During our Reading week in mid February we made a long awaited trip to Québec province. The Reading week is a study break for midterms. For us exchange students it means of course a week-long holiday :)On Saturday 13. early morning Andy and me caught Greyhound bus to Toronto, where we changed to Megabus to Montréal. The journey takes 7 hours, fortunately there is a break in the middle to release legs and the bus is spacious enough.
Andy'd managed free accommodation through couchsurfing, so from the bus station we set out directly to Marilyn's place. On the way we passed by a Czech bar Bílý Kůň, which was also visited later that day (and the day after) :) It was my first time staying via couchsurfing and I got more than nicely excited, having already set up my own profile. That weekend we were staying at Marilyn's even in 4 people - together with Katariina and Akari, 2 girls doing their exchange in Windsor, the very south Canadian city just next to Detroit. In the evening we all went to a Portuguese restaurant. So amazing food! There was a couchsurfing meeting in one bar, which couldn't be missed and later already mentioned Bílý Kůň. It was such a great evening! I love Montréal!Sunday should be started with a brunch! Being aware this tradition we had a chance to explore amazing Café Santropol just next door of our temporary home. Then we split and with Andy we headed to explore Montréal Down Town. We made sightseeing to major places, namely Quartier Latin with amazing European atmosphere, Université du Québec à Montréal, Old port with giant public skating ring, Marché Bonsecours where traditional market stalls have been replaced by expensive boutiques, by Rue Saint-Paul to Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. Back home girls prepared amazing Japanese dinner and then Marilyn took us by her car to enjoy the night view from Mont Royal together with a crowd of Valentines day celebrating couples.We also stopped in non-stop opened bagel bakery. Then driven by thirst we wanted to go out for a beer. Discovering that on Valentines Sunday everything is either closed or empty we ended up again in Bílý Kůň, which being loyal to its Czech roots seems luckily to be open and full every day :) There finally we'd managed to meet with our friends, whom we were going to Québec city with on Monday.
On Monday more sightseeing and then it was time to pick up our car from Thrifty. As it's probably an unwritten rule (or just a luck) to get better model than ordered, nice silver Corolla was waiting for us. As a reward for having to pay an insurance (which raised the price significantly) we found free GPS left inside the car. Hitting non-existing clutch pedal when starting, I realized it was automatic :) Which I drove for the first time, but it's so easy and convenient - especially when going uphill. Just I didn't know what to do with my left foot and right hand, as those were unused :)
We went to Mount Royal again for a little stroll during a sunny day and then it was just right time to drop girls, pick up Damien and Pierre and start to Québec city!
Québec city is such a beautiful city! If I didn't know I'd even say we were back in Europe :) The Old Town (Vieux-Québec) surrounded by a wall is protected by two rivers and a fortress from all sides. The fortress was built to defeat the capital of Québec from potential American invaders in 17th century. "The ramparts surrounding Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) are the only remaining fortified city walls that still exist in the Americas north of Mexico, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 as the 'Historic District of Old Québec'." [wiki]. There is a Castle (Château Frontenac) from the end of 19th century nowadays turned into a luxury hotel. Try to find another castle in North America! :) The Old city is full of narrow streets with many cafés, restaurants, museums, etc. Everybody speaks french, and often only french! People seem to follow their origin (and generally european style) - driving fast, crossing on red signal (if they use a crossing), not carrying about traffic signs (if you need to park somewhere, just park there) and so on. I'd say québecoais are more friendly, talkative and open-minded then here in Ontario. (If I only spoke french better!)
Damien, Pierre and I, we slept in a hostel, Andy again through couchsurfing, which happened to be just 10m from our hostel :) On Monday evening we made a short sightseeing and then drank overpriced beer in only opened Irish bar. Unfortunately we arrived in bad time, as it was just after Winter Carnival and everything was empty. On Tuesday we continued with discovering of local beauties - Parliament building (with free guided tour and delicious cheap lunch in parliamentary canteen). And after lunch we were heading to Montmorency (20 mins away) to see famous waterfalls! The falls with its 84m are higher then Niagara, but luckily not so touristic. In winter time they are half frozen, which looks amazing! I can't wait to go there again in May to see the summer situation. Back to Québec in the evening we found amazing café where we met Sophie working there, had a tasty dinner in one restaurant, and then a party in a bar with Sophie and two french girls from our hostel (whose names I've forgotten) till late hours.
