Brisbane, Friday 12 August

Well Brisbane seemed a bit chilly as our taxi drove us from the airport to home. Vancouver was quite warm most days so I guess living in sub tropical city one expects warm as well. Anyway it’s still good to be home. No doubt Zero will be happy too.

We started our last day in Vancouver, Wednesday, visiting our favourite upmarket cafe, Cafe Artigiano, where the manager gave use a cheery greeting, no doubt thinking we are now regulars, so we kept quiet about our impending departure. Today I had a croissant with a Brie and Fig filling, which was very tasty and nicely toasted, washed down with a medium Americano, while Bernie had a ham and cheese croissant and a small flat white.

Meeting up with the Cons we hiked to the Pacific Central shopping centre so Bernie could find Madeline a gift from Canada. So busy shopping for Maddie we’re we that we forgot to get Hugo’s birthday present, which will now have to be mailed to Toronto. But at least I finally saw a beaver before departure.

By now it was lunchtime upon which we hiked to a nice swanky sandwich cafe , Cafe Giovane, situated in the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Aaron took the two grandkids to Gastown where they wanted to eat spaghetti which is sold by a cafe down there, so off they hiked. Rose, Bernie and I had a swanky sandwich washed down by a nice ginger beer for me, and I was so busy eating I didn’t see what the girls were drinking.

Back to our hotel and it was time to escort the Cons to their taxi as they were off home to Toronto and really looking forward to their four hour flight. While we were sad to have our journey ending we realised that we ‘shouldn’t be sad it’s over, but glad it happened.’

Bernie and I had a late check out and got a taxi at 1830h which only took 30 minutes to the Vancouver International departures area. Inside we quickly proceeded through checkin, bag drop, security then customs. Bernie shopped for several boxes of Canadian Maple Biscuits which have become her favourite (hidden now safety in our house) in case anyones visiting. We then went to have a dinner snack in a nice airport cafe. I ordered a Blue Canadian beer or two, for which I have developed a liking, and Bernie an 8oz glass of Chardonnay. This allowed us to wash down crab cakes and tempura king prawns with Canadian naturally cut fries. This was a tasty way of finding happiness after the sadness of saying farewell to the Cons, and our luxury lodgings in Vancouver.

The flight home seem quick taking off at 2300h they served a dinner which was tasty, then out went the lights and next I knew we were 6 hours into the flight and getting our six hours into the flight snack, which was a nicely made chicken sandwich, some biscuits and apple juice. Then off went the lights again and I slept until what was 0800h Vancouver time, or about 4am Brisbane. I noticed as well that my spouse seem to get a good sleep as well.

Before we knew it the lights of Redcliffe appeared out the starboard side window and we touchdown into a Brisbane chilly dawn (18oC) at 5:50 am. We got thru immigration quickly and after a short wait our bags appeared in carousel 7. We then joined the customs line and were directed to the exit, as we had nothing to declare and unfortunately weren’t carrying over $10k in cash.

So ends our second Canadian adventure. Vancouver is a great place to visit and well worth placing on one’s agenda.

We’ve stating planning our next trip to …. maybe ….. Norway……

Whistler, Tuesday 9 August

An early start to meet a fresh luxury bus, black in colour, that would take us to Whistler, a two hour drive, and site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The journey took us north across the Victoria Bridge towards the west coast and along the ‘Sea to Sky Highway’ with vistas across the Georgia Strait and through forests of red cedar and Douglas fir trees. Beautiful part of the world.

Our journey was interrupted with our first stop at Shannon Falls. This is one of the best waterfalls I’ve seen mainly because of the height of fall - 335m, and it not a trickle!

Another few km up the road and our next stop is the Sea to Sky Gondola that goes up the mountain range of Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. At the kiosk we had a breakfast snack of a tasty ham and cheese croissant and coffee. We then took a short hike to look at the vistas of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains, then the gondola back to our luxury bus.

Further up the highway is the town of Squamish, named after the local Indians (First Nations people), and finally we arrived at Whistler Village. This is a busy Ski Resort type area, huge in size surrounded by massive mountains with sky runs. Since it is summer here there is no snow, rather there was a mountain bike competition going on which looked interesting. There are also heaps of shops to explore. During our time here I saw a black bear, marmot, and moose.

On our return journey we stopped at another water fall where we saw a wild black bear eating dandelion flowers, and we had a stop at Porteau Cove, a popular spot for canoers, swimmers, water frolickers of all types.

Then back into town and our lodgings.

