TRIBES (Directed by Nino Aldi)

Three guys wheeling guns - one black American, one white, the other Middle eastern are robbing people in a subway, until they realize these people are all part of their heritage too. It’s a funny film because the people are asked to move to one side if they are immigrants or not, gay, if they prefer paper or plastic, and the division list category continues. A cute short with a very powerful message.

GUIDED CRUISING TOUR ON RIVIERE DE MILLES ILES

Hop on the Blue Heron cruiser, and listen to all the information given by the guide who is so animated, she makes it all interesting. But you have to be in the mood to listen.  As there is not a silent cruise.

  Benoit the, captain, made me feel right at home

Passing islands, you’ll find out abut some of the population who inhabited them. For example, the Darling family owned the island that takes their moniker. Tragically one if the sons crashed his plane on the bridge.   One family never made it to church at Christmas. The ice gave way on their caleche.

 

I enjoyed the animal information, especially the fish images they held up. Some pretty scary ones too. There are so many species of fish in the river, you’ll marvel at how varied they are. Ducks too abound here and they are always within sight of your cruise tour.

It was wonderful to spend an hour passing islands gazing at the shorelines and the lovely houses that dot the it. The tour is only in French, so beware if you are going to soak in all the historical and botanical side of things on this tour.

 Supplement the tour by gliding close to the water on a kayak or canoe. You can even catch some of those fish the guide brought to our attention.

                                                     Listen or dream on.

For more information about the cruise, call, 450 622 -1020

email: info@eco-nature.ca

Visit: www#parc1000iles

Read about Nancy kayaking on the river

THE ANTENNA (Directed by Orçun Behran) ****

                                                                   Orçun Behran

Unique beyond the usual visual statement of a lifeless group of depressed people caught in a totalitarian nightmare of dictatorial orders - in this case, it comes from the installation of a new rooftop antenna somewhere in a dysopian city in Turkey.- This highly carefully crafted visually tightly woven film puts us into the thick of gooey black guck coming from the antenna itself.  This flawed piece of technology perched high on the roof - set to announce the midnight broadcast of the president intent of uniting all under his Turkish oppressive tyranny. Mehmet the caretaker for the tenement building discovers that all is not right and bit by bit he uncovers how most meet their deadly fate. Suspense slides into our psyche like massive oily goo pouring all over us. Each scene is utterly original in its horror.

The plot ominously thickens, starting with the opening scene when the man installing the antenna meets his own death; he falls off the roof when bricks cave in where he’s working. This foreshadows even darker events to come. The great electronic music, dark sets and narrow hallways create a somber mood that reflects the real-life terrible yoke that shackles all people living under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-year-old oppressive regime.  Acting was terrific, and hats off to the director to capturing the all-male domination of women that strongly peppers each scene in different contexts including marriage, fatherhood and work boss. See it and believe it!

 

Parc de la Rivière-des-Milles-Iles is Wonderfully Wild

A Watery Wonder

Forty-two kilometres long and brimming with islands striding gracefully amidst shoreline splendour in Laval, Quebec, Parc de la Rivière-des-Milles-Iles is a cornucopia of natural beauty with over 95 islands.   

Your voyageur spirit will immediately kick in. Explore it all!

Canoes and kayaks to rent

Imagine paddling over calm waters while pondering the inspiring scenes surrounding you. No more looking at it from afar while yearning to glide between islands.  You can even dock on three of them and stroll around.  What a unique real-life experience!

                           

Kayaking Pleasure

 Paddles can vary in weight and size, so be sure to ask Josée to hand you a few to try them out before going.


Helpers ready to help you into the kayak

Geared up for kayaking during Covid-19

 Map in hand I charted my route, suggested by Camille at the front desk. 

The effects of this tranquil haven were palpable. Relaxation and rejuvenation were instant. And to think that noisy Montreal was only 25 minutes away! The more I paddled, the more I was delighted by unexpected surprises.

Milles Iles’ Understated Wow Factor

There’s something primeval about getting close up to nature, and what I loved about the park is the fact that water, trees and animals become your companions as you wander into the deep. It’s totally magical here.

Wildlife Close Up

                                             A great blue heron!

Can you spot it?

Ile aux Fraises

Heading back happy

After all that paddling, I ate at the picnic area

I took about 40 photos but best to leave some surprises for you.

Read here Nancy's article on her canoe and island hopping venture

Read about the cruise on the river

For all information, visit the website

info@eco-nature.ca

Call 450 622-1020 

Snapping turtle in the aquarium