Day 3

Sunday, 02 December 2007

We're not sure of the occasion but we could watch a big fireworks show from our hotel window last night. It was a pretty good display and Rose enjoyed it. I got her to say “oooooh” and “wow” after some of the bursts.

Then I passed out watching the Colts game while Dinah was in the shower.

We're going broke on the mini-bar. Fine hotels like this do not have vending machines. I am so thirsty and love the Coke and Perrier. Four bucks a can though.

For breakfast we decide to try the hotel restaurant. The restaurant is very nice. They have a buffet similar to what I get in Germany, not as large though. Of course in Germany it is part of the room price, here it is $25 each. This trip to Canada is becoming quite expensive. When we went to Quebec four years ago, our 75 cents bought us one Canadian dollar. Now one US dollar buys us 90 cents Canadian.

But the buffet is good. I have a smoked salmon and chive omelet made to order and a small plate of cold cuts and lox. The juice is good and so is the bacon and sausage. The bacon they call “ham” and the ham they call “bacon.” Rose doesn't each much but loves the sausage as usual.

Today we are taking a Gray Line bus tour for 2.5-3 hours. I figured it was the best way to see a lot of Montreal quickly and comfortably so we can plan the rest of the week. Today it is 10°F out so it is looking like a smart move.

The tour was excellent. Our tour guide's name was Angelo and he was very informative, very funny. I highly recommend the tour. Rose was perfect the whole time, everyone on the bus was impressed. At one stop Rose got out and stomped in the packed snow and chased some pigeons. I must have taken 150 pictures today.

After our tour we went in search of lunch. I asked the concierge and he sent us across the street to a pasta bar called La Popessa. It was not as easy getting there as he described and it was bitter cold out. We learned on the way back we could have walked underground. Not earning a tip that way. Neat restaurant along the lines of a Moe's or Subway. They have something like 30 different sauces for your to chose from and maybe 12 different pastas. You pick your sauce and pasta and they make it right in front of you, put it on your plate on your tray and you pay at the end of the line. About $8 per person and it tasted excellent. I had a ham, mushroom in tomato creme sauce over meat ravioli. Rose ate half of my ravioli though.

On our way back we stopped in a convenience store and bought a twelve pack of Coke and two large bottles of water. I think I have already gone through four Cokes.

After lunch we napped for several hours. We got up and consulted with the concierge regarding dinner. Katherine was the same concierge as the one that steered us to Briskets and is excellent. I had planned on eating at a restaurant named Magnan but it is very far away it seems. Katherine suggested a French/Spanish restaurant but I wasn't so sure. Then she suggested a place named Restaurant du Vieux Port. It looked better. She suggested one more restaurant that looked too upscale. We compared the Vieux Port to the hotel restaurant and went with Vieux Port.

Fortunately Rose just then woke up and so we dressed a little warmer and caught a taxi to the restaurant. Very, very nice. Old world charm with a real fireplace which we sat next to. Dinah and I both ordered the Table d'Hôte. I got the grilled portobello mushroom with fresh goat cheese as my salad. Dinah got the traditional Caesar salad but with pancetta instead of anchovy. Next, I had an eight ounce fillet in demi-glace and a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. Dinah had the rack of lamb and the same sides. We ordered mashed potatoes and green beans for Rose but she fussed more than she ate. Don't know why. For desert we both had an excellent and large crème brûlée with fresh berries. Strangely Rose wanted none. Her loss. If you go to the Vieux Port, ask for Angelo. He's been there 10 years. It was a perfect dinner and perfect evening.

On our way out, Angelo let Rose pet a lobster. She liked it.

We got back to the hotel and profusely thanked Katherine. She is off the rest of the week so I tipped her $5. Rose was thrilled to have a bath, the highlight of her day. Tonight we are supposed to get up to 30 centimeters of snow! So tomorrow we may stay inside and try to work the Underground. Now for another tasty Coke.

I got an email confirmation notice that my hockey tickets had been delivered yesterday.

View from our hotel room:







Ready to go on our bus tour:




Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral, 1/3 scale replica of St. Peter's in Rome:
Mural in China Town:

Fresco in China Town:
Notre Dame Basilica:


Place d'Armes Hotel:
Cool clock tower across from basilica:



Entrance to China Town. Holiday Inn with pagodas on top:



Place d'Armes Square:


Former stadium of the Montreal Expos, Expodome:
Montreal Bio Dome, former Velodrome from 1976 Olympics:
Shaped like a cyclist's helmet:
St. Joseph's Oratory:


View of Montreal from Mount Royal:



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