Monday, 31 December

Montreal

Caught the metro into town today and started our exploring in the Old Port area. Wandered through a touristy market then down to the harbour. More ice skating happening, behind a big Ferris wheel. Not a boat in site as the water was frozen and everything had been packed up for the winter. You could see that the place would be full of people in summer.

Wandered through the old town with it’s shops and cafes until we came to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which Karyn was keen to see. Unfortunately there was a queue to get in, going way down the street so we satisfied ourselves with the prospect from outside.

In the square opposite there were a pair of bronze statues that had a great little story about English and French Montreal which really appealed to me.

Next we followed Google maps’ directions to Crescent St, where I was keen to see the mural of Leonard Cohen. It was a long and circuitous trek but we finally made it, and discovered another district of restaurants and expensive boutiques.

Had lunch in the Winston Churchill pub. By now it was after three and would soon be getting dark, so we took a taxi up Mont Royal to see the view. It was a very hazy and cold one. So glad we didn’t attempt the steps!!!

The taxi driver complimented Karyn greatly on her French and he was not the first to do so. We are very lucky to have our own interpreter. After the mountain we were dropped at Place des Festivals to see “Luminothérapie”, an interactive light art work with domino-like lights.

From there we walked back to the Cathedral, the old town and the Metro home. Not much open near us but I was happy to come into our warm apartment and collapse. Will definitely not be staying awake for the new year. What a wimp!