I daresay I now understand why people in Quebec are proud of their culture(s) and their home. Who wouldn't be if they lived in such a charming place?
This is the parliamentary building in Quebec City, the day after a huge party to celebrate Quebec National Day (which is on 24 June). I thought Aussie youths were huge beer drinkers, but I think they had nothing on the Quebec youths, judging by the amount of empty beer bottles I saw around the place.
Château Frontenac. Such a grand and majestic hotel! Imagine the view from the top floor of the hotel.
One of the streets in the Old Town area.
Again, in the Old Town area. I believe this is Place-Royale.
An example of the shops and restaurants in the Old Town area. This is a view of Rue du Petit-Champlain from Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Stairs).
Horse-drawn carriages. One of the most memorable things during my tour of the city was witnessing a horse (with carriage in tow) parallel park itself into a parking bay. It pulled up, then reversed in at an angle, then straightened up (just like you would in a car). Amazing stuff!!! It must have done it often because it knew exactly how to do it. I saw another horse trying to do it later, but it was not so experienced and needed the handler to guide it. Practice makes perfect, I guess. :)
Manoir Montmorency, at the entrance of the park leading to the Montmorency Falls.
This is Chez Marie (8706 Avenue Royale, Château-Richer, QC G0A 1N0. Open 7 days a week), not far from the Basilica of Ste-Anne de Beaupré. Chez Marie is a homestyle bakery, with all the bread products sold at really affordable prices. Marie bakes her breads in an outdoor woodfire oven, and the breads are absolutely delicious! I suggest having your morning or afternoon tea here. See the next photo for what I ate during afternoon tea. :)
This cinnamon and raisin scroll (topped with maple butter) from Chez Marie was probably the best one I have ever had (and I have tasted many before, because it is one of my favorite pastries). The flavour was great, and the texture was so soft and fluffy. Mmmmm... the wonderful taste of freshly-baked pastries. I hope I can make something like this one day. That's something I am aiming for.
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This photo was just for fun. I liked the contrast of colours, so I just took a picture of it.
