Toronto, ON

I recently came across a very interesting book called '1000 Places to See Before You Die' by Patricia Schultz and although I'm not sure whether or not Toronto Island made her list, it certainly should be there.

In early August a friend and I decided to sail over to Toronto Island and spend a few days exploring. Although I've lived in Ontario for most of my life and have visited Toronto many times, I had never been to Toronto Island before and now, after our recent visit there, I see that I've been missing out on one of our provinces most intriguing places.

While moored at Toronto Island, we were in awe of the fact that downtown Toronto was so close, and yet we felt as though we were on a distant island paradise of forests, beaches and trails.





















Toronto Island has an intriguing history extending back to the days when aboriginal people called it home. They saw it as a place of great spiritual mystery and magic and often took vacations there from the mainland.

























Over the years Toronto Island became the playground of the wealthy and eventually the City of Toronto began to develop it into a place that preserved the natural beauty while still providing features that appealed to all ages and income levels.



































Today thousands of people from all over the world take a ferry over to the island and spend the day exploring the many trails, attractions and beaches.





























It's one of the few places in Ontario where an official 'clothing optional' beach can be found and even though the day we visited was windy and cool, some visitors there were oblivious to the weather as they bared their all to the elements.
































During our stay there we took the Hanlan Point ferry over to the mainland and did some exploring of Queen's Quay in downtown Toronto.
The South-east Asia festival was on and we were treated to a show by colourful and talented Tibetan dancers.
























Taking cover from a storm, we came across a cosy auditorium where East Indian food was being prepared by a master chef and as curry and rice scents drifted through the air, I couldn't help but be enamoured at the wide variety of visitors from so many different cultures and backgrounds.



























I truly love it in that area of Toronto. The energy level is amazing and everyone is friendly.

Again, there is so much to see and explore, you would need to spend many days there to see it all.

As soon as there was a break in the weather, we headed for the ferry that would take us back home to the island.








It was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend the day and we arrived back at the boat just in time to miss a major downpour.






















The evening saw a clearing in the skies and a great peace took over the Toronto harbour and the island inlet where we were moored.

I can't even begin to describe the magical feeling I felt as I gazed across the water to the lights of the beautiful Toronto skyline.















Tourboats run day and evening from the Toronto harbour and in and around the many inlets of the island, offering tourists a comfortable and exciting way to see the island for themselves.

We were only moored at the island for two nights and did not have enough time to explore all the places that I wanted to see and the weather was touch and go with many thunderstorms and downpours during our stay.










I've made a vow to myself to visit again, soon, and this time explore more completely since the little that I saw was very beautiful and intriguing.
As you can see from the following slide show, an abundance of new experiences awaits you when you come to the Toronto waterfront.

I know it would take many visits there to see everything and I've put this on my list of the thousand places I want to see 'again', before I leave this fragile blue planet we call home.

©2008JoSmith

And so it continues. Or maybe it has ended. Toronto has always had this big city - small city syndrome. Are we world class or not? Do they love us or hate us?

Well, it seems that Toronto doesn't need the NFL. The CFL and the NLL (lacrosse) will do just fine for the folks at Hasbro. Toronto, as well as Montreal and Vancouver will be featured on the new Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition.

Just don't tell Torontonians that Montreal has the prestigious "Boardwalk" location...

Read the PRESS RELEASE HERE.

To view the ORIGINAL POSTING VISIT HERE.

August 21st to August 24th, 2008; BUSKERFEST!

It's for a good cause. Don't miss it.
Admission is by donation only and it supports Epilepsy Toronto.
This is dedicated to promoting the independence and quality of life for people with epilepsy.

This is different - you don't want to miss the street performers and their stunning, incredible acts - from the magical art of transforming chunks of candy into dragons, to the high-flying antics of pogo acrobatics, to the bizarre culinary spectacle of a bologna sandwich being prepared... by foot!

4 days and 4 nights of non-stop fun. Both the old and young children will love it. :)

You can get additional information here.

www.sylvieconde.com

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I became a Mom recently... I know it was recently ... it feels just like yesterday ....only he's almost 18 years old.

