Bit of a blog - Ambience - Grand Canada Sept 2022

[NorbertsNiece]

Start of walking tour. 

 

Seabourn Quest pulling in 6 days late due to the hurricane 😳

 

Our guide, Aviateur, walked at a pace. I still haven't learnt not to take group tours as I like to stop and take it all in. He was very competent. 

 

We go into the church of St Pierre. From what I recall built in the 1960's. Painting above the clock created by someone who was colour blind.

 

Sadly the quality of wifi on board precludes me doing further research for you 🤦‍♀️

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

8 hours ago, baser said:

Great information and very useful. Can you tell me what the swimming pools are like iesize wise are they heated and can you have a decent swim.looking forward to more of your rewiew

Water in the pool today 🥶 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We're walking on reclaimed land. Standing in front of the house where the original first shop was located in 1917..... hardware mostly where everything would be 'on order'!

 

Dogwood trees with red berries abound, much beloved of the birds.

 

Cemetery of the ancients. Sadly wifi isn't allowing me access to the sites to get me further information. I can ascertain that the first inhabitant was buried between 1685 -1757. The plaques are inscribed on both sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

I noticed the red octagon sign with the word Arrêt.  Stop signs in France have the word Stop.  Quebec is more French than the French!

[NorbertsNiece]

I've given up trying to post cruise related pics here tonight. I need to sleep. Not even sure if this has uploaded as no pic is shown. Should be a little brown dog. My little brown dog ❤️

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[Host Jazzbeau]

Your cute little brown dog!  Yes, it posted.

[NorbertsNiece]

We visit a house where traditional weaving methods are used to create items such as blankets and bed throws for the local community.

 

(We've just pulled up alongside in Baie Comeau..... very slow uploading but at least I'm online! Not for long 😡 uploads failing now)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We visit a house where traditional weaving methods are used to create items such as blankets and bed throws for the local community.

 

(We've just pulled up alongside in Baie Comeau..... very slow uploading but at least I'm online! Not for long 😡 uploads failing now)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Currently sat in a café in Baie-Comeau with a croissant, coffee and proper wifi!

 

Picking up where I left off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Husky looking for his hooman to come home 💚 I miss my dog!

 

Chez Julie for cloudberry pie and coffee. Cloudberry... looks like a raspberry tastes a bit like orange. Her menu is extensive!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

In pioneering days, digging for coal, some miners came upon rock which they couldn't identify. They sent it off to be assayed and it turned out to be rich in titanium! Rocks were available as souvenirs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Halloween preparations are under way....

Not sure why there's a blue moose at the motel. There are shops.... so I shop.

 

There's no high street or downtown. Most activity takes place around the harbour apparently. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Sailaway from Havre-Saint-Pierre. Much support from locals which the Captain acknowledged. 

 

Civvies on the bridge!

There are seals! Check out the two water/marina closeups!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomorrow : well today really now. Written and ready to post!

 

Baie-Comeau is a town located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, near the mouth of the Manicouagan River, with a population of over 20,000 people. The town is named after Québécois naturalist Napoléon-Alexandre Comeau.

 

Baie-Comeau proper (the eastern part of the current town) was founded in 1936 as a pulp and newsprint milling centre. It was constructed by Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Experiencing remarkable growth, the Town of Baie-Comeau was incorporated the following year.

 

The area continued to see economic development with the establishment of the hydro-electric power stations on the Manicouagan and Outardes Rivers beginning with the Chutes-aux-Outardes Station in 1952, an aluminum smelter in 1958, and grain warehouses (the largest in Canada) in 1959.

 

Glaciers shaped the landscape in and around Baie-Comeau. To see for yourself, approx 30 minutes’ walk from Baie-Comeau visit the Jardin des Glaciers (Garden of the Glaciers). This exploration station offers a multimedia experience. An interactive multimedia show that presents ice age phenomena that occurred over 20,000 years ago.

Explore the Seashell Valley, a 10,000-year-old natural amphitheatre located at the heart of the Manicouagan-Uapishka 

 

I'll be doing my own thing which will likely include finding decent WiFi so I can post to Cruise Critic 🤦‍♀️

 

Geoff is going on a tour in the afternoon :

 

Life of the pioneers

 

Combining history, nature and technology, this experience is a great way to get an overview of Baie-Comeau. Colonel Robert McCormick, the president of the Chicago Tribune, founded the city in 1937 when he established a pulp and paper plant to control costs for his newspaper business. Today, Baie-Comeau is a high-tech industrial hub for hydroelectricity and home to approximately 23,000 residents. During your experience you will learn about the rich religious and cultural heritage, as well as the strong character of the hearty souls living in this remote paradise. 

Your first stop will be a photo stop at Havre St. Pancrace lookout, 600m-high (1,968 ft). During prohibition in the 1930s, this isolated spot was a popular delivery point for contraband liquor.

Re-joining your bus you will travel to the Forest Interpretation Centre known as Village Forestier d’Antan, a typical lumberjack village. The forest industry was crucial to the development of the North Shore. Activities such as cutting, hauling, driving and other aspects of life in the forest are presented at this Interpretation Centre. Typical buildings, period objects, and old photographs illustrate a lumberjack’s living conditions and way of life. During your visit you can taste a small sample of a typical lumberjack meal which will be served with a small shot of locally brewed caribou. 

