Leaving London to fly to Toronto, then Montreal: I was the only passenger on my flight! Surreal!
Leaving London to fly to Toronto, then Montreal: I was the only passenger on my flight! Surreal!
Stunning artwork at Toronto Pearson Airport: translucent cubes spin in a giant aquarium
Stunning artwork at Toronto Pearson Airport: translucent cubes spin in a giant aquarium
Arrived in beautiful Montreal: first stop, the hipster Latin Quarter near Université du Québec à Montréal
Arrived in beautiful Montreal: first stop, the hipster Latin Quarter near Université du Québec à Montréal
Kelly joined me from Calgary for the trip. We began an epicurian odesy of Montreal's best food!
Kelly joined me from Calgary for the trip. We began an epicurian odesy of Montreal's best food!
First stop: breakfast at Juliette et Chocolat
First stop: breakfast at Juliette et Chocolat
Juliette et Chocolat has Montreal's very best hot chocolate: literally molten drinks of the finest cocoa ever
Juliette et Chocolat has Montreal's very best hot chocolate: literally molten drinks of the finest cocoa ever
I am speechless: a cup of chocolate for breakfast. Bliss
I am speechless: a cup of chocolate for breakfast. Bliss
Ahaha, not only chocolate for breakfast: delicious savoury and sweet crepes that we shared
Ahaha, not only chocolate for breakfast: delicious savoury and sweet crepes that we shared
The trendy Latin Quarter is a hipster haven with tonnes of cafes and boutiques
The trendy Latin Quarter is a hipster haven with tonnes of cafes and boutiques
Along Rue Sainte-Denis in the Latin Quarter. In the distance the spire at Université du Québec à Montréal
Along Rue Sainte-Denis in the Latin Quarter. In the distance the spire at Université du Québec à Montréal
Architecture in the Latin Quarter
Architecture in the Latin Quarter
Relaxing under the green leaves in a park near the Latin Quarter
Relaxing under the green leaves in a park near the Latin Quarter
Artwork at a Montreal Metro station
Artwork at a Montreal Metro station
The Montreal Metro rides on rubber tires instead of rails - they make a whooshing sound
The Montreal Metro rides on rubber tires instead of rails - they make a whooshing sound
Kelly and I explored the iconic Montreal Olympic Stadium
Kelly and I explored the iconic Montreal Olympic Stadium
The impossibly futuristic-looking Olympic Stadium is a neat portal into the 1960s-70s mania in Montreal
The impossibly futuristic-looking Olympic Stadium is a neat portal into the 1960s-70s mania in Montreal
I swam laps in the pool at the Olympic Stadium: the finest pool I have ever swam in!
I swam laps in the pool at the Olympic Stadium: the finest pool I have ever swam in!
A very unique building in Montreal: historic front and abrupt ends on all other sides
A very unique building in Montreal: historic front and abrupt ends on all other sides
Kelly and I went to the Quartier des Spectacles to see the Jazz Festival
Kelly and I went to the Quartier des Spectacles to see the Jazz Festival
Huge summer crowds and buskers at the Jazz Festival
Huge summer crowds and buskers at the Jazz Festival
A perfect summer evening: sitting on a patio with sangria listening to the Jazz Festival
A perfect summer evening: sitting on a patio with sangria listening to the Jazz Festival
As a beautiful summer dusk falls, the Jass Festival crowds thicken
As a beautiful summer dusk falls, the Jass Festival crowds thicken
The Astral building came alive with the faces of jazz legends
The Astral building came alive with the faces of jazz legends
Sitting out in the summer warmth listening to the Jazz Festival
Sitting out in the summer warmth listening to the Jazz Festival
The main stage at the Montreal International Jazz Festival
The main stage at the Montreal International Jazz Festival
At the Metro station beneath the Museum of Fine Art: public art display
At the Metro station beneath the Museum of Fine Art: public art display
Interactive public video art installation at a metro station
Interactive public video art installation at a metro station
Interactive public video art installation at a metro station
Interactive public video art installation at a metro station
Morning #2 in Montreal: continuing our epicurian journey with the finest Montreal bagels at St-Viateur
Morning #2 in Montreal: continuing our epicurian journey with the finest Montreal bagels at St-Viateur
Montreal bagels are perfectly soft on the inside and crisp on the outside from the wood fire
Montreal bagels are perfectly soft on the inside and crisp on the outside from the wood fire
Kelly and I enjoy our bagel breakfast
Kelly and I enjoy our bagel breakfast
Montreal's most historic buildings around Place d'Armes
Montreal's most historic buildings around Place d'Armes
Filled up with bagel goodness, Kelly and I ventured to the cobblestones of Old Montreal
Filled up with bagel goodness, Kelly and I ventured to the cobblestones of Old Montreal
Horse-drawn carriages in Old Montreal
Horse-drawn carriages in Old Montreal
In the heart of Old Montreal - the Place d'Armes square with The Bank of Montreal
