[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 8 to The end.

Day 8 - 7th Oct> All day long canoeing 1. All day long canoeing along the river. It was sunny and peaceful and we really enjoyed beautiful scenery and long time canoeing. It was really tired though. A strange thing was that we really couldn’t see any animal like a bird or fish and smell of river was not good. 2. There was a time to bring our canoe by ourselves to next point. The guide, a girl around 25, carried a canoe herself. It was really heavy even for 2 guys. And we, 2 boys for 1 canoe, carried ours and two aussie girls as well. But a Japanese girl and a Chinese girl couldn’t. It made me think about something. 3. A beer after canoeing was so sweet. Day 9 - 8th Oct> Arrive in Nadawaska, Hiking with rainy, play poker 1. Arrive in Nadawaska HI-hostel and have good lunch, Mexican wrap. 2. Hiking on ‘Track and Tower’ trail. It was rainy but not that heavy. Hiking with beautiful changing leaf was so good. It would be much better if it was sunny day. 3. Playing poker game, Texas hold’em, for fun and lost 10 dollars. Day 10 - 9th Oct> Headed to Toronto, Hiking beaver dam, tower, falls, Arrive in Toronto, Wrap up party 1. Had good breakfast, pan cake, at hostel. 2. Headed to Toronto and stop by Watch tower. It was so high, like a 5 story building, and has really good view. We went up with beer and finished that at the top. 3. At the small fall, we stop by, there was a old lady who has broken ankle. We helped her to get an ambulance. An accident is everywhere, I thought. 4. Had wrap-up party after arriving in Toronto. Drink a beer and had food, it was good and also sad time to say good-bye to all of my good friends. ------------------------------------------- It's the end of my story about trip to eastern Canada. I was really enjoyed this one and satisfied with my decision to travel. I met good friends, saw beautiful scenery, felt lots of feeling, something I’ve never felt before and thought about my life and me in here, Canada. I wish to have more chances to travel like this forward to something different world or something fresh. Hopefully... ;) I was gonna finish it long time ago but i have been lazy to. Cause of something, someone, some stuff and myself... Might be the most big reason was me, myself. ;) BTW, Now days the Winter of Whistler is really excited and I am really enjoyed it. But I am not sure I would like to keep staying more or not. I love to but it's my first country aboard Korea. Hum... I will see. ;) http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 7

After put my bag into a locker in hostel, I walked out with my plan. My first place was the Parliament Hill. I took a free guided tour of the Parliament building, Center block. For that there was some inspection like an airport. Inside of center block was beautiful and we could get some knowledge about council and political things of Canada. I could feel that they has very good system and are proud of themselves. It would be much interesting if I knew about Korea’s one. After then I climbed to Peace Tower and could see the view across the Ottawa River are best enjoyed at dusk. There is a Changing of the Guard ceremony in the morning and light show but it was not a season.

I walked though a famous street and visit old market. I bought some fruits it was fresh enough to enjoy during walking. It was a bit busy at the market and could see many visitors. I was going to have lunch at a restaurant recommended guide book but couldn’t. I think that guide book need to be more detailed about direction and map of road.

Maple tree along way to city hall was so beautiful. I kept one of maple leaf inside of book for souvenir. City hall has funny outfit, like pyramid and looks good. All sudden I felt that all the area in Canada is well organized for visitors and has convenient visitor center and system. That means they are having many visitors and have being prepared for.

It was Monday and almost museum close. So I just took a picture in front of them. A big spider statue was impressive.

In the afternoon we, Moose tour, headed to our next destination, Fort Coulonge. Esprit HI Hostel where we were staying has adventure tour team was voted one of top companies in the world by National Geographic especially for rafting. So, all of us decided to join canoeing tour. It supposed to be a rafting but it was almost end of season and almost guides has left to Mexico.

