that Brent loved. We clocked 30k steps and they were well worth it! 

So much to see. We especially loved the neighborhood where LeQube was - Le Plateau. It was full of life, families with kids, restaurants, tree lined streets and parks. If we lived here, this would definitely be a top contender!! 
We saw a crazy Cat Cafe - 

 Lots of colorful murals and painted buildings. This first one is for Hannah of course.

This one was for Sam.

On Friday, the weather cleared up and we headed to Mont Royal. We were able to walk there from our apt., past another beautiful park. I absolutely loved all of the parks and hardwood trees and fall colors we saw. God has made a beautiful world. Mont Royal was a great hike/walk up to the top (700-800 foot climb) where we saw some tremendous views of the city and up close view of a large metal cross at the top. 

Bike roads beside the car roads!

Chalet Mont Royal.

We came across this gigantic linden tree!

Acer saccharum

Legend is that the mayor at the time of great flooding prayed to God that if the city survived he would build a large cross on the top of Mont Royal, and it stands to this day.  It is lit up at night and can be seen from all over.

We walked back down and headed to a vegan restaurant (Aux Vivres) we saw the day before - excellent choice! 

After lunch we walked back to our apt for a break that included a soak in the hot tub on the rooftop. 

We even had time to have a glass of wine and watch some of a show we have been enjoying -such a rare treat these days. 

Later we returned to Park Fontaine and walked the entire perimeter and interior enjoying finding the beginnings of an ice rink and so many folks out enjoying their evening. 

This will soon be an ice rink!

We made our way to dinner at Le Majestique that served local oysters (reminding us of our honeymoon in Nova Scotia), beer, cider and yummy food! 

We then went on the hunt to find the place that served the chocolate pastry that Brent loved so much. We found it and some St. Laurent bagels as well only to realize later we had been overcharged (vacation and we hadn't paid close attention) - after reading some reviews online we realized this place had quite a poor reputation, even someone saying the proprietor had a reputation for being the Soup Nazi of Montreal - oh my! Thankful we didn’t see that behavior when we visited. The pastries were good though - and came from a local bakery Cheskies so if we return we will simply check them out.

Our last evening was spent with some more time in the hot tub enjoying the rooftop terrace after closing in on 30k steps again today. 

Saturday we awoke, packed up and headed in the direction of the airport. We rode the metro to the stop closest the Atwater Market which was a sight to behold of some of the prettiest produce, cheeses, 
baked goods and meats. 

 We had a little more time to walk down by the canal before catching the bus to the airport. 

We enjoyed the metro throughout our trip and how orderly folks were. These markings reminded us of Japan. Folks in Canada heeded them as well. 

Not only was their public art outside, but in the subway as well.

What a fabulous time together, away!! We both really enjoyed our trip and checking out this city.  Even our last lunch at the airport was yummy!

So grateful to be able to travel, to be reminded how small the world is, to see the world God has created, to meet friendly folks from different places, and to give perspective to this journey called Life. Happy Birthday to us!