We have been going out for lunch or dinner, on Fridays, for as long as I can remember.
At a very early age, he didn't like fast food. He wanted to sit down with the 'big people' and learn how to use the knife and fork properly (or the chop sticks, in this case).

I remember when he was 4 or 5 years old, and I'd take him for Sushi, how all the adults in the place would point and look at him eat the raw fish and just love it. (Champagne tastes, he always had, on my beer wages.)

Somewhere along the line my sister introduced him to dim sum, and now it's his favourite place to go, whenever Mom has time (but we still try to have our Mom and Son 'linner' -- late lunch, early dinner), at least once or twice a month.

We went to our favourite dim sum place again on August 12th (I will be busy on Friday) :)
- Rol San Restaurant, in one of Toronto's Chinatowns (Spadina & Dundas).

After we had more than our share of har gow, siu mai, char siu, bean curd, egg plant in black bean sauce, curried squid, stir fried gai lan in garlic sauce (Chinese Broccoli);

....... we went off to take some photos of neighbourhoods for Localism.

If you're ever near Downtown Toronto and want to visit the two best (most affordable) places for Dim Sum, right across the street from each other, take a walk along Spadina and stop just south of Baldwin Street (at St. Andrew) - and take your pick - Rol San on the East Side (you order your favourites right off the menu) .... and Bright Pearl on the West Side (traditional dim sum carts come by and you take what you like).

I don't know how much longer he will want to go out for lunch with his Mom, but I enjoy it as much now, as I did when he was 5... maybe even a little more (only now he doesn't tell me as much... and I want to know everything). :)

I don't know anything about teenagers - I have nothing to compare this experience to - but it's not so bad - but if you want to know about some great places to eat in Toronto, just ask - I'll ask my son, and let you know. :)

My Toronto...

Toronto offers a full range of investment opportunities.

Toronto's Healthcare and Education standards are ranked among the highest in the World.
Toronto has world class medical institutions and research facilities and an extensive medical community.

Toronto is committed to the development of arts and culture.

Toronto is admired for its rich cultural mosaic, cultural offerings ...

... and the calibre of sports and entertainment...

...

Toronto is a gateway for the World.

WHAT SETS TORONTO APART FROM OTHER WORLD CITIES?

Diversity - Religion - Lifestyle...
Toronto is home to virtually all of the world's culture groups and is the city where more than 100 languages and dialects are spoken.

The Toronto area attracted over 100,000 international immigrants each year, between 2001 and 2005.
As well, 10,738 foreign students chose to study in Toronto originating from countries including South Korea, Japan, China and India.
(Source: The Monitor, Fall 2005 - Citizenship and Immigration Canada)

Recent Immigrants (%) to Toronto - Top Five countries of birth (2001):

China, 10.8; India 10.3; Philippines 6.9; Hong Kong 6.9; Sri Lanka 6.4

Top 15 languages (by mother tongue*) (2001):
(First language spoken at home and still understood by individual)

ENGLISH; ITALIAN; CHINESE (Mandarin, Cantonese or Hakka, not specified)
CANTONESE, PORTUGUESE, PUNJABI, SPANISH; POLISH;
TAGALOG (Pilipino/Filipino); TAMIL; FRENCH; URDU; GREEK; RUSSIAN; ARABIC...

Missing a little culture?
Want to meet the world's most dedicated, loyal, sports fans?
Want to learn a new language?
Want to taste delicious food from all over the world, within steps of your home?
In the mood for the theatre?
The ballet?
A little classical music?
Watch a live band? (Coldplay was great a couple of days ago...)

Want to visit some of our historical museums?

Historic gardens?

Want to celebrate the end of Summer at our yearly Canadian National Exhibition, right by the Lake?
(August 15-September 1)

Want to visit Hollywood North for the Toronto Film Festival, one of the most successful cinematic events in the world? (Toronto Film Festival 2008; September 4-13)

... and there is so much more to Toronto ....

Toronto is a great city to live in, work in, or just visit.

Come visit one of the safest Cities in North America.

Whoever you are and wherever you are, when you get here, you will feel right at home.