Toronto

Toronto, or Trono as we locals say. Here the locals say that the 2nd T stands for Tourist.

Quite good flight from Vancouver. Check into Fairmont Royal York hotel. Good big old grand hotel. 3 hour time difference threw us a bit and found us staying up until 1am and getting up at 10. 

First day, Judy still sick so did the hop on hop off thing which minimised required walking. Good overview of city. Dinner in ordinary Italian place near hotel. After dinner drink in the hotel’s library bar, comfortable old style bar. Meet server Michael who becomes a great source of info. Recommends 3 restaurants and some things to do.

Next day get back on hoho bus (48 hour tickets) to visit some places drove past yesterday. First St Lawrence markets. Good big markets with everything you can think of fruit, veg, meat, fish, bakeries,  deli’s, all sorts of food outlets, clothes, souvenirs etc. good morning there. Then onto boat cruise (included in hoho ticket) for cruise around Toronto islands. Islands not far off shore in Lake Ontario. Back home and out to anniversary dinner in recommended tapas restaurant. Good little funky restaurant with interesting take on traditional tapas. Complementary glass of cava for anniversary. Back to library bar for nightcap where Michael presents us with complementary glass of champagne for anniversary. 

Next day, breakfast at Starbucks (easy, quick and not the worst coffee in Canada). Now, on last day, we work out the public transport system. Weekend ticket $12.50 allows 2 people to travel all day on all forms of transport, train, tram, bus. Travel to interesting Yorkville district which was the hippy hangout of the 60s where famous Canadian musicians started and continued their careers. Gradually gentrified to its current Double Bay-like status. Encounter acts of the Toronto jazz festival in the streets. Fantastic Cuban band playing. Streets lined with nice apartment buildings, cafes, high-end shops. 

Then catch trolley bus for 20 minute ride along Queen street with lots of interesting shops, restaurants, bars, public buildings and parks. Find Greek Restaurant for tonight. Travel back checking out some of the locations used in Shape of Water movie. Dinner tonight in recommended Mamakas Taverna. Brilliant place. Seated at bar shared with others and have good conversation with other diners. Great food. Really top quality Greek, taramosalata, smelts (tiny fried white fish eaten whole, spanakopita made in interesting spiral shape, and perfectly cooked lamb cutlets. All washed down with Assyrtiko white wine from Santorini. All very reminiscent of our time on Santorini. Back home and marginally earlier night as checking out next day.

Sunday, D up at 5:40 to watch State of Origin on iPad. Lock myself in bathroom so J can sleep on. Then pack up, check out, and cross road to Union station for train to Kingston. Pastry and coffee from Danish shop for breakfast while wait for train. First real coffee of trip. Had some reasonable coffees but this was the first that really tasted like coffee. Now on good train to Kingston for the day.