More Toronto delights!!

Morning bloggers, well once again I am sat by my picture window looking out at the lake and Toronto skyline ready to enthral you all with my day two escapades.  Either that or bore you rigid, but my viewing figures are looking good so keep sharing and maybe, just maybe, I could end up being the next Bill Bryson (minus the beard).

So, day two started the same as this one, blogging on to an beautiful sunset and was all about walking in the sunshine and experiencing Toronto at street level, rather than from the top of a very wet bus!

I headed out along the waterfront on my doorstep, taking in the early morning sunshine and smiling as it warmed my face (it was now 8am not 5am) and as I was crossing the little bridge to the marina I heard bagpipes.  Yes bagpipes, squealing away in the morning sun.  And then there were lots of children in kilts.  Intrigued I wandered on only to stumble on a Scottish Dancing competition! Random but entertaining none the less. 

Moving on I headed off walking through the skyscrapers glistening in the sunshine and marvelled at the sight.  I have been lucky enough to visit many cities on my travels, and the architecture always fascinates me.  The buildings may look all the same in pictures, but in the flesh each one is different and I never tire of exploring them. A particularly photogenic street with old brick low rises was teaming with what looked like a film production team.  Yep it definitely was but what they were filming I have no idea, but look out for a nosey ginger bird poking her face into cameras in the next blockbuster you watch at the pictures.....

I stopped on Queen Street for a bit of breakfast and the dark chocolate, banana and strawberry pancake did the job splendidly. All fuelled up I tromped on as the sun heated up and found myself in Kensington, a really hip and funky district and sipped a rhubarb lemonade while taking in the shabby rustic charm of the graffiti art designed buildings and hashed together chic shops.  Bought a fab drawing from a lovely local artist whose Dad was born in Dartford in1910 or thereabouts! Who'd a thunk it!

The streets then linked into China Town with the familiar bustling mix of crispy ducks hanging in windows, noodle bars, weird and wonderful vegetables and fruits, waving cats and pokemon.  Still full from the pancake, I resisted the temptation and headed off.  It was a Saturday so the city was bustling but the residential back streets were quiet and there were some lovely little houses, all with views of those skyscrapers but still feeling like a little village.

Started to get a bit peckish so decided to hunt down the local delicacy recommened by the ever so soaked guide from the flooded bus yesterday.  Poutin.  No, not potato vodka as I first thought, but chips.  With cheese.  And gravy.  Yep, that is the local favourite next to the amazing hot dogs that are everywhere.  I can see why.  Despite its appearance and my initial reservations I chowed down and it was lush!!

There were now three things left on my to do list.  Boat trip, CN Tower and beer.  In that order.  So off I went, back down to the marina for the trip out to the Toronto islands which are just off shore.  It was a lovely little jaunt in the now afternoon sun, made even more entertaining by the eclectic mix of tourists.  Found the one and only local on the boat, a very lovely lady who was showing her friends from Switzerland the sights of her home town.  An admirable task, made even more so when I met said friends.....

Boat trip ticked off it was now time for me to ascend the heights of the CN Tower, Toronto's most recognisable landmark and seen from almost everywhere in the city (as you can see from most of my pics!!)  As you know from my previous travels I am no stranger to a big old tower with a view and I am sure there will be more before this trip is up, and this one did not disappoint on all counts.  Firstly it provided amazing views of the city and beyond (as far as NY and Niagra I was reliably informed, but as the helpful maps that usually accompany this type of attraction appear to never have been needed I had no idea if I was looking in the right direction!!)  It also gave me plenty of subjects for my 'guess the nationality of the tourist by the clothes they are wearing and their manners' game.  If there were a World Championship at it, the crown would be mine every year.  Shame you can't buy manners and common sense as easily as you can get Maple Syrup in leaf shaped bottles in Canada....

After soaking up the (and I quote) 'spectacular uninterrupted views of the Toronto area' (not strictly true as most of the views are interrupted by wire fences and 80's double glazing) I headed back to my room for a little freshen up before dinner.  I plumped for the Amsterdam Brew House for 2 reasons - it is next to my hotel and it's a brewery.  Managed to get myself a table on the back deck overlooking the lake and settled down with a blanket, a taster selection on local ales ranging from 4-9% and nommed a rather massive burger.  Full, a little squiffy, wobbly legged (from all the walking not the beer I will have you know) and just a tad tired I took a last little wander down the waterfront in the other direction and ended up walking for another hour, enjoying the sunset and the atmosphere.

After the obligatory alcohol munchies chocolate run to the shop, I headed back and fell into my massive bed, it was only 9pm (rock and roll!) only to wake this morning at 3.30am with said half eaten chocolate all over the bed (I must have been tired to fall asleep with chocolate on the go).

A new day, a new dawn, a new city.  Today I am off to Quebec.  A 10 hour train ride awaits (you know I love a train ride as much as a tall building) and a lot of rain if the weather forecast is anything to go by.  Hey ho, it's my holibobs and not even rain will dampen my quest for adventure.  As I told the lovely local on the boat then she said it was 'still a tad chilly' at 73 degrees, I am from Great Britain and 73 is positively tropical (and I am acutely aware that the weather back home is lovely and the irony of rain is not lost on me.....)

So a train, new raincoat and umbrella await me, as well as more sights, smells and wonders of Canada so until later from the French speaking Quebec City, I bid you farewell.

Bonjour mange tout mon petit pois and TTFN xxxx