01 Oct 2012
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
We arrived Quebec City for an overnight with the highlight for 16 of us being an ultra deluxe tour that started with a horse and carriage ride and tour to the famous Chateau Frontenac to “enjoy an exquisite four-course seasonal gourmet dinner, complemented by the appropriate wine.”
Because of inclement weather they said that they needed to switch limousine service. OK, but we all showed up to hear that limos were out but town cars would take us. Also OK, but then they said it was taxi transportation. Again OK, but they kept us waiting an hour on the gangway and then a bus showed up. No guide either.
It turns out the important Chateau Frontenac is just a hotel built by Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1893 to attract tourists. It worked on us!
The elegant four-course meal was a fixed 3-course meal with terrible selections.
Finally after uniform uproar they gave us other selections that actually were quite good. Their “appropriate wine” we found on the Internet retailing for $6.35 a bottle. They allowed seconds though. Not too many takers.
What do you want for $339 a person? Allyn is in charge of discussions with management today.
29 Sep 2012
Seabourn Sojourn Montreal - Boston
I’m tired of packing, unpacking, and airports. Now I remember why I like cruising so much.
We have been in six hotels in the last two weeks and had a great time, but we are exhausted.
Today we boarded the beautiful Seabourn Sojourn for a 10-day cruise from Montreal to Boston. We will be in nine ports, but with no stress. Beautiful cabin; huge deck; rainy day.
I am hoping to catch the fall foliage.
28 Sep 2012
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Hi from Montreal. This city, particularly the old part, and upper end residential part is beautiful and charming maintaining a European elegance to it.
Many of the old buildings date back over 300 years which puts it right there with New York and Boston in North America.
They were the largest Canadian city, but the separatists drove out lots of people and businesses in the 70s making it now number two to Toronto.
It occupies most of an island that is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. (Love that word confluence)
It is the second largest French-speaking city in the world (behind Paris of course).
Annually they average 163 days of measurable precipitation, which includes 85 inches of snow.
The highlight was dinner with a college pledge brother, Miki Lane, whom I had not seen for 44 years.
26 Sep 2012
Queens, NY
We rode a subway to Queens for Yom Kippur services with our friend Steve Schlesinger.
I’m thinking maybe tomorrow I’ll spring for a limo.
25 Sep 2012
New York, NY
For the next couple days we are in New York City. The UN is in session so we decided to stay at the Trump International Hotel over on the West Side. Nice room, nice view, ridiculous price.
As usual the first stop was Carnegie Deli. As usual it was still good, but not as good as previously.
New York dining is top notch, but that doesn’t just mean fancy, fancy. We had a great light bite at PJ Clarke’s. Hey are you looking for a useful new app? Allyn and I both have a flashlight app on our iphones.