Canadian Coast Guard

My work in Quebec City was conducted at the Canadian Coast Guard base. I was invited to tour one of the Ice Breakers, the Des Groseillers. It's huge! Engine that operates one of propellers is the size of a small house! Lunch with the Commanding officer, Denis Coulombe was wonderful and I appreciated his hospitality. Difficult to take the photo of the ship from the dock, so I travelled to the terrace on the upper Old City to get better shots. Notice that the ship is larger than the building itself!


CCGS Des Groseillers

CCGS Des Groseillers beside Offices


CCGS Des Groseillers


CCGS Pierre Radisson


CCGS Martha L. Black

La ville de Quebec

I am back in Ottawa recovering from the travel frenzy that has been my life for the past 4 months. My last trip to Quebec City was busy and exhausting and I didn't even get a chance to sort through my photos. Rather than ramble on, I'll leave you to enjoy the photos of this wonderful city..


Rooftops of lower Old City


Terrace beside the Chateau Frontenac


Vieux Quebec


Funiculaire, between lower and upper old Quebec City


Place Royale, Vieux Quebec

Keys..remember those?

I've been travelling a lot in the past year and was almost convinced that keys, actual keys, were a thing of the past. Most hotels now use those magnetic key cards that get accidentally deactivated by cell phones, laptops, magnetic clasps on ones purse or generally at the drop of a hat! So I was pleasantly surprised to arrive at the Auberge St. Pierre in Quebec City and to be given an actuall room key.

Divine Intervention?

Now if your driving students require prayer..do you really want to advertise it?

A plus tard Victoria

As I gaze through the raindrops on the plane window, I bid adieu to Victoria and BC! It was a nice trip, and I feel I will see this City again. There was rain, rain and more rain, and now I head off to Ottawa where I hear the weather is....rain rain and more rain!!!!

Victoria at Night!

From the balcony around the hotel, I can see the BC Legislature, here's what it looks like at night. Yes this is a photo and is not a cartoon or touched up with photoshop. They actually have lights along the building and turn them on in the evenings. My question to them was, what about energy conservation? I was told that these are eneregy efficient lightbulbs..Hmmm..wouldn't the most energy efficient approach be to turn the lights off completely? Then again, what would I have taken a picture of without the lights?

Me..in Victoria

Walked to the Empress Hotel where I posed for a photo before catching the bus for a tour of Victoria.

Me posing in front of Empress Hotel

While on the city tour, saw 3 deer walking around

and some beautiful coastline.

We stopped at a harbour, can't remember the name, and to lazy to look it up. I posed for the "yes I was here" photo!

This Search and Rescue helicopter was flying overhead, searching for the person who'd sent out an emergency flare. Wonder if the Canadian Coast Guard SAR vessel was nearby?

I went to the BC Legislature where i had my photo taken in front the coat of arms.

...and finally...to end the excursion, a "Girlie Drink" for this weary parched traveller!!

..I don't have a problem, I'm just thirsty!

...Lisa...a few more for the collection.

Interesting Aquatic life

Saw this on the hull of a houseboat. I have no idea what it is, but it was really pretty.

Waterlogged

It was a museum of water damaged cell phones. Dave, do you recognize these models?

For Sale

Yes, you too folks can purchase this houseboat for $449K... That's some expensive lumber.



The one across the gangway is slightly cheaper at $327K, and had a more descriptive sign...


Here's my question..what is a "property tax" on a houseboat?
What part of the water does own own exactly?

AAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Saw this in Victoria...holy shit....I'm not ready for the holiday that has a big jolly fat man in red running around with hoofed animals and trying to fit his ass down chimneys...

Welcome to Victoria

After way too many hours on a plane, I have finally reached my destination of Victoria BC. Combination of long flight, generally being tired, 3 hour time difference and stress from yesterday's loss/theft of wallet scenario, I have a killer headache...but the need to blog supercedes the need to take advil and go to sleep.!! The DELTA rocks!! After the crappy hotel stay in St. John's it's nice to have a nice, clean well kept hotel with staff that are there to help you. Took them no time at all to find me advil, give me required sympathy..and kindness!!

Victoria Airport

View of Harbour from the Delta Hotel!!