Funiculaire

We decided to spend another night day in Quebec, but alas the Chateau was full so we have moved to another hotel. Spent a good part of the day looking around and at the festival in the lower village. Snapping pictures like crazy. The lower village is full of little shops would need a week to check out everything. The funiculaire refers to the cliff railway that connects the Haute-Ville (upper village) to the Basse-Ville (lower village). I have way too many pictures.

Tartine

Didn't know what a tortine was, so had to try it. Pretty much cheese on toast. I'm going to turn into a big cheese turd soon.

Nouvelle France

A few more costume pictures. I have lots in the link above.

Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France

How much fun is this. We timed it right, the festival is all about experiencing life as it was in New France during the French Regime in the 17 and 18 centuries. Citizens dress in incredible period clothes and stroll all around Old Quebec with most of the activities centre around the lower village. Dancing, music, storytelling, re-enactments, lots of food, street performers, concerts, theatre, parades.  Loads of people and  lots of stuff happening. 

The father of Poutine

We tried poutine in Ottawa so we could compare it to Quebec poutine. According to the fellow at the information centre the place to go was Ashton's who uses the original recipe or he invented it, but I can't find evidence of that. The difference from the Ottawa poutine was that the curds were very squeaky when you eat them.  I can't believe I ate the whole thing, well I can believe it. 

Did you know?

The man that invented the time zone system was Canadian? Don't recall where I picked up that little tidbit. Sir Sandford Fleming also engineered much of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Bus tour of Quebec

Best way to see Quebec is by foot, certainly. We wandered a bit and then took another hop on/off bus. So much to see and do, will have to come back. The walls surrounding Old Quebec are the only remaining, intact fortified city walls that still exist in the Americas north of Mexico and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It was overcast that day, but very warm and the sun did peak out here and there, except when I wanted to take a picture.

Chateau Frontenac

Splurging in Quebec. Stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. This beautiful, historic hotel is on Rita's bucket list and is in the heart of old Quebec. Everything within walking distance. Gorgeous. Wikipedia refers to it as a grand hotel, and that it is. Designated a National Historic Site in 1980 and is the most photographed hotel in the world, they say.

Vacation day

We are having a vacation from our vacation today. We stayed in the outskirts of Quebec before we headed into the city.  Alas, did not go golfing, involved getting up early. Wouldn't golf at 7am at home either.

Contest Winner

After 3 attempts at counting, the total bag count is 21! 

The winner is Kerri !!

Skipped Montreal

Leaving Ottawa for Montreal and again we hit rush hour. Around and around we went and just couldn't seem to get where we wanted to end up. The Best Western eluded us and after a few attempts we figured there was some reason we were not to be at that hotel. We drove on sure some nice place to stay would magically appear, just bumbling along. Somewhere along the way we decided we didn't like Montreal and we didn't want to go there. And then we heard about the sinkhole! Close to the Best Western. Knew there was a reason we shouldn't go there. Off to Quebec.

MONTREAL SINKHOLE

Quebec - Je me souviens

Good bye Ottawa. Bonjour Quebec.  We both enjoyed the capital and hope to be back for a longer visit, only scratched the surface. Now let's see how much french I remember, eh? 

There's something about a man in a skirt

Changing of the guard

There are some videos in the link above. Will need flash to view.

Last night in Ottawa

Beautiful weather, nice cocktail, good food. 

Parliament tour

Rita Rita Rita

Have to see the Parliament buildings. Lined up in the morning to get a ticket for later in the day.  Busy, but went smoothly enough. Except for when Rita forgot she was carrying a dangerous weapon in her bag and got flagged through the X-ray machine. They let her in anyway.

So there

Before and After

Rideau Canal

We docked beside the first lock of the Rideau Canal and they were just preparing some boats to traverse the locks. I'm such a nerd, could of stayed and watched the whole thing, which I figure would have taken 2 to 3 hours. 

The canal runs 202 km from Ottawa to Kingston and originally built as a precaution of war with the United States and is in use today primarily for pleasure boating. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America and in 2007 was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing it as a work of human creative genius. Sadly, I do know more but will leave it up to you to research more if interested.

Water taxi back to Ottawa

He was taller than I thought

Did you know?