Following morning there was an issue with hostel staff and our payment. Originally I'd booked 4 places and when Andy found couchsurf he called to the hostel to cancel one place. He was told it was ok, so we didn't care any more. But while paying on Wednesday morning the guy had the receipt for 4 ppl, even he knew we were three sleeping there. He argued (in french) we hadn't canceled that one place online before. Really my account on hostels.com was saying 4 places, but also there was also a note "in case of any change contact hostel directly" and the phone nr., which he'd done! How could I suppose after being assured that the staff didn't change it?! Merde! Finally we managed to having to pay "only" for one extra night.
Then we left hostel finding an announcement about bad parking behind the car windscreen wiper - luckily only a warning. Probably the free parking I'd found the day before wasn't public as I thought :) After quick brunch in a café we made the last sightseeing in Québec - La Citadelle, the fortress. Around 3 o'clock it was the highest time to leave (only in three, Andy stayed in QC for one more day). On the way to Montéal there is Hôtel de Glace, Ice Hotel! Similar one like in Kemi. It's just amazing, the whole hotel is made completely from the ice and it's really huge. There are many rooms, which can be booked ($350-$800), several bars, party room, chapel, small ice-slide and two igloos outside for visitors on a budget :) We spent there almost 2 hours and were leaving already in dark having 200km ahead.
Finally in Montréal I dropped guys at their friend's place and went to find my hostel which I'd booked that morning. Of course I choose the cheapest one :) It was a nice hostel with free breakfast, little bit farther though. I ate pizza with a beer and went downtown for a short drive-walk in Quartier Latin.
On Thursday I checked out and went to see Olympic stadium. I was contemplating about visiting Biodome (a museum of American ecosystem), but I was running out of time and also was a bit afraid of getting a fine for parking in a residential area (not wanting to pay of course) :) So next time!
Don't buy Garmin GPS! I don't know why it thought there might have been a gas station in a park ... Only its 3rd attempt was successful and I managed to refill the tank (with a support of kind attendant, 'cause my card was refused by a self-service machine)! I returned our nice Corolla (great car it was!), walked through China Town, bought my lunch in Panini and got to central bus station where we met with Andy, took our Megabus to Toronto and then home to Waterloo.
Conclusion: It was so amazing trip! I'm totally astonished by Québec province, its french temperament, good food and café and great people (even if they speak only french). I think now I'd definitely choose Montréal instead of Waterloo :)
Pictures from the trip are on Picasa, or in my Facebook. Depends on personal preferences.
On Monday more sightseeing and then it was time to pick up our car from Thrifty. As it's probably an unwritten rule (or just a luck) to get better model than ordered, nice silver Corolla was waiting for us. As a reward for having to pay an insurance (which raised the price significantly) we found free GPS left inside the car. Hitting non-existing clutch pedal when starting, I realized it was automatic :) Which I drove for the first time, but it's so easy and convenient - especially when going uphill. Just I didn't know what to do with my left foot and right hand, as those were unused :)
We went to Mount Royal again for a little stroll during a sunny day and then it was just right time to drop girls, pick up Damien and Pierre and start to Québec city!
Québec city is such a beautiful city! If I didn't know I'd even say we were back in Europe :) The Old Town (Vieux-Québec) surrounded by a wall is protected by two rivers and a fortress from all sides. The fortress was built to defeat the capital of Québec from potential American invaders in 17th century. "The ramparts surrounding Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) are the only remaining fortified city walls that still exist in the Americas north of Mexico, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 as the 'Historic District of Old Québec'." [wiki]. There is a Castle (Château Frontenac) from the end of 19th century nowadays turned into a luxury hotel. Try to find another castle in North America! :) The Old city is full of narrow streets with many cafés, restaurants, museums, etc. Everybody speaks french, and often only french! People seem to follow their origin (and generally european style) - driving fast, crossing on red signal (if they use a crossing), not carrying about traffic signs (if you need to park somewhere, just park there) and so on. I'd say québecoais are more friendly, talkative and open-minded then here in Ontario. (If I only spoke french better!)
