Oct 17, 2019 - My 5 Recommendations for your next trip to Toronto

To kick off my first contribution, I’m giving my 5 must see recommendations for your next trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Skating at Nathan Philips Square Toronto takes a lot of heat from us for its cold winters; rightly so. However, visiting Toronto in the winter is actually an amazing experience, and also a beautiful time to see the city. On my last trip I stayed at the Sheraton, just a block from Nathan Philips Square. A friend of mine brought me a spare pair of skates and we spent the better part of an evening enjoying coffee and the...

Oct 16, 2019 - Victoria - Last Day

In spite of the threat of rain, we sallied forth in search of adventure around Victoria, BC. Turned out that the weather cooperated and neither of us was in danger of melting! Our first stop, and one I would highly recommend was Craigdarroch Castle, which is not a castle per se but a large mansion. Nonetheless, the place is impressive! Situated in a nice residential area just beyond downtown Victoria, the mansion was built for Robert Dunsmuir, who alas for him died just prior to completion of the house. Dunsmuir was a wealthy coal baron who...

Oct 15, 2019 - Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island. While the weather was cloudy and then rainy, we sallied forth nonetheless. We walked around some of downtown Victoria, seeing part of the harbor area (including watching a seaplane land in the harbor), the Parliament building, and the Empress Hotel. The Empress is an upgraded grand hotel from 1908 and is elegant from its cultured and detailed landscaping to its opulent lobby. Attached are pictures of the hotel's front, a different kind of chandelier in the...

Oct 14, 2019 - Canada - Thanksgiving & Victoria, BC

Yesterday we relaxed in the house of our friends, Barb & Bevin, before journeying over to their daughter and son-in-law's (Robin and Kevin) house for a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner with their family. About a year ago, Robin & Kevin completed a total tear down and complete replacement of their home, and what a job they did! The new interior features built-in cabinets, convenient nooks to hold a large TV and other assorted, but limited, vases and pictures. I took a picture of the front of their house, which looks nice, but unpretentious. From...

Oct 12, 2019 - Canada - Various

Last night, our convivial hosts and friends, Barb & Bevin, kindly hosted a dinner at their house where we could see some other friends in the area, some of whom I have not seen in almost two years (my how time flies!). The dinner was excellent and the company even more so. Lots of laughter, along with good wine, reigned supreme. Sandy and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Cheryl, Robert, Penny, Brenda, and John. A picture of the dinner companions is attached. Today, Barb, Bevin, Sandy, and I were local travel vagabonds as we visited a number of...

Oct 11, 2019 - Canada - Fort Langley

Today's adventure took us to the town of Fort Langley, on the outer suburbs of Vancouver. There one can find both a charming town and fort of the same name. The town is a livable town, versus merely a tourist attraction, and as such has shops, cafes, etc. Attached you can see pictures of a shop, a log cabin shop, Sandy and a friendly (thankfully) bear, etc. Fort Langley itself was established in 1827 by the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading post, and another picture is of examples of fur that were traded. The company established itself...

Oct 10, 2019 - Canada

On the 9th, Sandy and I drove from Seattle to Vancouver, actually Surrey, British Columbia, and spent a relaxing evening with our hosts, Barbara and Bevin. Today, we went to the charming shore town of White Rock, which lies just above the border with the U.S. As one perambulates along its long shoreline promenade, you might catch a train coming from the U.S. that runs adjacent to the walkway. Fortunately, that did not happen during our visit, and we were free to enjoy the beach type atmosphere, cozy shops, and varying restaurants that...

Oct 3, 2019 - We Begin.

We were up early and on the road by 5a hoping to catch the 8.30a ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver. We caught the 7.45a from Duke Point with loads of time to spare. By Noon we were having lunch in sunny Chilliwack. We spent the afternoon visiting with Audree. It was so nice to see her after all this time. We picked up Chinese food....delicious. After dinner we went to see Gord's cousins, Bill and Janice Balakshin. They run a 'Shower to Shower'....a night's stay...free...mostly for bicyclers...those going tip to tip in North America to South...

Sep 26, 2019 - On The Road Again!

@@@@@@@ KAPOORS ON THE ROAD We always look forward to travelling and part of the experience is not having to shop for groceries, cook our own meals every day, and do all the cleaning up afterwards. It’s great to try new foods in other places around the world, although the fact that we don’t eat fish or seafood does limit our choices a great deal. Living in a tourist city on ocean means that fresh fish and seafood is a big part of the dining experience in Victoria. We don’t eat out a lot unless we go to ethnic restaurants for Thai,...

Sep 26, 2019 - Vancouver

26 September 2019 Our last full day in Vancouver, and in Canada. Have enjoyed a quieter and relaxing day. Had a coffee together in our unit before heading off to the Pacific Centre for a look around. A very upmarket shopping centre and we were looking for the Disney store. Thought it might have been able to help with a T shirt we are looking for, but that wasn't to be. Found the Food Court for lunch, checked out a couple of other shops on the way back home. Had a quiet afternoon before heading back down to Canada Place to watch the British...

Sep 25, 2019 - Vancouver

25 September 2019 Decided on a 9.30am departure for the day, but we were all ready a bit earlier, and set off for our last drive in "The Bus". The car was booked until tomorrow, but made the decision to return it a day early and just use the free shuttles! A decision that we were all happy with, especially our driver. Having checked out the return point on Monday, and with the help of our navigation lady, found our way easily to the drop off area at Canada Place. We were very thankful for the many police on duty, as two cruise ships had...

Sep 24, 2019 - Vancouver

24 September 2019 What a difference a day makes!! The weather Gods were shining on us today and we have enjoyed a full day out, no rain, no showers, no umbrellas, just some occasional misty fog. Did our check in with each other at 9am, and yes, let's be on our way to Grouse Mountain. The long walk down Hornby Street (like the true professionals that we are now 𯘂), and didn't have too long to wait for the shuttle bus. Our female driver was great and gave us lots of information along the way. Not long before the first Gondola (sky ride) took...