Mei ManuelKonnichassu!
I am slowly having some free time to update the blog and man, I still have a lot of backlog for this place before I can update the system in earnest. Now you know what I will do during the holidays! Hahaha!
Anyway, this entry will continue off my trip around Montreal since I did stay there slightly longer than the other areas. As always, check the captions below to see what went down during this day!!!
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We started our trip in the afternoon because we only had one agenda and it was to see the Aura Experience at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. But, given that we were driving, we eventually got lost several times trying to find a parking.
If you are going to Montreal or anywhere in Canada, I highly suggest you plan ahead if you are driving around. While parking slots are available throughout the city, they do get full almost immediately and they mostly are open parking. You also need to have cash with you since you have to pay the parking up front. Some do accept debit/credit card but it is mostly cash.
Parking is also different as you pay for the length of your stay immediately after you park. Not all parking is also monitored by security so know where to go in advance so in case you are parking in an unsecure area, you can easily check your vehicle often.
This photo here shows our walk towards the Basilica… which is yes… under construction. I seem to be visiting places where it is always under construction in recent times.
Since we haven’t had lunch yet, we opted to walk to Five Guys. Another first for me!!
Here’s my order. I do not know why, but these fries hit differently. Burger is also quite good!
After lunch, we had some time to explore and try to look for souvenirs so we headed to Vieux-Port de Montreal or Old Montreal. My sister was annoyed we left late coz we couldn’t fully explore the place. She did let me off with my niece to walk a bit.
Here’s a glimpse of Bonsecours Market and the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours Chapel. I had to run off after coz we would be late for the lines back at Notre Dame. What a walk that was!!
Back at the Notre Dame, we stayed at the Place d’Armes park to wait. I really love the ambiance of the place since it was windy that day and we were treated to some jazz music since a street performer was there.
Here’s the facade of Notre Dame. According to my sister, its a smaller version of the actual thing in France which she managed to see before the fire. Next target to visit after they get rid of their bedbugs problem
Here’s a snapshot of the inside. You can visit the Basilica in the morning. I’ll probably do that when I get the chance to come back again since I’m that sort of traveler.
I think I took this after the performance. My review of Aura? Simply amazing! It is a visual and auditory experience and it adds a story to the already iconic landmark. It did remind me of Frozen in some parts of it and the fact phones are prohibited during the performance, it added to the experience!
I do not recommend it for kids 3 and below though because my nephew was scared witless because of the sounds coz it was very loud. Other than that, 10/10!
If you want to check it out for yourself, here’s the link to their website. They do offer package deals if you also want to do the Basilica tour… which I will do next time!
After that, we went back home to our Airbnb since we have a long day ahead the next day. Its kinda strange to travel around this time when you know it should already be dark in your side of the world.
I was amused though when I saw this, the French equivalent of KFC. No, I didn’t get to try it but some say it was bad but don’t take my word for it! Hahaha!
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That’s it for this Montreal blog. The next update will be the Niagara Falls experience which will cover 3 days too but I will cover it in one blog since the next ones didn’t really cause me to take loads of photos.
Almost there to the conclusion! Fighting!!!
