Tag Archives: MS Maasdam

August 11, 2014 · 5:35 am

Arriving on Prince Edward Island

Welcome to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

On Sunday afternoon, June 1, we placed Québec City in the rearview mirror — does the bridge of the MS Maasdam even have a rearview mirror? — as we headed out to sea. We soon abandoned the Saint Lawrence River for the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean.

Tulip Town

Monday was a day at sea. The following day, June 2, MS Maasdam cast ashore her first line at 8:08 A.M. We had arrived at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island (PEI). Total sailing distance from Québec City was 582 nautical miles (about 670 statute miles/1075 kilometers).

Charlottetown Panorama

This picturesque bit of Canadian history is located amidst the Maritime Provinces, and the capital city of Charlottetown exudes charm like Midland, Texas, exudes oil. Charlottetown is also a very easy area to walk, so forgo the tour and hit the sidewalks . . . unless you’re wanting to go visit the house the inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic children’s tale Anne of Green Gables. That requires transportation.

An Unmounted Mounty

Speaking of Anne of Green Gables, upon our return Ursula and I rented a hugely entertaining version of this often filmed story. That would be the 1985 version produced for Canadian Television and Megan Follows in the title role (see the link below). I can highly recommend this beautifully filmed version.

Here you see some views of St. Dunstan’s Basilica.

St. Dunstan’s Basilica

And while we’re on the subject of St. Dunstan’s Basilica, here is Charlottetown’s first bishop — Bishop Angus Bernard MacEachern:

Charlottetown’s First Bishop — Bishop Angus Bernard MacEachern

On Wednesday we’ll delve deeper into St. Dunstan’s before heading back onto the streets of Charlottetown. Until then, click on any image below to bring up today’s slide show:

More Tulips

Charlottetown PEI

Charlottetown Flowers

Charlottetown PEI

For more information:

Prince Edward Island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island
Maritime Provinces: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_provinces
Charlottetown: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlottetown
Anne of Green Gables: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables
Lucy Maud Montgomery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Maud_Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables (Television Film, 1985): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables_%281985_film%29
Dunstan’s Basilica: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Dunstan%27s_Basilica
Bishop Angus Bernard MacEachern: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_Bernard_MacEachern
Saint Lawrence River: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lawrence_River
Gulf of Saint Lawrence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Saint_Lawrence
Holland American: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_America
MS Maasdam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Maasdam

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, Television

Tagged as Canada, Charlottetown, Maritime Provinces, MS Maasdam, photography, Prince Edward Island, R. Doug Wicker, travel, Ursula Wicker

August 6, 2014 · 5:35 am

Québec Part 4 — Lower Town for a Poutine Break

View of Lower Town from the ship

The predominant feature of Old Town simply has to be the impressive, towering Fairmont de Château Frontenac jutting proudly above the Québec City skyline. It dominates the entire view of Québec regardless of the photographer’s vantage point. Indeed, it was the most striking edifice greeting Ursula and me when we first saw Québec from the decks of Holland America’s MS Maasdam early the morning of our arrival.

Château Frontenac framed by Trees

That’s not to say that the Lower Town is devoid of things to see and do. Quite the contrary. Indeed we wound up visiting several stores in this area whereas we made no such stops in Upper Town. But first we would have to descend from Upper Town to Lower, and as we had taken the Old Québec funicular going up we decided to take a leisurely stroll back down.

The final steps on the descent

Now a word about poutine. We tried this concoction back in Montreal and were decidedly unimpressed by this combination of gravy-drenched fries littered with cheese curds. The fries were a greasy mess and the gravy tasted as though it came from a mix or a can. It was, in short, disgusting. The only redeeming feature was the cheese curds, which we wound up picking out of the grease and gravy. Before you say that Ursula and I visited the wrong Montreal establishment, this was at a place recommended by the locals because of their fresh, hand-cut fries.

Upper and Lower

And so it was with great trepidation that we decided to try poutine again in Québec City, but not immediately. Ursula and I were seeking refreshment after our long day trekking through the streets of Old Québec’s Upper and Lower Towns, so we stopped at a local establishment named Côtes-à-Côtes Resto-Grill. I ordered an ale, Ursula a soft drink, and we eyed some great looking fries at the next table, so we ordered a helping of that as well. The fries were great — firm, light, crisp, golden, and not a hint of greasiness. Definitely an improvement over the limp example in Montreal.

A fun café

We were so impressed with the fries that we inquired about Côtes-à-Côtes’ poutine. Our ever helpful and friendly waitress informed us that theirs was a local award winner, particularly the poutine topped with pulled pork. How was it? In two words, simply amazing. In pictures, it was:

Poutine Delight

Our hunger abated and our thirst quenched we set back out on foot for our journey through Lower Town back to the MS Maasdam. Click on any image below to bring up today’s slide show:

Lower Town street scene

Funicular in the background

Lower Town Café

Lower Town shop

A view from above

Lower Town Tower

Lower Town Façade

A park on the way down

Château Frontenac

Heading down to Lower Town

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel

Tagged as cruise, Holland America, MS Maasdam, photography, poutine, Québec, Québec City, R. Doug Wicker, St. Lawrence River, travel, Ursula Wicker

August 4, 2014 · 5:35 am

Québec Part 3 — Still Cruisin’ through Upper Town

Upper Town Québec

If cars are an indication of a city’s wealth, then Québec must have quite a few well-heeled residents. Ursula and I saw several classics such as a Shelby Cobra 427 motoring about town. Of course it could have been a kit car, but this beauty certainly wasn’t:

: Gorgeously Restored Jaguar E-Type

: Nice Rear End

: E-Type Cockpit

But, then, if you’ve been following my blog for any length of time you know I’m a sucker for roadsters in general and English roadsters in particular (The Art and Joy of Roadstering—Part 1; The Art and Joy of Roadstering—Part 2)

3.0-liter 2001 BMW Z3

1972 Triumph TR6

But I digress. Sorry about that. Walking the streets of Québec’s Old Town is like walking the streets of an old French town. Ursula and I were simply awe-struck at the charm of this wonderful area:

Musée du Fort

On Wednesday we’ll take one last look at Upper Town and then head back into Lower Town for some poutine. Until then, enjoy today’s slide show by clicking any image below: