montreal exploration: bee-doh

montreal exploration: hiking & massage!

I've always known Canada to be a land of beautiful scenery, and my inner nature-loving self was craving to see some of the beautiful landscape. So we got up early, put on our hiking shoes, hopped into our car and drove for a couple of hours up to Mount Tremblant (near that area). At the first hiking trail, we got out of our car, saw a lake and started to squeal and take shots.

The first hiking trail was about 1.2km, and we were the only ones on it - a noisy bunch we were of course!

Turn into our next hiking trail which was slightly longer.

Landscape was beautiful especially with the canoe docked at the shore. Look at the colours and the reflection! A perfect blend of orange, green and blue.

So we started near this area and spotted remnants of snow halfway through this trail. Apparently there was a snow storm a couple of weeks ago, but we were lucky - when we reached Montreal the sun was kind to us and kept the entire week bright and clear.

Up and on towards the peak when we spotted this beautiful river stream - group shot of the us girls being silly as usual.

Pat had to ka-cheow us with a stick LOL.

We didn't have enough time to complete the trail, so turned back after this peak and drove off towards Mont Tremblant for lunch (we were positively starving by then) and then head off to spa-la-la.

Stopped by halfway to get this beautiful shot round the lake.

See the look of our starving faces, I kid you not.

Lunch was meh, we had crepes. After which, Allisa, Xling, Xingy & I went for a marvelous spa by the mountain while Xiu went off to Pat's place to make the famous potato-pear-curry soup for the BBQ that night!

montreal exploration: the third day

Woke up the next morning for yummy breakfast by the terrace - portions were humongous, but delicious all the same. Pack the pounds!

After that we took a stroll down the city, passed by a fountain between roads, and headed to the magical swings - another cool installation in the middle of the city. What makes this innovation stand out is the whole row of swings lined up in sets of 3. When one of us sat on the swing, it played a tune. However, when 3 of us synchronised our swings, it played a melody through the movement of the pendulum. Now, how amazing is that? If only we had something like that in Orchard Road, I wonder what the response will be like?

Also passed by a wishing tree where you could write down your wish and hang it on the tree. Je souhaite...

Headed up Mount Tremblant (after many steep slopes and long flights of stairs) and the view was amazing. Here's a nice picture of the four of us! :D

View was breathtaking, weather was perfect.

Chuu~

Xling & I (:

Love the two back-to-back shots below. Of me taking a photo of Xingy & Xiu, and of Xling photobombing at the background.

Spotted a raccoon on the way down! Little scavenger hunting for some treasure - this smart fella managed to open the dustbin and grabbed his gold at the end.

We then headed to one of the parks below the mountain - they were having some sort of drum festival going on and there were truckloads of people. Found a shady spot, spread our mat and just chilled there for a couple of hours with beers. With the distant sound of drums and music in the background, the light-hearted chatter amongst the different groups of friends, it was the ideal place to just relax and daze off. Below are a couple of shots experimented with Xiu's close-up lens.

Here's one of Xling sneezing - oops! 

A day of spotting animals. Look at the squirrel peering innocently from behind the tree trunk - too cute for words.

After that, we went to do some grocery shopping - time for Singaporean night! As a kind gesture to our Canadian hosts, we decided to whip up a Singaporean feast with Prima Taste mix we got from our local supermarkets. Now what did we cook? Singapore curry chicken, Hainanese chicken rice, bean sprouts stew with pork and sauteed mushrooms! And the Canadians enjoyed it (: The Sangria they made was amazing too. Love Sangrias.

Here's a group shot of our empty plates haha!

We had chocolate fondue with fruits for desserts :p

After an exhaustive night, we left the grocery place close to 8pm, cooked for about 2-3 hours, and only finished eating past midnight. A wonderful way to end the night!

montreal exploration: the journey continues

Woke up early the next day and had a nice stroll to our brunch place about 15 to 20 minutes walk away from Chez Annis. Pat and Math led the way (: En route, we passed by a residential area where a couple of school children had set up a lemonade stand by the roadside. Only 50 cents each!

