NoNames Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New

[NoName]

Day 19 - Continued……






Sat around for a while before we bit the bullet and went to check out. Taxi was right outside so we hopped in for the short ride to the station. Similar experience with ViaRail for our return journey so pretty happy. Terminal was small with limited amenities and most that were there were closed. Of most importance though the train left on time and once again, 3-ish hours later we were pulling in to the station back in downtown Montreal. Made the short walk back to the Humaniti Hotel, immediately checked in and up to the room for a quick recharge.



We’ve enjoyed various different sporting events on our trips over the years and NoName Jnr in particular was keen to see another this time. He’d wanted to go to a football game or a basketball game but nothing really lined up properly with our dates and locations. However, one thing that did line up was hockey and given how much Canadians love it I was sure we’d have a good time. Tonight’s match was Monreal Canadiens v Vancouver Canucks. We ventured out into the cold for the 15 minute walk to the stadium. As we got closer, the crowd got bigger which made the walk a bit of fun.






Go Habs Go!



Went inside to find out seats and await the action. I had bought 3 tickets up near the top more or less behind one of the goals though the Ticketmaster ticket exchange for around CA$120 each from memory. Plenty of more expensive/better options available but out seats were perfectly fine and we could easily see the action. Game got underway in due course and it was a fantastic atmosphere, they REALLY love their hockey! We had a great time despite not really knowing what was going on.

An overtime win to the Habs which put the locals in good spirits! This was an enjoyable experience and we would definitely return given the opportunity. We swarmed out of the stadium and into the night with the rest of the crowd and made our way back to the hotel. In to bed quickly and asleep soon after.

 

[OZDUCK]

Once more lots of great photos. Quebec City and the surrounds look so different in winter than it did for us in summer.

 

[NoName]

Once more lots of great photos. Quebec City and the surrounds look so different in winter than it did for us in summer.

Thank you very much.
Quebec City was just stunning under all the snow but I could also see it being amazing in the summer time too. Would love to go back and compare.

 

[NoName]

Day 20






Last day in Montreal and we planned to have a better look around the underground city. Had some yogurt and muffins from the next door supermarket before going down to check out mid-morning. Left our bags with the front desk and headed towards Square Victoria. We were pretty poorly researched about what to expect so had just gone to somewhere we had known was linked to the underground. Then just made our way around, firstly towards Centre Eaton.

Map of the underground. I have marked up our route with the yellow being before lunch and the blue being after. Started and ended at the same point and walked at street level between the two lines. Obviously much more to look around at but this is what time allowed.



Just walked though the passageways occasionally stopping to look at things.





Popped up to street level for a walk over to Chinatown for some lunch. The streets had been covered in overnight snow which made the walk different to what we had experienced days earlier.






We had no specific plan as to where we wanted to eat so just walked around and looked at a few places. Ended up settling on a noodle place called Nouilles de Lan Zhou. A bowl of noodles each was enjoyable and filling enough. Would be happy to return here.

 

[VPS]

Thank you very much.
Quebec City was just stunning under all the snow but I could also see it being amazing in the summer time too. Would love to go back and compare.

I have friends going to Quebec this Christmas so going to share some of these ideas and pictures thanks

 

[NoName]

Day 20 - Continued……





Through Chinatown towards an entrance back to the underground nearby to look through some more.





Repeated the earlier activity and just walked through looking around.









Eventually got back around to where we started at Square Victoria. Back up outside and a few blocks walk back to the hotel.

 

[NoName]

Day 20 - Continued……





A short rest in the lobby and then impatience got the best of up so we ordered an uber to the airport. Half an hour later just after 3pm we had arrived at YUL for our 6:15pm flight to YVR.



Mrs NoName’s AC 50K status again managed to get all three of our bags checked for free so another tick to the HSBC Star Alliance CC. Made our way through security and then to the AC Maple Leaf lounge. There are three AC lounges at YUL – international, transborder and the domestic which we were visiting today. Have heard that the international lounge is the pick of the three but no choice for us so the Domestic version would have to do.





This was a reasonable space and we enjoyed the time relaxing and having a few bites to eat. It was pretty crowded at the time we visited and I suspect the PAX limit would have been close to being reached. Nevertheless, we managed to find 3 seats together without a huge amount of trouble. Summary here was that there was a reasonable food offering. Tomato soup was good as was the plate of chicken w/rice that I had.



Drinks were also pretty good. All self-service. Fridge seemed always close to empty but somehow no issues getting anything. Liked the idea of having a beer tap however it didn’t seem to work properly. Each time I tried it just spurted foam everywhere. Maybe the keg was empty? Any ex-bar staff in the house?

All up I thought the lounge was not bad and I’d be happy to return. Up to this point the only other Maple Leaf Lounge I had visited was in in FRA which was significantly better IMO. We visited YVR a week and a half later so stand by for the verdict there.

The time came for boarding so we hopped up and made the walk to the gate. Got there to find a fair scrum jostling for entry. Group 2 for us so we pretty much went straight on and took our seats ready for the 5-ish hour flight. Would have loved to be in J for a flight of this length however only Y available using Velocity points. Cost for 3xY awards was 60,000 Velocity points + $136.93.






