Hop On, Hop Off

We were only meant to be in Montreal for one full day, and this was it. The day started out a little cloudy, but soon the sun came out and the temperature started to climb. By the end, the day turned out to be the hottest day of the summer in Montreal. We were melting. Sweat poured from our pores as we forced ourselves to carry on and experience as much as possible.

Breakfast was at Dunn's Famous Montreal Smoked Meat Restaurant (It said famous right there on the sign). The smoked meat was wonderful. I loved the Montreal bagels, but the rest was just passable. I do not believe that hot dogs should be allowed to pass as sausages.

Here is our Hop On, Hop Off bus, right in front of the tourist centre, across the road from Dunn's, and only three blocks from our hotel.

The sculpture is meant to represent the Olympic Flame. The names of every Canadian athlete who has ever won an olympic medal are engraved here.

Montreal is a city of Murals. They are everywhere and many are very beautiful.

This is the only entrance to the subway which is above ground. The gate itself is from the Paris Métro and was leased and the given to the city of Montreal.

Apparently the Catholic church has lost many followers in the last couple generations. Many churches are virtually empty and many have been converted to condos and community centres. This one has been virtually demolished. Only the spire is left standing.

This mural of Leonard Cohen is perhaps the most famous of them all.

The front of this Museum of Art is decorated with a totem pole from BC, and a glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly

Of course there are many beautiful homes on the way up to Mount Royal. The prices increase as you go higher.

Saint Joseph's Oratory at the top of Mount Royal

Our only view of the Olympic Stadium was from a great distance

We wandered casually through the heat on Rue St. Paul and ducked into a little restaurant for lunch and a cold beer. We did not sit outside on the patio.

After lunch we visited "The Village" where the Pride flag is represented by a massive array of coloured lights hanging over the street.