Faceyman's Summer Adventure took him to La Belle Province!

My blogger fried Faceyman took a wonderful adventure through New Brunswick, the Gaspe & other Quebec destinations...

Here are the links to the Quebec portion of his trip.
His photos are amazing!


The Gaspe Pennisula (Day 2 of his trip)

More of the Gaspe  (day 3 of his trip)

Quebec City (day 4 of his trip)

Faceyman blogs on a wide variety of motorcycle topics...for him it is all about the ride.
http://faceyman.blogspot.com/

motorcycle quebec | travel qc by motorcycle | qc events

Old Montreal - a true National treasure....

I am sure that my head line might surprise many but truly the history of the city of Montreal is so important to the rest of Canada...

Montreal - Vieux Montreal...

The cobble stone streets, the ancient and graceful churches - the old row housing...the stories those walls could tell and do if you listen really hard...Montreal is a place the makes the imagination run wild.

Visions of big skirts, tall ships and dashing men run through your mind...juxtaposed against the brand new and modern buildings of today ones sense go in to over load - quickly!

one of the statues out front of the Basilica - Mary Queen of the World

Mass was under way so we did not go in to take pictures - we just went in to listen for a bit and take in the architectural beauty of the building

Motorcycle specific parking is everywhere!

The next stop was the Christmas Store...and some of the incredible architecture along the streets of the Old Montreal

 

After walking along for a while we headed off to Notre Dame Basilica

 but to be FORCED to either pay or not see this treasure is a travesty - the commercialization of religion is to me, unconscionable...but we paid the $5 and went in to the Basilica...

The Basilica is poorly lit but is is magnificent

The main alter

One of the private family pews

Another of the alters

The impressive organ

After our time in the Basilica it was off to another sight...along the way we came across the Bixi Bikes - Bike Stands - you can rent a bike - use it for a half hour, and hour or a day - return it to any Bixi Stand along the way - and your credit card or bank card is debited for the time you use it..

The city is filled with unique and magnificent buildings - I personally am enthralled with old buildings...

Next stop...Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum and Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Chapel

Originally the only lighting the church had was the ship like chandeliers...

This church is the oldest stone church in Montreal - over 300 years old and has a crypt and tower that are fantastic reminders of the history of this city.

The view from the tower...

Another view from the tower..

Yet another view from the tower - Gabriel stands sentinel

In the museum of the church - this church was and is known as the church of the mariners...

In the crypt are some fabulous archaeological artifacts - in all this church holds over 2000 years of history and is fascinating

The middle picture shows the original church cross and the corner stone of that original church - the bottom picture is of one of the many sculptures in the crypt.

 Information about the archaeological dig that took place here to

unearth all of the treasures housed in the crypt and the museum.

The two miniatures you see here are only samples of the 30 or 40 cases of miniatures that tell the history of the church and the Catholics of the region.

Now all of this sight seeing helps you build a hunger up and there is no place like Montreal when it comes to food - the French are notorious for incredible food - and I LOVE good food...

Our destination for a late lunch: L'uisine de Spaghetti at 273 rue St Paul est (St Paul St East)

Montreal QC H2Y 1H1 Phone: 514-866-0963

Now - if you want good food - and i do mean really, really good food - this is a MUST do.

Not only does this building have incredible history but the decor and food make it the complete deal. The story of the Three Jacques written by Dickens as part of the Tale of Two cities originated in this restaurant. Reportedly Dickens loved Montreal and when he stayed here he ate in this very restaurant and was served by the waiter Jacques, who got the food from the chef - Jacques - and the place was owned by a man named you guessed it - Jacques.

The hand made tables in the restaurant feature old bills, letters, and pictures of Montreal history...

A photo embedded in a table - of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth in Montreal in 1967

The impressive wine cellar - hermetically controlled

The room upstairs boasts unused tickets from every possible game of the Montreal Canadians in the OLD Forum...

The food and service were impeccable - all of us enjoyed our meals and the carrot cake I had for dessert - 7 layers high was moist and delicious. Although not Biker Coffee Company Coffee - the coffee was good and went perfectly with the carrot cake!

Now - re energized by good food - we had to go walk some of it off! And walk we did - next stop...St Georges

The Main Alter

One of the exquisite stained glass windows

One of the side alters

One of the awe inspiring chandeliers

The St Patrick Basilica was equally as awe inspiring - the craftsmen of this time built things with the intention of immortality unlike today where everything we build seems to be disposable - including our buildings...

The first mass was held in the Basillica in 1847 - the stone to build it came from Montreal quarries

The original organ was installed in 1852 and came from England - in 1972 when St Anthony's Church was demolished the organ from that church was married to the organ in St Patrick's to form the organ you see here. The gallery for the choir will hold 100 singers.

Next and last stop for the day was the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. 

