Day 88: Quebec City Sightseeing Day 1

Our gracious hosts made us feel pretty pampered this morning. After sleeping in a bit we wandered into the dining room to find a table set for two along with a collection of cereals, breads, juices, and even “our choice” between instant coffee and Italian espresso. It was a good way to start our day.

After breakfast we readied ourselves to go

Bonus! Our sunscreen doubles as body paint.

and then hopped onto a beautiful bike path that headed straight downtown. True to form, Quebec city, like the province itself, provides many an artfully crafted cycle route. The first stop on our tour was in a waterfront bike shop where we had no problems locating replacement tail lights, even when we stated “Je cherche un derriere lumiere.” The salesgirl laughed and responded “we have lots.”

From the bikeshop, it was a quick hop, skip, and jump to the attached waterfront market where the vendors/famers are selling their own beautifully grown and displayed produce. This made for an appetizing stroll and a good meeting spot for lunch with Roger who works about a block away.

After lunch we were ready to get into to the heart and soul and explore one of the continents oldest cities (it’s turning 400 in 2008). We started in Old Lower Town with a tour of Place Royale, then squeezed down “Le Petite Champlain” (one of the narrowest streets in North America).
That is according to Lonely Planet though, which also says that Rebecca Spit is a lovely sandy beach.

After that we hiked up to the walled fortress of Old Upper Town. Did you know that Quebec is the only city in North America that is still completely walled? A maze of narrow streets, bustling tourists, bumpy cobblestone and colourful facades eventually opened up to the sweeping green slopes of the Citadelle alongside the shiver inspiring Plains of Abraham. You just can’t quite understand how truly impressive the British conquer must have been until you see just how steep the cliffs leading down to the Saint Lawrence are.

A very european Quebec street.

Just beyond this cool roundababout was one of the most breakneck hills we've encountered.

Luckily she doesn't have vertigo.



Katie reenacting "The Battle of the Plains of Abraham."Brandon reenacting the battle.

Don’t think we didn’t eat during the day. We had our fair share of french delicasses. For lunch, we, not surprisingly, went for the table d’hote and for our midday snack indulged in fresh crepes from “Casse-Crepe Bretton.”


Exhausted after our day of intense touring,(Brandon showing that Katie's not the only one who can produce unique poses)

we headed back to Roger and Christiane’s to meet them for our 7:00pm dinner engagement, theoretically a simple task. Until, in an attempt to make it back on time Brandon rushed out of Katie's sight and right by the correct turn-off to the house. About 1/2 and hour later Brandon finally relocated Katie reading a map while waiting for him to return to the right turn off. Roger and Christiane patiently and courteously waited for our arrival before commencing dinner and the onslaught of wisecracks about the superiority of Katie's sense of direction. Great food, wine and conversation prevailed.

B&K