Vancouver -August Monday 8

Again we were kept busy with our agenda. We began with our obligatory trip to Cafe Artigiano where the staff now have our coffee and croissants ready for our eating pleasure. After this tasty relaxing breakfast we headed back to our lodgings for teeth cleaning and preparations for today’s hike. We met the Cons in the lobby and hiked to Vancouver Aquarium, reputedly one of the best in America. We weren’t to be disappointed.

Rose and Hugo set a brisk pace as we followed the Seawall path towards Stanley Park wherein the Aquarium is located. Anyway the aquarium is really good. Not just fishes but some other animals as well. Hugo found a tree that needed climbing on route to the aquarium.

in the tropical section there were fishes, like the piraña from the Amazon, and also anaconda snakes, which apparently hide in the water. Not that they need to hide in my opinion as they are pretty huge. Bernie’s favourite was a sloth which was sleeping in a tree branch. There were jellyfish, tropical fish, arctic fish, and fish from the Georgia Strait we’d sail in yesterday. Lots of different penguins, seals, and sea lions. Even a Boa Constrictor. But to my disappointment no beavers. Maybe I’ll get to see a beaver on tomorrows trip.

After all this we needed a snack, but the line at the aquarium was too lengthy and the food not to our taste so we hiked back to our favourite sandwich shop, ‘Bread and Meat’ wherein we got our favourite roast pork and crackling on ciabatta, Hugo his meatball sandwich and Rose her chicken salad. After this Hugo and I went for a ride.

On returning to our lodgings I borrowed the hotel bicycle and took a cycle around Stanley Park, 15km, with great views of the city, cruise ships, and the park itself, and of course Mount Baker. There were lots of Cunuks swimming today at the various beaches as it was really hot, 24oC.

For dinner we went to the Cactus Club on Burrard Street, a short 400m walk. The food was very tasty. Bernie tried fish tacos which she found tasty, while I had peppercorn steak which was also very tasty. The food choices in Vancouver certainly offer great variety and they are always tasty.

So after a busy day it’s time to prepare for tomorrows expedition.

Vancouver Island - August 7, Sunday

An early rise today as we were headed off for a journey to Vancouver Island and the capitol of British Columbia - the city of Victoria.

The driver of our luxury bus, Brent, met us in the lobby at 0740h. We made a few other pickups at other less salubrious lodgings, like the Marriot, Fairmont Downtown, and even a Travelodge, before hitting the highway toward Richmond and the BC Ferry terminal. We had 30 minutes waiting in the vehicle lineup and took advantage of the market there to checkout the shops and have a leak. Before long we were back on our luxury bus and driving onto the ship.

Our luxury bus drive on with several other coaches, large trucks and what seemed like hundreds of cars onto several different decks. The ferries here are ships like the one that goes from Melbourne to Tassie, except our journey was only one and a half hours, from the mainland to Vancouver Island and the capitol of British Columbia.

We sailed out through the Georgia Strait then past several islands where clearly wealthy people with cash to spare have log cabins and what looked like highly expensive summer houses. Exactly on time our ferry docked at Swartz Bay and we were back on our luxury bus and driving down the highway (Hwy 17) through Saanich toward the capital - Victoria, named after Queen Victoria when Vancouver Island was a separate British Colony to British Columbia.

Captain Cook, on his third voyage, 1776-1780, surveyed the island with one of his Midshipman George Vancouver, also onboard was the sail master William Bligh. Years later George Vancouver was exploring and it was 3rd Lt James Baker who spotted a volcano from HMS Discovery in 1792 so they named it after him. Mount Baker which can be seem from Vancouver and surrounds but is actually in Washington State USA.

We arrived in Downtown Victoria and Aaron, Rose, Hugo and Norah headed off the a Fish n’ Chip shop for lunch, apparently the best in the world.

It came with a one hour wait. Bernie toured Fan Tan alley, apparently the narrowest shopping lane in the world, famous for being in a motorcycle chase in a Mel Gibson movie.

After checking out the Main Street of Victoria we decided on a harbour side cafe which was on the harbour broad walk over looking the Legislature of British Columbia and the Emporess Hotel. I had the locally caught fish in batter with naturally cut fries while Bernie had two fish tacos also with locally cut fries. Mine came with a nice coleslaw as well, washed down by a cold ginger beer. Around us were many Canadians who were clearly suffering and wilting in the soaring temperatures induced by climate change, at 24oC Bernie were actually pretty comfortable though.

At 3pm Brent picked up was in the luxury bus and drove was to the world famous, in Canada, Butchard Gardens. Initially a but dubious about this part of the trip it turned out to be the best. The garden are truely spectacular and we all enjoyed our time there and wished for more. Hugo’s and my favourite was the Japanese garden while Bernie liked the sunken Garden, Rose’s favourite was the rose garden and Aaron and Norah liked the carousel, the Chinese dragon and the ice cream shop.

