Tuesday Aug 31- Toronto to Montreal

Enjoyed our last breakfast in Toronto at the Courtyard by Marriott-wonderful hotel- would definitely stay here again. We took a taxi down to train station and got on our 930am train to Montreal- very nice 5 hour ride. We paid a little extra for Bsns Class- assigned seating, use of lounge in station, preboarding, meal, drinks, newspapers,internet, etc. Below is our car we were in.

Great meal- below is just the appetizer before the tilapia came

Oh, before I forget, here is today's "mousse" sighting

We arrived in Montreal and unbelivably- it felt even hotter and muggier here than Toronto- over 90 again and humidex over 100. We walked 4 blocks to hotel- Residence Inn by Marriott- totally soaked from humidity. Our lobby is below.

Below is our room

Had sofabed too

Along with full kitchen and walkin closet

Our room is on 20th floor but we went to outdoor terrace on 23rd floor for pics

Went out for a couple hours to check out the area

Amazing what you find at Dollarama-

Walked through the underground city- multiple levels of malls/food that goes for blocks! I thought it was great for winter- found out summer too!

Monda Aug 30 - Toronto

Well. today was shorter than others. Who knew the temperature was going to be 90 degrees and terribly humid- reminds us somewhat of Hong Kong. Below is on our walk downtown- in front of the City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square

Below is the old City Hall

We stopped at Union Station to pick up our train tix for tomorrow and then on to the CN Tower. We went to the Skypod- about 130 floors up!

View from atop the tower below

Another moose sighting-

Atop the tower- too bad you can't see out at this angle

Sunday Aug 29 Toronto

Warm and humid day. Did lots of walking after a filling hotel buffet breakfast (free with AAA, otherwise $19.50/person- quite a savings!) Walked around the Parliament Buildings shown here
.

Stopped to visit with pregnant & nursing mothers outside this hospital.

Walked down to Chinatown- their annual street festival was today so roads closed off. Somebody here is a little confused.

Not quite sure who this mascot is for.

Walked through Kensington Market- a very eclectic type of street fair with many impromptu bands, 60/70's retro shops, organic everything

Another shot of Kensington Market area

Moose sighting on the balcony

Walked to Honest Ed's- a multi-level confusing conglomeration of every discount clothing, food, household goods, etc that you've ever seen

He has a shoe museum at home in the closet(s) so no need to go in here

And no alcohol was involved here either

Saturday Aug 28- Toronto

Spent the day walking the Toronto city streets-lots of closed streets today for various markets & festivals

These guys were headed to the Buskerville Festival down the street...just where we were going

Metropolitan United Church

Sometimes you can't take the child out of him....or he had to pee...not sure which

I remember when they had Holy Water when you entered the Church...now hand sanitizer?

Inside St Michaels Catholic Cathedral

Went to the St Lawrence Market-We decided against the pork for lunch---a little too fresh

This was one of the nicest markets we've been to and we've been to lots across the world- everything was so fresh

Cookies.....I think

Great skyline

Ok, this outdoor festival had port-a-potties that were VIP- even had a rope before letting you in and a host

Hockey anyone?

They put some wonderful enclosures to connect many buildings for the winter weather and ended up with enclosed shopping/dining arcades

Eaton Centre mall- oh my

Waiting for our table for dinner at Churchmouse & Firkin

Friday Aug 27, 2010- Heading to Toronto

Flew Delta from LAX to Minneapolis and then onto Toronto. We got to use the Club Lounge in both cities- I could get used to the pour-your-own drink bar at these places! Arrived in Toronto without incident.



Checked in to our Courtyard by Marriott right downtown-great place-in the middle of everything.


Tired after the flight so just went out to a neighborhood Restaurant/bar on Church Street called Byzantium. Perfect start to our 12 night Canadian vacation.