Sunday September 29, 2019, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Central to the heritage and culture of Quebec province, Vieux-Montreal, or Old Montreal, preserves the rich character of the old colony.  Archaeological remains from the city's first settlement are preserved in the Pointe-a-Calliere museum.  The high silver dome of the Bonsecours Market, a splendid Renaissance Revival building, sheltered Montreal's main market for over a century and briefly hosted the Parliament of United Canada in 1849.  Adjacent, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help) is one of the city's oldest churches, built in 1771.  Nearby, the historic Chateau Ramezay, built as the namesake governor's residence in 1705, once hosted Benjamin Franklin as he sought to recruit troops against the British.

Sugar Shack

On our second day in Montreal, we learned about one of Canada's largest exports, maple syrup, which we saw made during our visit to an authentic sugar shack.  We joined our tour guide for a drive to Sucrerie de la Montagne, featured in National Geographic as the best place to enjoy the local delicacy.  Designated an official Quebec Heritage Site, Sucrerie de la Montagne is nestled amid a 120 acre forest of century old maples atop Mont Rigaud.  We felt transported back to the days of Canadian pioneers as founder Pierre Faucher and son Stefan are dedicated to respecting the authenticity and heritage of their forebears.  We enjoyed a tour through the woods to see how the treasured trees are tapped at the end of every harsh winter.  Inside, we discovered all the steps that create the favorite sweet elixir of Canada.  After our tour, we had a chance to sample the results of nature's and man's work.

Two dozen of us boarded our bus at 10 AM and headed toward the "Sugar Shack."  On our way we saw sites in Montreal and the hilly terrain.

 Our bus following a horse-drawn carriage.

 Shades of New Orleans, except the other way around.

 Major hospitals have been centralized along a freeway.

 Used car lot.

 Auto parts store.

 Country road en route to our destination.

More beginnings of fall colors.

We were greeted by the owner of the 120 acre maple forest, Pierre.

 Pierre explaining the annual cycle.

 Sap filter.

 Oven to cook down sap.

Annual process cycle in six pictures.

Tapping trees takes place in March and April; trees are tapped for two months then the taps are removed until next late winter.  Most likely there are three-feet of snow on the ground so snow shoes are needed.

 Kitchen and dining halls.

 Owner's son, Stefan.

 Winter heat in the dining room.

 Home cooked dinner .......... mmmmm!

 Ham and almost breakfast sausage (mild 'n good).

 Mashed potatoes, baked beans, and egg souffle.

 Ground meat pie - very tasty. 

 Pancakes with maple syrup for desert.

 General Store.

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine on Mount Royal's Westmount  Summit  in Montreal, Quebec. It is Canada's largest church and claims to have one of the largest domes in the world.

More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph's_Oratory

 Our guide told us there are over a million graves in the Mount Royal 165-acre cemetery.

  Part of the 1976 Summer Olympic venues.

 Our guide told us a white bicycle marks where a cyclist was killed.

 Street median flowers.

 Statue of Queen Victoria.

 Two of many city parks.

This and the following pictures were taken from the top deck of our cruise ship after returning from our day's outing.  The twin spires above belong to the Notre Dame Basilica where we attended last night's multimedia show.

 Part of the 1976 Summer Olympic dorms; converted to apartments.

 Part of the 1976 Summer Olympic venues.

 Looking down river.

Loading supplies onto our cruise ship.  A portable crane was used because the pallets needed to be loaded through a doorway two decks below dock level.

We departed Montreal at 6 PM, turning to head back and down river.  We will stop again at Quebec City Monday and Saguenay on Tuesday.