It's like a walk down memory lane, when I was young I read all the books about how some little children would set up lemonade stands outside their houses to earn extra cash or do it as part of a school project - and somehow being able to experience this left me warm and fuzzy.

Cheers to a cup of chilled lemonade on a sunny morning. By this time I had already lost track of the days. Not sure what happened which led to the photo below but I think it's quite funny, luckily it's only on my blog, if not these peeps are gonna skin me alive for sure.

So we reached the brunch place and there was a slight queue in front of us. Everyone looks deep in discussion.

I can't remember what this brunch place is called - but they sure pack a good meal! Decorated in retro, it reminded me of a typical American's diner. Their menu was pretty cool - reminded me of those old laser discs before VCDs were born into this world. Oh how can I not forget about the TOILET. Who the hell has neon-fitted toilets??? Pretty cool though.

The EGGS BEN WERE AWESOME. So were the roasted potatoes but they were secondary. Below the poached eggs and hollandaise sauce were sliced capsicums, sauteed mushrooms and caramelised onions. Portions were so huge that by the time I was done with the first egg, I was stuffed!

During the week that we were in Montreal, they were having some International Arts & Design Festival in the city. So after brunch, we followed Pat, Math and a couple of their friends to some of the exhibitions.

One exhibition was about food, glorious food! Yes! A whole table spread of different types of food, fruits and even sauces and spices! So the guy who mended this stall distributed paper plates and disposable chopsticks to us, together with a piece of paper which had different phrases - in french.

Xingyan looking happy with her spoils!

Here's a snapshot of the food I took - decided to opt in for a more healthy option with mostly fruits and unknown sauces. Mine read I am on diet after one week. LOL.

Here's what other people wrote and shared on the wall:

Amidst the many exhibitions happening around us, we got distracted by this yellow skirt hanging from the ceiling. Looking sexy Pat!

Holy moly! Typical Math pose.

Ok, looking a little more normal here at least. Loving the distant look.

Hello hello!

Xinling doing the ballerina post.

Love it how we can just go crazy anywhere, anytime.

Next up, we visited an exhibit called: If yes, then what?

Allisa, together with the cool programmer who could translate virtually anything into a programming function, wrote a poem and the guy actually translated it out AND explained to us step by step too. It was like maths tuition all over again, only thing was that this was way cooler.

Went to the park after to chill because it was so rare for the weather to be sunny and perfect. Azure blue. Spotted a couple of boys playing table tennis.

Hello blue skies!

Don't really know what Allisa was doing but I like this shot! Xiu & Xling are super cute here.

Pat's friends brought two ping-pong rackets with the intention to play. But the courts were full so we improvised.

Had dinner at a polish place - the pieriogis were DELICIOUS. Kinda reminded me of chwee kweh, the caramelized onions? I miss this dish.

After dinner we went to visit the oldest church in Montreal which sat on the top of the hill - the night view from the top of the church was beautiful, it was nice to sit atop the stairs, listening to the soft breeze and just taking in the peaceful night view.

Our night didn't end there. After that, we headed to this Izakaya Bar which had SAKE BOMB! Basically similar to Jagerbomb, but substituted with a sake shot and beer. I was apprehensive to drink it at first, but I must say, it was quite a yummy concoction. The restaurant even had a chant for it!

"When I say sake you say bomb" x2

"Sake bomb" x2

"Oh...." *beats table until drinks fall*

CHEERS

Don't be fooled, this is actually one level up - RAINBOW BOMB

Headed to Math's place after to chill and had poutin (their version of supper - fries with everything) - altogether a fun night :D

Still remember Math trying to throw me away in the rubbish bin haha, think he was too gone by then, thank goodness I think Xingy managed to beat him into putting me down. LOL.