Giant Rubber Ducky

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address:  339 Queens Quay West
Date: July 2017
Website: towaterfrontfest.com

 When we visited HTO Park down on the waterfront everyone was excited about the fireworks displays that were set to take place later that evening. As we approached the park we realized that a giant visitor was also in Toronto to help celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. A 6 storey tall, 30,000 pound visitor.

  We worked our way through the crowds to get an up close view of the giant rubber duck that was floating in Lake Ontario. He was very cute. He was very yellow and chubby too.

  We took various photos of the duck. As we were walking around to see if we could get a picture from the next pier we spotted a line-up for a water taxi. We thought "Why Not?"  We still had a couple of hours before fireworks lit up the CN Tower. The taxi was taking people out for about a 20 minute ride around Toronto Islands.  The taxi could hold up to 12 people. The 10 people in line plus the 2 of us filled up the next boat.

  A new view of the duck awaited us as our taxi worked its way out of the harbour. It was a little busy out there with Canada celebrating its 150th and no less than 5 fireworks displays visible from the water. The duck was getting lots of attention too.

We circled through the islands which unfortunately were closed due to the recent flooding. We got caught behind some large boats that were heading out to get a good spot to see the fireworks.

As the sun was setting we headed back towards our giant, yellow friend. The familiar CN Tower and Rogers Centre were there as well. The duck had a light inside for nighttime viewing.

  We took one last look at the duck as he smiled back at us. We had to head out and find a good spot for viewing the CN Tower fireworks display. The duck will also be visiting a few other Ontario cities in July such as Owen Sound and Midland. Maybe we will meet again.

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Map of Our World
Giant Rubber Ducky

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Post # 182

Canada Coast To Coast

1. British Columbia
2. Alberta
3. Saskatchewan
4. Manitoba
5. Ontario
6. Quebec
7. New Brunswick
8. Prince Edward Island
9. Nova Scotia
10. Newfoundland

  This year Canada is celebrating its 150th year of Confederation.  We are lucky enough to have seen the country from coast to coast.  We have been to all ten provinces and even touched the tidal waters of Nunavut from Churchill, Manitoba.  The territories are on our travel wish list.  Below is a list of just one of our favourite things from each province.

1 ) British Columbia

BC has the animals, the Pacific Ocean and so much more. One of our favourite things was tea at The Empress Hotel in Victoria. Read More

2 ) Alberta

Alberta shares the Rocky Mountains with BC, but Alberta has Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise.  We fell in love with the snow capped mountains. Read More.

3 ) Saskatchewan

Yes it is flat, but the fields with rolls of hay and the blue skies have a feel all their own.  It also seemed to have a never ending sunset as we drove westward. Read More

4 ) Manitoba

This is the furthest north we have ever been in Canada.  Our favourite thing in Manitoba is the polar bears of Churchill. Read More.

5 ) Ontario

We spend most of our time in the province of Ontario.  Algonquin Park is our favourite place to really get away from it all. Read More.

6 ) Quebec

Hotel de Glace is built each winter just outside of Quebec City.  We spent a night inside this palace of ice. Read More.

7 ) New Brunswick

The Hopewell Rocks are formed by the high tidal fluctuations that occur in the area.  You can walk down beneath the unusual rocks and 6 hours later the water has returned and filled everything back in. Read More.

8 ) Prince Edward Island

Our brief two day visit to PEI was 48 hours of rain.  We did enjoy getting to and from the island.  First we drove across the marvel that is Confederation Bridge and then we saw the red soil when we left on a ferry.  We will return.  Read More.

9 ) Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has Peggy's Cove and Cape Breton Island.  One of our best days in the province was spent at the Halifax Public Gardens. Read More.

10 ) Newfoundland

Iceberg Alley passes right around the top of Newfoundland.  We were lucky to see these gigantic 10,000 year old pieces of glacial ice as they floated in the Atlantic Ocean. Read More.

Ten provinces and ten wonderful memories.  

HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY CANADA !!

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Map of Our World
Banff Gondola , Saskatchewan , Hopewell Rocks Park , Halifax Public Gardens , Witless Bay
Empress Hotel , Hotel De Glace , Confederation Bridge
Tundra Buggy Tour , Algonquin Park (Lake Opeongo)

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Post # 181

Cabbagetown

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address:  12 Amelia Street
Date: March 2017
Website: www.famelia.com

  The area of Toronto known as Cabbagetown supposedly got its name many years ago.  Large groups of working class immigrants moved into the area and planted cabbage in their front yards.  We took the Carlton streetcar to Parliament Street and found ourselves right in the heart of Cabbagetown.  We didn't see rows of cabbage growing in front yards, but we did enjoy a nice walk

  The first thing we encountered was a large mural on the corner convenience store.  It featured a man and a woman.  The woman had long curly hair which flowed up filling the wall behind her.  Behind the man was a cabbage patch.

  Across the street we were reminded of cabbage once again by a building painted in green and purple.

  Something else green caught our eye.  This time it was a giant iguana sitting on top of the Menagerie Pet Shop.  If you venture inside you will find a real iguana in the back corner of the store.  You will also find a variety of birds, fish and other reptiles.

  Finally we reached our intended destination.  We were headed for brunch at F'Amelia Italian restaurant.

A little gnocci and panini later and we were back out on the street.  Across the road from the restaurant were some houses that we believe are from the 1800s.  Perhaps their front yards used to grow cabbage?

  We headed back south towards Carlton Street.  It had been raining that day and the ground was still wet.  In one shop window we were delighted to see flamingo umbrellas.  The Queen of Hearts would be dissapointed that they did not appear to sell a matching croquet set.

  It wasn't long untill we found ourselves back where we started.  We took one last look at the mural across the street and then waited to catch another streetcar.  The Cabbagetown section of Toronto is very proud of its history and the evidence is everywhere you look.

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Map of Our World
Corner Convenience Mural , Cabbagetown Mural
F'Amelia
Menagerie Pet Shop
Kendall & Co.

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Post # 180