ACROSS FOREIGN WATERS

SATURDAY 26 AUGUST - TORONTO - BUFFALO

It was time to leave Toronto however prior to Andrea picking me up at 1pm I was off to China Town for last minute souvenirs and then the Steam Whistle Brewery (which I discovered only opened at 12pm - how dare they!) to sample their rather tasty pilsner. There was even a line up of a whole 4 people when the doors opened.



Andrea pulled into the hire car place across the road from my hostel and waved frantically to get my attention. I thought I'd enjoy the dance for a while before acknowledging my good ol school friend who I havent seen in about 2 years!

Andrea drove us back to the United States and my trip to Canada was all but over....but I will be back one day to discover more of what Canada has to offer! We stopped briefly at Fort Erie, along Lake Erie, which is on the Canadian side. Then it was over the Peace Bridge and through customs (again) and we were asked more questions then when I arrived in LA.




It was no rest for the wicked as an hour or so after arriving in Buffalo it was off to Andrea's 30th birthday celebrations. It was a good ol Aussie pub crawl with Andrea and I doning Aussie tats just for the occasion. The pub crawl took us all to Colter Bay, Gabriel's Gate, Cozumel (my favourite bar as had a great outside area) and Allentown Hardware. After many different American, Candadian and Mexican beers it was onto Jim's Steakout for a Hoagy. Mmm interesting but I wont be exporting them to Australia!



Unfortunately what happens on a pub crawl stays on a pub crawl so you will have to contact Andrea direct for more goss!! :)

FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2006 - TORONTO

I awoke to a rather gloomy day...grey skies and showers but I wasn't planning on staying indoors so I doned warmer clothes and my travel umbrella (yes another thing in my luggage I have used)!

I caught a streetcar to CNE (Exhibition Centre) which was currently having an 18 day exhibition with rides, food stalls and displays. After peering in I forewent the opportunity and headed to Ontario Place by foot. Not knowing exactly what to expect I discovered it was actually an amusement park for small kids!! Not today thanks.


After a breakfast bagel I was off and away again by streetcars to The Beaches which is an area several kilometres east of the city centre. The area reminded me a lot like Brompton but by the beaches of Lake Ontario and what a massive lake it is!

I walked the boardwalk, looked at the local houses, wandered across Kew Gardens, observed a massive beach volleyball competition, bumped into my first few squirrels of the trip and took plenty of photos.


Then at 4pm it was off to Toronto Island by ferry (10 minute ride). Toronto Island is an island approximately 6 kilometres long and is much like Granite Island however has an abundance of activities (most of which were shut due to the weather) including bike riding, canoeing, 'optional clothing' beach, amusement park, maze and tracks. A number of people live on the western end of the island which appears to be secluded and their only modes of transports are feet, bike and ferry.



The last site if the day was the CN Tower - apparently the world's tallest building (at 553.3m). The construction of the CN Tower (actually a television and radio transmitter) began in 1973 and only has a 6m deep footing. The majority of the tower was constructed by hydraulic jacks, slip form and sky cranes. It was completed on 2 April 1975 (fatality free) when the final piece of the antenna was installed. It was open to the public on 26 June 1976.


I visited the look out level (346m), sky pod (447m), glass floor (342m) and enjoyed both the 360 o views around the tower and the ground straight down. The Rogers (sport) centre was next door however had a enclosed roof (wonder if that was on purpose)! Although I enjoyed the views, marvelled at the engineering and took many photos I must comment on the lack of maps, signing and helpful guides in the tower. It rates very poorly for customer service but I guess the structure itself will continue to bring hoards of tourists.