At 1745h we had to join our luxury bus for the drive thru Saanick back to Swartz Bay and on to the return to the mainland ferry. For the trip back we satin the top deck in the warm sun, surrounded by sweaty Cunaks who were jostling each other to get the cool breeze. We had spectacular views of the islands, the houses of the wealthy and the setting sun hitting Mount Baker in the distance.

After the drop offs we were back on the Vancouver waterfront by 2200h and asleep by 2202h, dreaming of flowers, tasty fish and the gently flowing water of Japanese gardens.

Vancouver, Saturday August 6

A busy day starting with the obligatory trip to our now favourite cafe, Cafe Artigiano for croissants and coffee to start the day. Bernie and Rose planned to go to the shops and shop, while Aaron took Norah and Hugo to the hotel pool to swim, so I decided to cycle along the Stanley Park Seawall. I took a picture of Mount Barker which can be seen from Vancouver looking south. It is located ‘across the line’ in Washington State USA. The cycle was fun, I starting by riding on the road and getting used to being on the right hand side. Then along the sea wall were thousands of tourists were running, walking, cycling and generally blocking my passage. Still fun, but slowing my usual cycling swiftness.

For dinner we all went to a cafe called Homer Street Cafe, which is located on Homer Street in downtown Vancouver. There-in we washed down a meal with Canadian lager and white wines, and had a delicious traditional Canadian meal consisting of: ribs basted in maple syrup, chicken basted in maple syrup, vegetables basted in maple syrup, and for desert Burnt Butter maple syrup pie, cheesecake with maple syrup cream, and Bernie got especially for her birthday a chocolate mouse with maple syrup and peanut butter sauce. All was very nice and shouted by the Conway family which made it even nicer.

We then walked off this feast with a 10km hike back to our hotel.

Apparently I look like a lumberjack?

Some old cocks also at the cafe Homer Street.

Mount Capilano, Friday August 5

Today began with Bernie reaching a birthday milestone. We headed out to find breakfast at a cafe called Caffe Artigiano on West Howe Street. There-in we had coffee and croissants, with me having ham and cheese and Bernie a chocolate one in celebration. It was during breakfast that a text from Rose arrived wishing her mother a happy birthday, and then that I passed on my congratulations, but was then accused of forgetting, whereas I was simply waiting for the right moment.

After breakfast we loaded onto a luxury 20 seat coach for a luxury ride to Capilano River. First, at the river we visited a salmon hatchery. When the Canuck’s built a dam the Pacific salmons could no longer get up the river to spawn so they built a buy pass system that allows these fishes to get up stream and spawn in a hatchery where most of the little fishes survive before release to the river for a life swimming about the northern Pacific before returning to the river years later to spawn and die. We saw the salmons jumping up stream and the little hatchlings getting breakfast, all fascinating and Norah seem especially fond of the little fishes.

After this we boarded our luxury coach for a short trip to the Capilano suspension bridge. This bridge crosses the steep cliffs that wall the river at a height of 90m. The bridge itself is about 90m long. Those who cross the bridge get a certificate so we took our lives in our hands and made the crossing, being awarded the certificate when we got back to our luxury bus.

The bus then took us to the gondola that would take us up Grouse Mountain, about 1100m (Mount Coot-tha is 280m). After a short wait it was an exciting ride up what is a very steep mountain. On top we all headed to the habitat built for two grizzly bears. These bears were adopted 21 years ago when their mother was killed. Apparently bears die without their mother so these two are very lucky. 21 years later they are no longer cubs being 750 lbs (340kgs) and standing over 2m tall if they stand. Huge paws and sharp claws, they are spectacular.

After the bears we had lunch at a mountain top cafe, me trying Canadian poutine, basically french fries, cheese curd and gravy, while Bernie and Rose had a burger and fries. Then we were off to see the bird show. Unfortunately the eagles and hawks wouldn’t play today but we did see a very large owl.

After these we needed another snack so got an ice cream at a store that overlooked the bear habitat and which must have been smelt by the bears who came out of the trees to look at us. They are huge.

We then went to watch a lumberjack demonstration showing tree climbing, chain saw skills and log cutting with axes. It also highlighted Canadian humour, which is interesting. Bernie and Rose like the lumberjack in the blue check shirt!

By this time our day was almost up so it was back to the gondola for our ride down the mountain and back to our luxury bus. The driver then delivered us back to our hotel and we were first delivered. Another most interesting and busy day in Canada.

