DAY THREE--QUEBEC CITY

They're an older group, these fellow travelers on the Eurodam.  I haven't met many yet, but sailing Holland America looks a little like sailing Sun City Grand or maybe Sun City West.  However, here, someone else will do the cooking, cleaning, and magically produce swans and monkeys out of bath towels.  Neither Sun City Grand nor Sun City West can boast those amenities...and they're good ones, trust me.  And, as we suggested yesterday, she is indeed a big 'un.

 

 

We haven't sailed for a few years and, in that time, security has become much more stringent.  We take off jackets. give up purses, cameras, briefcases, and walk through metal detectors which, for all their specialization, fail to realize I have a fake hip and BC has a fake knee.  Sometimes that happens at the airport too, but not often enough.

Some months ago, we decided that all of the passengers on this ship would eat the same food, enjoy the same entertainment and see the same sights on cruise days, so we would travel "Standard Interior."  "Standard Interior", as you have probably guessed is a euphemism for "smallest cabin ever", although Holland America is nice enough to scatter them throughout the ship so that, in our case, we're only a few doors from Deluxe and Superior Suites.  When the elevator dings for Floor Seven, we get off with the best of them.

Even BC, who prides himself on his frugality, felt a bit claustrophobic by the size (or lack thereof) of Cabin 7109.  And, as became habit, we quickly exited it and headed for shore.

 

Welcome to Place Royale in the Lower Town of Quebec City.  Long ago, this was Quebec's marketplace, and these buildings were homes to wealthy merchants.  Then, alas, it went into a decline until, around 1950, it was home to all sorts of unsavory characters.  Thus began the multi-million dollar transformation which has restored the entire area to its historic glory, appearance and beauty with a cornucopia of restaurants, art galleries and shops.  I loved it.

 

This is the official Place-Royale, meaning the square. However, since it leads directly to the rue de Petit-Champlain and other nearby tiny, twisty pedestrian streets, I'm guessing the entire area  may now go under that name.

 

It's a kitchen shop.  I always want to cook when I look in the window.  I waited awhile, but Van Gogh never came back for his sunflowers.

 

 

Note the funicular in the background.  That is coming down from yesterday's Terrasse Dufferin.  Even standing at the edge of the Terrasse looking straight down, is so steep you don't realize this lovely area is here.

 

 

There are people and pets everywhere with happy smiles and wagging tails.

 

 

 

These cute pieces of art hang everywhere.   Kind of like BC and me. 

 

 

This perfect little garden is just under the sheer cliff that ascends to the Upper Town.

 

 

Restaurants, shops, local musician on the left.  It all works together.  And, it doesn't seem to be all tourists...the locals hang here also.  You can tell...they're much more chic than we are and would never ever ever wear New Balance walking shoes.

 

 

Maybe it's the wonderful colors that make us smile.

 

 

Sometimes BC surprises even me.  I've learned that when he really enjoys an area, he will suggest that we stop, have a glass of wine and savor the moment.  He enjoyed Place-Royale.

 

 

 We're in the north and evening comes early.  We're back on the ship now (Ninth Floor Aft Deck) as the sun sets over Quebec City.  The Lower City is just in front of us with the Upper City standing over it.  Le Chateau Frontenac does indeed rise over all.   It's a beautiful ending to another beautiful day.