Hi YLFers --
I see I have some catching up to do! As one who loves seeing the travel posts thought I'd share mine -- a big but (as is sadly our way) seat-of-our-pants trip to Montreal to celebrate my 50th.
Mr Vix and I were both first-time visitors and spent a wonderful week in the city.
The forecast shifted while en route to much, much warmer and a bit stormier, which I sadly just found out led to floods. We spent even more time wandering outdoors than planned...such a gift! We logged 12+ miles a few days in a row, though in retrospect we should have made better use of the amazing metro!
Still recovering from all the visual stimulation but since our Canadian members freely share their USA adventures I wanted to even things out a bit!
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Pic 1: Incredible luck let us catch the end of the Papillons en liberte at the Botanical Gardens. Free-range butterflies in a huge, beautifully landscaped place -- so fun to watch the joy in people's faces! Mr Vix had a visitor land on him, but this young teen's sari brought her a pal I couldn't resist snapping.
I found my sole memento in the gift shop -- an inexpensive butterfly scarf that happened to coordinate with much of what I brought.
Pic 2 and 5: The world premier of the Thierry Mugler Couturissime exhibit was an explosion of creativity and color. Better phrased here (and I'm sure you can find better pics than mine online!)
https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/exhi.....ry-mugler/
Pic 3 -- The controversial-due-to-$$$ terrarium pop-up Dinner with a View next to the Grande Roue. Saw it lit up at night when walking by, too, and it was pretty amazing. Also the still-closed Tower Beach, and a roasting me after walking tons then hiking to the Mont Royal chateau. I forgot how warm 60F is when you're on the move -- coat and scarf long gone.
Pic 4: The Darling Foundry and glimpses of its showcase current exhibit: sculptures by David Armstrong Six. I did love the art but to me the building stole the show.
Also in Pic 5, me and another of my favorite murals; more Thierry Mugler Couturissime exhibits flanking
Pic 6: Wet and wild at Jean Drapeau Park; Roger Gaudreau's sculpture at ETS (L'anneau et le cube); the mural in #1 on a much colder day
Pic 7: Packing pre-trip (minus the boring stuff). The higher and lower temps meant I didn't wear everything I brought but I did ok. I've learned we tend not to go home and "change for dinner" so I frequently wear my washable silks during the days.
My first trip traveling with a backpack vs bag for personal item -- so much better when lugging things up steps etc. "Purse" rolled up in luggage was grey nylon tote you see in various pics -- easily held water bottles, snacks, umbrellas, coat/scarf on those warm days I wasn't expecting!
Pic 8: From Bota Bota spa's site as they don't allow electronics there. Spent an amazing 3 hours doing their indoor (5-story boat) and outdoor "water circuit" with Mr V. I timed it so we could enjoy daylight and evening views...fantastic experience all the way around!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLxHks49GE
