Magical nighttime view of Quebec

Magical nighttime views of Quebec from the deck will remain in my memory for many years. The city had lit up some buildings with pink lights to raise awareness and money for breast cancer. Two of my friends had taken a walk through the city and up to the park and found black squirrels. Although there were still many reminders of the fur trade which was once so important to the local economy, as visitors, I had the impression we were now an important part of the city's economy. There were six cruise ships berthed in Quebec whilst we were there.

The approach to the city along the St Lawrence river had been spectacular. The city itself, was quirky and quaint. We did use the little funicular railway to come down from outside Chateeau Frontenac having first climbed the hill and steps to the Chateau. By now Quebec will be experiencing wintry conditions. The weather was wet when we were there, but by no means dampened our spirits. Quebec is special for many reasons. In some ways it has an interesting ambiance which might have existed in pre-revolutionary Paris, but without the unfairness of the regime of the Three Estates. Instead of palaces belonging to the elite, it has palatial buildings erected by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Catholic church. It's great Chateau Frontenac is a hotel. Quebec is proudly French in terms of "liberte, egalite and fraternite", yet has a pervading French Catholic faith alongside a touching loyalty to the English crown. I loved the place, the brilliant entertainment we had at the Sugar Shack, the fine mural and architecture we saw on our walking tour, the fine art and architecture lavished on St Anne's Catholic church, the power of the Montmorency falls and the rich colour of the native maple trees in the autumn. Although I regretted leaving Quebec, I was very excited about our visit to Prince Edward Island, a place I had been to in my imagination for many, many years.