In the heart of Old Montreal - the Place d'Armes square with The Bank of Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal
Kelly and I went inside Notre-Dame Basilica: first time I had since I was young
Kelly and I went inside Notre-Dame Basilica: first time I had since I was young
The organ in Notre-Dame. An organist was performing the whole time
The organ in Notre-Dame. An organist was performing the whole time
The amount of artistic detail in the altar of Notre-Dame is incredible
The amount of artistic detail in the altar of Notre-Dame is incredible
The altar of Notre-Dame Basilica
The altar of Notre-Dame Basilica
The altar of Notre-Dame Basilica
The altar of Notre-Dame Basilica
The other chapel in Notre-Dame - amazing wood carving
The other chapel in Notre-Dame - amazing wood carving
Quiet space at Notre-Dame Basilica
Quiet space at Notre-Dame Basilica
Long view of Notre-Dame Basilica
Long view of Notre-Dame Basilica
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Getting lost in the architecutre of Old Montreal
Getting lost in the architecutre of Old Montreal
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Checking out the architecture in Old Montreal
Bicycle and Fire Hydrant - Old Montreal
Bicycle and Fire Hydrant - Old Montreal
French Food in Old Montreal
French Food in Old Montreal
The place I want to live in Old Montreal
The place I want to live in Old Montreal
Kelly and I signed out Bixi's - the public bike rental system
Kelly and I signed out Bixi's - the public bike rental system
Kelly signs out a Bixi bike
Kelly signs out a Bixi bike
Kelly on her Bixi
Kelly on her Bixi
Allons-y! Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal
Allons-y! Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal: checking out the old silos
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal: checking out the old silos
Checking out the old silos in the Old Port of Montreal
Checking out the old silos in the Old Port of Montreal
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal: checking out the old silos
Riding Bixis along the Old Port of Montreal: checking out the old silos
It rained on our Bixi bike ride: Kelly demonstrates that her hair is wet
It rained on our Bixi bike ride: Kelly demonstrates that her hair is wet
The Place Jacques-Cartier square in Old Montreal: lined with terrasses
The Place Jacques-Cartier square in Old Montreal: lined with terrasses
The Place Jacques-Cartier square in Old Montreal
The Place Jacques-Cartier square in Old Montreal
Old Montreal
Old Montreal
A park in Old Montreal
A park in Old Montreal
Public buildings in Old Montreal
Public buildings in Old Montreal
Hôtel de Ville: Montreal's city hall
Hôtel de Ville: Montreal's city hall
Kelly beside Hôtel de Ville
Kelly beside Hôtel de Ville
Me beside Hôtel de Ville
Me beside Hôtel de Ville
Hôtel de Ville: Montreal's city hall
Hôtel de Ville: Montreal's city hall
Place Jacques-Cartier as night falls
Place Jacques-Cartier as night falls
Old Montreal at night
Old Montreal at night
Old Montreal at night
Old Montreal at night
inadvertently, I made Notre-Dame look quite spooky at night!
inadvertently, I made Notre-Dame look quite spooky at night!
Notre-Dame Basilica at night
Notre-Dame Basilica at night
Late night bliss: La Banquise 24hr poutine. We tried traditional and turkey/bacon/pepper mmmm
Late night bliss: La Banquise 24hr poutine. We tried traditional and turkey/bacon/pepper mmmm
Montreal Day 3: the beautiful dome of the Bonsecours market
Montreal Day 3: the beautiful dome of the Bonsecours market
Yet another stop on our epicurian tour: Fondue for Two - under an awning as it rains. Bliss
Yet another stop on our epicurian tour: Fondue for Two - under an awning as it rains. Bliss
The iconic Montreal Biosphere - a geodesic dome by Richard Buckminster Fuller built for Expo 67
The iconic Montreal Biosphere - a geodesic dome by Richard Buckminster Fuller built for Expo 67
The Montreal Biosphere
The Montreal Biosphere
Kelly and I toured the peaceful Parc Jean-Drapeau on île Sainte-Hélène
Kelly and I toured the peaceful Parc Jean-Drapeau on île Sainte-Hélène
On île Sainte-Hélène looking towards the Montreal skyline
On île Sainte-Hélène looking towards the Montreal skyline
Kelly and I on île Sainte-Hélène looking toward the Montreal skyline
Kelly and I on île Sainte-Hélène looking toward the Montreal skyline
The Montreal skyline
The Montreal skyline
The Port of Montreal with the Jaques Cartier bridge
The Port of Montreal with the Jaques Cartier bridge
An explosion of colour and fresh smells at Montreal's Atwater Market
An explosion of colour and fresh smells at Montreal's Atwater Market
After the island, we explored the beautiful Atwater Market
After the island, we explored the beautiful Atwater Market
Mmm fromage at the Atwater Market
Mmm fromage at the Atwater Market
Our final epicurian stop in Montreal: the best Montreal smoked meat from Schwartz
Our final epicurian stop in Montreal: the best Montreal smoked meat from Schwartz
Schwartz smoked meat cures in the shop window
