“Cheapie brings no goodie!”
This universal law once again proves to be correct.
During our 2012 class reunion, there is an optional Montreal/Quebec tour. Lack of participation smothered our plan for a private customized tour and we turn to a local tourist agency for help. It was a grave mistake.
You cannot beat the price of the tour. It included 2 nights of 4 star hotel and transportation with a tour guide for a measly amount of about $200. The tour was booked solid. There were 14 people from the class ’64 who joined the tour. The rest of the group were from mainland China. My head started to itch.
Since the cost did not include meals, we started our research and pre-booked our dinners both in Montreal and Quebec City. The travel agency did zilch in the communicating department. We kept calling them since we want to make sure our choice of restaurant is close to the hotel where we stay. Nobody knows anything in that office. They do not know where the hotel is. They do not know who the tour guide is. They do not know the phone number of the tour guide. They do not know if there is travelling briefing before the tour starts. This is bad omen +. We are all sitting around and hope for a shot in the dark.
This is supposed to be our ride on the condition of going naked.
We decline the offer. *sigh"
The dreadful day of departure arrived. We went on the bus and we went on our way to Le Belle Provence. How good it is, no one knows. I hope my prayers can be answered. By the time I checked the itinerary, I discovered for both nights, the tour would stop and have dinner first before going to the hotel. This was rather unusual since most tours would stop by the hotel first; let the tourists freshen up at the hotel before they headed out for dinner. Problems would arise. Our dinner reservation would be delayed because we have to wait for the rest of the group finish their dinner before we can go to the hotel. The restaurant we chose was in the old part of Montreal. We suggested different alternatives but nothing was acceptable to the tour guide or the bus driver. We were forced to change our reservation time for dinner and we prayed we would arrive to the hotel in decent time.
We planned to walk from the hotel to the restaurant and we can soak in the tranquility of Old Montreal on the way. This part of Montreal is adjacent to the river. The streets were covered with cobble stones. The horse and carriage made rhythm with their light trotting. There used to be male drivers only and it was so surprising to see a good numbers of female drivers for the carriage these days. The sidewalk cafes are still filled with people. You can hear outburst of cheering from the patrons of restaurants frequently. The street lamps are still the old fashion style and they give this peaceful warm glow in the dark like extending their welcome to all the visitors. There is usual mist in the area from the river moisture. The reflection on the road surface is always tempting and inviting. All the above we did not experience since we had to rush to the restaurant.
--- By David Wong
(Other episodes will be posted soon in our Class of '64 web page and also in WYKAAO Blog)