YUL-YVR
AC311
777-300ER
20A, 20B, 20C



The flight was scheduled for 6:15pm however we were pretty late to get going. Didn’t take off until 7:15pm. Oh well. When we did get into the air it was all smooth sailing. Choice of a pack of pretzels or a cookie with complimentary soft drink, juice, beer or wine. $5 spirits. Went for a (couple of) beer(s) which from memory might have been some kind of Canadian craft. There was also a more extensive menu to purchase food from however we didn’t partake. Had already had plenty in the lounge anyway. Complimentary texting for Aeroplan members plus internet for $18 for the full flight which we also didn’t bother with.

Overall the flight was uneventful and the time passed pretty quickly. Soon enough we were descending into YVR where we ended up landing only slightly late. Took a while for bags to come out but on the plus side ours were among the first few to appear. Outside and into a cab quickly after this and soon after we were pulling up to our hotel in downtown Vancouver.

We had stayed at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver on our last trip largely because the bus to Whistler departs right outside one of the hotel entrances. We were only there one night that time but found the hotel perfect for our needs. Saw no reason to change a winning formula so booked again. 4 nights in a room with 2 double beds came A$1,052.89. Booked through Qantas Hotels when they ran a triple points promo in August.

Straight up to the room which was neat and tidy. At 35sqm it was easily big enough for our needs.




We were more or less immediately in to bed. It was very late at this point, especially taking into account the time change, and so sleep was very much needed.

 

[NoName]

Day 21






First day in Vancouver and we were glad to be back. We had only really had one full day last time so it was going to be great to have the opportunity to see more of the city. First things first though and NoName Jnr wanted to go for a swim so in the interests of thorough research for this trip report I agreed to take him down. The fitness centre and pool deck is located on I’m going to say level 3. Well thereabouts anyway. Looked a pretty good setup with decent sized gym, pool, hot tub & sauna.





NoName Jnr swam around for a while ducking between pool and hot tub. Once he was done we went back upstairs, changed and got ready to go. First up was Granville Island which we had been to before but enjoyed it so why not go again? Walked through the streets to the ferry stop at Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

 

[NoName]

Day 21 - Continued……






Short ride across False Creek and we were out and walking into the Public Markets. Walked around the markets for a while having a look. Plenty of different vendors selling a variety of things.

Honey was great. Took the unusual (for us) step of actually buying some.



Walked around the “island” a bit more taking a look at a few things.





Dreaming of EK F!

 

[NoName]

Day 21 - Continued……





Lunch came so decided to pop in for a bite and a drink. I was keen to try a couple of craft beers and had spotted Granville Island Brewing when researching prior to the trip. Proved to be a nice casual lunch spot with reasonable food and good beers. Satisfied with the choice.



Pizza & charcuterie board





Grabbed a beer paddle since why not? Had about a dozen different options to choose from so loaded up with a few that sounded nice and suited my taste. The winter ale is a seasonal offering and was the pick for mine.





So scientific!

 

[NoName]

Day 21 - Continued……





Jumped back on the ferry for a ride further up False Creek.





Got off at Plaza Of Nations where we got off and began walking to Gastown.






Got to Gastown to find the Steam Clock was not operating today due to filming for a TV show in the area.

The street across from the clock was shut down.

 

[NoName]

Day 21 - Continued……





Next up was Chinatown which it has to be said was an unfortunate waste of time. We walked a few blocks over and the area got progressively sketchier. It seemed to be filthy and a haven for homeless and the drug affected. Did not fee safe at all and so after walking a few blocks into the area we turned around and left. Disappointing.








We made it back to the hotel and after another swim, a walk up the fire escape aka the Hyatt Nature Hike Challenge





And a short rest we got ready to go and meet one of Mrs NoName’s friends. We had met him last time and it was nice to catch up again. Korean this time at Jinmi. A short Uber ride and we were there perusing the menu. The restaurant bills itself as combining “authentic South Korean soul food with a touch of Pacific Northwest cuisine”. I won’t argue. Will note here that I can not for the life of me remember specifically what we ordered but I do remember it being good. Tasty, at times very spicy and an overall enjoyable meal which I would be glad to repeat some time.

A free prize to anyone who manages to match the menu items to the photos below.






Managed to find the same ice cream store that we visited last trip so a quick stop there and then it was time to say farewell.



Mrs NoName’s friend was kind enough to drive us back to the hotel which we were very appreciative of. Quickly up to the room and then just as quickly we were in to bed.

 

[kileskus]

We walked a few blocks over and the area got progressively sketchier. It seemed to be filthy and a haven for homeless and the drug affected.

You probably passed through/near the Downtown Eastside on the way, the worst of which lies roughly between Gastown and Chinatown. It's called Canada's poorest postcode for a reason. Not really the place to take young kids or to visit on a short trip. But it's one of the oldest parts of Vancouver and has a lot of historic buildings (some of which have been turned into social housing), and in amongst the drug culture, streetwalkers and high crime rate there's a strong community of artists and activists that can be interesting to engage with. Our closest family friends were a couple from Toronto who lived in the DTES for many years by choice and my parents lived there for a while too. To outsiders it probably takes some time and a bit of a poetic soul to appreciate the resilience from the gritty reality of the neighbourhood and to see it as a microcosm of the problems Canada likes to pretend it doesn't have [much of].

Sorry to see Montréal was a little underwhelming. It's a messy city really with a lot of demographic issues so you have to catch it in a certain light. Québec City is definitely a lot nicer and more picturesque during winter so I'm glad you chose to go and enjoyed the outdoor activities.

Apologies for the intrusion. These three cities are all close to me so have been following along with interest