Two days relaxing in a very sunny Montreal.
I have done what I usually do when visiting a new city, just walked and walked, looking around, getting a feel for the place. The old port, Outremont, Mont Royal, Westmount, I've wandered for miles. And I am warming to it.
I wasn't that impressed, initially. Not an especially good-looking city architecturally, I don't think, lacking the quality that makes Vancouver seem such a nice environment despite its shining modernity - something that downtown Montreal shares. But as I continued to roam around I began to like the feel of the place. It has a relaxed ambience, there's obviously a load of interesting places to eat and drink and a host of festivals of one type or another. I'd quite like to be here for the jazz festival in early July, it's clearly a monster. Unfortunately I have a prior engagement with Niagara falls about that time. There are loads of cyclists here, by the way, many of them on hipster fixed-gear bikes.
Speaking of eating, I came across an absolutely superb vegan restaurant Crudessence, on Mackay north of Sainte Catherine, which makes a version of a Waldorf salad that I would happily nominate for the world Waldorf salad championship. And a drink called a Bombe Verte made of mango, pineapple, kale, spirulina, matcha(?) and almond milk which is unexpectedly delicious as well as luridly green. Highly recommended if you're planning a visit here.
So, two very pleasant days. But I find myself quite keen to get back on the bike. Four more days riding before my next major destination, Quebec City. In the meantime, here's a link to some pictures. There'll be more as the weeks pass.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
This is starting to read like the trip of the lifetime that I thought it would be. Just delighted for you. And it's a great read. It's clearly the great empty outdoors it advertises itself to be. Although not a cyclist, I can see what you mean about the A19! The yurt looks particularly cosy, and I can't see you getting much more loaded onto the bike! You must also be very pleased that the actuality of the journey timing is turning out to be much as you planned it, which must be reassuring. You'll be exceedingly fit by the time you get back! Keep on with these great blogs, and I'll get back to you next weekend if not before.
R
Post a Comment