To continue with the next portion of our Canadian trip after our time in BC, we flew halfway across the country, from Vancouver to Montreal.
Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec, aka French Canada. The "French-ness" of Montreal was immediately apparent when we arrived, as all the signs had switched to having French first, then English (elsewhere in Canada, it was English, then French). Having just survived an overnight flight, we decided to take it slow for the rest of the day. Our first stop (after breakfast, of course) to Mont Royal, the hill which the city (and island) of Montreal was named after. A large part of the hilltop was part of a park (Parc du Mont-Royal) that was definitely very popular with locals and tourists, since we saw quite a number of both while we took a casual stroll around.
View of downtown Montreal from the top of Mont Royal
Our next top was a visit to the Montreal Olympic Park, where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held. We didn't end up spending much time there, as several areas were undergoing renovations. The Montreal Biodome and a Planetarium were located there, but we decided not to visit them either.
View of the main stadium from the refurbished side of the area
Closer look at the stadium
Interior of the swimming complex. Refurbishment was also underway.
The rest of the day was spent resting at our Airbnb accommodation - the first time that we've tried using one. While the apartment we got was a little older than we had expected, it was still nice and comfortable. We did not leave again till dinnertime, which was at a quaint French restaurant, Les Deux Gamins. The food was pretty great.
Warm Goats Cheese Salad
Filet Mignon Steak
We started our second day in Montreal by wandering around Old Montreal. Though it was overcast and somewhat gloomy, the old town was fairly nice to explore. I especially loved the parts where the road was paved in cobblestone, as it gave the place an old, European charm.
Cobblestone streets of Old Montreal
It's quite touristy
The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Later that afternoon, I met up with my Aussie friend Will, who was starting a semester of exchange at McGill University, and we spent some time catching up and wandering around his campus (My only photo of us was blurry :/).
Part of McGill University
Will and I. I'm really bad at selfies.
After leaving Will, I met up with my family and we tried to visit the Biosphere, but it was closed by the time we got there. We did meet one very cute and inquisitive squirrel while we were wandering around outside though.
The Biosphere
Cute and inquisitive squirrel
It wanted food but we had none.
From there, we drove around the city, stopping at the architecturally interesting Habitat 67 for some photos, amongst other sights.
Habitat 67
Dinner the second night was a miss, as we weren't able to get a table at a restaurant that I had hoped to try (I forgot to make reservations..). In addition, it had started to rain, so we ended up eating at a random chain restaurant nearby (Rôtisserie St-Hubert if you wanted to know). All was well again the next morning though, as we got a good breakfast before leaving Montreal for Ottawa. We found a lovely little French cafe with a long French name - De Farine Et D'Eau Fraiche. Loved the bagels that they had.
Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel
After brekkie, our time in Montreal came to an end, and it was onwards to our next location.
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Till the next time, when we explore the Canadian capital.
Raylen