Hi Guys:

I've made it to St. Andrews by the Sea in New Brunswick. I'm sitting here in the library of the Fairmount Algonquin and I couldn't resist sitting down and giving up a little info before dinner.

Flew into Montreal a couple of nights ago and jumped in a cab to the VIA Rail Station below the Queen Elizabeth hotel (thanks Bak for all the info). Day check (wink) my bags and had a couple of hours to spare before the reception upstairs so off to the streets I went.

Before I could get my bearings I was amazed at how clean the station was and the variety of shops that were linked to it. There were so many stores that had food (fast and native), clothing, arts & crafts, anything you wanted. (I picked up some talcum powder that had a pear frangrance added to it for my sister, the vendor was from Quebec).

We made our way out to the street and found a street map, were able to find a small Museum downtown. It was wonderful, with displays of historical Montreal and a film that explained the history and weather. Well I'm late for dinner. Had a lobster catching session on sea last night and had dinner on the boat just outside of Moncton. I'll try an post again with names and details of places I've seen and visited.

Till the next report....

Please keep us posted, but don't skip any of your holiday to type messages for us.

I'm curious how the train trip went.

BAK

Hi, Nigelsmom! Looking fwd to your next post!
How's the weather "Down East"??? "Out East"??

Hey:

Back from dinner. We had to rush out of the hotel to catch the local St. Andrews fireworks display. The sky is clear and the fireworks lit up the whole area. I had no idea Maine was just across the river.

Bak: The overnight VIA rail ride from Montreal was interesting. I had no idea that the sleeper rooms on the newer trains are sooo small. Bunk bed style with a shower in the room. Boyfriend took top bunk and got caught on the ladder trying to make a midnight bathroom run (lol).

Comforters are clean and the porters and waiters are very nice and informative. I slept pretty good, after having dinner (which was ehh okay). The waiter (who doubles as the chef on the older train, just happen to cover for someone else) told me that the food on the older train is freshly prepared, & on the new train it's packaged and "infra-red" warmed up?

I felt bad for one guy in our party though. He's a little large and the room was just to small for him, so he slept upright in the lounge. He recovered nicely though after a nights sleep in the Delta Boujesour (spelling?) in Moncton.

Going whale watching tommorrow in the Bay of Fundy. Then I'm going to rent a bike and hang out downtown. Having dinner at Gables. One thing I have to mention: The seafood has been fantastic! Had lunch at the Kinsgbrae Garden Rest. and the seafood chowder was outstanding. The lobster roll was extra fresh (and I've even seen ads for the McLobster, but have been warned to stay away & stick with the "real deal&quot.

Till the next report....

Whew:

Well I'm back (& loads of laundry to do). Between Canada & New Orleans I'm worn out.

St. Andrews was so cute & quaint. Went whale watching with Fundy Tide runners. The guide was very informative, but because we hit the bay on the last days of May we were on the cusp of the true "whale watching season". We saw large groups of seals and some porpoises, along with nesting birds. We even witnessed swarms seagulls defending the nests against juvenile hawks and eagles!

Experienced dinner at Gables (more like mom & pop joint) and the town's dusk haunted tour.

Moved on to St. John's, staying at the Hilton downtown. Good location, great views of the harbor and the cruise ships coming in. Went to Steamers Rest. for a dinner/theatre. It was very funny (but got a little out of hand when my boyfriend, took a dare from one of the perfomers to seriously and smeared pie all over another performers face)! Yes I was embarressed. Loved Kingsbrae Gardens (great chowder and lobster rolls) and beautiful manicured exhibits.

The New Brunswick Museum in St. John's is nice & very easy to get to. Located just across the street in an indoor mall connected by a walkway. A guide took our group thru the history of the Bay of Fundy and had lots of hands on props to touch and discuss in order to get a better clue of the environment. I opted out of the Reversing Falls jet boat ride (but my boyfriend thougt it was the best thing next to a rollercoaster). He also took great pix of the brownstones & local churches.

We made our way back to Moncton for Canada Day and because I was leaving for New Orleans, the tour director made a wonderful diversion before my flight: The Hopewell Rocks. Got a look at high tide (which was 44 feet that day)and had lunch. Came back about two hours later and after a quick overview from the park rep. we decended the stairs and walked on the ground that was just covered by tons of water before we sat down to lunch! We walked under the arches and have terrific shots looking up at the "flowerpot rocks". It was really something, giving me great respect for the "Highest Tides In The World". Well that's about it. I've got to loads of laundry awaiting me. Hope you enjoyed the report.

Great report nigelsmom! I have been curious to hear how your first time in Canada was. So glad you enjoyed yourself! Did you defeat the laundrymonster??

Hey Atilla:

Whew, just two more loads to go (LOLOLOL). Checked the mail and received a postcard from a new friend in Fredericton, NB. I have to say that put a smile on my face...When the time calls for it, break open the Icewine I brought back..and remember the good times (which might be today after I finish the last two loads). Mmmph.

And you made a new friend, that's the best!
Cheers!