As I am heading to Europe tomorrow for a holiday, I will be offline until the end of August.
Thank you for reading this blog.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Ottawa's Ornamental Gardens
Today, on a whim, I visited the Ornamental Gardens at the Central Experimental Farm (near Dows Lake) in Ottawa. I went there by bus (Bus No. 3 from Downtown or Rideau Centre).
Colorful flowers and beautiful gardens always make me so happy, though I have always preferred cooking to gardening. Time flies when I am working in a kitchen; time stands still when I have to do gardening... :D Fortunately, I am not required to do any gardening these days.
Nowadays I just visit gardens and admire their beauty, and leave the gardening to people like my sister (the keen gardeners).
Anyway, it was a lovely day to be out and about. I managed to take quite a few photos of the Ornamental Gardens. Here is a sample:
Colorful flowers and beautiful gardens always make me so happy, though I have always preferred cooking to gardening. Time flies when I am working in a kitchen; time stands still when I have to do gardening... :D Fortunately, I am not required to do any gardening these days.
Nowadays I just visit gardens and admire their beauty, and leave the gardening to people like my sister (the keen gardeners).
Anyway, it was a lovely day to be out and about. I managed to take quite a few photos of the Ornamental Gardens. Here is a sample:
Back in Ottawa
I'm back in Ottawa for a couple of days before heading off to Europe.
I really enjoyed the train ride from Montreal to Ottawa this afternoon. I'm so glad I made it a point to travel by rail.
By the way, I visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal yesterday, and it was most enjoyable. Photography was allowed in certain parts of the museum, and I was fortunate it was allowed in the Decorative Arts section, which was actually my favorite part of the Museum.
Here are a few photos of some of the things I saw in the Decorative Arts section of the Museum:
This piece is by Dale Chihuly. It caught my attention before I realised who made it. It brought back memories for me - I saw some of Chihuly's works in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, four years ago, and I recall I was fascinated by them, but had forgotten all about that until yesterday.
This is a lovely stained-glass window, isn't it? I bet it was painstaking work to create something like this.
An old chair with a most unusual design.
The designers of these pieces of furniture had imaginative minds indeed. I take my hat off to them.
I really enjoyed the train ride from Montreal to Ottawa this afternoon. I'm so glad I made it a point to travel by rail.
By the way, I visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal yesterday, and it was most enjoyable. Photography was allowed in certain parts of the museum, and I was fortunate it was allowed in the Decorative Arts section, which was actually my favorite part of the Museum.
Here are a few photos of some of the things I saw in the Decorative Arts section of the Museum:
This piece is by Dale Chihuly. It caught my attention before I realised who made it. It brought back memories for me - I saw some of Chihuly's works in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, four years ago, and I recall I was fascinated by them, but had forgotten all about that until yesterday.
This is a lovely stained-glass window, isn't it? I bet it was painstaking work to create something like this.
An old chair with a most unusual design.
The designers of these pieces of furniture had imaginative minds indeed. I take my hat off to them.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
"This market is making me so happy ..."
That's what one of my friends (former Group B classmates) said, as we walked around the Marché Jean Talon, a local fresh produce market in Montreal, this afternoon. I have to say I agreed with her. Here's why:
My friend was really happy to see such a lot of fresh produce at really affordable prices. To those of us who love to cook, a market like that is heavenly. It beats shopping in a supermarket.
To me, Marché Jean Talon is basically the Montreal version of the Flemington Markets in Sydney or the Rocklea Markets in Brisbane.
My friend was really happy to see such a lot of fresh produce at really affordable prices. To those of us who love to cook, a market like that is heavenly. It beats shopping in a supermarket.
To me, Marché Jean Talon is basically the Montreal version of the Flemington Markets in Sydney or the Rocklea Markets in Brisbane.
Montreal Fireworks (Presented by an Australian Team)
About two hours ago, I went down to the riverside with a couple of my friends (former Group B classmates) to see the Montreal Fireworks Competition. Tonight's pyrotechnic display was presented by an Australian team (Foti). The fireworks lasted for a full 30 minutes, and it was just spectacular!
I captured quite a bit of the fireworks display on video, but here is the finale, which was the nicest part of it.
I know some of the hearts (fireworks) were upside down, but maybe it is "love from Down Under". lol
Friday, July 03, 2009
Roses in the Montréal Botanical Garden
I visited the Montreal Botanical Garden yesterday and was delighted to discover a lovely rose garden there.
Guess what? I went crazy with my camera again and took lots of photos. Here are the roses I really liked (note: names of roses indicated in square brackets, as they were labelled at the botanical garden). Now, all I have to do is be able to make marzipan (or pulled sugar) roses as beautiful as these one day. :)
[Montreal]
[Rainbow Sorbet]
[Electron]
[Zambra]
[Artistry]
[Countess Celeste]
[The McCartney Rose]
[Maid of Honor]
View of the rose garden
The fountains near the rose garden
----------------------------
The next two photos are for my sister.
I am sure she knows exactly why I took this photo.
I saw this cute little creature in the botanical garden, but wasn't sure what it was. I have been told that it is a chipmunk.
