Canada Trip - Montreal & Quebec City

Day 1 - My flight to Montreal departed at 6:20 AM and I would be arriving at 1:00 PM.  I left my place at 4:00.  I hate flying.  I hate how you are treated like a sardine, how you never know if the lines will be long or not, if your flight will be delayed or not, or if you will be allowed to take your carry on luggage with you or check it.

My mother and brother dropped me off at the airport and I walked inside to be greeted by a long, unmoving, line of people.  I estimated a 2 hour wait to get through.  Great.  I walked back outside to see if I could check in curbside, only to be informed I couldn't because I was flying internationally.  I walked back inside and asked where the Kiosks were located.  After being told they were located on the side of the wall, I walked over and didn't see them.  I resigned myself to waiting in line and possibly missing my flight.

A gentlemen walked down the line asking if anyone had any questions.  I flagged him over asking if I could check in with the kiosks for my international flight.  Yes, as long as I wasn't checking any bags.  As I wasn't, he lead me over to the kiosks to start the process.  It only took me two seconds before the kiosk said I needed an employee to help me out.  After standing around 5 minutes, I finally managed to flag down another employee to help.  She did, got me all checked in, and then it was off to stand in line again to go through security.

I got through that relatively quickly and then found my gate to wait to board.  I managed to get my carry on on the plane and into the overhead bin with no problem.   Great!  I was on my way.

I arrived at Chicago with only a short layover.  Just enough time to walk to my new gate.  As I boarded to head off to my final destination, I was told I would have to check my bag.  To be fair, it was a small plane and they made everyone check their carry on.

Once we were airborn, we were given a customs form to fill out.  Getting off the plane, I waiting on the gangway to collect my luggage, along with everyone else.   At this point, people started talking both French and English.  Once I had my bag, I walked to customs.  Since I was a visitor, the line I had to wait in was shorter.  Maybe 30 minutes later, I passed through with no problems.  I found a restroom, and then headed to find some lunch (Subway) before grabbing a cab to my hotel.

The cab driver wouldn't take credit card and since it cost me $40 + tip, I started to get worried.  If I had to pay cash for all my taxis, I was going to run out of money.  At this point, I had a little bit of a headache.  My hotel was nice, and although I wanted to take a nap, I wasn't going to waste my time in Montreal on something so mundane as sleep.

The weather in Montreal wasn't that cold.  I could tell the snow was melting.  Everyone said the weather for the next few days was unseasonable warm.  But, it was still cold for me.   Around 45 degrees.  I wasn't cold walking around, as I was dressed warmly.

I headed off to start exploring the city.  It turns out that my hotel was in a great location.  Everything was way closer together than I thought.  In fact, I kept over walking my destination in both Montreal and Quebec City because everything was so close together.  The layout of Old Montreal is grid like.  Within minutes, I felt comfortable that I wouldn't get lost.

There were tons of little shops and food places that were not mentioned on goggle map when I had been planning the vacation.  I checked out some shops, purchased a Canada Spoon (I collect them =P), and walked all around the Old Port (I saw ice fishing, ice skating, the clock tower).

My head started feeling better, I was glad I forced myself to go out, and headed to The Keg for dinner.  Dinner was good.  I ate about half and had the waiter pack up the rest.  By this point, my headache had returned.  It was getting dark.  I had lost an hour going from central to eastern time.  I had been up since early, was going to lose another hour to day-light savings, and needed to be up early the next morning.  I wanted to be well rested so I returned to my room to turn in.

That night was terrible.  My head was pounding, I was shaking, sweating, and throwing up all night.  At one point, I wondered if I had food poisoning.

Day 2 - I had a tour planned for this morning.  By the time I had to get ready to leave, I wasn't sure I was up to taking the tour or not.  But, I did feel a little better and I didn't want to miss it.  The hotel I was staying at offered free breakfast.  I managed 2 bites of a banana and some hot tea.

I was being picked up for the tour in front of the hotel.  That first morning, waiting for the bus, was the only time I was really "shaking" cold.  I guess my body adapted pretty quickly after that.

