Sure enough, we were soon boarding our "puddle jumper" flight to Montreal.
We left right on time.
It's only a 35 minute flight to Montreal.
Scenery along the way.
Arrived in Montreal and only had a short hour and a half connection time, so not worthwhile enough to use any of the free airport lounge passes that we received with our new visa card.
However, there was still free booze to be had! It's not often that you ever hear the phrase "free booze" used in Canada, but here we were walking through the duty free area of the international flight terminal in Montreal airport when I spotted a Crown Royal display with a guy serving up samples. I chose the most expensive "Limited Edition", and the guy says that we get to sample one of each!
Nice to have a couple of free shots!
I even tried the new Maple flavor, but I have to say I'm not a fan. I'll stick with the original versions.
By the time we got to our gate it was only a few minutes before they started boarding. It was a full flight.
Air Canada Rouge is supposed to be the discount version of Air Canada. There's not really a big difference in my mind, although the seating is probably an inch tighter and there is no seatback entertainment. And with that in mind, we went into it with low expectations so that we were not disappointed by the flight. And it wasn't the best, but we knew it wouldn't be going into it. Plus, it was "only" an eight and a half hour flight. Once you've done a 17 hour flight (San Francisco to Singapore), anything less is nothing.
The gluten free meal wasn't bad. We give it a 6 out of 10. Some kind of chicken and rice with a coconut sauce. They lost a point because it took well over an hour for them to return to pick up the leftover trash. When they brought the gluten free snack around, they brought Ruth's and never came back again with mine. When I finally managed to speak to somebody, he eventually showed up again with a vegan mock chicken sandwich made with regular bread. No thanks. I just ate the fruit cup.
We had some movies on the laptop, and we managed to watch a few hours of video.
Flight from Ottawa to Montreal and Montreal to Lima, Peru.
Landed a few minutes early. Good thing, because quite a few other international flights had arrived as well and the immigration area was busy. We waited about 45 minutes in line. They quickly fingerprint and photograph you, ask how long you will be there, and stamp your passport while mentioning a friendly "Welcome to Peru".
Easy.
Next up was to find transportation to our Airbnb. I had purposely booked a place close to the airport because I knew that we would be arriving late.
Upon landing, I fired up our Keepgo Wireless Hotspot and it connected right away. We had received it at the beginning of our Australia trip, but never had the need to use it there. For world travelers, this is a fantastic source of emergency internet access at a reasonable price. In this situation, our Telcel SIM card would not work in Peru without expensive roaming costs, and we didn't want to waste time at this hour of the night trying to buy a local SIM card at the airport. We will get that done today though.
At the arrival area, we went to the official taxi stand and asked how much to go to where we wanted to go. I had done the research already so I knew what it should cost.
They wanted 40 soles ($15.60 CAD, $11.85 USD) for the ten minute ride. I told them that was too much, and continued outside where the throngs of taxi touts were waiting. Why is it that taxi drivers in every part of the world are so annoying? In two minutes, we must have had at least ten guys approach us asking if we wanted a taxi.
Anyhow, I checked the Uber app, and sure enough there were drivers nearby. A guy showed up within three minutes of the request, and took us to our destination. Total cost was 22 soles ($8.60 CAD, $6.50 USD). Still pricey by Peru standards, but airport transportation always is.
It would have only been a half hour walk and if it was daylight we would have done that, but not at midnight in a strange city.
When we landed, our host Raquel had already sent us detailed instructions and we had no problem finding the place. She was there to greet us. We did not spend any time talking to her at that hour... just wanted to get to bed, but we will spend some time with Raquel and her husband Juan today.
Our room.
Nice rainfall shower.
For 54 soles ($21 CAD, $16 USD) per night it will do just fine!
Not much on the schedule for today. We will go find a Scotiabank ATM and get some local currency and do some grocery shopping and maybe wander around the local area.
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Great deal on this 10' x 10' Instant Shade Canopy. Clip the $6 off coupon showing on the product page and then enter coupon code Q8P38FFV for another 40% off at checkout.
And in Canada...
Looks like a nice place to crash for a few days. Can't wait to see what you end up doing on this last minute trip!
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice place and surprisingly enough, even though we are very close to the airport we don't hear the planes. The family we are staying with are very friendly and helpful. Today we will head into the downtown.
DeleteWhat a great little room and bath. Hope you guys have time to go to the best attraction in Peru. It's worth any tour fees.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a nice little bedroom and bathroom. It will work out well for our four night stay.
DeleteWe will not be heading to Machu Picchu, mostly because it is far too busy with tourists. It is actually becoming endangered do to overtourism and we don't want to add to it. We are looking for places that aren't so well known here in Peru so that we can show people that other beautiful places exist here, plus it is just what we do. :-)
Wow, much nice and cheaper than your Equador spot. Looking forward to your pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on what you are looking for and what location you are looking in as to the pricing between both Peru and Ecuador. This place is definitely on the cheaper side, our next place is a bit more expensive but then we will also have the apartment to ourselves at our next location.
DeleteWow, I like the looks of that room -- and the price! Looks clean and well-equipped. Ruth, your haircut is nice as well. I enjoyed the photo of you with your friends at the 40th high school reunion. Hope you two have an excellent time in Peru, and I'll be following along, as always.
ReplyDeleteSo do we and it is working out very well and our host family are friendly and helpful.
DeleteThank you Emily, it needed a good cut! I had a great time at my high school reunion, they are already talking about doing a 50 year one. :-)
Free Booze? You're playing my song! Haha. I don't like the CR maple either. Too sweet! Really super great pictures of Gatineau park with your family. Yep, they fixed your camera alright! Good work with the airport taxis. They are not used to savvy travelers like you. Most people just pay double because they are tired or in an unfamiliar city. Have a great time in Peru!
ReplyDeleteLol, I think just about every Canadian would like that!
DeleteThe colours in eastern Ontario and western Quebec were pretty much at their peak when we hit Gatineau Park for our hike, it was just too bad that the sun wasn't out that day to make the colours pop. Yes, they did a great job fixing the camera, we are really pleased with it.
You are right, we think most people just take an airport cab when they first arrive because it is the easiest but Kevin always checks this stuff out before getting to our location so that we know what the best and safest way to get to our destination at the most affordable price.
Nice AirBnb. We took that puddle jumper when we went from Ottawa to Halifax stopping in Montreal.
ReplyDeleteYep, I have taken a small plane from Kingston to Halifax as well.
DeleteLooks like you lucked out on your Airbnb again. Kevin sure knows where and how to get the best bang for your buck. The new haircut looks good on you Ruth. Looking forward to reading the next 20 days. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't luck out, Kevin just took the time to do the research and found us this lovely little spot. Yes, he certainly does know how to get the best bang for our buck. :-)
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