Back to the Big Apple with a few stops along the way

[RooFlyer]

Lived in Kingston for 18 months. That station very familiar

Not many fond memories of VIA rail, though.

I don’t think Ben’s smoked meat is around any more but ask around to see where the good smoked meat is these days and have a feed .

 

[Matt_01]

So to the days activities and things did not go as planned, the first place to visit was L'Oratorie Saint Joseph du Mont-Royal. We made our way to the subway with pout issue, purchased day passes and boarded the train, I do not understand why the subway has rail tracks but the trains also run tyres.

We changed to the blue line and this is I got things wrong, I said we had to get out at the second stop and after realising this was wrong I was not going to put up with a 15yro telling me I was at the wrong place, what would she know, she has never been to Montréal. Anyhow after finding our way through the university we ended up in a cemetery, not sure how things work in Montréal but it would seem like these maybe family plots with some being buried on to of others, who knows but it was a big cemetery.

 

[Matt_01]

After several arguments we arrived at the church

 

[Matt_01]

When we we at the church and out of MissM's earshot I let MrsM know that we had got off at the wrong station and getting back would be easier and it was. But on the way to the station I found a farmers market. One of things I liked about the market was they would let you taste the produce, the ground cherry's were very good.

Anyhow after getting back on the train we headed back to Berri-UQAM before changing to the yellow line and headed to the island and the Bio Dome.

 

[Matt_01]

A few more shots of the Bio Dome and or from the Island

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[Matt_01]

We headed back to the city and after dropping off the girls I headed out again, I needed some food.

 

[Matt_01]

After getting back to the hotel the girls were hungry, I was not and MrsM soon worked out via my FB checkin that I had already eaten so we went of for a light dinner (they had dinner I did not) at Kyo Bar Japonais. MrsM commented that the food was ok, the saki sampler was a bit of bucket chemistry and the shots of saki were a lot larger than I expected.

After dinner we went out and found some dessert, it was not healthy but tasted good.

 

[Matt_01]

In the way back to the hotel the club over the road was warming up and I was allowed in while the band was still warming up.

 

[Matt_01]

I will digress for a post as during this trip I have chosen not to stay in chains that I have status with for a number of reasons. Everyone knows travel does not go as planned and these are just a couple of little hick ups I have run into.

In Toronto the hotel had a combination washing machine/dryer. It worked the first time we used it but on the second attempt it filled with water and stopped. The hotel sent up maintenance at around 8:30 pm and by 9pm said it is broken, the maintenance man arranged for the wet washing to be collected and it was all bundled into a standard house keeping laundry bag and taken away with out any receipt given. In the morning I asked the concierge when would the washing be returned and as expected she had no idea what I was talking about and after calling the laundry they also had no idea where the clothes were. I was informed we will find it, wash/dry it and return it to your room but I had basically given up on ever seeing our stuff again. That afternoon when we returned it was in the room as promised.

Next was our current accommodation in Montréal. On arrival every thing was excellent however when MrsM was looking in the fridge she noticed there was a couple of slices of Pizza, in a box and untouched. I was willing to accept it as a gift as I have checked into hotels in the past (Hilton, Park Royal etc.) that provide free food gifts however MrsM asked me to check. When I asked the concierge the answer was a distinct no and within minutes of arriving back in the room there was a knock on the door and 2 house keeping staff asking if they could come in and check the fridge. Everything was taken away and replaced. This afternoon this was left in the room.

Then after arriving back from our evening outing there was more water and chocolates.

 

[Matt_01]

Just out and about and headed to an expo.


Then we found quite a posh shopping centre which turned out to be the location of the expo.

 

[Matt_01]

It was a Barbie Expo, I am not into dolls, MissM had a couple when she was younger and MrsM also had them as a kid. I have never seen so many Barbies, here are a few examples.

 

[Matt_01]

After the Barbies it was time to make our way the Art Gallery for some reason I thought it would be small and dinky and how wrong was I. The gallery is spread over 3 buildings with some impressive art in building 1. I have heaps of photos but will not post all of them here.

 

[Matt_01]

Some of the art in the second building.

 

[Matt_01]

And some from the third building.

 

[Matt_01]

The Notre- Dame Basilica

 

[Matt_01]

Some random photos of the old town.

 

[Matt_01]

This has been on display in the hotel lobby and is made of chocolate.

We ate dinner at The Keg, it wasn't bad but also not spectacular. I had the peppercorn New York, MrsM had the Mediterranean Cauliflower (I was informed it tasted better then it looked) and MissM have the Filet Mignon.

 

[Matt_01]

The stops are done and now it is time to head to NYC, waiting in the Maple Leaf Lounge at YUL for our bus with wings to arrive.

 

[Matt_01]

On the way to LGA and no more of those Y shenanigans, things have returned to the natural order. We had planned on catching the Adirondack from Montréal to NYC however it is not currently running so this was my views of the turning foliage. I can never get enough of flying over into Manhattan, when flying into NYC no matter which airport I will always pick the window seat. Also I would prefer to fly into JFK as the car/ taxi etc fares are regulated but to be honest who cares if I have to pay a little more to/from LGA or EWR, in the car and doing the bridge and tunnel thing.

 

[Matt_01]

So arrival at the Hilton, 1 photo stayed here many times before and the rooms always look the same (1 bed or 2). For some reason this Hilton seems to think putting you higher up in the floor plan is an upgrade. The property took out the in room coffee machines years ago and when travelling with a teenage daughter who has a tendency to hog the bathroom I am happy to stay closer to the ground floor. It is a first world problem but I am now some 20 floors higher than I booked. Anyhow luggage/ stuff dropped off in the room and into town, MissM wanted to go to Time Square at night and then we just walked a few blocks.

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