Finally, you will head via De Maisonneuve Avenue for a short bus tour of Baie-Comeau’s heritage area, including Place La Salle. This quaint commercial artery is the home of Biosphere Square, with its speciality food shops, souvenir stores, art galleries, fine restaurants, and a microbrewery. Admire the magnificent scenery and Champlain Street where the former Premier of Canada, Brian Mulroney, spent his childhood. 

Time permitting, you may be given the option to remain in town at the end of the tour should you wish to do so.

Please note

This experience involves approximately 1.25h of walking/standing over some boardwalks, uneven, grassy ground with some steps.

 

Walking surfaces in Baie-Comeau are mainly flat.

 

The photo stop at Havre St Pancrace observation point has approximately 45m (50 yards) on a boardwalk to reach the lower observation point & 25 steps, 50 steps to reach the middle view, 75 steps to reach the highest observation point.

 

Transport is by school bus due to limited availability of coaches.

 

Flat, comfortable footwear and appropriate outdoor clothing is recommended.

 

Alcohol will not be served to those under the age of 18. Proof of age may be required.

 

The experience may operate in a different order.

 

Shopping time included

Refreshments included

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 20 / 34 Baie-Comeau 

 

Good morning and thanks for following 😀 

 

Should've been a tender port but isn't!! 👏👏👏

 

Pic from theatre last night. Accoustic Andrew Lloyd Webber #IamAmbassador 

 

Views from the balcony this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Shuttle to town centre. There's a minke whale in the harbour right by the queue!

 

Brings you up to date. Will miss real WiFi. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proclaiming the rights of all children.

Edited October 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Currently ashore in Québec. Catch up on yesterday.

 

Walkabout in Baie-Comeau contd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Église Sainte Amelie (St. Amélie's Church), is a

historic building that stands in the heart of the

heritage district of the city of Baie-Comeau. Although not deconsecrated, the Sainte-Amélie Church has not been an active Catholic place of worship since 2010. Locals intend for the building to be put forward for its artistic, historical, cultural and social values, and that it is perceived as a living museum space at the heart of its community. The church features 1,500 square metres of fresco paintings, 30 stained-glass windows and

the magnificent Casavant organ. Five times the numbers of frescoes in the Cistine Chapel. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I go climbing looking for St Andrew and St George's church and find something altogether different and rather beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Random return to ship pics. 

 

Napoléon-Alexandre Comeau was a self-taught naturalist and Canadian government official. The city of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, is named after him, as well as this city's history museum building. He was born in Les Îlets-Jérémie, not far from Betsiamites on the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence River. 

 

On his return from his tour Geoff told me that North Shore is bigger than Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

This afternoon I practised uke in our room. Not long after there was a knock on the door. First thought..... someone's complained....

 

Was housekeeping..... can my balcony be painted please? Sure! I avoided saying, "You've missed a bit"!

 

Sailaway pics. Dressing the table for Captain's dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

From yesterday

 

We are on our way to Québec.

 

One of the oldest cities in Canada, having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008. Quebec city has a distinct old-world character and charm. It is the only remaining walled city in North America north of Mexico and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

 

Retaining its colonial architecture it is the historic and cultural heart of Québec City, and the birthplace of French North America.

The Plains of Abraham were the site of the Battle of Québec in 1759, which saw Montcalm’s French forces and Wolfe’s British troops face off in a fight for control of the town and the surrounding territory. The two armies clashed again several months later in the Battle of Sainte-Foy. Ultimately, the decisive British victory had a significant influence on Québec’s architecture, defensive works, and urban planning.

 

Famous, Old Québec is in both the Lower Town and Upper Town. Lower Town is along the St. Lawrence river while Upper Town, with an elevation of about 50 metres, is easily accessible by steep streets, staircases or the funicular.

On the upper elevation is the worlds most photographed hotel in the world. The Hotel Frontenac, perched atop the headland, this iconic symbol for over a century has stood overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Dufferin Terrace.

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 21 / 34 Québec

 

Good morning and thanks for following 

 

Sailing in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Our excursion tonight :

EVENING AT THE SUGAR SHACK

 

Departing the ship your journey takes you north towards the Laurentian Mountains to a 'traditional log cabin restaurant' where your local hosts will be waiting to welcome you.

 

On arrival, you will have the chance to visit the unique Maple Museum and learn about the maple industry from its indigenous origins to today, and the production of Canada's 'Liquid Gold'.

 

An unforgettable evening of entertainment awaits you, including live French-Canadian Folklore music, song and dance as you enjoy a traditional Quebecois, which is an all-you-can-eat family style meal which will be served up whilst you enjoy the entertainment.

 

Following dinner, a real Quebecois maple taffy pull will be just one of the highlights of the evening before re-joining your coach for the return transfer to the port. 

Please note

This experience involves approximately 0.5h of walking/standing on some uneven ground, gravel path and slight incline some of which is at guests’ discretion.

 

The drive to/from the Sugar Shack is approximately 20 minutes each way. An alternative venue may be used which is located on the Isle of Orleans.

 

The dress code for ‘The Sugar Shack’ is relaxed & casual

 

1 glass of beer/wine is included, along with tea or coffee.

 

Canadian dollars and major credit/debit cards are accepted for making purchases of additional drinks or souvenirs.

 

This venue is not exclusive to Ambassador Cruise Line guests.

 

Alcohol will not be served to those under the age of 18. Proof of age may be required. 

Shopping time included

Meal included

 

 

[paulatsea]

Great Stuff - thanks .