m | o | n | t | r | e | a

March 2005

Montreal is touted as the most romantic city in North America, and I think Shawn and I picked the most romantic hotel! It is called Auberge du Vieux Port. With its brick walls, enormous picture windows facing the old port, iron-framed bed with a real down comforter, this was the perfect place to relax.
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We arrived late Thursday night, but they kept the kitchen open for us at their Zagat rated restaurant called Les Remparts. We enjoyed buffalo carpaccio, quail, filet mignon in a delicious wine sauce, and especially the coffee creme brulee with chocolate chips! Not bad for a midnight snack! Yummy!
Small Image \| Large Image Shawn	Small Image \| Large Image Quail		Small Image \| Large Image Filet mignon in wine sauce	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn and Dre enjoy the filet mignon! Cheers!
The next morning, we started at a delicious patiserie and then headed for the peak of Mont-Royal, Montreal's most enduring symbol. The cold was bitter, and Shawn did not have a hat or gloves. I had gloves, but no hat. We took these pictures from the peak and would not let our taxi driver escape without us. It was just TOO cold!
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Do I look cool? Actually, I am freezing!	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Our taxi driver took us to the underground mall, which was really amazing. I bought a pair of sandals and a hat. Shawn bought gloves and a hat. We were ready to go outside but we were so nice and warm. Instead, we caught a taxi back to the hotel and took a lovely nap before dinner.
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Friday evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Caprices de Nicolas, one of Montreal's most luxurious restaurants. The food was from the region but very modern. The sommelier was great, too! I even ended up having another champagne cockatil at the end of my meal because it was SO good!
Small Image \| Large Image Fancy stuffed ravioli with proscuitto chips	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn ate salmon and caviar at every meal!	Small Image \| Large Image Reindeer filet. Rudolf tastes great!	Small Image \| Large Image Beef and a salad for me	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
Small Image \| Large Image And this cheese here is our stinkiest...	Small Image \| Large Image Blood orange foam! This dessert is wierd!	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn and Dre at Caprices de Nicolas	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn in the snow outside our hotel	Small Image \| Large Image Dre in the snow
We spent Saturday at the Botantical Garden. It was magnificent! They have ten greenhouses where plants from all over the world are growing! My parents would have loved the orchid and aroid greenhouse. They have about 1,900 different orchid species and hybrids.
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	Small Image \| Large Image IMG_3835.JPG		Small Image \| Large Image IMG_3830.JPG
The arid regions greenhouse was really neat. The spotlight is on cacti and agaves from the Americas and euphorbias and aloes from Africa. It was so nice to be warm and dry in this greenhouse while the snow was piling up outside!
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Another world	Small Image \| Large Image Where are the vultures?	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
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	Small Image \| Large Image Strange cacti	Small Image \| Large Image Wierd	Small Image \| Large Image
The "Garden of Weedlessness" was definitely our favorite greenhouse! There were so many gorgeous and old bonsai.
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The "Butterflies Go Free" was a temporary exhibit in one of the greenhouses. Most of the people visiting the botanical garden were there to see the butterflies. It was nice, and it made us both think of Alan Chin Lee.
Small Image \| Large Image Dre getting her camera ready at the feeding station.	Small Image \| Large Image Butterflies feeding	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Real coccoon curtains!	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn
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The Insectarium was a brisk walk from the greenhouses. It is actually the largest of its kind in the world, housing some 160,000 live and mounted specimens. I just wanted to know my weight in ants.
Small Image \| Large Image View of the Parc Olympique	Small Image \| Large Image It's cold.	Small Image \| Large Image Brrrr	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image Are we there yet?	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image I weigh 3,000,000 ants! With my coat on though.
The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montreal is a 3,800 seat neo-Gothic church. It has a star-studded blue vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows from Limoges, and a 7,000-pipe organ! Another interesting fact: Celine Dion was married here and christened her children here.
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image The organ	Small Image \| Large Image The main altar
To top off our romantic weekend, Shawn took me on a carriage ride around the old city. It was so nice to be there with him (as he kept me warm under the two blankets). It was snowing like crazy, so afterwards we took a nap to get energized (and warm again) for dinner.
Small Image \| Large Image Shawn under the covers	Small Image \| Large Image Carriages	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Us huddled together	Small Image \| Large Image
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Aix Cuisine du Terroir is Old Montreal's newest restaurant. It is located at street level of the Hotel Place d'Armes and is based on traditional French brasserie style and cuisine. The decor is very modern and clean. We had a great meal but were a little disappointed at the wine pairings - Californian. We would have liked to have more French wines with our French fries!
Small Image \| Large Image Onion tart with cheese	Small Image \| Large Image More salmon for Shawn	Small Image \| Large Image Lamb	Small Image \| Large Image Filet mignon with frites	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!	Small Image \| Large Image We don't want to leave Montreal!	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
Why is it that the nicest weather is always on the day one plans on leaving? Either way, Montreal is a beautiful city, and we would really like to come back here when it is warm!
