Advertisement
Published: October 5th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Toronto
Can't believe i am finally here, its been a looooong time coming. The last couple of months have been hectic and sad at the same time saying goodbye to you all, and I am still waiting for my mind set to change. I still feel guilty at spending money until I remember this is what I have been saving for. Its nice not to have that feeling when you are doing nothing that there really is something that you should be doing.... but not any more!!! Guess this will turn into more of a diary than a travel blog as will be spending a lot of time in Sydney,working 😞 but i plan to enjoy it until then....
Well, I think I had the jammiest start to my trip....whilst trying not to be one of those over anxious people at the airport and queuing at the gate to get on the plane, I got on nearly last and got UPGRADED as the plane was so full. "Champagne Madam?" ohhh yes. Smoked salmon and steak to eat. Yep it sure is hard this travelling lark. Got a taxi into town and crashed out at the hostel, previously the Spadina Hotel
where the Rolling Stones and Jack Nicholson stayed. And yes for everyone in licensing at FBC the taxi drivers here speak as little English as the ones at home!
Spent the first day wondering exactly why i had brought so much stuff and why I couldnt remember where I had packed anything, then having a wonder around Chinatown. Feels like I never stopped the travel thing even though have been at home for 10 months, nearly the same amount of time I was away last time. Having said that I do not miss the queueing to use the shower (just like being back at uni) and the what seems like constant rustling of plastic bags by other people in the dorm room. (Anyone that has been travelling will know exactly what I mean!). But its all good, although am already craving fresh food after eating supernoodles and subways. Cooking for one just isnt that fun.
Day two I met a friend Jas that I met last year in Asia, the world really is that small. Then managed to drag myself round a walking tour from the Lonely Planet. The CN tower really is that tall and the prospect
of eating dinner at the top of it is getting slightly scary I have to admit. Toronto is much like any other city really, lots of people rushing around, and lots of shops. Weather has been warmer than I thought it would be but has still been grey and a little rainy at times, so not dissimilar to home really, so I cant rub it in that much yet, that will have to wait till Oz!
London
Then went to London (yes it even has a River Thames too!) to see Sarah a friend I met last year in Asia (Kermit for everyone off that trip reading this!) and spent a lovely few days with her chilling out and catching up. Is it wrong that I was already very pleased to have access to my own shower and room? must be out of practise eh! We enjoyed a few Singhas together and reminissed about Asia!
Toronto
Back in Toronto met Sarah, Jane and Hayley at the aripoirt to start off a really hectic two weeks. The first day Sarah and I went to see an Andy Warhol exhibition at the AGO then we all met up in the
afternoon to visit the Bata Shoe Museum (what could be more suited to 4 girls!). In the eve we had dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the CN tower, was a wicked time to go as we saw the sun set over the city from the top. Food was fantastic and views fantastic.
After eating our free pancakes the next morning (yes it is possible to tire of them!) we randomly ended up going to the Canadian version of the V festival, (whose caption was "From England with love"!) After Sarah and I talking about going to a festival all summer we finally got to go. Sun was out, beer was flowing and the atmosphere was great. It was held on Toronto Island a short ferry ride from the city and we saw Jose Gonsalez, The Stokes, The Raconteurs, Zero 7 and others. Not quite what we expected to be doing in Toronto but a great day.
Niagara
Next day after a mammoth 3 bus and 3 tram journey to collect it, we got the IMPALA ( which I liked to pronounce as Impaler altho it is actually a deer like animal - simple things!)
After atteampting to leave Toronto twice we were on the road to Niagara. First stop was Niagara on the Lake, one of the best preserved 19th C towns in North America. It was very chocolate box and in fact did have an amazing chocolate shop.
Anyway we finally made it to Niagara and to the Sheraton hotel (oh yes we are really roughing it!) which was to be our home there. To say it was tacky there would be an understatement, I mean we even mad a massive spiderman climbing up our hotel! The rest of the town consisted mainly of Haunted houses and wax museums (honestly!). But the real reason we were there was really as impressive as you expect it to be. From our hotel we had perfect views of both sets of falls and the following day I can honestly say I have never got so wet and dried off so many times in a day! On the Canadian side we did the Maid of the Mist boat trip (little disappointing) and Journey behind the falls. The bridge by the falls marks the border between the US and Canada so randomly we walked across to America
for the afternoon where we did the "Cave of the Winds" walk (my favourite) where we were literally only a few metres from the American Falls.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.16s; Tpl: 0.019s; cc: 9; qc: 61; dbt: 0.0895s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Mum's
non-member comment
great hon!
Thrilled to be reading your first travellog Sals. Can see you are happy to be 'on the road' again. x