Montreal Day 3 & Trois-Riviere at a slower pace

Our last day in Montreal, of course we tried to fit in everything we had missed. We drove to Jean Drapeau Parc, on Ile Sainte-Helene, one of the islands where Expo 67 was held. On the way there we admired Habitat ’67. There was a lot of activity even early, a festival was going on (Columbian, Dominican & Eurofest). After we found parking we visited the Biosphere, a Bucky Ball, which was the US pavilion in ’67. We wandered around and tried to see more of the Expo sites but some were fenced off because later there was an event (Piknic Electronic) not our speed. We took the metro, bus and shank’s pony (my mother’s saying meaning walking) to Les Main Deli (across the street from Schwartz’) and had another smoked meat sandwich. Then hopped a bus, which we knew was going the wrong way but we thought we’d see a different part of the city. We did see little Italy but then we had to get off because the run ended. Caught another bus back to Place des Arts, checked out the jazz festival awhile.

Admiring the 'Bucky Ball'

Denis was wanting some authentic Quebec beer so we took the metro to Les 3 Brasseurs, got a great table by the open, roll up garage door. We could have stayed there and enjoyed the beer and people watched but across the street was a blues bar so we headed there and for more refreshment and some live entertainment. Denis still wanted to go to Olympic Stadium so we took the metro that way and were lucky that the funicular (combination elevator & railway) was still running so we went up the tower. It is 165 m high and the incline is 45^o, it holds the Guiness record as the highest inclined tower in the world. Spectacular views of Montreal and a very entertaining young guide. Then we headed back on the metro to take an evening bus tour of the highlights at night, it was a double decker bus with open top and very few passengers. One of the sights was the casino (the French pavilion from Expo) beautifully lit up.

The funicular goes up the other side

By that time we were two very tired tourists! Took the metro back to the island to pick up the truck. When we came up from the train there were police and security barricading the entrance/exits, the festival was just over and there were thousands of people milling around, some trying to get on a train and some just wanting to continue the party. A bit intimidating but we got the truck and headed back to the rural tranquility of our campground. We just about wore out our 3 day bus/metro passes! My highlight was the unique architecture and quirky oddities; Denis’ was going up Le Tour Olympique and smoked meat sandwiches. 

Today has been an overcast, drizzly, driving day, good day to recover a bit. After a stop at Costco, we wended our way via back roads along the Richelieu River to Trois-Rivieres. Tomorrow it’s on to Quebec City.

Catching up on 'Old Town' gossip with my friends

Just look what you can to with a Sea-Can

Rainbow Shopping Cart bike locked to a parking post so I had to leave it, much to Denis' relief!
For a minute I considered a trade for my bicycle........