Vancouver, Thursday Aug 4

Today began with swift activity because we slept-in and had to rush to meet the day’s agenda. After a quick ablution we headed out to find a close cafe for breaky. The closest turned out to be a vegetarian, vegan affair which we decided to try. Bernie had a fruit compote which she gobbled up, while I had a black bean roll, which while tasty had unfortunate effect later during our bus trip.

We made it in time to catch the coach to Granville Island, a major tourist location. We were going not just because of the markets, but mainly because we were booked on a food tour. The market is the second most visited locale in Canada after Niagara Falls so we wanted to see what the attraction is. Our small group of food lovers were guided by a lad named Freddy (from Indonesia) and we visited vendors in the market and got to sample from each of their stores all sorts of delicacies. Starting with artesian made sourdough of various flavours, we moved on to a cheese vendor and sampled many expensive cheeses. Then to locally cured meats, me especially liking the elk salami a tad more than the bison. Then in the seafood store my favourite was the maple cured smoked salmon, very sweet and tasty. We even got some pad Thai noodles in a Thai stall, chemically made flavour drops from a chemistry student and chocolate of delicious flavours at a chocolate artisan. Then macarons from a French patisserie. Then a brewed coffee from the JJBean shop closely followed by a honey donut from the donut shop that featured in some Netflix series. Hugo and Norah who are usually light eaters had no problem devouring all these delicacies. By this stage it was time for lunch but no one was interested so we toured the various market stalls and made quiet fun of the ways of the tourists from the USA.

After all this it was a bus back to our lodgings where Hugo and Norah were keen to have a swim after all that food, so Bernie and I went on a walk to Robson street shopping area.

For dinner we went back to Gas town, near Maple-tree square to a Greek restaurant called The Greek by Anatoli, where in we had very tasty Greek food and Aaron and I, a pint of Greek lager. With all that activity we haven’t many photos except one of a giant seagull who peaked at our window after a feed. Unfortunately the windows don’t open. But interesting is the size of seagulls here. They are the size of chickens, quite big, much bigger than Australian midget ones.

Vancouver Wednesday August 3

A spectacular sunrise over Vancouver harbour gave us oversight of two large cruise ships that had sneaked into port during the night. Both ships were huge but the passengers were too focussed on their buffets to notice us.

After morning ablutions, we made a trip to a bakery that we had noticed yesterday to get some breakfast. I stuffed up ordering coffee and ended up with a small glass with a shot of espresso. Eventually I worked out that an ‘Americano’ seems to best equate to a long black over here. Bernie had a delicious looking croissant while I had an egg salad sandwich, both very tasty. While we were eating, a Canadian policeman came in and ordered a donut, which he seemed to enjoy as he demolished it in two bites. I tried to get a picture for Sam, but after he gave me a fierce look I decided to leave him and his donut alone.

We then met up with the “Cons” and joined a bus tour of Vancouver. The favourite point-of-interest was Stanley Park, which we’ll visit another day, closely followed by Robson street, famous for it’s shopping strip. We got off the bus at an area called “Gastown” which apparently is named after an unfortunate fellow ‘Gasey Jack’ who was affected by flatulence, either that, or the bus driver was pulling my leg!

After a coffee and morning tea of a tasty snack of a custard filled donut we explored the Gastown. Above is a picture of a clock that is run by steam, very cool. After lunch, which we had at the same sandwich shop as yesterday, because they are really tasty and good, we walked to see the cauldron that was lit for the 2010 Winter Olympics in 2010. We were going to get it lit for our picture but apparently it costs $5k so we just stood in front without the flames.

Continuing along the harbour shoreline we walked past lots of extremely expensive boats owned by the oligarchs of Vancouver. Opposite Deadman’s Island (So named for obvious reasons, that’s where the settlers used to put their dead folks) we joined a paddle boat for a harbour cruise (MVP Constitution). An interesting tour I especially enjoyed seeing the mountain of yellow sulphur stored on the north shore.

With our hunger aroused by the cold salty air during our cruise we sought out a venue for dinner and happened upon the ARC restaurant were in we had a delicious meal of fish & chips for Bernie, Nachos for me, seafood salad for Aaron, a chicken salad for Rose, spaghetti for Hugo and chicken filets for Norah. With the sun going down and a slight drizzling rain we head back to our lodgings to slumber.

Canadian Adventures continued!

Vancouver 2022

Arriving Audust 2, 7am!

Well we’re now settled into the Fairmont waterfront situated on the waterfront of downtown Vancouver. Our flight was pleasant and uneventful. Arriving at Brisbane international at 0700h August 2, we were quickly processed by ticketing and customs and found that by 0730h we had plenty of time for second breakfast. After a nice coffee and stack of pancakes it was 0800h. So we settled into reading the paper till boarding at 0945h.

