'sA-dE . com

We arrived in Québec City at about 1:30 Friday afternoon. I had grudgingly been convinced to wake up early on what was to be my day off so that we would have the afternoon to do the touristy thing. I am pleased to report that I was not disappointed. Apart from a minor meltdown while trying to order a meatball sub in French at lunch (I am a little out of practice, but I was back on that horse by Saturday evening), the trip was amazing.
Friday afternoon was spent wandering around the city, taking in this amazing aerial view from L'Observatoire de la Capitole,

and avoiding Radio-Canada cameras at Pub St. Alexandre (possibly the best cup of coffee in the city.)
Dinner was at Aux Anciennes Canadiens, a restaurant housed in one of the oldest buildings in North America, which specialises in traditional Québecois fare. Mike had a veritable "zoobecue" consisting of grilled stag, caribou, and buffalo in a creamy peppercorn sauce. I had a much less adventurous meal of chicken in pastry, but it was still delicious. After eating our fill, we went back to the hotel to change into warmer gear and go toboganning in front of the Chateau Frontenac, and take some pictures of the city by night.

Saturday, after a delicious breakfast of crêpes, we took a trip to the Ice Hotel. It's about a 25 minute drive northwest of Québec, in St. Catherine de la Jacques Cartier. There are a lot of saints in Québec. Everything in the hotel is made of snow and ice, including the beds (but not the mattresses), the bar,

and the glasses you drink out of at the bar

It's definitely a novelty for the rich, but it was fun to see it.
We then headed east again, to Montmorency to see the waterfalls.


We rounded off the day with an incredible meal at Le Beffroi, and a trip to Chez Dagobert, a local nightclub. Three floors, with music for all tastes. One thing that definitely goes in the plus column for this city is the fact that no one seems to charge cover.
And so, sadly, we had to leave Sunday morning and return home for work Monday morning, to start my first full week back at the office. I am already thinking ahead to my next trip though. I will have to remember to bring along more spending money though, as the city was full of interesting shops you just don't find in Ottawa. *sigh*

Sounds like a great trip! We've always wanted to see the ice hotel. Very cool. Nice to see the lights at night too!

That bar (Guess I've been spelling it wrong...) is one of the coolest I have ever been in. I was down in Quebec City about 5 yrs ago for a convention, and I think that was one of the most fun night clubs I've ever been to.