The van to pick me up arrived on time.  The driver was very nice and even picked up a map of the city for me.  He dropped me off at the location for the tour to start and said he would take me back to the hotel when I returned. 

I got my voucher and, as I waited, I was directed to talk to information about the city.  They were very helpful, giving me maps and brochures for both Montreal and Quebec City. 

The bus tour was very good, but to be honest, I still wasn't feeling good.  Toward the end, my stomach was hurting something fierce and I wasn't paying as much attention as I would have liked.  We drove through Old Montreal, saw the Notre-Dame Basilica, China Town, Old Port, City Hall, Sainte-Helene's Island, Place Des Arts, Olympia Park, the Botanical Garden, Insectarium, the BioDome, Mount Royal Park, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, La Ronde, Gilles Villeneuve Racetrack, Bonsecours Market, the Montreal Casino, and the University of Montreal.

I think the reason my stomach hurt so much is because I needed to eat.  Once I got back to the hotel, I had noticed a Tim Hortons close by during the tour.  So, I headed there, knowing I needed to eat at Time Hortons at least once.  I grabbed a cup of French Onion soup to go.

There was a special event going on at Old Port that day - a symphony with boat horns.  I heard a little bit as I walked back to the hotel to eat lunch.  I would have liked to have heard more, but food won.  I felt better once I ate.  I was finally over my sickness.  Even though I was tired, I wasn't going to waste my time.

I headed back out to visit the Pointe-a-Colliere Museum.  I'm so glad I forced myself to go out.  I really enjoyed this Museum and would recommend it to anyone visiting Montreal.  It had two exhibits.  The temporary one was on Samurai.  Since I love Japanese culture, that was an extra boon.  The main exhibit starts with a 30 minute, 3-D movie on the history of Montreal - offered in 8 languages.  After the movie, you walk down to see the old archeological site remains of the city.  I stayed until closing and then headed out for some ice cream for dinner (Yummy!  It was ice cream made with maple syrup rather than sugar).

Day 3 - I had the whole day to do nothing but explore Montreal.  And, for once, I felt fine.  After breakfast, my first stop was the Norte-Dame Basilica.  Wow, it was so beautiful.  I walked around until the tour started, which was with a school group from the same state as me!  What are the odds.  My batteries were low, so I headed back to the hotel to switch them out, and then continued to explore the area around my hotel.

Sadly, a lot of places where closed for the winter, and all the museums are closed on Mondays.  But I did get to walk by and see the outsides.  I visited, Champs de Mars, Chateau Ramezey, Hotel de ville, the Museum Marguerite-Bourgeoys and Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon Secours.

At this point, my plan was to visit China Town and grab some lunch from there.  I couldn't find main China Town and, before I knew it,  I was at the entrance to the Underground City where all the shopping centers where.  So, I went in.  Think a 5 story underground mall.

I stopped at one of the two food courts and ordered my Chinese food.  I had half left which I planned to eat for dinner.  Lots of new shops.  There was one place, called Lace, which I really liked.  Beautiful dresses.  Lots of upscale lingerie places.  One even sold Curvy Kate! But, alas, they didn't stock my size.  34 was about the smallest band size I saw.  I resisted temptation to buy clothes.   I did, however, pick up some maple candy for my family and a Montreal spoon for myself.

Disaster.  I stupidly put my camera in the bag with the Chinese food.  Sauce got all over my camera and ruined it.  At least I was able to save the pictures on the memory card.  I decided to head back to the hotel to try to save my camera.  On the way back, I found China Town.

I rested up as I tried to fix my camera, I wasn't able too.  I switched over to my i-pod to take pictures and headed back out to China Town.  I walked around.  Visited Place D'Armes .  Then walked down to Science Center of Montreal.  I stayed there until closing when I returned to my hotel room.  I packed up everything, ate the rest of my Chinese food and turned in for the night.

