This morning I was awake on and off from about 5 in the morning. We has a snorer in the room. He was in the bed above Chris and he was driving me nuts. I wasn't hung over, but I did have a dry throat, the air conditioning was on all night. I'm sure I must sleep with my mouth open! We were both awake by about 7:30. We got ready and headed out to explore Toronto! This is our only full day of exploring this major city! We decided to walk to the Greyhound bus station, it was a little waste of time, we were told we can just pitch up when we want to get on any bus. Which was good news really as we hasn't decided where we want to go next. We took a walk down Bay Street found a coffee place and then had breakfast. We could just about see the CN tower in the distance it wasn't far away so we decided to go up.
The CN tower is the famous landmark of Toronto we got the ticket that included everything. Got the ticket to see the glass floor, the pod - which was a lot higher with even better views of the city. Also a simulator ride and a 3D legend of flight show. When we got to the main observation floor - we could see a lot of the city even though I was very grey. Got some good pictures of the urban scape & the islands to the south of the city. Next stop was the glass floor. Chris doesn't like heights, and I was walking on it, jumping up and down on the glass. Chris couldn't even look over the edge at the start. After a little while of bring there he managed to sit on the glass - (Not looking down of course!) for someone that doesn't like heights he did good! Of course I was laughing so much... (I needed to rush to the toilet!).
Next platform was even higher, it was better views and floor to ceiling windows. It had stunning views over Toronto and the suburbs, on the other side of Lake Ontario would be Niagara Falls, not that we could see it. It was then time to go back down the glass walled elevators, (there were also glass floor panels which allowed you to view the lift shaft below. Back on safe ground we had the two last bits that were included in the ticket, legends of flight was a 3D show about Aviation. I know you are going to should have loved this - but it was a little boring and it lasted 30 minutes. The 3D was ok, and it had some planes in it- but it I could have fallen asleep. On a plus note the seats were comfortable.
Then we went on the simulator, I can't even remember the actual name of it, but it was the worst themed simulator ever. Basically we were a log, and we followed the journey from the mountain tops to the ground that this piece of wood makes, via water ways and unrealistic roller coasters that have gaps allowing the cart to jump between the parts of track. Strange. It wasn't really worth the extra but lucky for us a guy in the queue gave us a 20% voucher so these bits were free!
Opposite the CN tower is the Rodgers Stadium, it is the home of the Blue Jays - A Canadian Baseball team. It would have been amazing to get ticket but the Blue Jays are playing away at the moment. Instead we did the guided tour. The tour was packed - not. It was like a private tour for Chris and me, as we were the only ones on it. Our guide took us around the stadium, the press boxes, the big and small suites - a suite that allowing 30 guests to watch a game was $6,000 Canadian dollars. (Not cheap). We then mad our way down to the field. It was laid out as a Baseball field. Even though they do have football teams play here, Liverpool played here not so long ago. The actual grass is AstroTurf and we were lucky enough to walk around on the field, and to sit in the dugout. The guide talked about the roof which is fully retractable, only talking 16 minutes and costing $22 in electricity. The tour ended at the official gift shop for the Blue Jays. It was so expensive a jersey costing £150. They also had used baseball balls on sale.! I am glad that we did the tour and just a shame we could see a game, but I'm sure some time during our trip we will be able to see one. We walked passed the whistle steam brewery and got some Mexican for lunch it was a take away place and the food was pretty tasty.
We headed to the river front and got the boat over to the Toronto Islands. The journey was only 15 minutes. Once there we had a walk around and headed to the beach. There was loads of black squirrels around. (Never seen black before). Walking up the small pier o was attacked by about 4 wasps. I wouldn't say I was scared of them, but I didn't fancy being stung. Lake Ontario was so still, it really did look like the sea so calm no waves. We wanted to test if in fact it was a clear water lake. So we both tasted the water and yes it was fresh water. No salt. I know it's a little weird we tasted the water - it's not like we would drink out of the Themes or the water from Brighton beach. Hiring a bike to cycle around was the best idea, so we could see as much of the island as possible. Except it wasn't just any bike we hired. It was a four wheeled bike for 2 people (Think of the Chuckle Brothers bike!). To be honest that's what we looked like. I drove it for a little while then it was Chris's turn. Of course we had to drive on the wrong side of the road, and we were chased a couple of times by school buses and dumper trucks. We went down to the beach, and got some great views of Toronto skyline. Taking the bike onto the sand wasn't a great idea, but it was light enough for us to push it out. After an hour cycling around it was time to take the bike back. Just as we did a Chinese girl had crashed into a lamppost and come right off her bike, I checked if she was ok - as she was brushing the twigs and mud from her clothes! By now the sun was shining, and the weather was really nice with only a few clouds in the sky. That could only mean one thing... It was time for a beer - more importantly it was time for Moose Head! On the island there was a nice cafe called the Carousel Cafe, and we sat outside drinking out beer in the sun. (Planning where we wanted to go and see next!) This island has shed loads of wasps, and they seemed to want some of our beer. It was only a 1 km walk back to the ferry pier- we had to wait a little while as we had just missed one. There was a crazy guy that must have worked there, and without kidding his Adam's apple must have been 5 x the size of a normal one - with the highest squeakiest voice I have ever heard.
The boat ride back was short and in no time we were back on the mainland. We knew the hostel wasn't very far away so we walked the 10 minutes back and booked out day trip for tomorrow Niagara Falls! I was pretty late now, and decided to walk to China Town for some dinner, it was about a 30 minute walk, but it was now dark, and it looked really cool with all the buildings & CN tower lit up. China Town was on a long street to the west of the city. We had a quick walk around before deciding to eat at a Vietnamese Restaurant. The restaurant was packed and we had to wait a little while before getting a table. Chris ordered a nice looking beef and noodle soup dish, everyone in the restaurant seemed to be eating this. I decided to go for some fried noodles with chicken and veg. Sounds nice doesn't it... And it would have been if the noddles had been cooked. My dinner was basically super noodles uncooked with cooked chicken and veg on top. They were the hardest, crunchiest, and dry noodles I have ever eaten!!! I did eat some, but not everything - the plate was massive as well. I think you could have fed a whole Chinese family with it. (I won't be ordering that any time soon!) I was asked if I wanted to take the rest away with me, I declined that offer, It would have been even worse by morning!
The walk back seemed quicker and on route managed to get some nice pictures of the CN tower.
Arriving back at the hostel, I think we were both done in, it had been a long day. The old guy sleeping on the bunk bed under me was asleep and holding onto the ladder - so I needed to get onto my bed without treading on his hand! I just managed it - nice one grandpa! Once my head had touched the thin well used pillow I was asleep!