We had great dinner by hostel crews and were chilling out at the living room. There was no one except us so we could have good time drinking beer and playing pull with fire place.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 6

Next day, I woke up with terrible hangover. It’s been a while and I hate that. Other friends were same with me. They look pale and moved slowly to pack bags like a zombie. Kaka~

On the way to Ottawa – the capital of Canada, we stopped by Omega Park which features lots of wild animals in their natural habitat. We drove into the Park and fed carrot to many animals; deer, bear, buffalo, pig, coyote Etc. (I don’t remember exactly what was that. -_-;) Anyway they so crashed on the car which we were riding and had carrot like candy. It was so strange and excited. And the Park was really large and taken care very well like their real habitat. I could feel and effort of Canada trying to take care their natural and animals.

Arriving in Ottawa, we check in to our unique loading in an old jail in the centre of town. It’s really jail and renovated to hostel after closing. There are still ghost stories collected from guest who was stayed and claimed that they saw a ghost in there room or building.

After Checked in, we walked along the Parliament hill by guide. It was so cool building and makes me I am in the capital of Canada. A funny thing was that there are many statues and they looked serious but everyone has bird and white bird-poo on their head.

We, Japanese, Chinese friend and me, bought some grocery and had together in a kitchen of Hostel. There was comfortable, clean and well organized so it was easy and good to cook. Then, we joined a jail tour together. We were guided from outside of building with history of the jail to top of the building having small exhibition of old jail stuff. All the stories were interesting and I had goose pimples when we were on a gallows and heard about ghost stories.

Before going to bed I organized a plan of walking trip for next day. It’s needed for me like having short time to travel somewhere, I think.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 5

Next morning I woke up at the Hi-hostel in Montreal and jump in Moose tour again. There were other guys who are in other package and bus was bigger than before. Also new bus driver, Jessica was positive and energetic person and made us keep laughing.

We arrive at Mont Tremblant around midday. While walking around village I thought that it looks like the Whistler village, both has Intrawest resort and small village. But the different thing is that Mont tremblant is smaller than Whistler’s and has beautiful changing colors but Whistler doesn’t and. So there were many visitors like us.

After Check-in I walk around Hostel. There is a Lake next to Hostel and was beautiful. Even though I found a canoe I was too cold to enjoy canoeing. And I found a Teepee having camp fire place. In the evening, we had a dinner at the hostel put together by the driver. The menu was kind a Mexican wrap having brown meat and vegetable but she was a vegetarian. So I helped her roasting brown meat and prepare veggie. It was familiar to me because we have that menu in the kitchen where I work.

I did laundry while prepare dinner. I had been taking a normal back bag and whoever saw my bag said that how can I travel with that for 10 days. I took 2 pants, 2 caps, 1 hoody, 1 rain gear, 2 T-shirt (but I got one from tour and bought one from hockey game) and some socks and underwear. I could do laundry in hostel so it was not that bad and stinky. I was lucky it was not summer.

We started to drink beers at the bar in hostel. I ordered a beer from Quebec which was recommended by my one of co-worker. My French co-worker wrote down 3 beers and I tried all of them. My favorite one was ‘Le Fin Du Mond’. It means ‘The end of the World’ and tasty like black beer. We had good time drinking beer and shooters together and play table soccer. And mid-night, we went out to Teepee and dance and singing together sitting around campfire. Everybody in there was so excited and drunk. The craziest thing was drinking tequila with bottle which Mexican friend brought from his country. I went to bed earlier with dizzy but they were still enjoyed long night dancing and singing.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 4

I woke up with bright and was a bit excited. I could have a buffet breakfast in the hostel but decided to have a one outside something special, Omulet. The restaurant was near to the Hostel and yellow sign made me to think a one of Egg. A Ham and Cheese omulet I ordered was really good but a bit heavy for me as a breakfast.

What I feel on a street along is that it really looks like somewhere in the Europe, France ; Narrow and not straight street and Old building but looks good. I was going to start my walking tour at the Place d’Armes. When I got there, however, I could find my next destinations and recognize that Quebec City is pretty smaller than I though and almost tourist attraction is located close each others. The Place d’Armes was small and peaceful but full with visitors. It seemed like there is a starting point of visitors.