Day 4 - Woke to a soar throat.  I was hoping it would just be allergies and not a cold. What was up with  me and being sick on this trip!   Up early and grabbed a quick breakfast.  Checked out of my hotel and grabbed a cab to the Train Station.  Waited there for a while before I boarded a train to Quebec City.  It wasn't my first time on a train, but it has been a long time since I have been on one.  As I viewed the passing country side, I was happy that I had decided to take the train.  It allowed  me a good opportunity to see the country side of Canada.

Arrived in Quebec City, grabbed soup at a Subway, and took a taxi to my hotel.  The number one chain I saw?   Subway - they are everywhere.  Rainy, it was the only day of the week that the weather wasn't ideal.  Today was Hotel de Glace, the main event for my trip.

Checked into my hotel room and switch out my bags so that what I would need for the night at Hotel de Glace would be in my backpack.  Went downstairs to ask about shuttle service to the Hotel de Glace.  This is the one thing I messed up on while booking this whole trip.  Even through the Hotel de Glace's website makes it sound like you can just purchase shuttle service at the Sheraton hotel, you cannot.  You need to reserve it in advance and from Hotel de Glace.

The Sheraton did call the Hotel de Glace about getting my shuttle service but the Hotel de Glace said no.  So, in the rain, I headed out to walk to the Hotel de Glace.  The good news is that it is only a ten minute walk.  The bad news is that there are no sidewalks, on the highway, and in the rain.

I was pretty wet by the time I arrived at the Hotel de Glace.  I didn't realize how wet because I had on a water proof snow suit on.  Once I got to the Hotel de Glace, I went over to the Overnight guest registration line.

The lady was very nice, handing me information about Quebec City, offering site suggestions, and talked about her own experiences visiting my state.  She handed me a badge, which allowed me access to the tour the Ice Hotel.   She also gave me a second badge with my room number on it.

I headed out to the Hotel de Glace to drop my stuff into the lockers, finish check in, and take a tour of the Ice Hotel.  Everything was slushy, wet, and puddles (lakes) of water.   I finally managed to make it to the place I needed to finish checking in.  I signed up for my orientation time, dried off some, put my bag into storage, and then headed back into where I entered to purchase a souvenir spoon.

I did take a small detour through the Ice Hotel (because you have too) and noticed that it was leaking in a lot of spots.  I was told that my room wouldn't be my room that night because my room was leaking and they were going to change me to one that wasn't.  Nice of them!  Actually, lots of rooms had the same problem.  I'm just glad they didn't have too many guests that night.  What would have happened if they were booked full?

I returned my spoon to my locker and then headed over to take the tour.  After the tour, I just explored and took pictures on my own.  All the rooms are open during the day so you can see them all.  It's maze-like in the hotel and it took  me a while to get my bearings.  

I went down the ice slide twice.  It was tons of fun and you go super fast.

After that, I went back to dry off.  It was almost time for my orientation.  Orientation, they tell you how to use your sleeping bag and what to do to stay warm during the night.  The lady said she has been working at the Hotel de Glace for 3 years and has never seen the weather like this.  That they will probably close at the end of the week (two weeks early).  I feel bad for people who booked rooms during those two weeks.

After orientation, I grabbed dinner at the onsite cafe (since I didn't have access to a shuttle to go back to the hotel for dinner).  I then spent more time just exploring the hotel.  I did have a voucher for a free drink (which are served out of glasses made of ice), so I got my free drink. 

At 9, the Hotel de Glace closes to the public, and I headed over to try my hand at ice carving.  That night, turns out there was something special.  One of the artists responsible for carving the sculptures was there creating a new one and people could watch her work.  So, I watches that, which was cool, and then went back to my own ice carving.  The staff was so taken by my ice carving that they added it to the display in the hotel.  =)  It was a 3d leaf.

Everyone staying in the ice hotel that night were very nice.  The experience is just like camping.  I talked to and met so many nice couples.  After I finished my carving, and placed it in my room for the night, I headed over to jump in the outdoor  hot tubs and sauna.  I was afraid I would be cold, but it wasn't bad at all.  It felt really nice in the hot tub.  You use the sauna to dry off some.  The only time I was a bit cold was getting out of the sauna.   Next, you head back inside to dry off completely and change into your night clothes.

