The four big cities of the canadian east coast await us!
First we head to Toronto. The city of glass and concrete greets us grey and rainy. The walk along the waterfront was quick, as well as through downtown. Maybe we don’t like Hockey or Baseball enough, maybe it’s just bad timing, but we don’t really like this town. Only when we arrive at the old market with the cool buildings and the crazy dog-fountain we can start to enjoy our stay here.
With less enthusiasm we drive to Ottawa – and are stoked. Canada’s main city is smaller but we immediately like it. In the pedestrian zone we arrive in time for the Busker Fest, in the evening we can enjoy a monstrous firework and due to canada 150 there is a light show at the federal building and a really cool light and laser show underground in the unfinished subway. Besides of this Ottawa has many nice places to discover such as the locks at the Rideau Canal.
As soon as we cross the bridge outside of Ottawa the language changes – and the lifestyle. Roadsigns are only in french, we can buy wine in the supermarket (not only in liquor stores) and the restaurants have nice patios. The old town of Montréal is beautiful and we visit also the waterfront, the viewpoint above the city and the great market. The only thing we didn’t like: looking for a place to park our van. It was crazy! Every three meters more than one sign tries to tell us if we are allowed to park. If we would have taken our bikes to explore the town, we could have avoided the problem. Next time…
After a little stop at the bike park in Bromont we arrive at the last big city for now: Québec. The beautiful old town takes our breath away and sends us definitely back to europe – a city like this we would have never expected to see in North America. Old houses, old squares… In addition to the great scenery, the town is celebrating it’s past and uncountable volunteers are walking the streets in costumes. We walk the streets again and again and every time we discover something new.
Packed with fresh vegetables from the markets and fresh bread from the bakery we head on. Our big city tour was a great diversion in our trip!
geschrieben von Barbara