Oh Canada! Day 12

Today was an early start since I wanted to be on Skype early to call back home...so it was a nice 6:30am start for me...but it was worth it.

After a bit of skyping...it was time to grab some breakfast...today it was Cora's again. One thing I had missed last time was the chance to try the blueberry pancakes...but I wasnt going to let that go for too long...so it was Cora's again for breakfast today! And I have to say...the pancakes were awesome...although I did finish off half the jug of syrup in the process...but i know you would do the same time if you were me =P

After breakfast it was time for the Hockey Hall of Fame! Now I am by no means a hockey fan...but after today's adventure...I definitely am a lot more interested! Today's weather was heating up quickly so I made the trek down to the location as fast as possible and made my way in ..but not before downing a strong coffee on the way.

The Hall of Fame is basically an interactive history lesson in the world of Ice Hockey...with some games thrown in for fun =) Firstly I suited up for a bit of shooting action where I managed to score 3 out 5 shots...not bad for a beginner. Basically the way it works is, you are shooting at a wall where they have a projected image of a goal keeper and you have to try and score against him.

Secondly I suited up for a bit of goal keeper action...and this was my time to shine. The way this one works is you suit up with the gear...stand in the goals and there are about 6-7 holes in a wall which has a video projected on it. The video shows players approaching with the puck and then they shoot and where they shoot from...that hole in the wall will fire a puck at you...and of course you have to do your best to save it...and of course skill prevailed and I save 5 from 5 shots...but I know your not surprised =)

After a bit more browsing around the venue, including sighting the coveted Stanley Cup, it was time to head onto the next location. Now since the temperature outside felt like it was closing in on 40 degrees...I decided the next stop would be another air conditioned location...the Royal Ontario Museum. Of course this decision was made easier by the fact that the subway would take me directly there...minimising the time I would need to spend outdoors and in the killer heat.

Now the ROM is massive...it goes on forever...but there are some totally amazing exhibits there. The main ones that stood out for me were the Dinosaurs and the Terracotta Warriors. I ended up spending close to three and half hours, but it was definitely time well spent!

 

I ended the day with dinner in Toronto's Chinatown and some Taro milk tea to wash it all down =) Good times!

Oh Canada! Day 11

Sunday in Toronto...we wake up early and head down to another recommended breakfast location...today it goes by the name of Cora's. This place does a variety of dishes that are almost always loaded with heaps of delicious fruits. I went with the crepe option, which is basically a massive crepe loaded with various fruits and topped with cream and custard...probably not the best thing for breakfast...but delicious all the same!

After breakfast, it was time to stroll down to the Harbor front. A little like Darling Harbor in Sydney, but not as nice...it did provide for some good photo opportunities with the wonderful weather that Toronto was putting on.

Afterward it was time for today's main event...Major League Baseball at Rogers Stadium.

Today there was a game on between Toronto Bluejay's and Detroit Tiger's. Got some awesome seats basically right behind the batter! Now usually I dont mind watching sports alone...mainly because once the game commences, I can put in my head phones and listen to the commentary. But the problem with watching Baseball alone is that there is no commentary to listen to on the radio...and the crowd is so quiet...everyone is just chatting to their friends...oh well...next time I will make some friends =P But the game provided many nice photo opportunities!

Afterwards I headed back to the hotel and did some shopping close by in the Eaton center where there is a large range of nice shops, such as Zara, FCUK and Armani. The only problem was that I was shopping alone..and I just couldnt decide what to get...so again I might have to make some random friends and ask them to come shopping...cos there are just so many nice things in Toronto!!

Really having an great time in Canada...cant wait for what tomorrow will bring!

Oh Canada! Day 10

Day number 10...we were up reasonably early and we headed down the road to a restaurant that goes by the name of Eggspectations. Coming with some pretty good reviews...we decided we should give it a try...with obviously Eggs being their speciality. I got my breakfast with eggs of the scrambled variety with some bacon and some vegetables...and of course pancakes!! Overall not bad...but I think I will try other places...doesnt really warrant a second visit.

