Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 Day 16 - toronto zoo!!

We travelled with the aid of computer navigation in Ronda's Jeep to the Toronto Zoo. It is a really big zoo. Even though some of the animals weren't out because its too cold for them still (I never even considered this). We still got to see heaps of really cool and different animals. I only got to see the Giraffe from a long distance because it was behind a fence. The Gorillas and the Orangutangs were probably my favourite, plus we got to see a beaver.

After the zoo it was back to the hotel for a rest before Stacey & Angele picked us up for dinner. We got to meet the adorable Miss Riley. We ate at Zeldas on Church St (vegie burger yum) It was great to catch up with Stacey & Angele again. We then went to find Babylon for Janet - we had walked past it yesterday - Angele was able to find it for Janet. Also Woodys.

After we got back, Ronda & I wen t to find a pharmacy to get some drugs for Janet who thinks she is getting sick. Hope its not too bad - it sucks to get sick on holiday.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 Day 15 - walking in toronto

Our first day in Toronto and we coveredf a fair bit of ground. We walked to the subway and caught it to the Museum, which we covered top to bottom - very big and a bit tricky to follow the map!.

Next it was back on the subway and a short walk to Casa Loma, which is a castle where we did an audio tour and even climbed up lots of very narrow winding stairs into a turret, it also had tunnels and secret passages!!

Then it was back on the subway and more walking to find Church st where we looked for places that Queer as Folk was filmed, but we couldn't find them. More walking abd back on the subway to get us a bit closer to the hotel. Then a relax in the hotel before dinner.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 14 - to toronto!

We caught the train from Ottawa to Toronto. It took about 4 1/2 hours. Then we walked a really long way to our hotel where we found Ronda sitting in the lobby. Then it was out for some dinner & then back to the hotel to do some laundry before bed.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 13 - Ottawa

A big walking day. After our hotel brekky (they have toast, muffins, fruit & oatmeal), we headed out.

We first walked to Parliament Hill - on the way walking past some amazing buildings. The Parliament House is surrounded by lots of different statues. We walked right around and then went inside, where we were pleased to discover we could go on a free guided tour! We got taken through the various rooms as well as the library. All very grand. Then we were able to go up the clock tower for a great view!

Next we made our way over the Alexandra Bridge (very cold & windy)to the Museum of Civillisation. This is a BIG museum. Very well done and only $10 to get in. We spent a long time going through the various exhibits. (this was after we found the cafe for an early lunch as we were starving! I had the most delicious vegie burger yet!!)

We then walked back to the Byward Market area and on the way saw this strange creature, which we were later told was a woodchuck.

We saw yesterday a stall selling Beavertails and wanted to try one, so we got one to share - with cinnamon sugar. Its a big flat oval shaped pastry - delicious and warm!!]

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 day 12 - off to ottawa

We caught the train from Montreal to Ottawa. The station at Montreal is HUGE. Our train left from track 17. It was a different carriage set up - 2 seats on each side of the aisle. We had trouble trying to order a Coke. The guy couldn't ubderstand us, so we had to point on the menu.



We arrived in Ottawa at about 3 and caught a taxi to the hotel (since it was a bit too far to walk). After the traditional bag unl;oading, we headed out to the Byward Market. We found a big shopping centre & Tim Hortons (donut count #4) and we had a food court dinner.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 Day 11 - freezing in montreal

Montrea - lots of churches, lots of smokers and very cold! The maximum temperature today was 5c, so it was very chilly. My chin went numb and my nose turned red.



We walked around Montreal all day - we went to lots of shops and visited the Basilica of Notre Dame which was amazing. It cost $5 to get in and inside was lit amazingly. It was tricky to get a good photo, but hopefully some of them worked.

We walked around Old Montreal, and then headed back towards the hotel. It actually started raining ice. brrrrrrr. We had a bargain dinner for under $10 for both of us - 2 huge slices of Pizza and a can of coke each for $4.39. Bargain!!

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 10 - training day!

Yes, time to catch the VIA train to Montreal!! We caught a taxi down the hill to the station and waited a couple of hours for our train. When we got on it was great! Very roomy & comfy.

It was amazing to see all the snow surrounded houses, icy rivers & frozen swimming pools from the window. A few hours later and we were in Montreal. Following our Google directions, we made it to our hotel on foot. We are on the 11th floor and have a King bed. First room we've had with a view of anything other than a wall - so I tried out the cameras night time setting. We headed to Nickels Restaurant for Dinner (Celine's Restaurant). Janet had Lasagne & I had Pasta Primavera. We shared a piece of Celine CHocolate Cake, which was the biggest piece of cake I ever saw. Far out. We couldn't finish it. I photographed the whole event, then home to bed.

There was a big hockey game on and everyone out was dressed in the red & blue shirts. The right team must have won, because we heard lots of horn tooting outside.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 Day 9 - Quebec!

How else to start the day, but with warm croissants? Yum! We had a big hotel brekky to help us avoid buying lunch. Brilliant plan!



