Ms. Shuttergirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2009
Day Twenty Four New Years Day
So after the most delicious sleep in for us all we slowly got up and had a lovely brunch. The main event for today was a bus tour out into the countryside and I was very excited to explore.
First up we crossed the St. Lawrence River which simply looks so amazing with all the frozen bits and headed to Ile dOrleans which is an island off of Quebec City. It was one of the first areas to be settled by the French and a large percentage of French Canadians can trace their ancestry to early residents of the island.
The frozen river, man it was cold here, brrrr
This island was so pretty. With around 12,000 residents, nearly each and every house is like a postcard. So quaint and pretty. Just when I thought I had seen the perfect house that I would want to live in, we would go past the next one and the next one and the next one. I seriously think this island was the highlight of our time on the bus tour and perhaps the whole of Quebec. I know I simply dont have the words to describe how stunning the area was. And the worse thing is that since much of the time was in the bus and I was so completely in a love bubble over the place, I barely have a photo to show for it.
I definitely think the snow topped roofs and Christmas decorations added a sweetness to the whole place that would be missing in summer but it would seem that in summer the area is extremely popular for holidaying. The houses arent that expensive and seriously, if I had a few extra hundred thousand dollars, I would be investing it there hahaha. It was truly beautiful.
Afterwards we headed to the Montmorency Falls. These falls are reported to be highly than Niagara but since they arent nearly as wide and impressive they arent quite as famous. With that said, they were still very beautiful . Partially frozen, with the water area below being completely frozen, they were quite a sight to behold. We also went up the top of the falls and were able to walk across the suspension bridge that went all the way over. It was a little out of the height hating Shuttergirl familys comfort zone but a must do so we were very keen. It was an incredible view and very much a worth while terrifying effort.
Afterwards we headed to a wonderful little bread mill and got to sample their bread with the most delicious maple butter spread on it. Simple at a $1.00 per slice but so tasty. Maple butter could be my new favourite thing.
Then the final stop on the tour was St. Anne Beaupre Basilica. What a stunning church this is. I have not seen anything quite like this beautiful building. The stained glass, the amazing stone work, the high ceilings, the tile work the whole thing was a piece of art. I walked around with my mouth hanging open in awe.
Afterwards we headed back to Quebec City, snoozing on the way.
This was a truly excellent bus tour, I am so glad we did it as we got to see so much of the countryside and most especially I will forever be thinking about living in a precious cottage on Ile dOrleans, what a dream come true that would be.
For dinner we headed back to the Irish pub for some comfort food and oh yes indeed, some more of that good value jug o beer hahahaha.
Highs Ile dOrleans, St. Anne Beaupre Basilica, Montmorency
Lows I just simply cant think of one for today, oh perhaps standing beside the river and the bitter wind, thats all I can think of, oh and yes my cold was getting a whole lot worse today
Weather high of -7, low of -20
So after the most delicious sleep in for us all we slowly got up and had a lovely brunch. The main event for today was a bus tour out into the countryside and I was very excited to explore.
First up we crossed the St. Lawrence River which simply looks so amazing with all the frozen bits and headed to Ile dOrleans which is an island off of Quebec City. It was one of the first areas to be settled by the French and a large percentage of French Canadians can trace their ancestry to early residents of the island.
The frozen river, man it was cold here, brrrr
This island was so pretty. With around 12,000 residents, nearly each and every house is like a postcard. So quaint and pretty. Just when I thought I had seen the perfect house that I would want to live in, we would go past the next one and the next one and the next one. I seriously think this island was the highlight of our time on the bus tour and perhaps the whole of Quebec. I know I simply dont have the words to describe how stunning the area was. And the worse thing is that since much of the time was in the bus and I was so completely in a love bubble over the place, I barely have a photo to show for it.
I definitely think the snow topped roofs and Christmas decorations added a sweetness to the whole place that would be missing in summer but it would seem that in summer the area is extremely popular for holidaying. The houses arent that expensive and seriously, if I had a few extra hundred thousand dollars, I would be investing it there hahaha. It was truly beautiful.
Afterwards we headed to the Montmorency Falls. These falls are reported to be highly than Niagara but since they arent nearly as wide and impressive they arent quite as famous. With that said, they were still very beautiful . Partially frozen, with the water area below being completely frozen, they were quite a sight to behold. We also went up the top of the falls and were able to walk across the suspension bridge that went all the way over. It was a little out of the height hating Shuttergirl familys comfort zone but a must do so we were very keen. It was an incredible view and very much a worth while terrifying effort.
Afterwards we headed to a wonderful little bread mill and got to sample their bread with the most delicious maple butter spread on it. Simple at a $1.00 per slice but so tasty. Maple butter could be my new favourite thing.
Then the final stop on the tour was St. Anne Beaupre Basilica. What a stunning church this is. I have not seen anything quite like this beautiful building. The stained glass, the amazing stone work, the high ceilings, the tile work the whole thing was a piece of art. I walked around with my mouth hanging open in awe.
Afterwards we headed back to Quebec City, snoozing on the way.
This was a truly excellent bus tour, I am so glad we did it as we got to see so much of the countryside and most especially I will forever be thinking about living in a precious cottage on Ile dOrleans, what a dream come true that would be.
For dinner we headed back to the Irish pub for some comfort food and oh yes indeed, some more of that good value jug o beer hahahaha.
Highs Ile dOrleans, St. Anne Beaupre Basilica, Montmorency
Lows I just simply cant think of one for today, oh perhaps standing beside the river and the bitter wind, thats all I can think of, oh and yes my cold was getting a whole lot worse today
Weather high of -7, low of -20