Guess what? I went crazy with my camera again and took lots of photos. Here are the roses I really liked (note: names of roses indicated in square brackets, as they were labelled at the botanical garden). Now, all I have to do is be able to make marzipan (or pulled sugar) roses as beautiful as these one day. :)
[Montreal]
[Rainbow Sorbet]
[Electron]
[Zambra]
[Artistry]
[Countess Celeste]
[The McCartney Rose]
[Maid of Honor]
View of the rose garden
The fountains near the rose garden
----------------------------
The next two photos are for my sister.
I am sure she knows exactly why I took this photo.
I saw this cute little creature in the botanical garden, but wasn't sure what it was. I have been told that it is a chipmunk.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Arrived in Montreal Today
I got to Montreal this afternoon. Unfortunately, it was not on a train. You see, when I got to the Gare du Palais in Quebec City this morning, they told me the trains wouldn't be running today (due to engine problems or some such reason). So, the trains were replaced with buses.
And no, the bus was not as comfortable as the train. The traffic from Quebec City to Montreal was horrendous. Why? It finally occurred to me that because tomorrow is Canada Day, lots of people were taking advantage of the public holiday and heading to Montreal (for the International Jazz Festival) or Ottawa (for Canada Day celebrations).
Anyway, I heard there was a free jazz concert in downtown Montreal tonight (9:30pm), so I headed to the Place des Arts area at 7pm, just to see what the crowds were like... However, when a thunderstorm loomed overhead (around 8pm) and it was blowing a gale, I decided to come back to my accommodation, and call it a night. I'm exhausted, and I'm not a fan of jazz music anyway.
The start of the 30th International Jazz Festival in Montreal. This photo was taken at around 7pm today. Look at the crowd! People were there early to get a good position for the 9:30pm free concert.
It was starting to rain. I figured I should call it a night.
And no, the bus was not as comfortable as the train. The traffic from Quebec City to Montreal was horrendous. Why? It finally occurred to me that because tomorrow is Canada Day, lots of people were taking advantage of the public holiday and heading to Montreal (for the International Jazz Festival) or Ottawa (for Canada Day celebrations).
Anyway, I heard there was a free jazz concert in downtown Montreal tonight (9:30pm), so I headed to the Place des Arts area at 7pm, just to see what the crowds were like... However, when a thunderstorm loomed overhead (around 8pm) and it was blowing a gale, I decided to come back to my accommodation, and call it a night. I'm exhausted, and I'm not a fan of jazz music anyway.
The start of the 30th International Jazz Festival in Montreal. This photo was taken at around 7pm today. Look at the crowd! People were there early to get a good position for the 9:30pm free concert.
It was starting to rain. I figured I should call it a night.
Friday, June 26, 2009
More Old World Charm (Quebec City Sights)
More photos of Quebec City:
This is Gare du Palais, the main (or central) train station you arrive at if you are visiting Quebec City by rail.
The fountain across from the train station. I saw some kids playing in the fountain in the late afternoon because it was so hot and humid.
This is a trompe l'oeil in Place-Royale. It looks like a real street with people in it, but is actually just a painting on a side wall of a building. I thought it was gorgeous!
An old-style building in Place-Royale.
A shop on Rue du Petit-Champlain. This is where you find many really interesting boutique stores.
A street scene on Rue Saint-Paul.
This is Place de la FAO, with its wonderful paver pattern that suggests water/waves, which is perhaps not surprising, because this is near the maritime museum. It really reminds me of the paving outside the Maritime Museum of Macau, which I had visited some years ago.
Rue du Sault-au-Matelot, another street with lots of lovely boutique stores. A shopper's paradise, I guess.
This is an écolobus, which runs on electricity (there is a sign on the side of the bus that says, "Je roule à l'électricité"). It's a free shuttle bus that goes around the city area. It can take about 20 people at a time. I consider it a great feature of the city.
Here's what the flag of Quebec looks like. I saw it all over Quebec City.
This is Gare du Palais, the main (or central) train station you arrive at if you are visiting Quebec City by rail.
The fountain across from the train station. I saw some kids playing in the fountain in the late afternoon because it was so hot and humid.
This is a trompe l'oeil in Place-Royale. It looks like a real street with people in it, but is actually just a painting on a side wall of a building. I thought it was gorgeous!
An old-style building in Place-Royale.
A shop on Rue du Petit-Champlain. This is where you find many really interesting boutique stores.
A street scene on Rue Saint-Paul.
This is Place de la FAO, with its wonderful paver pattern that suggests water/waves, which is perhaps not surprising, because this is near the maritime museum. It really reminds me of the paving outside the Maritime Museum of Macau, which I had visited some years ago.
Rue du Sault-au-Matelot, another street with lots of lovely boutique stores. A shopper's paradise, I guess.
This is an écolobus, which runs on electricity (there is a sign on the side of the bus that says, "Je roule à l'électricité"). It's a free shuttle bus that goes around the city area. It can take about 20 people at a time. I consider it a great feature of the city.
Here's what the flag of Quebec looks like. I saw it all over Quebec City.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Old World Charm (Quebec City Sights)
Here are some photos of Quebec City, as promised earlier. Don't you just love the old world charm?
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.
***************************************
This photo was just for fun. I liked the contrast of colours, so I just took a picture of it.
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.
***************************************
This photo was just for fun. I liked the contrast of colours, so I just took a picture of it.
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