While in Montreal despite spending most of our holidays in the hospital, we did get to walk around some of the iconic 1976 Olympic Stadium.
Two different views of the iconic stadium tower which, by the way, you can go up inside to the top. But it’s all stairs and, well, I’m not that crazy.
Also, next door to the stadium, the planetarium had this fantastic building …
An oddly angled beehive version of the leaning tower of Pisa maybe?
Then, on the rainiest day possible, I mean, look at the waterfall coming off the building, we went to what was once the olympic velodrome, and what is now the Bio Dome. A fascinating looking squat building that was totally transformed to accommodate, well, all sorts of weird and wonderful animals.
I’m just glad it only rained the one day and for most of that day, we were inside communing with nature.
Despite the amount of rain the poured out of the sky on the first Monday we were in Montreal, we had tickets booked to visit the Bio Dome in the afternoon and, like two crazies, decided to get a taxi and brave the weather.
As you can see, it was raining so hard, there was a waterfall.
Once inside though, we visited the North pole to the Amazon and saw penguins, capybaras, otters, turtles and piranhas and a lot of very colourful birds.
It’s Sunday and I realise that I haven’t really shared any photos from our trip to Montreal, which as you know kind of got overshadowed by other events. So, here I am looking to rectify that with a few of my favourite photos from the Chinese Garden at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. One of the main reasons for us choosing to go and play tourist at Montreal in the first place. Neither of us had ever been before.
Crane Flight & Cherry Blossom panal
First of all, these gardens alone need a day to go around let alone the rest of the botanical gardens. So I was glad we managed to get a whole morning there before I ended up in hospital.
Chinese Tea House, Montreal Botanical Gardens
One of the most stunning parts about this garden are the buildings, done in traditional period style, and the formal gardens that surround them. All go to make up a harmonious mini village. From the lake to the pagoda to the bonsai tree garden, to the tea house and other pavilions. It was mesmerising, and tranquil.
Chinese Tea House, Lake, Bridge & Pagoda
I can definitely recommend visiting the gardens and making sure they spend at least 2 to 3 mornings, or afternoon visits in order to see it all. And don’t forget to ring the bell before you leave …
Chinese Bronze Prayer Bell
Until next time.
Is this the way to the secret garden?
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do …
Mum, is it edible?
Barking up the wrong tree? Maybe …
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 30: Solitude
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 29: Winding
You do see some curious things in the neighbourhood … an elevated house having it’s foundations fixed.
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 28: Ephemeral
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 27: Collective
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 26: Bridge
For context, the bridge in the far distance spans part of the St Lawrence river connecting the ile D’Orleans with Quebec and is the only road on and off the island.
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 25: Decay
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 24: Bloom
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 23: Fracture
[this is the closest photo I have to fulfil “fracture”]
