I was there for a moment.. my first impression was a bug riddled veggie sandwich I confess though.. I DID look it up and feel SOO much more accepting now.. thank you *zee takes the proffered sandwich graciously and puts a huge plate of poutine in front of K then gives her a fork* enjoy!

don't mention it.. work calls so I'll definitely add more later.. for now though.. THIS is Montreal!


and this...


and this...

this is the Jazz fest in June & July...


this is during the global fireworks competition..


this is another view of the Island of Montreal..


none of these pics are mine.. teehee.. I took'em off google

dang fireworks pic didn't work

if anyone's into churches/architecture.. there's this..




we have old forts (used during the early wars to defend canada)


they actually dress like this today AND re-enact 'times' of old..


this is the entrance to Fort Lennox (and our illustrious National leader, Prime Minister Harper on the right) taken last Sept...


here's an aerial view of Fort Lennox (I'm about a 10 min drive to here)


well.. hope everyone's enjoying the sites of Quebec!!

I heard a lot of issues coming up with Harper...How has he been doing so far?

I'm afraid my opinion may be biased.. I'm not a conservative and well.. he IS..

Quebec has been named "a nation within a nation" so although Canadian politics do have some weight.. we're effected a bit differently than the rest of the country..

anywho.. being a travel topic.. I'd rather keep the politics out of here, if you don't mind.. but I will say this.. Canada is a strong country and he has made some steps to doing what he can to improve it the way he believes it should improve.. I won't pretend to know his motives.. but then again.. he won't be in office forever either

Speaking of travel....

I took a little road trip to this place over the w'end. A friend of mine has a holiday home up here, so with the mercury heading toward the 40's again, i decided to skip Melbourne for the night in favour of some chillaxing by the lake with a coupla cold ones and check out the water ski show and fireworks. Went for a quick spin on the lake in the morning after breakfast before heading back to Melbz in time for getting my giddy-up on at the country races....

Lake Mulwala...which is a 3-4 hour trip from Melbourne and located on the New South Wales border.

NICE K.. wow.. looks like a sweet lil weekend side trip.. I love the colors of dusk.. it's kinda gives the impression that the edge of the worlds on fire, don't it..? and who DOESN'T like fireworks.. what amazes me is how they got all those beautiful arrays inside a lil cardboard 'holder'..

Fireworks = China

China...home to one of the biggest damn fences in the world. That would be one helluva walk no? Not to mention the history behind, and either side of that wall being absolutely fascinating.


Been there Z?

I would like to go to Italy see if the food is really good. And of course visit the Danish to see if the pastrys good.

yeah.. that WOULD be a hike huh.. and me being the history buff I am.. I'm sure I'd love it but nope.. not YET.. although it IS on ma bucket list.. hi YA

from ages 6 thru 14 I was awarded the honour of having a Japanese Obaachan (Grandmother) who first introduced me to the Asian culture that I immediately fell in love with.. somewhat because of that influence.. I spent several years in the discipline of Karate Samurai, Kendo & Tai Chi.. I've also been lucky enough to acquire several authentic Katana & Samurai Swords, amongst a few other Asian 'items', for my home.. I find their culture is absolutely fascinating.. and truly look forward to the day I can visit my '2nd' home

have you been? or do ya wanna go too??

I've been to Rome only.. but admit that the food is VERY good.. pricey.. but tasty.. however you have to go 'off the beaten' track to a real 'mom & pop' type resto in order to really get the best.. the more 'well known' establishments are far MORE pricey but you'll not get the SAME flavors or choices.. never been to see the Dane's yet.. one day.. maybe.. enjoy your trips though! any plans of travel?

Wow!...the swords are a privilege Z...you were blessed to acquire such authentic items.

Definately up there on the 'must experience' list :-)

I'm off to Thailand this year for my annual thaw in winter. I usually head to the top end to do a bit of roaming in when winter has Melbourne by the short and curlys, but i've been there enough times and feel the need to check out other lands. Plus i'm really interested in different cultures and their natural medicines and techniques. Asia holds many...

that's awesome K.. and as you say.. they do hold many 'natural' mysteries

their culture is simply fascinating too.. having spent those years with Obaachan's Asian influence.. I learned much in the way of respect.. not the usual kind.. but the respect of ALL things living.. as well as a new understanding of my own life and purpose

not to mention a healthy respect for geisha gowns and walking on those danged wooden flip-flops.. OUCH.. (in moments of gracelessness, I twisted an ankle a few times )

Japanese is one of the languages taught in schools over here, although the reason why escapse me...particularly when they don't have a discipline of their own aborigine language taught in schools. Quite possibly because of the hundreds of different dialects...i don't know, but surely there is a universal aborigine language which can be taught. Having said that...i do find the Japanese language more eloquent than other Asian languages. And i'm rambling here...sorry :-)

But getting back to cultures and protocol...if one didn't know what ignorance was prior to being among a different culture...it soon slaps you upside the head when given the opportunity and 'honour' of learning about a new culture. Although most cultures (bar my own) that i've had the privilege of experiencing only go as far as scratching the surface, and i've learnt just enough about them to keep me out of trouble

ah HA.. I sooo do the same thing before I travel anywhere.. discovering the do's and don'ts of the culture.. and man was it helpful in Egypt.. you've NO idea..

sadly.. there are some that portray their ignorance, as arrogance
yet another reason why I prefer to travel "off the beaten track"
don't get me wrong.. I love a 5 star hotel just as much as the next guy.. but you can't truly experience another culture sleeping in 600 thread count sheets and a luxury bed.. (if I wanted that.. I could stay at home.. really) mind you.. I can't rough it like I USED to either..(mind's okay with it.. it's the body that doesn't want that type of 'roughage' any more ) but there's always a middle ground no matter where you go..

as to speaking Japanese? easy.. they're teaching everyone their language as part of a bigger plot to overthrow the world.. by integrating themselves into every major country on earth.. their sheer masses(and evil conniving ways) will allow them to take over in NO time.. they've bailed the USA out financially sooo many times that they currently OWN it.. this too can be said of other foreign peoples..


and if you believe THAT..? I'd got a crap load of land to sell REAL CHEAP.. it's currently under water but.. if you wait a few hundred years.. it SHOULD dry up.....

Hi everyone!

I see u have a lovely forum here, I love to travel as well, and probably is the first reason that makes me wake up every morning :)

I´m an architect and enjoy more than anything get to know new people, places and cultures,
I´m from Cuba, living and working in Jhb now, and for a while

I don´t see my little Island in any of your lists :) is an interesting place to explore.

In these next months I´m planing to go to Barcelona, Spain... is one of my dreams, hopefully soon a real story

Hi Sophie welcome..

thank you for the lovely compliment..

jhb.. is that a reference to Johannesburg?

ahhhhhh Cuba.. beautiful island AND people.. I've only been once so far(Varadero and Havana) but it seems to be THE 'retreat' for many Quebecers.. which area do you come from?

Barcelona was gorgeous.. and being an architect you will LOVE Gaudi's work and influence.. fascinating styles.. a must see is the Park Guell, where the home of Antoni Guadi also resides..

simply breathtaking

we have several Native Indian reservations in Quebec.. the closest ones to Montreal are the Mohawk(the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois).. and every summer they have a WONDERful festival called a Pow Wow.. here's a few images to show you what goes on..








as you can well imagine... there is great effort put into preparing for these

I'm very curious about the native indian culture Z, and would be keen to learn a little of their medicinal and healing techniques, not to mention their natural affinity with the land. Being surrounded by such an invaluable culture i would imagine you've had some experience with them?