Another damp day in Montreal. We had a lovely continental breakfast in the hotel. Being in the Chinese Quarter, the hotel is decked out with lots of oriental influences (rather like our flat!) and the restaurant was surrounded by a big pool with little fountains and lots of fish. A very relaxing place to start the day. We loaded the car and checked out ready for another day on the move.
The weather had cleared up a bit so it was better for walking round the city, but not really nice enough to get the most out of other places I'd hoped to see, such as the Jardin Botanique and the Montreal Tower at the Stade Olympique. Boo. Instead we browsed the rather cool Place des Congress building, with its coloured glass and 'lipstick' forest. We then took a wander in and around the Basilica, an incredible example of Gothic architecture, set off by some very effective lighting.
We've finally got sick of trying to find a decent radio station so we stopped at a couple of shops near Place des Arts for a few things, including an audio cable - now it's iPod all the way. That's assuming the car can handle it - the electrics on the Chrysler are truly abyssmal! The headlights sometimes stay on even though you've turned off the controls, error lights seem to appear on the dashboard at random and, very annoyingly, the horn sounds every time you lock the car - not ideal when you're in rural locations and hoping to see some wildlife.
We unfortunately haven't had the time or the weather to see Montreal at it's best, and it hasn't particularly endeared itself to us. We've been kind of disappointed with the place and probably won't make a return visit a priority, unlike our other stops. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. The rain was back with a vengeance so it was definitely time to leave and head for the hills.
It took about 3 hours to get to Wyndham Cap in Mont Tremblant, most of which was spent trying to get off the island of Montreal. It was almost dark when we arrived but we could tell what an awesome place it was, just driving up into the mountains. Yet more stunning views of multi-coloured trees, unfortunately not looking as lovely as it should in all the rain and low-lying clouds.
Wyndham Cap is a big resort, quiet at the moment but very popular in the skiing season, and for the summer season activities. We have a condominium in one of the big lodges with a nice lounge and kitchenette as well as bedroom, bathroom and laundry facilities. Perfect opportunity to get some washing done. Our balcony overlooks the lake, and we're right by the pool facilities. As we'd arrived late we just had dinner in the resort restaurant, which surprisingly turned out to be one of the best value meals of the holiday. It also made me realise that more places should offer 'create your own' pasta - what a fab idea! I've seen it with curries and pizzas, but not pasta. Awesome. The last few days have taken their toll and we were nodding off at the dinner table (well I was anyway) so an early night was called for.
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