This Is The End...

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I have one full day in Toronto, so I book myself on a tour to Niagara Falls. This turns out to be massively touristy - as you would expect - but the falls are indeed very impressive. The town surrounding the falls is not so impressive, resembling a small version of a tacky Vegas strip. Somebody later told me it reminded them of Blackpool.

We had an hour or two to waste here, so I went into Frankenstein's House of Horror for a laugh. What I got was a sort of stumbling walk in absolute pitch blackness, punctuated by motion sensor-activated displays of corpses, werewolves, monsters etc. And a guy in a costume rattling cages and snarling at me, and then turning on his flashlight for me because it was so dark I couldn't find where I was supposed to go next. All very amusing end-of-the-pier type stuff.

Then we were taken to Dan Ackroyd's winery to taste some of this Ice Wine they're so proud of over here. They leave the grapes on the vines until January, then harvest them by hand in the middle of the night to help maintain a constant temperature. Which makes it incredibly sweet. But rather nice.

Then we were returned to Toronto. But for me the day was not yet over - determined to cram in as much as I could, I went up the CN Tower - still the tallest free-standing tower in the world - and marvelled at the Toronto skyline, which was lit up like something out of Star Wars. I was so impressed I stayed up there and had an overpriced burger in the restaurant. (Bloody tourist).

And that's it - I fly home in a few hours!

I've had a great time, met some really interesting people, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I've learned a lot about living a more sustainable life, and what a massive commitment this can involve, and have benefited from the amazing hospitality and generosity of Canadians across the country.

THANKYOU, CANADA!

As usual on these trips, I've also read a lot of books, some good, some not so good. This time I kept a record, and have listed them below (more for my benefit than anyone else's):

• "Stonehenge" - Bernard Cornwell
• "Start Trek TNG - Reunion" - Michael Jan Friedman
• "Origin Of Species" - Charles Darwin
• "The Good Life" - Dorian Amos
• "I, Nuligak" - Nuligak
• "Hard Times" - Charles Dickens
• "Walden" - Henry David Thoreau
• "The Black Arrow" - Robert Louis Stephenson
• "Wine Of Dreams" - Brian Craig
• "Sharpe's Sword" - Bernard Cornwell
• "The Sea Wolf" - Jack London
• "One Hit Wonderland" - Tony Hawks
• "Green Grass, Running Water" - Thomas King
• "Angel Of Death" - Jack Higgins
• "Home From The Vinyl Cafe" - Stuart McLean
• "Ishmael" - Daniel Quinn
• "Chickens In Your Barnyard" - Rick & Gail Luttman
• "Raising Small Livestock" - Jerome D. Belanger
• "You Can Farm" - Joel Salatin
• "World Without End" - Sean Russel
• "Spin" - Martin Sixsmith

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Photos

Frankenstein's House of Horror!
(and Burger King)

Toronto by night
from the CN Tower

Comments

[Darrell]

Been following your travels for a while now, found your observations of Canada interesting. You've been back home for a week now, ready to go traveling again yet? victoria, BC

[Keira]

Of course you read Walden. I was looking for that book when we were in that used bookstore in Nelson! But I'd forgotten what it was called! I obviously should have asked you.

[Aunt Sal]

Another page please..
Hi you wondering nephew. This has been a wonderful trip for me. I feel like l laughed and tensed at your every turn ( glad l'm not you're mum reading this ) "don't panic" is under stated. I panicked. I also had to have another scotch and continue. Could not put the 'blog' down. Who knew. Loved it. Could say a lot more but you would think Aunt Sal shut up. So l will. Write MORE please. Its good for me. The solitude you endure amazes me. Spelling might be a little off. Due to alcolizim..