Afterwards we were off to the main attraction...Niagara Falls! But man did we have to contend with a bit of traffic on the way there. The distance is approx 120km to get down there...but it took a good 2 hours with all the traffic...but as anyone who has been there would know...its well worth the trip!

The day was heating up as we made the stroll down to the falls...and I have to say...they are simply amazing!! There is not much to really say apart from you could spend ages standing there admiring the falls. I will let the photos do the talking...

Afterwards it was off to do some shopping in Niagara. There are a number of outlet shops there so we headed in there and got busy =)

I got a few things...although nothing for myself. Will have to do some shopping for myself before heading back to Melbourne!

We didnt finish shopping till quite late, so it was time to grab some dinner...tonights choice Swiss Chalet...a chain restaurant in Canada know for their Rotisseri Chicken. It was okay...although again I wont be rushing back there.

After dinner it was time to make the trek back to Toronto. The trip was much easier since their was little traffic with it being Saturday night. After getting back to the hotel...I did what I do best...hit the gym! Spent a good couple hours in the hotel gym which is surprisingly well stocked with gear, before heading upstairs for a shower and bed!

Said it before and I will say it again...Another awesome day in Canada!

Oh Canada! Day 9

Day Nine...we are up early to get down to Vancouver airport to catch a flight to Toronto...although I was up even earlier to listen to the Carlton vs Fremantle game which started at the wonderful time of 4am Vancouver time. And even better was the part where Carlton lost by a goal =(

Anyway enough of that...so we had an 8am flight to Toronto which is early by anyone's standards. I chose to avoid coffee pre-flight in order to attempt sleep on the flight...something that I have not really been able to master in my 27 years on this planet! But today was my lucky day...I basically slept the whole flight.

Now the flight between Vancouver and Toronto takes 4 hours...add to that the 3 hour time difference...by the time I reached my destination it was late afternoon. We made a quick stop at the hotel and then it was off for dinner...which for today was All you can eat Italian food. Not bad selection generally speaking...although there was a severe lack of Pizza options available...and that was something I had been craving.

Afterwards I headed to something I probably shouldnt admit on a public blog...and NO its not a strip club...much worse actually...Karaoke! So we sung the night away, mixed with my trialing of different Canadian beers...none of which are a scratch on the stuff back home..but they are not as bad as what they call Beer in China.

First day in Toronto...and loads of fun!

Oh Canada! Day 8

I've been in Canada for over a week now and Im starting to get the hang of it!

Today we made a relatively early start...although the bed was extremely appealing. We headed out for breakfast at a local Waffle shop. They make a wide variety of Waffles...and I have to admit...despite my limited expertise in the field of Waffle judging...these were some mighty fine Waffles. The choices we grabbed included the Apple Cinnamon (good times), White Chocolate and Lemon (so so) and the Original (cannot go past original). We also grabbed a Custard and Apple filled Waffle to go...but that was not in the same league as the others.  The other good thing about this place was the fact they served decent Latte's...although with each day Im becoming more and more attached to regular old coffee North American style!

From here we headed down to Granville Island where we did a bit of sightseeing and strolled around the water. Interesting area which is known for its arts and crafts markets among other things. More photos were taken as per usual.

We took in a bit more of downtown Vancouver after Granville Island.

It was approaching lunch time...so what better way to celebrate the middle of a day...than to go for Yum Cha. Aiming to try a better place than last weekend...the menu this place provided looked much better. The food was served in a timely fashion, but also not all served at once which was another positive. We ordered most of the classics and few new dishes to keep it interesting. Overall the food was very good and it provided for an enjoyable lunch.

From there we headed to Grouse Grind which is a challenging hiking trail. It is located on Grouse Mountain which is one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges in North Vancouver. The mountainous trail climbs 853 m over a distance of 2.9 km, with an average grade of 30 degrees.

With my lack of any real hiking experience in the past...I was a little unsure of how to tackle the climb initially...so I just started out by doing what I do best...walking! Now the thing with this hiking trail is that its a constant climb...there are no flat patches...no rest stops...just constant climbing...and i mean constant! I was barely 5 minutes in and I was already huffing and puffing and I was actually a little worried I wouldnt make it up to the top...until I past a few "fit-looking" people and they were blowing even more than me...so this gave me the confidence I needed to push harder!

