Toronto 2023

Arrived in Toronto airport at 7:30 local time, but 4:30 to me. I found the train into downtown, which was not here 8 years ago. At the rental condo on Dan Lackie Veronica’s family was waiting. The kiddies and I set up in the condo and Veronica and Nick walk back to the Delta Hotel. Wednesday we find a great park right across the street. The weather is perfect.

We walk to the Old Spaghetti Factory on the Esplanade for lunch – first customers in the door.

After a walk through St. Lawrence Market we go to the Delta Hotel for a swim. All of us meet up for dinner with Cathy – then she is off to the airport heading for Brazil.

We do more walking today and go into Ripley’s Aquarium – very cool. Then some games at an arcade. Walk around the Rogers Centre and back for dinner at Rosie’s near our condo. We find Shawn the Sheep on our TV. Another day of walking – Eaton Centre and along Queen’s Quay – catch a street car back. It is hot out and the park is a great place to spend our time. I meet up with Holly and Jessica for Indian dinner. I was late as I thought I could remember the downtown streets - but I cannot. I am dropped back at the condo about 9:30

Saturday morning we get a street car to the Ferry that takes us to Centre Island. We find ice cream and then mini golf and the Carousel. The free water park is where most of our time is spent.

Back at the waterfront we have lunch at a nice restaurant. Veronica meets us to walk back to the condo. Nick is in Hamilton doing a 50 K run ! So Veronica and I pick up dinner and beer. (for Nick and I) Sunday Veronica, Char and I walk to Windsor Arms Hotel for High Tea. Char is curtseying to other patrons. We spend time in a park behind Ontario College of Art and Design. Then we walk through the Ontario Art Gallery. There is an area to do our own art !

Monday we board the street car and subway and a bus to get to Vaughan. Our hotel – Aloft – is right next to the Vaughan Mills Mall. The Hotel has a great pool. The mall has a food court where we have dinner. Tuesday after breakfast in the hotel the kiddies and I go into Legoland. There are displays and rides – we try to side step the school group that is also there.

At the hotel we are 2 ½ hours in the pool. Wednesday more time in the pool and then we have a fancy taxi to the Hilton that Nick found close to the Toronto airport. The Hilton also has a nice pool and sauna. Late that evening, Avander is sick and stays with his parents so me and Char share our room. Their return flight is at 6:00 am and the airport shuttle is scheduled for 4:30 am. I have to wake Char – poor little girl is very accommodating. We say goodbye (tears) and I go back to the hotel as my flight is at 4:15. But the flight to Vancouver is delayed until 8:30 (outages at Air Canada) and my connecting flight to Victoria is not there when I arrive at 11 pm. Air Canada customer service gave me a number to call to book a hotel. Also my Boarding Pass for 11:00 am tomorrow morning. This flight is also delayed but I chat with my seat neighbour. Out of Victoria airport I catch a bus and arrive home at 2 pm. Unpack and dinner and asleep by 6:00 pm.