We took off slightly behind schedule at 1045h on Air Canada AC36, a big 767, with us in premium economy. Premium economy is not much more expensive than economy, but rather like business class, but without the little cubicle. All the same we had wide seats and lots of leg room and proper cutlery with our meals.

On takeoff we went straight to Vancouver time and were served pre dinner drinks, we both choosing a nice Chardonnay wine. This was followed by a tasty meal, then lights out for the evening; yet for us it was 1150h in the morning. Into the movies then, Batman and another I can’t remember, a midnight sandwich which was tasty then a nice first breakfast at 2200 EST, but 4am Canada time, landing at 7:10am, August 2, same time that we arrived at the airport!

A gentle landing in low cloud, briskly thru customers, bags waiting in the carousel and we taxied to ‘downtown’. The taxi drive in light traffic, along scenic Vancouver streets was made even more exciting by the high speed and deft weaving of our Indian driver.

We only waited in our room about an hour before the Conways arrived looking fresh from Toronto. Wearing tee shirts and shorts saying how warm it is, while we were rugged up for the chilly air! A round of gift giving and passing over Norah’s vegemite made for happy grandkids. A favourite with both of them were two koala bears from great-nanny and great-granddad.

Lunchtime arrived and after a short walk around the precinct Rose found an exclusive sandwich shop selling exclusive gourmet sandwiches. I found the pork and cracking most tasty washed down with a Canadian ginger beer. I was hungry for a second one, but turned around to discover we were off again. Rose and Bernie have just gone for a ‘facial,’ Hugo, Arron and Norah are swimming in the very large hotel pool and now I’m updating this. More to follow. Picture of Hugo doesn’t portray his actual happy self. Just saw a large Kodak bear and plan to get a picture with it for this blog!

Toronto-Vancouver-Brisbane 2019

Tuesday-Thursday August 8

We spent Tuesday with Hugo, Norah and Rose, Aaron having to return to his duties as a Professor at University of a Toronto. I lost count of how many cups of tea, cakes, hotdogs I ate during the day which I purchased from Norah’s and Hugo’s Play Doh shop. I’m glad the plastic card I was using to pay wasn’t real as both Hugo and Norah will charge exorbitant rates should they go into business.

The Taxi arrived at Washington Avenue Toronto at 4 pm. We said our goodbyes and in a blink we were away. The drive to Pearson International was quick and efficient despite the traffic as Toronto has built, and is building, a clever traffic network, making it easy to move around the city by whatever means.

Our fun started at the airport. After waiting in the Maple Lounge we walked to our gate, 59, to notice that our flight was delayed 40 minutes, which turned to 60 minutes then 2 hours. We eventually took off at 2300h which didn’t give any time to make our connection in Vancouver. Anyways not to worry we just enjoyed the four and a half hour flight and the four hour time difference. I was sort of hoping that we’d need to stop over in Vancouver and that’d give us a day to do a tourist thing, as I haven’t see Vancouver as yet. But Air Canada moved us to a flight going to Sydney that left at 2 am, the really annoying thing was that we’d be in Business class and have to put up with a fully reclining seats, in fact private cubicles, and good food, bugger. We arrived in Sydney at 10 am, Thursday August 8, having lost a day crossing the International dateline.

In Sydney we discovered that Bernie’s bag was following my tour of Vancouver plan and she wouldn’t see it till Friday. It turned out that Air Canada had booked us the fly Virgin to Brisbane at 1400h, in Business Class as well, so we had to wait in the Virgin Business Lounge until that flight, which had big wide reclining seats to Brisbane.

Home sweet home at 1630h. The End.

Toronto, Monday August 5

Today was Bernie’s birthday so it was nice she got to spend it with the grandies. After breakfast we meet the Conways and walked to the CN (Canada National) tower. Completed in 1976 and for many years the tallest man made structure in the world until 2007, now about ninth, and one of the 7 modern wonders of the world. The tower is 553m compared to the Eiffel Tower at 300m, Australia’s Sydney Tower at 305m. So it’s a dominant landmark.

With all the holiday crowds we had to wait a bit, but getting there fairly early made it relatively quick to catch a lift, so up we went. We tried the glass floor walk and could see all the way to the USA border, plus fantastic views of Toronto, and the lake.

Toronto, Aaron, Hugo and Norah checking the view and a tower model.

After the tower the kids took a dip in the Fairmont pool, which they seemed to very much enjoy. Then we caught the subway to the Conways house we’re we had a delicious meal, risotto which Aaron had prepared, and then we all sang happy birthday to gran and devowered the cake which had been prepared by Rose.