Now there are four markers on the trail to mark the 1/4 marks. I reaached the first marker in 14 minutes. At this stage I was a bit concerned again since I was hoping to reach the top in under 50 minutes. But the good news came at the half way marker which I hit at the 24 minute mark...at this rate I was going to hit the top in under my target. But that was when I hit the 3rd quarter...probably the toughest in my limited opinion of the hike. Some very tough climbs ... but I reached the 3/4 mark at 36 minutes...I had 14 minutes to hit my target! One interesting thing in this stage was the fact that this was the only quarter where I had someone actually pass me. The whole way to this point I had been charging past other people, no worries...and no one had passed me...until this stage. Now you probably would be thinking that the kind of person who would pass me is some buff fit guy who has guns the size of tree trunks...but the reality was that the person who overtook me was actually a slim chinese guy...I would guess in his 50's. And I he didnt just pass me...he blazed away from me...leaving me in his dust!!

The last quarter was tough from a fatigue side of things...but again I pushed on ... no rest stops. I finally reached the top..looked at my timer and it read 46 minutes and 36 seconds! I took a well earned rest before heading down courtesy of the cable car they have up top...but this begs another question. There are signs all along the hike saying its prohibited to walk "down" the trail due to the dangerous nature of this. BUT...there is no other way down the mountain apart from taking the cable car...which is all fine...except for the fact you have to pay for it when you reach the top. So what happens if you hike up without taking any cash? You get up there and cant come down cos the only mode of transport down requires payment!! Im guessing you have to work in the kitchen for a while before they let you go down.

This was my last day in Vancouver before heading off to Toronto...so again I must say that I'm loving Canada..having an awesome time! But I must admit too that I miss something in Melbourne...but I will be back soon =)

Oh Canada! Day 7

The end of my first week in Canada and I woke up to yet another amazing day!

We were up early and headed down to Deep Cove for some Kayaking action. Now its been years since I last did some kayaking so I was quite excited at the idea. We got down there by 10am and off in our kayaks not long after. The sun was shining bright which made it quite warm, but all the same it was lovely weather to be cruising along. Around Deep Cove there are a number of amazing looking houses which have been built on the shore and into the side of the hills. They looks just spectacular and no doubt cost a packet! As we were moving along the water, we also got to see a large number of Jelly Fish swimming by and towards the end we saw a group of Sea Lions lazing around...totally spectacular!

We spent about 2 hours out on the lake before it was time to head for lunch down the road. The location for today was a small cafe which is well known for its donuts. Now I am quite the donut connoisseur, so i took the opportunity to order the honey glazed and the maple icing varieties. They were both quite unique, more doughy inside than your regular varieties, but they were absolutely delicious! Oh yeah...I did actually order something savoury for lunch...but that was finished off extremely quickly so I could get started on the donuts! =)

From here we headed to Lonsdale Quay for some more sight seeing and of course I took the opportunity to top up on coffee!

We had originally planned to go and see the Capilano Suspension Bridge, but the price of admission was $30/pp to basically walk along a suspension bridge...so instead we went to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge which is free to walk on...dont ask me why there are 2 suspension bridges within close proximity and one costs $30 and the other is free...there just is =P

But all the same...Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge was a really beautiful location and we also went on a small hike down to the hill and back which provided some nice photo opporunities.

After all the strenuous activities of the day, it was time to head back and shower up for dinner. Tonights destination...Taiwanese food. While Melbourne only has a scattering of Taiwanese restaurants and none of any significant note...I was interested to see what Vancouver could dish up in the way of food from Taiwan. While it wasnt bad, it wasnt far different from what I have come to expect back in Melbourne, although the company that I had for dinner was wonderful...oh and the Taro milk tea was pretty fine also!

Finished the day with a stop at Dairy Queen where I grabbed a Cookie Dough Blizzard (similar to a McFlurry). Another beautiful day packed full of fun and adventure!

Oh yeah...and today I wore one of the shirts I bought online just before I left...what do people think from the pictures??