Then I visited Musee du Fort (Museum of Fort) recommended by Montreal visitor center located just next to Place d’Armes. This museum presents a unique and original sound and light recreation of the civil and military history of Quebec City. It was well organized show and I could know a history of where I visit. It’s very good choice before tour other area. I think it’s very important that knows about where I will visit beforehand. ( More about Musee du Fort : http://www.museedufort.com/musee_en.html )

The one of most famous building in Quebec City is Chateau Frontenac. I admired the grandeur of that. I think this Chateau Hotel is looks better than Victoria’s one. Both of them are great though. (The Chateau Hotel in Whistler is big but doesn’t feel like grandeur, I think.)

It was rainy and windy when I climb up to Citadelle. So I just walked along castle walls to parliament building. Many statues standing front side of building was impressive. I tried to find small pavilion but couldn’t find and was rainy so I headed for next place.

The one of most busy street was petit-Champlain Street located in next to Chateau Frontenac but under the castle walls with bunch of cute and attractive stores and busy with many visitors. When I walk around there one of Korean tourist asked me to take a picture of them. I said ‘Sure’ and took a picture of them. Then they talked each other in Korean; ‘Is he a Korean?’, ‘No, He is not~’…… -_-;;

Quebec City was my favorite place among all places during my trip and there was so impressive. It will take much more time to write all of story but I am tired of writing now. -_-;; I want to say that if you can have a chance to Quebec province, you are going to go there. You would see and enjoy one of different and interesting face of Canada.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 3

Next day, early in the morning, I started walking on Montreal streets. My first place was an Art Museum but it was closed. I was there so early. -_-; The sky was a bit cloudy, dark but my mind. Along the street, old buildings looked so good, like a European style? -_-;

Most interesting, grand and beautiful place was the Basilique Notre-Dame. Even though I paid 5 dollars with student discount, it was worth to. I joined English guide tour with other visitors. Our guide was small and cute French woman. And she explained easily a history about there and showed us pictures of past building. I loved her French-English accent. ;) If you have a chance to go there, you’re going to join a guide tour. You are not going to regret that.

I heard before my trip that there is huge under-ground shopping center all connected in Montreal and good for shopping. So I went down to shopping center, there are so many people who are shopping, having meal in a restaurant and pack of stores. I was shopping around for my new watch because I lost old one and I used to checked time with my cell phone but I didn’t bring cell phone recharger. 1 hour later I felt tired and tried to get out of there but I didn’t know where Exit is. I had to do wandering for a while. It was so huge. ;0

I was supposed to find an Allostop car-pool system recommended by my French co-worker. But I just booked Orleans Express bus round ticket to Quebec City when I drop by an Information center for new map (my one was reaped off). It was a bit expensive then Grey hound but much comfortable and larger.

Ah- I saw a girl who have same travel book with mine when I walking on a park. She must be a Korean and I was thinking say hello to her but didn’t. She was enjoying her calm liberty time like me, I thought. I was really enjoyed alone at that time. I felt a little bit lonely later, though. ;)

When I arrive in Quebec City by Orleans Express bus, it was middle of night and cold, windy. The bus depot connected with VIA train had good night-light view. That makes me feel like that Quebec City is greeting me. I was worried going to Hostel with dark but it was not far from bus depot that I though and easy.

Next morning, I could recognize that old Quebec City is small enough to walk. Hi-hostel in Quebec City was good enough and clean. After took a shower, I felt a pain on my left feet but feel good. I thought like that it’s time to walk all day long and it’s the time for only for me so I am not going to waste my precious time. Then I could fell asleep with tired but happy.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 2

Next morning I jumped on Moose package tour. This package, Big East, travel around Ontario and Quebec province. It’s good tour for independent traveler and almost members were alone.

While we were heading to Montreal, our first stop was the Big apple (not New York City – that’s another tour.) This one is a restaurant in the middle of orchard country, built in the same goofy tradition as many tourist operations in Australia. During the past 10 years, over 2 million apple pies have been baked here for customers. It was really tasty and has many pieces of apples on that.

