A day in Toronto
So, after a blitz visit to Montréal, I headed onwards to Toronto. For those unfamiliar with my flight schedule: I was booked on a flight from Montréal to Toronto because it came out cheaper… Which is the very short version of the story. Anyways, after getting on a ridiculously big plane (Boeing 767 for those in the know) which was also quite full, I landed at Toronto’s Pearson airport a short 50 minutes later. Little did I know that I still had to wait close to an hour until the bags finally came out on the carrousel, and that the city center was an hour away by public transport. So, after landing at 3:55, I was finally at the hostel around 6-ish.
Just in time to catch my two roommates, Emma and Kevana from New-Zealand (should really look into going there, once…) and grab some dinner together over a good chat. After that, I still managed to find enough energy to go explore downtown Toronto by darkness, walking for two hours straight. Man, did my feet hurt!
Also, for anyone doubting that Canadians are a bunch of progressive people: this was smack-bam in the middle of the main shopping street.
Because I decided not to take a backpack for just a walk, I must’ve looked very un-touristy, because I got many questions about where this or that was situated. Regrettably, I also didn’t know, but was able to help out with common sense in a couple of the occasions…
After getting some well-earned sleep, I then took off in the morning, and decided not to go on the CN tower. Whoever thought that 30 CAD is a fair price to go up there must be out of his *bleep* mind. Instead, I went a bit off the beaten path, and so discovered a local market where farmers from the province came to sell their food directly, cutting out the middle-man and enjoying a bit more profit that way. Could you imagine seeing a scene such as this in the heart of Brussels?
Oh, and did I tell you yet that a Canadian $20 bill has a transparent section? Pretty weird looking at one…
Two cookies and three apples later, I walked even more to get to the ferry terminal, which would take me to Toronto island, a small island located (you guessed it!) just out of Toronto, with a magnificent view of its skyline at one side, and an endless view over lake Ontario on the other side.
Funny thing: when I got off the ferry at Hanlan’s point, I started walking across the island, and eventually stumbled upon a beach. I took of my shoes, and started walking along the shoreline, mesmerized by the water quality. It really is crystal clear! After seeing the water, I wanted to swim in it, but evidently didn’t bring any swimming gear or towels with me. So much for swimming.
Well, after a good 50 meters or so, I started seeing naked people. Apparently, this section of the beach was clothes optional o_O So, after some hesitation, I just said to myself ‘fuck it’, took off my clothes, and started swimming. Luckily, the weather was excellent, 30° with not a cloud in sight, so I dried up in the sun after coming out of the water to avoid getting sand *everywhere*. Oh yeah, and some random guy started a conversation with me while I was still in the water (and evidently, both of us naked). Must’ve been one of the most un-touristy things ever!
By the time our conversation ended, it was time for me to continue my tour of the island, and take the ferry back to the city. On the way, I spotted this pirate ship:
And got the scenic vantage point on the bus to Niagara Falls! (read: front window on upper deck)
By the way, this got me laughing today:
See you soon for the next update out of Niagara!
Steven