Year Of The Snake

1. Mall Snakes
   
2. Snake Path UC San Diego
   
3. Massasauga Rattlesnake
4. Pythonbrug
5. Dekay's Brown Snake
   
6. Reticulated Python
   
7. Black Snake in Greece
8. Movieland Snake
   
9. Science North
   
10. Snakes & Ladders
    

  People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be graceful, wise and determined. 2025 is the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. To celebrate here are 10 of our favourite snake encounters.

1 ) Mall Snakes

To celebrate the new year, malls around Toronto are decorated for the Year of the Snake. The Scarborough Town Centre went for a family friendly, cartoonish snake. It sits in their centre court watching over everyone. The snake at Yorkdale Mall (below) looked a little more menacing. This year was coming in with a quick, precise strike.

2)  Snake Path UC San Diego

At the University of California San Diego campus there is a snake path that slithers through the garden beside the Geisel Library. You can walk down this snake skin tiled walkway until you reach the snake's head with its forked tongue sticking out.

3)  Massasauga Rattlesnake

The Massasauga rattlesnake is Ontario's only venemous snake. It is also the only Ontario snake to have cat's eyes (vertical pupils). We encountered a Massasauga rattlesnake near Tobermory at Bruce Peninsula National Park. They are endangered so a sighting is rare. The snake we encountered was just hurrying on its way through the leaves on the ground.

4)  Pythonbrug

Pythonbrug or Python Bridge is a curvy bridge that spans a canal in Amsterdam. Its real name is High Bridge or Hogebrug. It is only for pedestrians and is quite an interesting walk along a series of steps.

5)  Dekay's Brown Snake

Another snake we have encountered is the DeKay's brown snake. It is fairly common and can be found from Quebec in Canada all the way down to Honduras in Central America. It likes to eat slugs and worms. We uncovered this little fellow under a flower pot. He didn't move so we took his photo and then placed the flower pot back.

6)  Reticulated Python

The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. It grows up to 33 feet in length. That is quite a bit longer than another big snake, the boa constrictor. Boa constrictors only grow to about 13 feet in length. The snake above can be found at the Toronto Zoo.

7)  Black Snake in Greece

The biggest snake we have seen in the wild was in the small village of Mavrovouni, Greece. We believe it was a black whip snake which can grow to about 6 feet long. It slithered across the road and into some tall grass. Unfortunately, that grass was the exact place we had previously pulled our car into when visiting a nearby cafe. We may have to find a new parking spot in the future.
 

 8)  Movieland Snake

If you have ever visited Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Canada you may have walked past this next snake. If you time it right, she may pop out of the wall at the Movieland Wax Museum.

9 ) Science North

Science North in Sudbury, Ontario has many reptile and amphibian residents. This photo above is of a snake skeleton. This gives you a better idea as to what is really going on inside.

10 ) Snakes & Ladders

Snakes are an important part of the game Snakes & Ladders. If you land on a ladder you climb up. If you land on a snake you slide down. Storm Crow Manor in Toronto has some outdoor game boards that double as tables so you can enjoy a drink or meal while you play.

  That is our list of favourite snakes. Let's see how the new year slithers along. Remember to be aware of and kind to our scaly, legless friends.

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Map of Our World

Toronto Zoo , York Cemetery , Bruce Peninsula National Park , STILVI Cafe , Science North
Pythonbrug
Scarborough Town Centre , Yorkdale Mall , Movieland Wax Museum
Chinese Zodiac , Snake Path
Storm Crow Manor

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Post # 343

Royal York At Christmas

 

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address:  100 Front Street West
Date:  December 2023
Website:  www.fairmont.com

  Since 1929, the Royal York Hotel has stood tall as the premier hotel in Toronto. As its name implies, it has seen Queens and Kings amongst its guests. The hotel is a special place all year round, but great to visit at Christmas.

    There is always a big Christmas tree in the lobby.

 

    Sometimes the tree is guarded by soldiers.

     The hotel has gone through some changes through the years. The photo above still includes the clock and spiral staircase that came up into the lobby. These have been replaced with the Clockwork bar which includes a different clock.