I really feel like people who didn't use the hot tubs missed out on a big part of the experience.  Once I was ready, I walked to  my newly assigned room (29).  I got into my mummy bag with little problem and then fell asleep around 12:30am.

It was -5 degrees Celsius  (24 degrees) and no, I wasn't cold.  I slept well.

Day 5 -  The hotel wakes you at 8:00, but I naturally woke at 7:00 and headed back.  I was surprised at the number of people already up.  It makes me wonder how many of them didn't make it through the night or slept so poorly that they were up early?

After I got dressed and packed, I grabbed breakfast (which comes with your room) on site.  The breakfast, like people say, isn't all that great - but it is eatable.  After that, I bundled up and hiked back to the hotel.

I'm so glad I stayed at the Hotel de Glace.  It was on my bucket list of things I always wanted to do and I enjoyed it a lot.  I know it was expensive, but it was worth it.  It was an experience I'll never forget. 

Once back, I took a shower, repacked my bags, and tried to dry my stuff as best I could.  Everything, including my shoes, had gotten soaked and were damp.

I still had a sore throat and now a cough.  I knew now that it was a cold and not allergies.  But I wasn't going to let this slow me down.

I checked out of the hotel earlier than I expected and taxied over to the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.  I knew I was early, but I was hoping my room would be ready.  It wasn't.  They told me to come back between 12 or 1 and it would be.  12:00, as I walked away, I should come back at 12:00 and it would be ready.

I dropped off  my bigger bag with the bell men and went in search of lunch and to explore the city.  I already determined that I wouldn't come back until after 1, just to be safe.  Unlike Montreal, Quebec City Old Town is much more confusing and not as well marked with street signs.  I walked around looking at shops, found a Christmas Store which I just had to stop in.  I finally stopped at a little cafe where I ordered an excellent hamburger and salad (Cafe Buade).

I got the leftovers to go, and then started to explore the city in earnest. I was trying to make my way to the Citadel for a tour, but never could find my way.  I ended up looping around, walking Terrasse Dufferin, to Promenade de Governeurs, to the Plains of Abraham, down Rue Saint Louis, back to Chateau Frontenac. 

It was now 1:15, so I went back to explain my situation and to hopefully get my room.  After waiting 15 minutes, while they were on the phone to see if the room was ready, they told me it was not, but would be in 30 minutes.  Now, it was at this point that I wasn't too impressed with this hotel which ain't cheap.  I did get a complimentry drink at Starbucks for "being so patience".

I explored the inside of the hotel, found the restaurants and Starbucks (for my drink), and returned 40 minutes later.  I was issued my keys (after explaining the situations to a third person), and headed up to my room... to find that the key didn't work.

I was pretty tired at this point, as I had hiked around the city carrying my 30 pound backpack.  How the army does it with 100 pounds is beyond me.  I saw housekeeping and beseech them to let me into  my room so I didn't have to lug my luggage back down.  They were very kind, took pity, and let me in.

I dropped my stuff off and went back down to switch keys.  Back up, to confirm the new key did work, and rested for a few moments (and laid out all my wet clothes to thoroughly dry).  I needed to find out about my tour the next morning so headed back down to talk to the concierge.... Who wasn't there.  I waited about 15 minutes for her to show up.  She was helpful when she did show.  She took me to where I needed to be only... that guy wasn't there either.  We waited a few moments for him to return and I got all settled.

Now, I was ready to head back out to explore.  I now knew how to get to the citadel, but tours had already ended for the day.  I walked down Avenue Honore-Mercier, and then basically looped around the city towards the Old Port.  I visited the Parliament Building, Palais Montcalm, tons of little shops, the Old Port Market, Old Port, the Museum of Civilization, the Place Royale, and learned the secret to getting between Upper and Lower Old Town Quebec.  I now new Funicular means elevator. 