Small Image \| Large Image Delicious hot chocolate for breakfast	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
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Montreal is touted as the most romantic city in North America, and I think Shawn and I picked the most romantic hotel! It is called Auberge du Vieux Port. With its brick walls, enormous picture windows facing the old port, iron-framed bed with a real down comforter, this was the perfect place to relax.
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
We arrived late Thursday night, but they kept the kitchen open for us at their Zagat rated restaurant called Les Remparts. We enjoyed buffalo carpaccio, quail, filet mignon in a delicious wine sauce, and especially the coffee creme brulee with chocolate chips! Not bad for a midnight snack! Yummy!
Small Image \| Large Image Shawn	Small Image \| Large Image Quail		Small Image \| Large Image Filet mignon in wine sauce	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn and Dre enjoy the filet mignon! Cheers!
The next morning, we started at a delicious patiserie and then headed for the peak of Mont-Royal, Montreal's most enduring symbol. The cold was bitter, and Shawn did not have a hat or gloves. I had gloves, but no hat. We took these pictures from the peak and would not let our taxi driver escape without us. It was just TOO cold!
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Do I look cool? Actually, I am freezing!	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Our taxi driver took us to the underground mall, which was really amazing. I bought a pair of sandals and a hat. Shawn bought gloves and a hat. We were ready to go outside but we were so nice and warm. Instead, we caught a taxi back to the hotel and took a lovely nap before dinner.
	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Friday evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Caprices de Nicolas, one of Montreal's most luxurious restaurants. The food was from the region but very modern. The sommelier was great, too! I even ended up having another champagne cockatil at the end of my meal because it was SO good!
Small Image \| Large Image Fancy stuffed ravioli with proscuitto chips	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn ate salmon and caviar at every meal!	Small Image \| Large Image Reindeer filet. Rudolf tastes great!	Small Image \| Large Image Beef and a salad for me	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
Small Image \| Large Image And this cheese here is our stinkiest...	Small Image \| Large Image Blood orange foam! This dessert is wierd!	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn and Dre at Caprices de Nicolas	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn in the snow outside our hotel	Small Image \| Large Image Dre in the snow
We spent Saturday at the Botantical Garden. It was magnificent! They have ten greenhouses where plants from all over the world are growing! My parents would have loved the orchid and aroid greenhouse. They have about 1,900 different orchid species and hybrids.
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image IMG_3835.JPG		Small Image \| Large Image IMG_3830.JPG
The arid regions greenhouse was really neat. The spotlight is on cacti and agaves from the Americas and euphorbias and aloes from Africa. It was so nice to be warm and dry in this greenhouse while the snow was piling up outside!
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Another world	Small Image \| Large Image Where are the vultures?	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image Strange cacti	Small Image \| Large Image Wierd	Small Image \| Large Image
The "Garden of Weedlessness" was definitely our favorite greenhouse! There were so many gorgeous and old bonsai.
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
The "Butterflies Go Free" was a temporary exhibit in one of the greenhouses. Most of the people visiting the botanical garden were there to see the butterflies. It was nice, and it made us both think of Alan Chin Lee.
Small Image \| Large Image Dre getting her camera ready at the feeding station.	Small Image \| Large Image Butterflies feeding	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Real coccoon curtains!	Small Image \| Large Image Shawn
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image		Small Image \| Large Image
The Insectarium was a brisk walk from the greenhouses. It is actually the largest of its kind in the world, housing some 160,000 live and mounted specimens. I just wanted to know my weight in ants.
Small Image \| Large Image View of the Parc Olympique	Small Image \| Large Image It's cold.	Small Image \| Large Image Brrrr	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image Are we there yet?	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image I weigh 3,000,000 ants! With my coat on though.
The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montreal is a 3,800 seat neo-Gothic church. It has a star-studded blue vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows from Limoges, and a 7,000-pipe organ! Another interesting fact: Celine Dion was married here and christened her children here.
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image The organ	Small Image \| Large Image The main altar
To top off our romantic weekend, Shawn took me on a carriage ride around the old city. It was so nice to be there with him (as he kept me warm under the two blankets). It was snowing like crazy, so afterwards we took a nap to get energized (and warm again) for dinner.
Small Image \| Large Image Shawn under the covers	Small Image \| Large Image Carriages	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image Us huddled together	Small Image \| Large Image
	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
Aix Cuisine du Terroir is Old Montreal's newest restaurant. It is located at street level of the Hotel Place d'Armes and is based on traditional French brasserie style and cuisine. The decor is very modern and clean. We had a great meal but were a little disappointed at the wine pairings - Californian. We would have liked to have more French wines with our French fries!
Small Image \| Large Image Onion tart with cheese	Small Image \| Large Image More salmon for Shawn	Small Image \| Large Image Lamb	Small Image \| Large Image Filet mignon with frites	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!	Small Image \| Large Image We don't want to leave Montreal!	Small Image \| Large Image Cheers!
Why is it that the nicest weather is always on the day one plans on leaving? Either way, Montreal is a beautiful city, and we would really like to come back here when it is warm!
Small Image \| Large Image Delicious hot chocolate for breakfast	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image	Small Image \| Large Image
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