Day Nine -- Sunday -- June 13, 2010 -- Quebec City

7:00 am -- We dock in Quebec -- seems like deja vue.

8:00 am -- Breakfast in Lido --- but there are other people sitting at “our” table. What’s up with this?  We find another acceptable table and have our usual big breakfast.

9:00 am -- We disembark --  find a taxi driver who will take us to St. Anne de Beaupre and to Montmorency Falls.  Our driver is Jean-Pierre  -- he tells us to call him JP.  He is wonderful and a true tour guide.  He not only drives us to St. Anne’s -- he comes into the church and gives us a tour.  He is knowledgeable about the shrine and he picks up brochures (2 sets) to give to us after the tour.  The only trouble is he speaks very loudly and there is a Mass going on.  One of ushers gets annoyed with him a couple of times -- we are hoping we don’t get kicked out.

This is another shrine where people come to be healed.  At the back of the church are two columns dressed with racks of canes and crutches -- presumably left by those who were healed by St. Anne.  Phil is the only one who has visited this shrine before.  Who knew Phil would be such a font of information on ecclesiastical matters?

As we leave St Anne’s -- JP takes us over some back roads with new and older homes -- he stops at a country store called Chez Marie.  It is actually a bakery where they make their own maple butter.   JP gets some bread with the butter on it for us to share -- it is delicious.  Before we go in JP takes us aside and tells us that since he works for us he needs to let us know that we could probably get the maple butter cheaper at the farmer’s market.  He really is so earnest in his duties.   I purchase some the maple butter anyway.

On to Montmorency Falls which are spectacular.  These falls are 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls. During the summer months the falls are illuminated at night.  An international fire works competition is held at Falls in July and August.    During the winter there is ice climbing when sections of the falls freeze.

Back to Quebec city where we intend to lunch at a small french restaurant which was recommended by our waiter at the Chateau Frontenac.  When we get into the city JP pops into tour guide mode explaining all kinds of things to us -- he tours us around a little on the way to the restaurant. 

However -- the restaurant is closed on Sunday for lunch --- JP has another suggestion -- but his choice is also closed.  So we bid him au revoir -- and tell him we’ll be fine and will find a nice place for lunch.  We find Le Cavour and it is terrific.  We have a very french lunch --everything tastes good.  Patte and I decide to take Phil and Dave to the Maple Store where she can purchase some maple tea.

On the way back to the ship walking through the narrow streets of Quebec we decide to take a look at the Excavation that is by the entrance to the Finicular.  For four years beginning in 2005 as maintenance work was being performed along the promenade -- remnants of forts and other buildings dating back to 1620 were unearthed.  It is now an exhibit where people can wander and read about what used to stand on the site.  There are guides from Parks Canada to answer questions.

Halfway through this -- Phil has enough so he heads back to the ship --- the three of us continue to go through the excavation and on a leisurely stroll through the lower city.

We come across The Chevalier House (which Patte remembers visiting on their honeymoon).  It is actually three houses -- the original was built in the 17th Century.  It was restored in 1959 and is owned by the Musee de la Civilisation.  We go in --and have a look around before continuing to the boat.

We have had a long chock full day in Quebec City -- It is time to rest before having dinner in Canaletto -- the Italien Restaurant on board. Tomorrow is a day at sea as we head to Charlottetown.