visions of clarity...do as infinity

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Fall Break 2008 - Toronto and Niagara Falls!~

Hello!

Finally! Here's my update on my Fall Break trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls! We were extremely lucky and experienced superb weather while we were there.. Sunny skies, not very cold and pretty days everyday! =) We left on Friday afternoon, and reached Toronto late Friday night.=) Then we explored Toronto on Saturday and went to Niagara on Sunday, finally arriving back in Ann Arbor late Sunday night.^_^

In the tunnel that brings you from Detroit to Windsor in Canada! =D

The 2 backseat passengers who were bored while in the immigration line! =P

The flatlands that were our first view of Canada.. We drove through this totally flat, lifeless stretch of highway where no streetlights exist and where the stars were brightly twinkling in the sky because of the complete absence of light pollution. It was quite beautiful, but at the same time rather lonely.=)

When we reached Toronto, we got rooms at this backpacker's hostel in the entertainment district before walking over to Chinatown for a bite to eat. My supper! =D Char Siew Wanton Noodles!!! xD xD xD I want more char siew!~

Our pork ribs at dimsum the next morning.=D =D =D Whenever we go to big cities, the first thing everyone hits is dimsum..=P

After breakfast/lunch/brunch, we started walking around Toronto on our self-planned walking tour.^_^ Our first stop?

Kensington Market! It's a nice neighbourhood filled with organic grocery stores and other quaint stores..

Then we turned and headed south toward the touristy areas of Toronto! =)

A picturesque Fall scene near Rogers Centre and the CN Tower! ^_^ We were also surrounded by these apartments that look like they came right off the artist impression page of a real estate company's pamphlet..

CN Tower in it's full [and very tall] glory against the blue Canadian skies! ^_^

A view from the top! The scenery is gorgeous.. But the best views were blocked due to the strategic placement of the cafe! xP

Being retarded at the outdoor viewing area.. Haha..=P The views [and the wind] were amazing though!! ^_^

After leaving CN Tower, we headed for the harbourfront! ^_^ It's gorgeous!!! Plus, it was a beautiful day and the sunlight was reflecting off of the gentle waters.. =D Pretty!

=) There were a couple of yachts/ships docked there as well..

After this, we walked to the Hockey Hall of Fame which erm.. Didn't really interest me.. But we also walked to the Air Canada Centre! Home of the ice-hockey team.=) [The Rogers Centre which we walked by on the way to CN Tower is home to their baseball team.=P] What a sports-filled day.

We then entered the old part of town and went to check out St Lawrence Market! It's bustling and busy, which I adore and all the stuff there looks fantastic!!! =D Haha..

Walking north..west? toward the Old City Hall, we paused to take photos! ^_^ This is the old city hall, the new one is very much uglier.. Doesn't it look like a nice and grand old building?

Right next door is Nathan Phillips Square which is located in between the new and old city halls! =D It's a very pretty square and they were holding the L'Oreal Fashion Week there when we arrived.^_^

And on a nearby street is the ginormous Eaton Centre which is a shopping paradise. It is ridiculously large!!! We took an hour just to walk around...

After we walked through Bloor-Yorkville [located near the University of Toronto and the Royal Ontario Museum], we then headed by subway to Greektown!! =D There we feasted on amazingly good Greek fare..^_^

Our appetizer plate: Garlic Pita [so good on its own!] with 4 kinds of dip: Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Fish Roe with Potato [sounds terrible but it was absolutely delicious] and tzatziki [or however it is spelt]. Everything was delicious! Even the baba ghanoush!!! Haha..=D And I understand now why regular yogurt can't replace greek yogurt.. The texture is totally different.xP

Another appetizer: The delicious fried calamari with tzatziki and freshly squeezed lemon juice! These were fried to absolute perfection!

We ate lamb, quail and Greek sausage with the most yummilicious rice and potatoes after those appetizers.. And although stuffed, we still went for dessert! =D Haha..

Ok, seriously. Greek food has the most UNPRONOUNCEABLE names. So unpronounceable in fact, that I can't even remember how it's spelt!!! xP So this is yummy filo pastry baked to perfection and filled with custard, before being dusted with sugar and cinnamon.. Mmm.xD

Loukmandes or whatever the spelling is, I love these!! xD They are cinnamon-dusted honey-syrup soaked balls that are like donuts and spurt out their gloriousness when you bite into them.. Mmm!

This cafe has really delicious hot chocolate and this thing called Greek coffee which is.. Unique. At best. =P

Our breakfast the next day!!! Char Siew MADNESS.=P

After finishing breakfast and buying some groceries from Chinatown, we then set off for Niagara Falls!!

On the way is Wine Country! So we passed by a lot of beautiful vineyards and even sumptuous views of the Lake.=D =D =D

Niagara Falls! Every town has a sign like this.=)

Upon arriving in the town of Niagara Falls, our sight senses were totally invaded by tourism!!!

Thankfully, the main reason for being there was still beautiful.^_^ And just as majestic in Fall as in Winter! =D This is Horseshoe Falls.=)

Your humble writer submitted to tourism and decided to take the Maid of the Mist.. It was an experience indeed!! =P

Posing like the tourists we are in front of America Falls!! ^_^"

America Falls and Bridal Veil Falls! ^_^

Rainbow Bridge! It links the USA and Canada! =D Its arc looks just like the many many many rainbows that appear around the falls.^_^

One of the last few pictures I managed to snap before my camera's battery died...

After that we drove back home and rotted in the car for an hour, waiting to get through the immigration line.. ^_^"

It was a beautiful and very scenic trip overall. =D And the food was great!!! Haha..
cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : The Girl in Byakkoya Hirasawa Susumu]
[mood : satisfied with dinner!]
[food : 三杯鸡]

Jiamin: Omg. I changed it super long ago!!! Did you not notice?! *hurt*

Labels: Canada, edibles, Niagara Falls, roadtrip, Toronto

Welcome

visions of clarity...do as infinity
by witchstone

My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark

Wish List

ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!

Links

My Flickr Page
spoonerisms*inc a food blog (by wendy & I)
my translation blog

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Checklist: EAT!