After that, a subway trip back to Union station, a short walk along the PATH and we’re back at our lodgings. I found some old friends in Toronto today -

Niagara Falls, Sunday August 4

We struggled to get out of bed early enough to meet our bus for our trip to Niagara Falls. We’ve become used to arising around 8-ish so we’re worried we won’t be able to return to work. The bus left from the front of the Royal York so at least we werent bothered by having to walk too much. We joined 22 other folks who were from all sorts of places, we being the furthest. It was a nice modern tour bus and our driver, David, was friendly and as it turned out quite a character. A history buff, he elaborated all sorts of extraneous facts about Canadia as we journeyed towards Niagara, most interestingly, I finally found out which war it was that had caused the Canadians to build their forts. You may recall the taxi driver in Kingston had alluded to a war but couldn’t specify which or when, but he was sure there’d been one!

Apparently while the British were fighting Napoleon in 1812 in Europe, the USA Yankees, under President James Madison, figured they could expand the US by taking the northern colonies that were still British, an area that is essentially modern day East Canada. The USA vastly outnumbered the British and declared war. They didn’t figure on the British having some pretty good generals, Wolfe and Brock to name but two. The British ended up sacking Washington, including burning the President’s Mansion, which had to be painted white to cover the burn marks - hence the White House! Anyways they made peace and restored their borders and now share the longest undefended land border in the world.

Fortunately David’s stories were interesting because usually if you make the Toronto to Niagara journey it’s 1.5 hours. If you go on the Sunday of a long weekend it’s 2.5 hours. This weekend is Canada Day Long weekend, and the middle of summer. Guess how long our trip was?

Anyways we arrived at Niagara Falls and got to see it all from the Canadian side of the border, which is regarded as the best view. We also cruised on the Hornblower boat up under the Falls which was a fun thing to do. In between they gave us a 3 course meal which part of the package and very nice. It gave us a bit of a chance to meet the other folks who were from all over. Niagara is a big tourist city, but’s it’s worth going for the Falls, just avoid the town. They are truly amazing. Pictures can’t depict the power of nature at all.

Below, Canadian Falls

Below, USA Falls

Canada falls above

Above Under Canada’s Falls and below from the top

On the journey back to Toronto we stopped at Canadia’s Vineyard wine making college and tasted some of their wines. My favourite was all of them. They showed us how they make Icewine and Bernie felt compelled to buy a bottle. Very tasty. We can’t make in Australia as it’s too hot, or another way of looking at it, not cold enough (-9 needed).

It was funny watching folks try to get back on the bus and it gave David a quiet trip back as all fell asleep, except me as I was still touristing. Rumours of the Icewine being the cause of my late blog are exaggerated.

Toronto, Saturday, August 3

A very relaxed day starting with a breakfast buffet in the Fairmont’s dining room. I had Canadian bacon (cooked in maple syrup) and scrambled eggs, Bernie had yogurt with a selection of fresh fruits, then some toast and a piece of my bacon which she’d taken a fancy to. The coffee was kept topped up by the waiter so I know I had a lot, but not exactly how much.

We stepped out first on an expedition to Hudson’s Bay, a particularly opulent department store only a few blocks away. Bernie found the store very much to her liking and we wandered through many displays of stylish dresses, shoes, bags, delicatessens etc, you name it, me clutching the credit card safely in my pocket and feeling anxious all the while.

She did discovered ‘Saks fifth avenue’ where she slipped in some purchases, but I was able to distract her by getting her outside to see the ‘old Toronto Town Hall’ pictured above which I think it’s much nicer than their new town hall.

We then had a coffee at Dilleen Coffee Co, and wandered back to our hotel. At 1:30pm, the Conway’s arrived and Hugo and Miss Norah were keen to take a dip in the famously opulent Fairmont pool, a dip they seemed to thoroughly enjoy.

We then walked across the road to Union Station and caught the subway to Queen’s Park, thus allowing Aaron to take us on a particularly interesting stroll through the University of Toronto, UoT. Aaron works at UoT, as Assistant Professor, RBC Chair in Cardiovascular Nursing Research. We sighted some of UoTs particularly lovely buildings that are so similar to Harvard, they have been used as a film set to replicate Harvard in films like Good will Hunting, as Harvard doesn’t allow filming. We saw where Aaron works (pictured below left), although apparently only Hugo has had the privledge of going into the building. Pictured also below, cows grazing in the CBD, and below that, the Ontario Parliament building, left, and UoT great hall right.

