Travelogue : Vacation in Canada

Body is revitalized and soul rejuvenates when one travels to explore..

Me and my wife Sudha both Septuagenarians felt revitalized and rejuvenated after our month-long trip to Canada this summer vacations.

Our children encouraged us and planned this trip to the historic country which boasts of architecture,culture,heritage, technology and advancement.For us however, the icing on the cake was meeting friends and relatives after decades, experiencing spontaneous overflow of bonhomie and camaraderie.

To welcome us, our overjoyed nephew Ankit Bhatnagar (33) was at the arrival gate of Pierre Elliott Trudeau International, Montreal when we landed on June 04. He drove us to his home in downtown where his beautiful wife Humaira welcoming profusely, ushered us in their gorgeous home, where we were to stay for next twenty days. We relaxed to the core in peaceful and tranquil environ while their cat Mesky was bemused by us, the intruders but soon rapport was established between us.

Dating back to the 16th century detailing, Ankit told us that Montreal is a city with considerable French colonial history as well as the largest city in the province of Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada. He claimed that it is the second-largest French speaking city in the world after Paris.

During our visit to picturesque  Mount Royal we were told that French explorer Jacques Cartier who had discovered Canada had found this spot breathtaking and named it Mount Royal and from this the city got its name Montreal. It is built on an island on the bank of the crystal clear River Saint Lawrence.  

Each day was full of activities when we would visit Parc Jean –Drapeau Island , Port Road, Mount Royal Park , Mount  Royal Street, Down Town , Cathedral Marie Reine –Du-Monde, scores of  shopping malls , Olympic Stadium , Roger’s Cup Courts and of course the happening Montreal Casino. Watching life go by we would spend hours walking and soaking in the beauty, the various talented street performers , gardens, flowers and street life. Montreal was indeed charming and a breath of fresh air.

During our stay we also drove to Ottawa –the capital city of Canada which is seat of power of the democratic set up. The architecture of the imposing buildings is a fine bled of both French and British building style. Flowing behind the parliamentary buildings the breathtaking River Ottawa gives amazing view of Ontario and Quebec states.

For foodie like me, both Ankit and Humiara served us daily with delightful delicious cuisines in lavish spreads. Our evening story sessions which were spiced with my narrating them interesting family anecdotes from over 150 years of family’s chequered history was another wonderful time spending.
On June 24 after a six hour drive through forests and meadows from Montreal to Brampton, both Ankit and Humiara dropped us at my advocate friend MG Sodhi’s beautiful house where we stayed for two days.

Mr. Sodhi, his wife Radhika and daughter Shivani warmly welcomed us and next two days were full of fun and frolics and the chit chat remained around their life in Canada and the times we had  spent together is Ambala more than one and a half decade ago. They drove us to high end shopping Mall ‘Square One’ at Mississauga and we also took pictures around marvel of architecture Marilyn Monroe towers.

On June 26 morning my friend Vikas Sachdev’a son Shivam came to pick us and after half an hour drive we reached at his house 32 , Yellowhammer Cres , Brampton where Vikas , his wife Balvinder , daughter in law Arushi and of course their sweetie pie ‘ Shih Tzu Whisky’ welcomed us into their tremendously commodious and well decorated home .We were accommodated in authentic guest room on first floor and the entire next week was full of ‘unforgettable’ moments for us. There was lot of fun spiked with daily outings, singing, poetry and parties.  

Our first visit was to the world famous Toronto’s Swami Narayan Temple and we were fortunate to have participated in the divine Aarti. The museum at the temple is a repository of Hindu thought and philosophy and a testimony that the India is indeed the guiding light to the world.

Next few days we travelled through down town Toronto – capital city of Ontario province which is a diverse and multi cultural metropolis. It is known for its impressive skyline, featuring the iconic Canadian National Tower (CNTower) and also for its mix of modern architecture and historic buildings. It is indeed a vibrant arts and cultural centre.

Travelling in Subway metro and visit to Toronto Island Park were the added attractions. It was here in Toronto where my cousin Rajneesh Mathur (Raj) and his affable wife Niti live and foursome of us Me, Sudha, Vikas and Balvinder had a spectacular dinner evening which had continued till midnight and there was lot singing, poetry and bonhomie.  Raj has a house in a magnificent location that offers a fabulous view of down town and the golf course from his 16th floor.

We had another memorable dinner meeting with my other nephew Akhilesh Mathur and his sociable wife Shubra at their beautiful house in Mississauga whom we had met after four and a half decade.
On July 1 Vikas and Balvinder took us to Niagra Falls after two and half hours’ drive and we stayed at Vikas’s friend Rajiv’s hotel Glen Gate there.

Falls from the Canadian side are majestic, magnificent and mammoth and while sailing on the ‘Maid of the Mist’ the fall offer incredible scenic extravaganza where gushing of lakhs of cubic feet water per second from the time immemorial is mind boggling.

(We are lucky that we have seen this nature’s wonder from both from US and Canadian sides.) We also went around a tunnel to the Falls and guide showed us century old power house. There was much to explore while walking through the streets of Niagara during the night in dazzling lights.

We behold panoramic views when we drove back to Brampton from Niagara Falls along the River Niagara and the time seemed to stand still when we pass through scores of vineyards and wineries.

We were overwhelmed with emotions when on the last day of our stay Sachdevas organized a very lavish farewell party for us and invited over ten gregarious couples lot of singing, dancing, and poetry and chattering were there till dawn. It was a lovely parting gift which will live in our memory for ever.
 
You are not a tree.  
You are not bound
To the ground you walk on.
You have wings and dreams and
A heart full of wonder,
So pick up your feet and go.