Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/884046
Bota Bota A er lots of walking and museums, I stopped by Bota Bota, an old river ferry turned oating spa. e boat features two oors of water circuit, with more hot and cold tubs spilling onto the adja- cent deck. Onboard is the quiet zone. On land, the mood is slight- ly more boisterous. I zeroed in on the quiet zone, especially an on-deck hot tub. I soaked and gazed at the Montreal skyline, listening to whistles of passing trains and checking out the surrounding port – the oth- er boats, shipping cranes, and enormous grain silo. Eventually I hauled myself out and explored Bota Bota's many other places to relax, including hanging chairs in the quiet zone and hammocks tucked into a secluded corner of the on-land gardens. I heated up in a sauna and gulped for air in the most intense eucalyptus- scented steam room I've ever experienced. While locals love Bota Bota, it's very accessible to visitors. All you need is a swimsuit and ip ops. e spa supplies the robe, towels, and a locker. I wanted to take this spa home with me. Veg Scene I met up with Elise Desaulniers to learn about Montreal's veg scene. Desaulniers is an activist, author of 21-Day Vegan Chal- lenge, and co-founder of Montreal's Vegfest. e rst thing I wanted to know is why are there so many veg restaurants? Are there really that many vegans in Mon- treal? Most of the vegan restaurant patrons, she tells me, are om- nivores but open to vegan meals. "We hate debates in Canada," Desaulniers says. "We like to nd the middle ground. So, the conclusion is you should eat less meat. But being vegan 100 % of the time is considered too extreme." Instead, many Montrealers settle on having a couple of vegan lunches per week. Veg travel- ers, rejoice. "It's super easy in Montreal to eat out everywhere," Desaulniers says. Attitudes are changing, especially among young people. Over the last six years, when Desaulniers speaks in colleges, the ques- tions have changed from protein sources to connections between meat and capitalism. " e link between all forms of oppression is very clear for them," she says. e response to Montreal's VegFest has been overwhelming. Desaulniers co-founded it with about 20 people in 2013. e rst year, they expected two thousand people and got ve thousand. e second year, ten thousand people came, including the re in- spectors. An hour-long line wrapped around the building. Here are a few highlights for veg-seeking visitors: Sushi Momo Montreal has embraced its vegan sushi restaurant, as the crowds prove. Creative sushi, beautifully arranged. Groups can order a two-foot-long wooden boat lled with assorted sushi. I ate so much sushi I got a stomachache. Invitation V is hip, upscale restaurant o ers vegan entrees like tofu bour- gignon and curry stew with sunchokes, carrots, and coriander. Save room for an almond tart with cashew cream or vegan triple chocolate cake. Lola Rosa An all-vegetarian restaurant draws students and sta from the nearby University of Montreal at lunchtime for interna- tional-inspired comfort food. I got the hemp burger with house made barbeque sauce. Vegan desserts including banana choc- olate pie or matcha cake – moist green organic tea cake topped with passion fruits and chia seeds, whipped coconut cream, and raspberry coulis. Panthere Verte is spot features organic vegan cocktails and falafel sandwiches. It stays open late and you can sit outside to people watch. When you go, know that Air Canada and United y direct from LAX to Montreal. With a crispness in the air and fabulous vege- tarian food everywhere, Autumn is the perfect time to visit our friendly northern neighbor. Photos: Courtesy of Tourisme Montreal, Marc Cramer, Alison Slattery, Maxime Leduc, Mathieu Dupuis, Victor Diaz Lamich, Teresa Bergen October/November 2017 25