We then walked to the Conway’s house where Rose prepared a delicious meal. Aaron had purchased some nice peach beer that I enjoyed, and a fancy wine called Ice Wine that was embarrassingly expensive, but extremely tasty. Rose made a delightful salad and served it with chops from New Zealand, because Canadians don’t have sheep. It was a most delicious and tasty meal followed by a desert of chocolate brownie, topped with fresh cream, strawberries and cherries, she had discovered at the markets that morning. They then kicked us out as the kids had to go to bed. So Bernie and I trekked to the Saint George subway station and caught the subway back to a Union station.

On disembarking at Union Station, we got disoriented and found ourselves in a corridor full of nice shops. The corridor was called the P.A.T.H a subterranean affair unique to Toronto where you can stay underground and journey to many places underground. Anyway Bernie noticed a Fairmont sign which we followed and after a short hike we found the lifts for the Fairmont and were able to go straight to our floor, without seeing sunlight, traffic or crossing roads. We praised each other on our cleverness, now to repeat the trick.... Tomorrow we’re off the Niagara Falls.

KINGSTON - Toronto, August 2

We all headed up the Main Street for a breakfast to a cafe Aaron had spotted run by Australians - Northside Cafe. No vegemite in sight just really good eggs, bacon, toast etc. Pictures: Rose and Hugo outside the cafe, the insides Decore, the Main Street.

After brekky Aaron took Hugo and Norah for a swim, but the pool was closed for unknown reasons. So we all lingered about the marina enjoying the sunshine. Pictures below of Shoel Fort with our hotel to the right. Hugo and Norah liked the ducks and I found a friend.

At 1330 we were again boarding the train this time bound for Toronto. The journey was again excellent with great views across Lake Ontario and the farm lands.

At Union Station we parted ways, the Conways catching the subway home, and Bernie and I making our way to the Fairmont Hotel. It’s fairly plush, but noisy and crowded, not to my liking, I’d rather the Kimpton, we’ll know next time.

Bernie and I went for an evening walk and took a snap of the dog fountain.

RMC of Canada, Kingston

Quebec-Kingston Aout 1

An early start to get to Gare du Palais (Train Station) for our journey to Kingston via Montreal. Aaron and I had to drag Rose and Bernie from the hotel. Neither wanted to leave and created quite a scene in the lobby. They had Aaron and I swear an oath that we’d return. A short wait in the business lounge before we were escorted to the priority boarding and then the business class carriage. Again the service was swift and thorough, from coffee to breakfast to snacks. I’ll never bored of watching the farm lands roll by from the comfort of a train. I find it quite relaxing.

We arrived at Kingston at 4 pm and went straight to the hotel via taxi. Our driver didn’t mind that neither of us spoke French, nor that he couldn’t quite understand what we were saying as he didn’t speak Australian. He wore thongs, stubbies and a pair of glasses over his eyes, and a pair in his head. His taxi was old and untidy and he smoked like a chimney, but he turned out to be the friendliest driver we’ve had and he chatted to us all the way to the hotel about the war with the US when Kingston was Canadia’s capital. I asked him when that war was and he wasn’t sure, but knew it had happened. At the hotel Hugo and Norah quickly badgered Aaron to take them for a swim. Bernie, Rose and I went up the Main Street. Kingston is like a movie town, a Main Street like American movies etc... I checked out an outdoors store and the salesman was full on trying to sell me a pistol. He had a full range and thought I’d need one in Toronto. I told him that while I’d like a pistol, I’d be arrested as soon as I got to Australian customs. I found it hard to convince him we had laws restricting ownership of guns, especially pistols. Below is a picture of our train, the harbour and one of the forts the Canadians built to protect themselves against the Yankees across the lake. You can see others in the background forming a chain of defence.

I also got to see RMC-Kingston pictured above across the river. A busy day finished with a trip to a seafood cafe where Bernie had a trout and salad, and I had a lobster bun, and salad. Imagine having enough lobster to serve it on a bun.... it was good.

Below pictures of Gare du palais, bridge over St Lawrence River, RMC across the river mouth, the Kingston town hall

Quebec Juillet 31

Our last day in Quebec, so all were a tad glum. Both Bernie and Rose are complaining that we have to leave and why are we going to Kingston? Well too late now. Who knew that Quebec would be so enticing? Next trip we’ll know to stay in Quebec longer.

Today we caught a tour bus that took us to the countryside. Nearly full, we left from the Fairmont Citadel and weaved our way through the narrow streets of old Quebec till we got onto the bridge that crosses the Rivière Saint-Charles, which flows into the Fleuve Saint-Lawrent, and we travelled North Easterly on Route 440. Passing interesting features like the pyramid building structures that house the salt used on the roads in winter, we travelled to La chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls).