The Sarcophagus on display in the Egypt Room

An incredible candelabra - one of two...

In the African display were the most incredible beaded face masks....

A very wild chair....

The Inuit display was stunning

And that my frineds rounds out my day of being a tourist in Old Montreal - I was delighted and amazed - enthralled and in love - the history, the architecture - it was all a delight for the senses...

Montreal has so very much to offer - visit it and you will be impressed - amazed and entertained...

Until next time....ride safe

motorcycle canada

La Belle Province

We arrived into Laval to the news that my husband's parents were not well. So - plans had to change some. Instead of staying at the Holiday Inn Express downtown we would stay at the Econo Lodge just blocks away from my mother and father in laws so the hubby could take them to the doctor. I would head on to Quebec City by myself. ( The shortest day of riding so far: 250 KM)

Consequently I have no pictures of Montreal or Laval - yet, but on my return trip I have a full day and a half and have some museums on my agenda along with two and possibly three dealerships - Dar from the Chrome Divas is plannig on being my tour guide!

I have to say that Choice Hotels has been excellent to stay with - even this Econo lodge where I had no reservation - it is an older motel but extremely well maintained and the stafe was very rider friendly - asking if we wanted to park the bikes up front where they could watch or out side of our room. I have however gotten spoiled with the breakfasts offered by the Comfort Inns - eggs, waffles, and a variety of pastries, cereals and beverages. The Econo Lodge was simply fruit, cereal, bagels or toast and beverages. Still - it is great to be able to start every morning off with breakfast without having to gear up until really ready to hit the highway.

The staff of the Laval Econo Lodge were wonderful and I appreciated their treatment and consideration.

Econo Lodge Laval
1981 Boulevard Cure Labelle,
Laval, QC, CA, H7T 1L4
Phone: (450) 681-6411

If you decide to stay there when you are in the region tell them
Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau sent you and I am sure you will get great treatment!

Staying there to be close to mom and dad meant cancelling with the Pacrim Hospitality Holiday Inn Express and when I phoned and told them what was going on - they were just wonderful.
I am very much looking forward to my stay in September.

I got up and headed out on Tuesday morning August 24th for Quebec City - alone. My husband drove his parents car with his dad as his "back seat" driver to escort me on to the 640 to ensure i got out of the Montreal area safely.

As I rode in perfect weather with the sun shining I said many prayers - for my mother and father in law, my husband and of course my brother's family - they were burying him today.
I thank the good lord for the gift of wind therapy - it is the BEST therapy I know for a bruised and battered soul.

Way through Quebec City

I bumper to bumper traffic - due largely to construction - I made my way through Quebec City on a quest to meet up with my 2nd cousin Delores Plourde-Duong and her husband Minh whom I have not seen since I was 21. After making a couple of wrong turns I ended up in OLD Quebec City on my motorcycle - and that was NOT fun. Old Quebec City is gorgeous though with all of the out door cafes, tons of tourists and 3-1 grade inclines. Makes me wonder how they built the beautiful buildings there that they did. (350 KM travelled this day)

Even from a street light while on your motorcycle - the buildings in Quebec City evoke nostalgia...

The Street

The Scientology Church

But - get up close and personal...and they give you goose bumps - they are hauntingly gorgeous and almost speak to you of the tragedy, horrors and love they have witnessed throughout the years.

 One of the many colorful and intriguing streets of Old Quebec - meticulously restored and retro fitted for use as coffee and souvenir shops, government buildings etc..

The Chateau Frontenac - it is still guarded by the cannons today as it was when it was first built

The De Champlain Statue

Yes - Old Quebec is gorgeous with the Horse & Buggy rides you can take and the smells of fresh baking, the sounds of music, people talking and laughing - it is delightful and charming!

After I got done being lost, I headed for Beau - Port and supper with Minh & Delores seen below in their back yard.

After a delicious meal and great catch up conversation Minh guided me to my hotel  the Quality Inn & Suites.

Wow - I did not expect the suite I got. Huge bedroom with a king sized bed, TV and French doors, a bathroom you could through a party in and a great living/dining room.

Quality Suites Quebec
1600 rue Bouvier
Quebec QC G2K 1N8
(418) 622-4244

If you decide to give them a try - tell them that Belt Drive Betty sent you and use your BDB Club card!

A couple of really friendly gals at the front desk - language is NO barrier here!

The dining/living room

Very accessible electrical outlets, nice big closet with sturdy wood hangers...

Super comfortable Bed

The Paring Area

The view from the bedroom - the bed was super comfortable - the right blend of soft and firm for my poor back!

Parking was good too and had I gotten there a wee bit earlier I could have parked right out side the bedroom window.

I headed out bright and early on Wednesday morning - destination Campbellton NB...

Till next time - please ride safe!

rider friendly  | motorcycle quebec | travel qc by motorcycle | qc events