So Toronto is well Toronto... just like London, just like New York, just another City but it's managed to keep us entertained for over a week so maybe we shouldn't compare this one and just take it for what it is - A big vibrant busy metropolis full of high rises and tourist spots. Lots of diversity with half the population not being native... Little China, GreekTown, Little India, Korea Town... You get the gist!

We arrived after a 5hr Greyhound bus journey from Ottawa and checked into the Planet Traveller Hostel in the Downtown Kensington area. With a lovely roof top terrace and amazing views of the city skyline, we were smitten! Oh and not forgetting the 100 choices of breakfast cereal and bagels. We are exaggerating to make a point of course!

Oh how we laughed and laughed - not because Toronto is a particularly comical city but rather because we are easily amused. We have spent a lot of time keeled over, wetting our pants kind of laughing. Like when S unintentionally cheated at Scrabble by using the wrong side of her tiles and ending up with 3 blank tiles (even though the game only had 2 in total!). Or, K freaking out about stepping on the glass floor of the CN tower even though there was a small child right next to her happily jumping up and down on it. Or, trying to navigate the evening rush hour traffic on bicycles with saddle sore bums. OR, getting completely soaked, drenched, dripping wet wet wet, on the maid of the mist at Niagara Falls.

Ok, so lets get down to business... Our highlights (you know you love this bit... The anticipation is more than that of a Royal Prince being born):

- Naturally, Niagara Falls - just remember to tie those attractive bright blue ponchos tight around your neck when you go on the Maid of the Mist (which is a must).
- Not so naturally, the CN Tower viewing platform and the sight of Lake Ontario which is massive, 'nuff said.
- Ferry ride to Toronto Island - hiring bicycles and riding them around the Island, and returning back with souvenirs of bruises and mozi bites.
- Swim in the free outdoor swimming pool downtown.
- Going to just outside of the city to see beautiful Mandip, gorgeous Manroop and lovely family. Blessed to be able to give thanks at the local Gurdwara too.
- Just wondering around the different neighbourhoods - Chinatown, Financial District, Kensington, The Beaches & Old Toronto.
- Watching the Blue Jay (baseball) fans stroll out into the street, after a game.

It was S's birthday during our stay in Toronto and apart from 36 birthday hugs that the girls insisted K give to S (K still owes 25 of them... Thanks girls!!), she decided that the best way to spend the day would be to walk to the only cinema that was showing Monsters University in 2D! And boy did we walk... 3 hours worth. We spent the birthday evening sorting out the next leg of our journey which was no easy task. ViaRail tickets to Jasper in hand, we got back to the hostel and cooked up a feast that would make our mums proud. Followed by k's generous cheesecake treat.

So after ten days in terrific Toronto... We are off...