       Just like the changes in the hotel, there is always something different in the decorations at Christmas. One year there were many trees both pink and green

        We once went to the hotel for a holiday brunch and a table was set up with a gingerbread village.  It was not meant for eating.  

    Gingerbread is also a big part of the Royal York's holiday display. As you enter the hotel from the east side, you can smell what is coming.

    It's Gingerbread Lane. This part of the Royal York concourse is covered with gingerbread and icing.  It is a feast for the senses.

     All of the stores are covered from top to bottom. The smell of gingerbread is everywhere. As lovers of gingerbread cookies this made us quite hungry for a snack.

    One wall even has the Royal York logo giving it the stamp of approval.

    Is it really real gingerbread you ask? Yes it is. One time when we visited we witnessed the staff applying some more icing touches. A lot of work goes into making and maintaining this gingerbread hallway.

   In 2024 the hotel did not create a gingerbread lane. Let's hope it returns in future years. The Royal York is still always a magical place, especially around Christmas.

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Map of Our World
Royal York Hotel

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Post # 342

Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade

 

 

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address:  Dwight Ave. & Lakeshore Blvd. West
Date:  December 2023
Website:  lakeshoreparade.ca

  Toronto is known for its Santa Claus Parade that passes through the downtown core. Since 1991, there has also been a second Santa Claus Parade taking place along Lakeshore Blvd. West. We went to check out this smaller, more community driven, parade in 2023. Here are some highlights.

    A couple of Looney Tunes favourites arrived in a big, old-time car. They were pulled by some sort of racing truck. Normally these two characters would not get along, but after all it is Christmas.

    Thomas The Tank Engine arrived pulling train cars full of gifts. 

 

    A group of snowmen were headed down a snow covered hill. One was on skiis, one on a sled and one just slid on his snowy belly.

 

 

   An inflated gingerbread man walked carefully down the street.

 

    Throughout the parade were many children dressed as woodland creatures.  This bunny (above) was most likely trying to catch up to Bugs Bunny and give him a giant carrot.

     The Grinch tried to steal this parade float.  Sorry Grinch, you can't stop Christmas from coming.

 

    Next Snow White and Prince Charming drove by with a cottage full of dwarves.

    Three polar bears raced by in a three man bobsled.

 

    A drumming group went by. Marching bands are a very important part of any good parade.

    Another must have for any successful parade is at least one bagpiper.

 

    There was an old fire truck that had retired from active duty.

 

    There was also a shiny, new fire truck flashing its lights and blasting its siren to let us know that it was ready to be called into action.

 

    Speaking of old vehicles, here is one from the Stone Age. Fred Flintstone and Dino were driving this prehistoric car down the street.

     From dinosaurs to dragons. This fire-breather was wearing a scarf so that his throat would not get too cold.

   Who do you send to defend your castle from a fire breathing dragon? Why a brave knight, of course!  This knight saw us, dropped his visor and turned to face us. Merry Christmas Mr. Knight.

   

 Mr. Peanut took some time out from his very busy schedule (It's nuts!) to walk in the parade. There were also some dancing Chinese dragons delighting the crowd with their moves.

 

    A pirate ship sailed past. A loud pop was followed by a plume of smoke. We had just been fired upon! 

 

     Next up was a Mariachi band looking sharp in their outfits. They were all piled into the back of a U-Haul trailer. Feliz Navidad !!

    Standing in the back of a pickup were a couple of singing Elvises. How could anyone have a blue Christmas with these guys rocking around the Christmas tree?

    Woof, woof, woof ! Woof, woof, woof! Jingle Bells as only a pack of dogs can perform it.

 

 

    Mrs. Claus arrived in a sleigh pulled by a single reindeer. That can only mean that Santa is on his way.

 

   Here comes Santa Claus. Here comes Santa Claus. Right down Lakeshore Blvd. We had a great time.  Everyone in the community came together to put on a wonderful parade.

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Map of Our World
Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade

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Post # 341