These Falls are 83 metres high, 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls, though not as wide. The falls can be noticed from many locations around Quebec because of their size. Apparently, while they don’t freeze in winter, like the Saint Lawrence River, they do make big high ice stacks that people climb etc. There is a cable car to the top (line too long), a zip line which I didn’t have time to do unfortunately, and a panoramic staircase of 487 steps to the top (see picture 3 below) where you can see the Rivière Montmorency flowing over the cliff at 30 000 litres per second.

After this we meet at the bus at 1150, and travelled across the bridge to the ile D’Orleans, (Orleans Island) which is about 5km wide and 20 km long and sits off the east of Quebec in the St Lawrence River. The island is farm land growing mainly strawberry’s and potatoes. We stopped at a chocolate and ice cream shop for lunch, then drove around the farms seeing buildings 300-400 years old.

Above, Quebec from the bridge.

After this the bus took us to the Shrine of Sainte Anne De Beaupre. Apparently in the 1500s and 1600s the folks were so pleased to have survived the journey across the North Atlantic in their small ships (many died), that they would go to this shrine to thank Anne - the patron Saint of Sailors, amongst other jobs. Anne is apparently the mother of Mary, hence grandmother of Jesus. Like Medjugorje in Croatia, and Lourdes in France, many people have experienced cures at this shrine, it is quite famous and there is a couple of walls with hundreds of crutches, etc that the cured have left behind. I was hoping my broken feet would but cured, but the mocca the priest put on me in Montreal must still be holding because they were just as sore after as before. They get over a million people a year visit and the church, like every church I’ve seen here exudes wealth.

Bernie made donation and petitioned Saint Anne on behalf of everyone in the family plus Paul Brennan and Steve Gilmore (although we didn’t have enough money for all of Steve’s ailments), so unless you have a mocca on you like me, you might get cured.

Bronze statue of Mary outside the shrine, about 3m high. The copper doors to the Basilique of Sainte Anne. The amazingly ornate and decorative interior of the Basilique.

At 3.30, it was back to Quebec and shopping for Rose and Bernie, swimming for Norah, Hugo and Aaron, and a kip for me. Tomorrow we’re off to Kingston, home of the Royal Military College of Canada. As I’m a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia, I’m keen to see it. So, Bonne Nuit.

P.s. found a few houses to live in today, and my French is getting better. So we might move here!

Quebec, Tuesday Juillet 30 - pm

Late afternoon, we did the pattern of Rose and Aaron having dinner while we cared for Hugo and Norah, then when they returned we went out. I think we got the better deal last night as Rose and Aaron had to miss their desert to get back in time for us to meet our booking time. Hugo and Norah were again very well behaved and delighted in getting an Uber Eats delivery of Macca’s. They are pictured below eating a snack and catching up with world news with their Dad.

Rose and Aaron, then later Bernie and I, all had dinner at the best restaurant in Quebec, Saint-Amour, which is in old Quebec. The chef is the world famous Jean-Luc Boulay, an author about fine French cooking and distinguished master chef, with a hat!

The room in the restaurant was opulent and the service indulgent. For example if I took a sip of water, a waiter would immediately re-top it, or sip of wine, it was refilled. One would assume the prices would match, but they quite restrained considering the quality of the meal and service. For starters I had Quebec crawfish plate, which had poached lobster and marinated crawfish, asparagus mouse, emulsified orange lobster roe, radish sliders and honey mushrooms. It was a delight of flavours and the sensation of different textures nicely layered to creat a dining sensation. Bernie had a lobster bisque again prepared to perfection and devoured with relish. We were delivered a sorbet between courses to cleanse our palette so as not to impearl the flavour of the next course.

My main was Artic char filet, grilled salmon from the artic circle, plated with cauliflower and dill taboule, purée fennel and vermouth butter sauce, exquisite! Bernie had Magdalene Island scallops that were stuffed with tartufata, and served with artichoke tapenade, creamy potatoes, and pea declination.

Deserts, pictured below, were equally scrumptious. Mine called ‘Audacious’ was fluffy biscuit and dark chocolate ice cream with corn panna cotta, and saffron jelly. Bernie’s was called Apple illusion. It was seared apple heart and mousse almond and spice crumble Granny Smith sorbet. It appeared like an apple, but it was coloured white chocolate stuffed with mousse making it look like a green apple. Both very tasty. We finished off with coffees and after clearing our debts and thanking the waiter, sauntered back through the ancient lanes to our lodgings.

After several requests, below is the sculpture of the condom which to us seems out of place amidst the gardens of the parliament.