Next down the road were the Thousand Islands – a resort area full of restaurant, dive shops, boats and cottages. We boarded a tour ship to explore the waterways and islands. It was cloudy and a little bit rainy day. It would be more beautiful if it was sunny. The most interesting and beautiful island was the Heart island with sad love story.

After checking into Hi-Hostel in Montreal, we were off to a bar and drank Quebec beers. Then we watched a Hockey game, Montreal vs. Boston. It was lucky for us because there is game that night and Hotel had a couple of tickets when we arrived at hostel. It’s my first time to watch Hockey game and I don’t even know the rules of Hockey.

There was almost full and loud with cheering but not that crazy. We were really enjoyed and bought a T-shirt of Montreal Canadiens. And happily, our team, Montreal (our? Since when? Ha-ha~ -_-;;) won that night. And also funny thing was that the player on my T-shirt made a goal when I was lineup for pay for it. So I didn’t see goal. ;( I could feel that night how much Canadian loves Hockey and why.

http://nixmin82.blogspot.com To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 1

On 30th Sep, I flew to Toronto at 10:30 PM from Vancouver and arrived at 6:30 AM to Toronto Pearson Airport. It was hard to find a way to get out from there. What a complicated airport!

Finally I’d found a bus stop and went to Grey Hound Bus depot. Unfortunately, I missed the bus going to Niagara Fall 5 minutes away. Therefore I could get on a bus after waiting for 1 and ½ an hour. (*I could get a 25% discount with HI-Hostel Membership Card. It’s not possible on holiday.)

The Niagara Falls was smaller than I thought. I thought so huge~~ one. I joined the ‘Journey behind the falls’ tour which is walking along a tunnel just behind Horseshoe Fall and could feel that how powerful fall is. Next time, I’ like to try the ‘Maid of mist’ tour approaching close to falls on a ship.

There are many interesting store along Streets like amusement park’s one. I was walking all the area around falls and visit a Church and Gallery interesting store like Hush chocolate store, Coca-Cola store as many as I can.

After all the walking, it was a good spaghetti and beer for me at Italian restaurant. Then I was waiting turning on a light over fall until 8:30PM. It was tired and cold but falls with colorful light was beautiful and worth to wait.

It was tired walking but funny and interesting. Only one thing, However, I needed was someone who can take a picture of me and share a feeling with me. Ha-ha~ -_-;

After back to Toronto, I was staying in Hi-Toronto. It was dirty and uncomfortable compare with other City’s one. (The Global Backpackers Hostel, stayed before back to Vancouver, It was worse than Hi-Hostel.) I thought that small hostel in small city is better and well managed. Anyhow it’s true that cheap Hostel is good friend for backpackers. ;)

To be continued…

[Whistler][Vol.07] Trip to eastern Canada _ Day 0

It’s a first vacation since I started work on 5th May in Whistler. I have 2 jobs; Full time in the Kitchen and part time in the hotel. Therefore it’s a little bit hard to get a vacation from both of them at the same time. After busy summer season, however, it’s not busy anymore but slow or dead. So I could get my first vacation for 2 weeks.

Before coming to Canada, I was thinking like; ‘I will stay and work for 4 month in one city and move to other city’ because I didn’t want to be lazy in the same working environment and have various experience. After couple of month staying in Whistler, however, I have changed my mind to stay all the period of my Working Holiday here in Whistler. Therefore I chose to travel to other city in Canada Instead of moving to there. Because it usually takes long time to be used to working and hanging out well with co-workers and friends. It would be much easy to hang out together with someone who has long time relationship and friendship. I still think that I should live and work in a city if I want to know about there exactly, though.

I can’t do everything what I want to but I can choose and I believe in my decision. I am not gonna regret this ‘cause it was my call and there is no wrong but different. It was time to give me a little change to myself. It was really great trip and worth. And also I could recharge positive energy for me. Let me leave a story of my trip to eastern Canada from now. To be continued…