If you like Montreal, you will LOVE Quebec City. Heather, you are right, this city is magnificent!
We recommend the 2+ hour historic walking tour of Old Quebec. Starting in the Upper Town district, the guided walk is gentle, mostly downhill. Alas, for us, getting to the starting point was grueling since we started at sea level and somebody in the group with bionic hips opted, we should all take the Escalier Casse-Cou (known as the “breakneck” 398-steps), with no leisurely time to enjoy the view. Thanks, Claude and JoAnn for making the trek!
With even more stair-climbing and general touring throughout the day, Capt. Rick noted we well exceeded the recommended 10,000 steps for the day.
Samuel de Champlain
The Founder of Quebec City, our tour guide referred to the historic statute as “the man who wasn’t the man”.
Apparently, the likeness of Champlain, depicted consistently around the globe, was just an artistic representation; similar to the renderings of a certain religious dude, who was also never photographed.
Now for a few Places of note
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Hotel Fairmont, known to have hosted meetings of FDR and Churchill during the WWII Quebec Conferences in 1943 and 1944. Although built to look like a castle, it has always been a hotel.
Inside the fairy tale hotel we found a boutique, with a VERY sweet dress – destined to a special person with a birthday in August …
Chapelle des Ursulines – Quebec City Monastery
Located in the heart of the Old City, the Monastery was founded in 1639; it is the oldest institution of learning for women in North America.
The chapel was originally finished in 1722, revitalized in 1902.
The iron gate – separating the main church from the chapel – serves to separate the cloistered nuns from the populace. Originally, heavy drapes kept the nuns from view, reformed over time to allow them to be seen, but still separated.
Although the school continues to thrive, in September of 2018, after 379 years, the last remaining Ursuline Nuns left the monastery. With less than 50 remaining in Quebec, it was reported that the oldest nun was 102, while the average age was 88!
Murals!
Street Art in action.
Music in the Street for Mom
Fun parking spot
Cap-a-l’Aigle – Cape Eagle
Mother Nature – a beautiful garden
Mother Nature
For John
Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
Another photogenic lighthouse.
Baie de Tadoussac – Whale Watching
Take the time to do a little research to find the whale tour that fits your style. Croisieres AML offers several. For example, riding on a Zodiac in foul weather gear (provided) offers an experience that is up close and personal, but plan to get cold and wet. An enclosed pontoon boat also gets close to the marine life – with some protection from the elements; while a 3-hour tour on a multi-level cruiser offers covered viewing decks with a beverage/snack center, BUT you won’t get an up-close photo, unless you have a mega zoom lens.
The scenery was spectacular.
Photo by Rick
Yes, we saw whales, but we have no proof. So, here’s a lovely replica of a white Beluga, with fireweed, from the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre.
A special hello to Ray and Caryl – from Salty Paws
A magnificent sunset for Dave and Holly Lubs
Repeating last week’s Boater’s Tip: When a little bit of poorly spoken French is not enough, just ask a friendly Canadian to interpret, especially when the taxi dispatcher has no idea where you are … But I will let Tonto’s Reward tell that story in Gail’s next blog entry. Stay Tuned!
For those of you who read Tonto’s Blog, you already know about the unexpected encounter at the Black Pepper!
For the rest of you, especially Trevor, here’s the gist. As we were finishing our exquisite meal in Trois Rivieres at the Poivre Noir (Black Pepper), Gail B., David B., Rick and I were approached by a dapper gentleman who introduced himself as “the former Prime Minister, Jean Chretien”. He said he was curious, where was David from? When David said “Florida, but my accent is from Kentucky” the friendly chap smiled as he explained he was the PM while both President Clinton and President Bush were in office {the 20th Prime Minister served from Nov 1993 – Dec 2003}.
David Bernstein and Jean Chretien
When his lady friend returned to the PMs table [I believe it was Senator Diane Bellemare], the former PM introduced David as “an American from Tennessee who is visiting on his boat”, close enough.
Circling back to our boater’s tip.
Unable to convey our pickup location to the French speaking taxi dispatcher, I saw the PM approaching us – where his chauffeur was patiently awaiting. Boldly approaching him one last time I requested his help. Handing him David’s cell phone, after an animated chat in French he secured us a taxi! Voila.
Before parting, as he climbed into a non-descript black minivan, the former PM’s quipped – “You can see, unlike my friend Bill Clinton, who had 6 bodyguards while visiting me in Canada, I am my own bodyguard.” A rather tall [1.83 m] and imposing figure, at age 89 the Right Honorable Jean Chretien was a notable, friendly Canadian.
P.S. It was easy to confirm the identity of the remarkable stranger, and even easier to prove he is still a close friend to Bill Clinton.
P.P.S. Perhaps the accents from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas sound similar, to some. Just Kidding, – for our K. T. and A. originals David B, Dale, Ann, Donna W, Doug B and my cousin John G.
Celebrating Milestones
July 28, birthday Diana Giraldo, feliz cumpleanos,
July 31, Ann Freedman
Next Up: Bay d’ Ha Ha, or something like that – Saguenay
Exhale on the Water 