Damien, Pierre and I, we slept in a hostel, Andy again through couchsurfing, which happened to be just 10m from our hostel :) On Monday evening we made a short sightseeing and then drank overpriced beer in only opened Irish bar. Unfortunately we arrived in bad time, as it was just after Winter Carnival and everything was empty. On Tuesday we continued with discovering of local beauties - Parliament building (with free guided tour and delicious cheap lunch in parliamentary canteen). And after lunch we were heading to Montmorency (20 mins away) to see famous waterfalls! The falls with its 84m are higher then Niagara, but luckily not so touristic. In winter time they are half frozen, which looks amazing! I can't wait to go there again in May to see the summer situation. Back to Québec in the evening we found amazing café where we met Sophie working there, had a tasty dinner in one restaurant, and then a party in a bar with Sophie and two french girls from our hostel (whose names I've forgotten) till late hours.
Following morning there was an issue with hostel staff and our payment. Originally I'd booked 4 places and when Andy found couchsurf he called to the hostel to cancel one place. He was told it was ok, so we didn't care any more. But while paying on Wednesday morning the guy had the receipt for 4 ppl, even he knew we were three sleeping there. He argued (in french) we hadn't canceled that one place online before. Really my account on hostels.com was saying 4 places, but also there was also a note "in case of any change contact hostel directly" and the phone nr., which he'd done! How could I suppose after being assured that the staff didn't change it?! Merde! Finally we managed to having to pay "only" for one extra night.
Then we left hostel finding an announcement about bad parking behind the car windscreen wiper - luckily only a warning. Probably the free parking I'd found the day before wasn't public as I thought :) After quick brunch in a café we made the last sightseeing in Québec - La Citadelle, the fortress. Around 3 o'clock it was the highest time to leave (only in three, Andy stayed in QC for one more day). On the way to Montéal there is Hôtel de Glace, Ice Hotel! Similar one like in Kemi. It's just amazing, the whole hotel is made completely from the ice and it's really huge. There are many rooms, which can be booked ($350-$800), several bars, party room, chapel, small ice-slide and two igloos outside for visitors on a budget :) We spent there almost 2 hours and were leaving already in dark having 200km ahead.
Finally in Montréal I dropped guys at their friend's place and went to find my hostel which I'd booked that morning. Of course I choose the cheapest one :) It was a nice hostel with free breakfast, little bit farther though. I ate pizza with a beer and went downtown for a short drive-walk in Quartier Latin.
On Thursday I checked out and went to see Olympic stadium. I was contemplating about visiting Biodome (a museum of American ecosystem), but I was running out of time and also was a bit afraid of getting a fine for parking in a residential area (not wanting to pay of course) :) So next time!Don't buy Garmin GPS! I don't know why it thought there might have been a gas station in a park ... Only its 3rd attempt was successful and I managed to refill the tank (with a support of kind attendant, 'cause my card was refused by a self-service machine)! I returned our nice Corolla (great car it was!), walked through China Town, bought my lunch in Panini and got to central bus station where we met with Andy, took our Megabus to Toronto and then home to Waterloo.
Conclusion: It was so amazing trip! I'm totally astonished by Québec province, its french temperament, good food and café and great people (even if they speak only french). I think now I'd definitely choose Montréal instead of Waterloo :)
Pictures from the trip are on Picasa, or in my Facebook. Depends on personal preferences.
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| CA02 Quebec trip 13.-18.2 |
Hey Michal! Nice to hear (read) your adventures in Canada. Seems like a great place, and hopefully I'll be able to go there one day. A bit too cold, though. But at least there's some snow :)
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. How did you create those panoramic pictures? I want to create those, and took several pictures, and now need some software to stitch them together.
Well, keep posting and I'll keep reading.
Cheers!
Hi Farinha! Thank you for your comment :) I do enjoy it here, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI've tried several sw for panorama stitching and have found Autopano being the best. Now there is Autopano giga 2. You just load your pictures and it makes superb panorama automatically - very easy to use. The key point is you have to think about it while making them: the best is to use tripod (but i made then from hand), lock the exposition, and shoot that they overlap about from 1/3. Then just render and crop in Autopano :)