by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President
The Eastern Canada Trip, also called “The Potato Chip Trip” was Nisei Ski Club’s first annual vacation that didn’t involve skiing. The trip was fabulous!
Here are some of the highlights!
Toronto – The Spectacular Magestic Niagara Falls
We could feel power of the falls as our boat traveled right next to it. We experienced the wind and the water spraying against our faces. It was one of the most tremendous feelings that we have ever experienced.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming town filled with Canadian retail stores. We found the Budapest Bakeshop that made their own Chimney cakes, known as Kürtőskalács in Hungarian. pIX. Sandwiches were made out of the Chimney cakes filled with incredibly fresh meats, cheeses and lettuce. Truly, it was one of the best sandwiches we ever had. We also found a shop that specialized in many types of maple syrups. Colors of maple syrups ranges from yellow, yellowish orange to a caramel brown to a deep rich brown maple syrup.
Ottawa – Thousand Islands National Park
We traveled up the St Lawrence River and saw many tiny islands after tiny Islands. Each island has a single tiny house to large castle like resorts. The Thousand Islands National Park has over 1800 islands. As we sailed pass island after island, some islands were located on the Canadian side and some were located in the United States side.
Ottawa – Thousand Islands National Park
We traveled up the St Lawrence River and saw many tiny islands after tiny Islands. Each island has a single tiny house to large castle like resorts. The Thousand Islands National Park has over 1800 islands. As we sailed pass island after island, some islands were located on the Canadian side and some were located in the United States side.
City of Ottawa – We experienced a blend of Canadian and French culture, Parliament Buildings and the Rideau Canal and the City National Art Gallery – Gothic Quebec – Heart of Canada’s French Heritage – Many people spoke French and English and some people only speak French. They had French TV programs in the hotel. We took a coach tour of the Old Town and saw picturesque 17th century building, the famous Chateau Frontenac.
Sugar Shack was located in the Quebec Country Side – This is my favorite part of the trip. They demonstrated Maple Syrup Making. We had the traditional Maple Syrup Breakfast Crepe, Eggs and Sausage. We also tried Maple Syrup Ice – Delicious. We purchased many traditional Canadian delicacies, such as Ice Wine, Ice Wine Tea, Maple Green Tea, Maple Hard Candies, Maple Sugar, Maple Butter, etc It was Maple Heaven.
Montmorency Falls is a 272-foot wonder. This fall is actually taller than Niagara Falls. It was magnificent will all the fall colors reflecting on the water.
Montreal is filled with cathedrals, rushing waterways and lush gardens. We did the city tour of Jacques Cartier Square, Mount Royal and Notre Dame Basilica.
Collette, our travel group arranged 12 meals for the week. Nisei Ski Club Distributed Pineapple Cha Shu Bao and snacks for breakfast at the San Francisco Airport. The Pineapple Cha Shu Bao was hit with our members. Everyone talked about how good it was and asked where it was purchased. It was purchased at Tai Pan 477 Saratoga Ave in Lion’s Plaza.
We had 3 dinner banquets during the week. In Montreal, during Canada’s Thanksgiving, we went to Occo Kitchen and Universal De’jeuners,
In Quebec, we went to Cabu. The kitchen was run by Canada’s first award winning female Chef Marie-Chantal Lepage.
Janet Gee celebrated her birthday there with a fabulous “Blue Chocolate Flower Cake”. When milk chocolate was poured over the flower, it opened to reveal another beautiful red flower made of white mousse with red raspberry sprinkles.
Everyone loves a Goodie Bag. A goodie bag distributed to all the members from the Maple Sugar Shack. It was filled with a Sugar Shack gift bag, Maple Syrup in a Maple leaf bottle, Maple Butter, Maple Sugar, Maple hard candy, Ice Wine Tea and Maple Green Tea and a Canadian Magnet.
How did our trip become the Potato Chip Trip?
Sarah Lowe found this unusual bag of chips from the Dollar Store called the “All-Dressed Potato Chip”. The other people in our group started to buy them too. In addition to the, All Dressed Potato Chip, we found other flavors from different cities: Ketchup Potato Chips, Dill Pickle Potato Chips, Curry Potato Chips and Beef Potato Chips. Everything was hand carried back in their Maple Sugar Shack Gift Bag!
The trip was fun and exciting. Everyone had a great time. We spent a week together and created fun memories, new friendships and rekindled old ones.
We hope you can come to Nisei Ski Club’s trip to FRANCE! (A Vacation, non-skiing trip) October 23 – November 3, 2025.
Email me if you are interested. Jeanne classicrock570@aol.com
