Day 4 - Toronto (17 October ‘23)

Our last full day in Toronto is now upon us. It was a day for sightseeing and what a perfect day for it. Bright and sunny blue skies!

We had a tour of the harbour booked (who doesn't love a boat ride!) and so we thought we would head there via a short stop at the Ontario Parliament (officially known as the Legislative Assembly of Ontario). It was a massive grand looking building surrounded by statues (including King Edward VII) and nicely kept lawns and parks. It was pretty quiet except for a small Trade Union protest happening outside. It is right next to the University of Toronto campus which did have an Oxford University vibe to it - but without the 800+ year old history of course. We didn't have a huge amount a time so it was a quick mooch/photo opp and run.

We eventually got to Union Station and needed to grab a streetcar (tram) to the harbour. We headed out of the station onto the street and couldn't find the streetcar or its tracks anywhere. Was google maps and our paper map lying to us? No, it turns out the streetcars depart from Union Station underground. After deciding it was best to walk, we were very surprised when one emerged from a ramp under the road that looked like it lead to an underground car park.

Anyway, we decided we would just walk the 20 minutes as we had just enough time. We arrived at the harbour, tried boarding the wrong boat and then finally got on the right one!

It was a fairly small boat that took us out along the harbour front, past the airport, around some of the the Toronto islands and then back in. The guide was very good and gave us lots of info about Toronto and pointed out some things we had no idea were there, such as the Netflix studios, the Royal Yacht club (frequented by Prince Phillip on his trips to Toronto) and the retractable roof of the Rogers Centre - amongst many other things. It was a great way to get a good look at the city from a distance and it was a great reminder that the waterfront is not the sea but a lake.

After the harbour tour it was time for lunch. We had heard/read about St Lawrence Market which sells fresh food and has lots of little eateries. There was one particular stall that is considered a 'must visit' and that is the Carousel Bakery for its 'Peameal Bacon Bun'. To the casual observer it looks like a fairly uninspiring and no frills bacon roll - but actually it was much more stunning than that. Peameal bacon is very thick, very soft and very delicious. I had it with the traditional accompaniment which is honey mustard. *chefs kiss*.

We finished our buns and decided that we would just sit for a minute and take in the place. We hadn't really stopped in the last couple of days and this was a good place to just take a breath. We got the map book out and did a bit of planning for our journey to Ottawa in the morning.

After a little while we headed to City Hall and Nathan Phillips square. It was the right thing to do as tourists. The fountains were not on, sadly, but it was a good place to grab a few of the classic pictures of the Toronto sign.

We mooched around the square for a bit (getting in some wedding photos!) and then pottered up Queen's Street West, which we had so far only seen by night. During the day it was a fairly busy shopping street. Kirstie had a look round a craft shop (while I sat down for a bit). We wandered up a bit further and then headed back to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, which is a shopping mall. We had a little look around and got a couple of essentials (despite the weak pound these days, there are still some fairly cheap places in Canada!). We then headed for our evening activity which was a trip to the Mirvish Theatre for a musical.

Kirstie's bargain hunting skills really are second to none. She managed to grab two cheap tickets for tonights performance of 'In Dreams'. They were available at the 9am 'rush sale' earlier in the morning - which is where the theatre release unsold tickets at massively cut prices.

Neither of us were quite sure what to expect from a musical containing the music of Roy Orbison, however it was pretty decent. I can't say that I have been converted into a Roy Orbison fan, but it was a great performance (featuring Noel from Hearsay!) and in the most comfortable theatre I have ever sat in. The seats were so 'sinkable-in' and the view was excellent. Great work Phipps!

After the theatre we headed for the subway via Toronto's answer to Times Square/Piccadilly Circus - Yonge Dundas square. We were pretty knackered and it was time to hit the hay. We are picking up the car in the morning - our road trip starts tomorrow!