Destination Québec

DAY 2: COLOURFUL CHARM,THRILLING ADVENTURE

We must say that jet boating along the St. Lawrence River was mind-blowing fun! It was an incredible adrenaline rush, certainly not for the faint of heart. This activity also had me thinking of trying rafting, Québec-style. This was great, great, great action and entertainment!

We had never done such a thing in our lives, much less together. We both had a blast filled with excitement. Simply awesome! This is a must do if you’re ever in town!

This was one of our most fun activities. The speed boat reached 140 km/h. You had to be there to feel the fun yourself. Everyone on the boat shared the same excitement and adrenaline rush.

Our experience of Montréal’s Old Port was filled with a sense of history. This exceptional place made us feel very relaxed.

We arrived in the Old Port to experience the Lachine Rapids, a recreational tourist park along the Lachine Canal that opens onto the St. Lawrence. You can enjoy many outdoor water activities here, such as cruises and of course jet boating and rafting on the rapids.

You can also go for a nice ride along the bike path beside the canal, or just enjoy a walk along the river, with a view of the great architecture of Old Montréal, its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and bell towers everywhere. You can’t go wrong.

The Old Port was also called the Louise Basin in honour or Queen Victoria’s daughter. Most importantly, it serves as an outdoor amphitheatre.

In the 19^th century it flourished as a yard for ship building. This is one of the locations where we felt the most enjoyable breeze off the St. Lawrence River. It was great and very relaxing.

Upon arriving we met with Francine, who was our tour guide. She was delightful, patient and excited to meet us. It was interesting to learn that the Montréal Botanical Garden was founded in 1931 by Brother Marie-Victorin. We learned that it is one of the largest in the world, on top of being one of the most exquisite. The 30-hectare site is home to more than 30 thematic gardens, a collection of over 21,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, a tree house, and an arboretum. Truly this is a breathtaking attraction and an infinite source of knowledge.

Our favourite garden was the Chinese Garden, which we discovered was inspired by the private gardens from the time of the Ming Dynasty (14^th to 17^th centuries). It is considered the largest of its kind outside China, and was actually built in China and somehow shipped to Montréal. Phenomenal!

As we continued to walk further into the garden, we encountered many more amazing locations such as the Friendship Hall, topped with a massive roof with upturned corners, and plenty of splendid pavilions. The Dream Lake was a stunning and amazing location for great pictures, which we took, and which will last a lifetime. And who could forget The Springtime Courtyard, where we admired dazzling penjings (miniature trees), many of which were over a hundred years old. Very special indeed.

We stumbled upon a couple who had just gotten married and were being followed by a photographer. It was then that it dawned on us that it would be a great spot for us to have our pictures taken, considering we are engaged to be married next June. This tour exceeded our expectations and should not be missed by anyone.

The Montréal Olympic Park we learned is very significant for Montréalers. It’s sort of like their version of the Empire State Building. The tower is nine times more inclined than the Tower of Pisa. A funicular takes you to the observation deck for a spectacular view up to 80 km around.

We also learned that the helmet shape of the dome is a reminder of its original use as a cycling stadium. The stadium was built by the French architect Roger Taillibert for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games. The views of the city are breathtaking. When you are in town, this is a “must do”, especially since it’s the highest inclined tower in the world.

The ride to Québec City was very relaxing as we took in the views of the wide open green pastures filled with old cow farms, rich fertile landscapes and small villages, which we don’t get to see very often. We must say this was one of the most pleasant two hour and a half car drives we’ve ever taken.

When we arrived in Old Québec City, we felt as if we were in Europe. The old architecture and beauty of the city was truly magnificent and welcoming. Every turn we took in the city felt as if we were entering a world of yore.

The feeling of being in Old Québec City gave us a sense of the past and reminded us of being in Europe as we walked the streets at night holding hands, observing the old buildings and the people of the city.

The Econ buses, which we learned were on trial for a year, were great to get around the city and they were free for the public to enjoy. Also, the fact that they are environmentally friendly, running on electricity, was nice. Of course, you can always use the traditional horse-drawn carriages to get around the city. We on the other hand preferred to walk and enjoy the romantic evening, taking in all the wonderful sights and sounds of the city.

We had dinner at Le Ristorante Il Teatro, next to the Théâtre Capitole and its elegant hotel. On arrival we were introduced to the manager of the restaurant, who greeted us warmly and escorted us to our table. The location of our table was great, with nice views of the terrace.

The food tasted great and was exceptionally well prepared. Every dish was a work of art. The restaurant has an excellent menu and nice selection of wines. The lobster bisque… delicious!

We appreciated the friendly atmosphere, along with the stylish décor. Much to our delight, they accommodate wedding parties. The restaurant is located in the heart of St. Jean Street, in an absolutely delightful area, just minutes away from our hotel, the Hôtel Manoir Victoria.

Shortly afterward, we took to the top of the fortified gate for a romantic dance as music played and the views simply added to the astonishing ambiance.

The Image Mill transported us through four centuries of Québec City history in four segments. This mega-production took our breath away. It had lots of surprises and amused us with its sophisticated concepts and mind-blowing visual effects.

The projection screen was over 600 meters wide and 30 meters tall, the size of 25 IMAX screens?!? Awesome! The Image Mill was perfectly located, as the reflection of the water added to its grandeur and beauty.

The Image Mill is a must see. In any case, well done and bravo Robert Lepage!