Nostalgie/a

I was back in Montreal. One of my favourite cities on my trip around the world. I went there to see the launch of Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour, (reports and pictures on my new travel site TheWaywardTraveller.com). It was really weird to travel again. And natural at the same time.  My first long-haul flight since […] Read More

Thunderstorms

The last day in Vancouver was relaxing, but something was in the air. I was at the beach – yes, again – and read a bit. But high humidity and clouds announced a bit of a weather… I checked out late, but managed to meet my host Darek, a hydrologist, who rented me his room […] Read More

Beach weekend

Temperatures are high this weekend in Vancouver. I have seen the city already. I am tired, after the beach yesterday, then GaGa at night, and a lot of beer in the bars afterwards. I came home at 4 am. So Sunday was spent at the beach again, in its entirety. Wreck beach that is, again. […] Read More

GaGa’s ArtRAVE

I’m a huge Madonna fan. 52 shows and counting. So when Lady GaGa is in town, I have to go, just to compare notes. I loved her first album, and then some songs of the following ones, but I got less involved… I guess it’s a problem of over-exposure. Honestly, what can you still expect […] Read More

Back to Canada

As I could not find a place in Seattle (that I could pay) that was free for the whole month, I checked out of Lily’s home this morning, rented a car, and drove up north to Vancouver. I like this city. It’s been a long battle between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland, as my home for […] Read More

Montréal pas cher

Here are the figures for my Montréal spending. In total, the city was way cheaper than expected, mostly due to low rental prices. An apartment in Montréal is not expensive. I think the price for my apartment was cheaper than my first small place in Brussels, rented 12 years ago. Just to put it in […] Read More

West Coast

Time is up for Montréal, I’m off to Seattle and Vancouver. The flights were good, but I have to seriously question Air Canada’s check-in procedures… tons of people, two counters open, only one person at the Business check-in, only one person at a baggage drop. After checking-in online you still need to go to a machine […] Read More

Fabulous Josée

I finally got to hang out with Josée, the girl who rented me her apartment and got me in touch with her friends Brandon and Joël, who then took care of me and made me meet their friends, like Greg and Jérôme… But Saturday we were supposed to go out dancing with Josée, who was […] Read More

TamTam (again)

TamTams du Mont Royal, again. This is the prefect hang out place in Montréal on a summer sunday, with chilled white wine. I could do this every weekend, and each time take so many pictures of all the people there, these special Montréal folks. Read More

Tabarnak

I generally got through Quebec well with my French. Montréal is basically bilingual anyway, It felt like the mishmash we speak in the office. People speak mostly French to me, but switch over to English fast once they realize I can’t follow. Young people are easier, and have less of a Quebecois accent. There’s also lots […] Read More

MTL from above

After over three weeks, I finally made it to the place that gave Montréal its name: Mont Royal, the mountain and park in the middle of the city. It is more a forest than a park, and a real mountain, rising quite steep. Lazy me took a bus halfway up, and then walked over to […] Read More

Montréal-Lachine Bixi Ride

Finally a sunny day again. Joel and I were getting ready for a ride along the Lachine canal. I first wanted to rent a real bike, but with prices of 25$ a day, I opted for a Bixi bike instead, the rental bike system in Montreal. 15$ get you a 3-day-pass, with all rides under 30 […] Read More