We spent the day walking around Quebec....it was easy to find our way around, and a good city for walking.



We visited Parliament House, the Museaum of Civillisation, went to the waterfront where we were amazed at the ice floating down the river. THere is snow everywhere, so the streets were a bit soggy. Its a really old city, with lots of lovely old buildings, surrounded by a great big wall. A lot different to anywhere else we have been. The coolest thing about the museum (once we found it - we kind of walked right past it the first time)...was that we saw a video of an igloo being built. Amazing! There was also an exhibit about leisure, and they had cool places to lie and view videos on the ceiling. We almost fell asleep!



We shares McDonalds fries for lunch - dipped in ketchup. (did I mention how cool it is that everywhere has free sauce??)

So tomorrow we brave the train and head back to Montreal...

HCB's on Good Friday!!

Good Friday is time for our traditional family gathering to eat Hot Cross Buns.....

and chocolate easter egg brownies (by Mum)

and a spectacular carrot cake......(by Kristy)

and red velvet cupcakes (which looked slightly wrong from above...)....



and generally too much food!

Pizza Picnic from Hell!

We stopped off at Hell Pizza at Darra to pick up some dinner the other week when we were in the area....



Janet chose "lust" - bacon, cabanossi, ham, pepperoni, salami, with bbq sauce. (snack size $9.50).

I chose "damned" - avocado, camembert, cashews, spinach, sundried tomatoes, black pepper, mushrooms, onions, pineapple. (minus the mushrooms!) (snack size $11.00)

These were good pizzas. They had a nice range of vegetarian pizzas to choose from, and even a vegan pizza. SO I would predict we shall be back there again in the not too distant future.

We stopped off by Forest Lake and had a Pizza Picnic as the sun set.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure April 2008 Day 8 - to Quebec!

A day of travelling. We flew from Vancouver to Montreal & then onto a 37 seat plane to Quebec. Montral & Quebec are both covered in snow Amazing!!

Our hotel is very nice - large room. We had a bit of an issue with getting the shower working, but 2 staff members lately and we have learnt how to turn the tap on. We went out for dinner - we tried to do it cheaply by going to McDonalds, but had a language problem and couldn't understand the menu oops. So we ended up in an Italian restaurant - our italian is better than our french :-) Tomorrow should be an interestin day!!

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 7 - Time to do the Laundry.

Yes, it was time to find the laundromat. We walked up here and spent an hour or so doing the washing. Then we walked back to the hotel in the cold, pouring rain. Then it was back out in the rain to do some shopping. We bought a warm jacket for me, which has successfully kept me warm and dry for the rest of today. We basically spent the rest of the day wandering around Vancouver and trying to stay out of the rain. An early start tomorrow as we head to Quebec.



Oh, and i had my first ever hot chocolate today - so I got to walk down the street drinking from a Starbucks cup, just like everyone else around here!

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 6 - SNOW!!

We got back on the trolley bus today and stayed on for almost a full circuit. It was the drivers first day, so he kind of went a different way to the others we had yesterday. We got off at the Seabus terminal and caught the boat across to north Vancouver where we caught the 236 bus to Grouse Mountain. (we just followed the snowboard & ski carrying people). We rode in a crowded gondola up to the mountain top. As we went up, the pouring rain became falling snow and the green trees became white and snow covered.




At the top, we stepped out into a winter wonderland! Snow everywhere and I got to stand in falling snow, pick up freshly fallen snow and walk through it!!! Amazing!!!! It was much softer and lighter than I had imagined.

We had lunch up here and also watched a couple of Imax films before spending a little more time standing out in the snow. Then it was back on the gondola and back down to the rain. It really is amazing how close to the city the snowy mountain is - so quick and easy to get to.

We caught the Seabus back to downtown and then the trolley bus to Robson St to check out the giant HMV, then we walked back to our hotel for a rest before heading out in search of Pizza-free dinner :-) We ended up at a thai place for a delicious vegtabley meal in a warm, fire side spot.

Janet & Ali's Big Adventure Day 5 - Vancouver on the Trolley

Breakfast is in the Irish pub under our hotel - they have waffle irons and you can make your own waffle!!! So I did. Yummo!!

We bought tickets & caught the "bus" around to various atractions..

First stop, Stanley Park - very green. We walked around and saw some squirrels who didn't want to pose for a photo. We did manage to decipher the map and made it to the totem poles. Then back on the bus to Prospect Point, after a quick photo stop at the Lions Gate Bridge, which was designed by the same guy who did the Golden Gate.

Next stop was Granville Island. It was crowded in the market, but fun to wander around all the fruit, vegie, flower and fish stalls. We had lunch here too (inside in the warm)

Next stop China Town - we got a couple of cheap t shorts and checked out the garden.

It was great to have the on-off bus as it meant we got around to a lot of places. We ended up in Davies St and walked around the gay area before making our way back to the hotel for a relax before heading out for dinner of....................Pizza!!! I tried the ranch sauce on mine this time. Yum!!