Schwartz smoked meat cures in the shop window
The beautiful Sun Life builidng in Montreal's commercial downtown
The beautiful Sun Life builidng in Montreal's commercial downtown
Across from the train station: Marie-Reine-Du-Monde cathedral is a scale duplicate of the Vatican
Across from the train station: Marie-Reine-Du-Monde cathedral is a scale duplicate of the Vatican
Inside Marie-Reine-Du-Monde cathedral: a scale replica of the Vatican
Inside Marie-Reine-Du-Monde cathedral: a scale replica of the Vatican
Cheers to a wonderful (and tasty) tour of Montreal. Catching the Via Rail train to Ottawa
Cheers to a wonderful (and tasty) tour of Montreal. Catching the Via Rail train to Ottawa
Kelly relaxes on the train to Ottawa
Kelly relaxes on the train to Ottawa
Canada Day in Ottawa: an indescribable energy of pride for our country in the huge crowd
Canada Day in Ottawa: an indescribable energy of pride for our country in the huge crowd
The Canada Day crowd cheers as the Snowbirds perform over Parliament Hill
The Canada Day crowd cheers as the Snowbirds perform over Parliament Hill
Of course, the crowds in Ottawa were enormous to take in the visit of Will & Kate. Prince William speaking
Of course, the crowds in Ottawa were enormous to take in the visit of Will & Kate. Prince William speaking
After the afternoon events, Will & Kate greeted the crowd
After the afternoon events, Will & Kate greeted the crowd
Kelly and I showing our Canadian pride
Kelly and I showing our Canadian pride
A gorgeous Canada Day in Ottawa: crowds at the War Memorial
A gorgeous Canada Day in Ottawa: crowds at the War Memorial
We got an excellent view as Will & Kate's motorcade went by. Kate waves to us
We got an excellent view as Will & Kate's motorcade went by. Kate waves to us
Hundreds of thousands of people all over downtown Ottawa
Hundreds of thousands of people all over downtown Ottawa
One year I'll have to take a yacht to Canada Day along the Rideau Canal
One year I'll have to take a yacht to Canada Day along the Rideau Canal
We posed with Will & Kate on their wedding day
We posed with Will & Kate on their wedding day
Congratulations Will & Kate
Congratulations Will & Kate
Chris joined us in Ottawa. Befriending Will
Chris joined us in Ottawa. Befriending Will
Kissing the bride. William doesn't seem to notice
Kissing the bride. William doesn't seem to notice
So long Kate... Kelly takes the groom
So long Kate... Kelly takes the groom
Canada Day revelry at the pubs in the Byward Market
Canada Day revelry at the pubs in the Byward Market
Chris, Kelly and I spent the afternoon at a Canada Day party with our friends Vito and Renee
Chris, Kelly and I spent the afternoon at a Canada Day party with our friends Vito and Renee
A beautiful Canada Day party complete with a music jam session
A beautiful Canada Day party complete with a music jam session
I joined in the jam session: I play a mean tambourine
I joined in the jam session: I play a mean tambourine
Vito thought that my Canada Day baloon was chidish and took it from me. Grrr
Vito thought that my Canada Day baloon was chidish and took it from me. Grrr
Vito releases my Canada Day baloon in the air. Grrrr
Vito releases my Canada Day baloon in the air. Grrrr
After the party, we enjoyed a sunset walk along the gorgous Rideau Canal
After the party, we enjoyed a sunset walk along the gorgous Rideau Canal
Chris and Kelly in the late afternoon sun along the Rideau Canal
Chris and Kelly in the late afternoon sun along the Rideau Canal
Chris and I
Chris and I
Chris by the Rideau Canal
Chris by the Rideau Canal
The locks of the Rideau Canal as they descend into the Ottawa River
The locks of the Rideau Canal as they descend into the Ottawa River
As the sun set, we enjoyed the evening festivities on Parliament Hill
As the sun set, we enjoyed the evening festivities on Parliament Hill
Kelly, me and Chris on Parliament Hill celebrating Canada Day
Kelly, me and Chris on Parliament Hill celebrating Canada Day
Great Big Sea was the headline act: performing their first set
Great Big Sea was the headline act: performing their first set
Chris and I
Chris and I
Acrobatics on Parliament Hill
Acrobatics on Parliament Hill
The crowd on Parliament Hill was huge - amazing energy
The crowd on Parliament Hill was huge - amazing energy
And the moment we all waited for: fireworks. Happy Canada Day
And the moment we all waited for: fireworks. Happy Canada Day
Happy Canada Day
Happy Canada Day
Kelly flew home to Calgary from Ottawa, and Chris and I enjoyed the long Via Rail journey from Ottawa to Toronto
Kelly flew home to Calgary from Ottawa, and Chris and I enjoyed the long Via Rail journey from Ottawa to Toronto
Chris and I arrive at  Union Station to finish the weekend in Toronto
Chris and I arrive at Union Station to finish the weekend in Toronto
At Toronto Pride this year the crowd went wild as Jack Layton and Olivia Chow went by - an inspiring man, a great Canadian
At Toronto Pride this year the crowd went wild as Jack Layton and Olivia Chow went by - an inspiring man, a great Canadian
Back to Top