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To the Editor:
On our recent trip to Eastern Canada, we didn’t take Safety Harbor’s Tropical Breeze to visit the Maid of Mist at Niagara Falls, where she has probably been before.
Instead, we took her to stand on the podium outside of the large stadium where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Canada. It was Canada’s time to shine.
Yes, we did see Niagara Falls first and then on to Kingston and Quebec City. Our granddaughter had told us before we left on the trip that we would love Old Quebec and she certainly was correct. We toured the grand Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel, standing majestic on a hill over looking the St. Lawrence River. It is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world. From there, we took the funicular down into the lower city. Here, we visited Place Royale with its beautiful Egise Notre Dame Des Victoires church and a hand painted mural that covered the whole side of a building. The mural depicts the history of the city, dating back to its founding in 1608. The city was preparing for a big 400-year celebration on July I”. Then we went on to the grand city of Montreal, where we viewed its Notre Dame Cathedral, started in 1820 and a miniature of the one in Paris, but much brighter and more spectacular.
By the way, Quebec and Montreal’s populations are 80% French speaking, so brush up on this language if you are planning to visit there. Contrary to a lot than you might have heard, the people in both cities do speak English and they were extremely friendly to us.
So maybe your next trip will be to visit these grand cities. Each will be delighted to see you. Make sure that your digital camera is charged and that you have a big memory stick in it. Put on your comfortable Nikes for you’ll need them for walking. And don’t forget to brush up on your French.
And oh yes, we did end our tour with the Capital City of Ottawa, with it’s fabulous government buildings and its unique sculpture of a spider outside of the Art Museum.
Sortie. (means exit in Canada)
Ray and Ellie Weaver
Clearwater
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Ray Weaver poses with Tropical Breeze outside of the stadium where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Canada.
photo for Tropical Breeze courtesy Ray and Ellie Weaver
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