A tale of 3 cities in Canada- Montreal (Part 1: A city with 2 souls)

In Montreal city, Canada's bilingual trait is fully evident. In the packed Grey Hound bus terminal at Montreal, I overheard numerous conversations held in both English and French, a marked difference when compared to Toronto (mostly English) and Quebec city (mostly French, wait a minute, everyone speaks French there). Hence, it would be safe to conclude that the assimilation between the English and French speaking populace is largely successful in this city. Indeed, the assimilation does not end with language alone. Culturally, the city dwellers in Montreal has even managed to blend the unique old world charm from their rich bilingual heritage, with towering skyscrapers and a bustling traffic network snaking through the entire city.




Montreal city's beautiful skyline, somehow, the city reminds me of Toronto and a little bit of Quebec city. Best of both world? Not exactly, just that there is a hint of unique identity not found in both Toronto and Quebec city. The identity of a city with 2 souls: that of French and English.




At the peak of Parc Mont-Royal, a park that lies on the fringe of the city's central business district. Parc Mont-Royal is Montreal's version of Central Park, and surprise, surprise, both parks were designed by the same guy.



Beavers are omnipresent in Canada, but the ones at Parc Mont-Royal are slightly more used to human presence as proven in the above picture.


Beaver Lake, but contrary to its moniker, we did not see any beavers at the lake.


A giant cross made out of iron on the slopes of the park. It looked more like a radar to me.

With Christmas only a day away, there wasn't a slightest hint that it was going to snow in Montreal. All these while, the three of us were speculating and running wild imaginations on spending our very first 'white' Christmas in our entire life. Annoyingly, the temperature just did not seem cold enough for any snow to fall. Instead, I felt warm during my hike up to Mont-Royal and I can assure you that the hike was not strenuous at all. The convenient culprit for our annoyance? Needless to say, Global Warming.

A tale of 3 cities in Canada-Quebec (Part 3: Leaving for Montreal)

Perhaps the only regret that griped me during our short stay in Quebec City, was giving the famed tourist attraction, the Montmorency Falls a miss. With a packed schedule ahead of us, we could only afford the time to make a trip to the Plains of Abraham before we leave for Montreal. Thankfully enough, our hostel was located within a 20 minutes walk to the plains and we were able to squeeze in this attraction to our itinerary.



That morning was particularly cold, despite the freezing temperature, it did not snow at all. Instead, a thin layer of ice was formed on walkways and paths, and predictably enough, I came dangerously close to slipping several times.


Chateau Frontenac, in its full splendour.




The Plains of Abraham was the site of the battle where the fate of Quebec was decided. Commanded by General Wolfe, the British army succeeded in defeating the last remaining garrison of French troops led by his adversary, General Montcalm, allowing Quebec to remain in the hands of the British empire for the remainder of their colonial reign in Canada.




The Citadelle of Quebec, a strategic fortification erected on the Plains of Abraham. An engineering feat way ahead of its time, it boasts a star-shaped fortification and redoubts that enable the Citadelle guns to fire at hostile troops at the plains without exposing them to the enemies' retaliatory fire. A pity that the museum was not opened to the public during winter.

Quebec City left me a lasting impression. Apart from its beauty an old world charm, its populace were extremely warm and eager to help as well. I can still recall the kind gentleman who had so generously offered to show us the way to our hostel and a lady who helped me up when I slipped on the 0 friction pavement (covered by a thin layer of ice). These, in addition to a romantic atmosphere that permeates every corner of the city (especially at night) allowed me to conclude that Quebec City is the best city I have visited thus far in Canada.

A tale of 3 cities in Canada-Quebec (Part 2: NIght fall)

Ambiguity, trepidation and more often than not, a sudden impulse for great expectations are some of the feelings that stirred my soul when I gaze into a particularly beautiful night sky. Quebec city magnified these feelings by ten folds, giving testament to the beauty exuded by its night sky. Taking a stroll along the lively but strangely quiet streets in Quebec city, I was instantly held in trance by the endless streams of Christmas lightings that decorated virtually every corner of the city. Intricate, yet intimate in its arrangement, the Christmas lightings alone, was suffice to herald the impending arrival of Christmas.






The pictures do no justice to the beauty of that night, it merely unveiled a minuscule portion of the city's charm. Despite taking a stroll in sub-zero temperature, the risk of suffering from frost bite was absolutely worth its taking.



An arc hanging over the main road that leads to the town area, adding an old world charm to the city.


This has got to be my favourite picture taken in Quebec city: a theatre impeccably lit by Christmas lightings.


Like any Singaporean, we were always fascinated by fancy looking cars. There is hardly any chance where you can find cars like this in a carpark or on the road back home in Singapore.



Thanks to an ever perceptive Allan, we got to skate in this public rink for free, when we borrowed skating shoes from the hostel we were living at. Although I had once skated in an indoor rink back in Singapore, outdoor skating is a completely different experience. Coupled with a night sky that was filled with countless number of stars, the feeling was truly magical and unforgettable. I can promise that any dating couple who happened to be skating in that very rink that night will without a doubt, be utterly enchanted by the romatic ambience of that place.

I was struggling with an immense reluctance to head back to our hostel when we had our fill of skating. But alas, the bitter weather and immense weariness ultimately got the better of me. The feeling that night was hard to describe, it is probably comparable to watching a stirring performance during a musical and utter satisfaction brought about by an orchestra. Thus, should I ever steal a glance at the night sky from henceforth, it will not fail to remind me of this magical evening I have spent in Quebec city.