Old town was being turned upside down.  That weekend was going to be the Red Bull Crushed Ice event.  Basically, it is an ice course that runs all through the city.  4 at a time, you race down it.  The first one to cross the finish line moves to the next round until only one is left.  That was interesting to watch them race.  But, I little sad that the city was being taken over by setting up these huge skate courses.

It was getting dark, so I went back to the hotel.  I ate the left overs from lunch for dinner and turned in for the night.

Day 6 - No more soar throat, just coughing.  I had two tours set for today.  Old Town City tour and Country Side tour.  The City tour was in the morning and the Country Tour was set for after lunch.

I headed down to Starbucks for a light breakfast.  Then I explored the historical hotel I was staying in.  As I looked out the window, I noticed it was snowing.  It was the first time in my life that I had actually seen snow falling.  Its the little things that excite me.

A little bit before my tour, I headed down to the meet up spot.  I was escorted to my bus and the lady was very friendly.  We talked about the Red Bull event, the city, and BBQ.

The City tour was okay.  Honestly, I would recommend skipping it.  You get everything you do on the tour, plus more, by just walking around the city on your own.

We saw the Plains of Abraham and basically everything I had seen the day before.  He did have some interesting information and we stopped at a chocolate store and one of the first grocery stores in Quebec.

After the tour ended, I didn't have much time for anything but a quick lunch.  So, I headed back down to Starbucks for a sandwich.  Went to my room to eat and freshen up, and then headed back down for the Country Side tour.

This tour was pretty awesome.  We went to Ile d'Orleans, which is beautiful.  I purchased some yummy chocolate at a Chocolate Shop.  We saw how the maple was tapped.    Drove around Quebec City, saw and visited the Montmorency Falls, stopped at the Gilles Bronze Museum, St. Anne (which was stunning), stopped to have some maple butter on bread (so yummy), and then headed back.

After I returned, I headed down to Quartier Petit Champlain to shop.  I found a Lush (which is like bath and body works).  After a while, I headed back to the hotel, ordered room service for dinner (I just had to see what Canadian Salsa and Nachos would be like), packed up,  and then went to bed.

Day 7 - This was the first night my cold started to have an effect on me.  I didn't sleep too well because my nose started running and being stuffy.  It was hard to breath at night.

I had several hours before I need to check out and left for the train station.  I had seen a crepe place the other day, and decided to have a crepe (which I have never had) for breakfast.

After breakfast, I headed out to see the inside of Norte-Dame Quebec City.  They were having a service, so I decided to walk around the city and come back later.  Most shops don't open until 9:30, so I did a lot of window shopping.  I was shocked at how close things were.  Places I saw, from my city tour yesterday, were right around the corner.

I returned to Norte-Dame and looked inside.  They were doing construction but it was still pretty.  Nothing like St. Anne's or Norte-Dame Basilica.  Then, I went into some shops that finally opened.

I returned to my room for an early lunch, gathered my things, and checked out to grab a taxi to the train station.

The ride back was nice.  Quebec's Train Station is pretty.  I was sniffling the whole way.  Got back into Montreal, grabbed a taxi to my hotel, and by the time I got there, around 5:00, I just wanted to eat and then go to bed.  I ordered food at the hotel's resturant, and then went to bed after arranging a shuttle and wake up call in the morning.

Day 8 - I woke with my jaw something fierce soar at 3:45 AM.  Got dressed fast, ate a little bit of my left overs from dinner, and then headed down to check out and take the shuttle to the airport.  I was glad I decided to leave a bit early.

It took me over 2 hours to get to get my ticket, go through security, and customs.  Then I had been flagged for random additional screening. I think I need to get a new passport picture.  115 pounds lighter apparently is starting to cause some problems.

My flight was delayed over an hour due to technical problems but the pilot made up for most of that time in the air.  I only had a moment to catch my connection.  The flight back wasn't that pleassant because my cold was making my ears pop something fierce and I was all snotty.

I was pleased to be back home but had a wonderful trip.