7:00 am -- The Maasdam docks in Montreal -- weather is a bit overcast.
8:00 am -- Breakfast in the Lido -- We discuss that it might be tricky getting off the ship since most passengers are disembarking for good here.
9:15 am -- As we are leaving the ship -- Phil and I realize that we don’t have our passports and are told by the Canadian Immigration Official that we’ll need them to get back into the terminal. When I return from retrieving the passports, I don’t see anyone so I assume my party is waiting outside the terminal. Pat who?
I get in one of the lines going through customs with passengers who have all their luggage. After waiting about ten minutes -- my cell rings and it is Phil asking where I am -- so I tell him. It seems my party is still waiting for me to get off the ship -- we totally missed each other. Is this a prediction of how our day will be?
After standing in line for anther 10 minutes or so we approach the official -- who, when she hears we are in transition, says, “Oh -- you just need to see that gentlemen and he’ll check your name off our list.” It would have been nice if Holland America had explained more clearly what those of us who were continuing with them needed to do. It all boils down to common sense and communication.
As we walk the streets of Montreal a man stops to talk to us. He is knowledgeable telling us various tidbits about the city -- we have a pleasant conversation. Just as we are moving on -- he asks if we can spare something so he can get a cup of coffee. Apparently he is homeless and we have Tourist written all over us. Phil gives him some money.
The Tourist Information Office was great -- they have maps --- directions --- and their information is very thorough. Phil suggests a visit to Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount-Royal where he went with his parents as a child. He explains that the church began being built at the turn of the 19th Century and was still in process in the 1950’s. It is a shrine where people go to get healed. Since it was quite a distance, we took the very efficient Montreal Metro system.
This basilica is quite a sight -- St. Joseph’s huge dome is second only in height to St. Peter’s in Rome. Brother Andre, who initiated the construction of this church in 1904, is up for canonization in the Catholic Church. The basilica can accommodate 10,000 worshippers and is visited by people from all over the world hoping to be healed. Phil is the only one of us who had ever heard of this place. Dave is convinced that his hip feels much better the next day.
On our way back to the subway stop we meandered through Mount Royal -- a residential neighborhood. We stopped at a Farmer’s Market buying some pistachios, almonds and the best chocolate oatmeal cookies.
On our return to Montreal proper we stop by the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal -- no one is allowed to go in since there is a wedding -- just as well since they charge a $5 entrance fee.
We head to Jacques Cartier Square --- the heart of the old city and tourist area. We settle on La Maree, a cafe overlooking the Square -- the meal is wonderful and comes with a perfect perch to people watch.
Walking back to the Maasdam we encounter a huge Science Fair -- it looks interesting but everything is in French.
Getting back on the ship is much easier -- the officials don’t even ask to see our passports.
Patte and I decide to exchange photos as we sit in the Crow's Nest and watch as the ship leaves Montreal headed to Quebec City.
We have dinner on the pool deck at the barbecue buffet -- very tasty. We meet one of the chefs who is from New Jersey and has only been on the ship as long as we have.
We stop in to see Nate at the Piano Bar -- he has a whole new group of people who have discovered his talents.
Another great day on the Maasdam!
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