Toronto

After another "short" journey of 8 hours we arrived in Toronto!

Damn this country is big !

This is the Anglo-Version of Montreal and as such, there was very little French being spoken... which made it easier for us (Neanderthals that we are... we can't start getting our French and our Spanish confused that's for sure! I kept answering "Si" instead of "Oui"

We'd booked into the Clarence Castle Hostel (Which was supposed to be one of the best in Canada!)

After about a half hour walk there from the Bus Station, we were greeted by one of the nice owners (Dan) and went into our Dorm Room (Seperate Bunks!) The place was really nice and after the walk from the bus station we were glad to get our boots off and chill for a little while.

We liked where we were so we decided to book for the weekend also so that we'd have 6 days in which to finally decide what the heck we were going to do in this country (And Toronto looked and felt nice also!)

King Street (Which is one of the major entertainment streets in Downtown Toronto) was literally "round the corner" so we popped to get some tea and had an early night.

The Next day we had our free breakfast which included fresh Fruit and Cereals, so Steph was happy, and sat chatting to the owner and girlfriend until noon on the Balcony in the sun. The CN Tower was literally on our doorstep and towered over us as we garbled rubbish over about three cups of cofee.

Buzzing on the caffeine... we decided to walk around (what turned out to be almost all of Downtown Toronto!) We walked to China Town (Which was brilliant and reminded us both of Kowloon in Hong Kong) and walked past an Indian restaurant (which we popped into later that evening for tea!)

we're spoiling ourselves, however, it's not cheap (Beer is $5 or more) and always they add Tax onto the end of everything!

It's really annoying to see a beer in a menu for $5.50 and then when you get the bill it turns into $6 (or there abouts!) We're still not sure whether it's better or worse. It does let you know how much the Government is taking, however, it's really, really annoying when you're trying to budget!

We're having real problems on deciding what to do in Canada!

It's a massive country and we're struggling to work out how we travel around.

We originally thought about buying a car and driving.... however... this is a definate no brainer! (After hours of research! no help from the hostels or the Tourist Information places)

You can't get car insurance in Canada (unless you've got 10 years no claims in the UK AND a certificate from the Insurance company saying so.... a copy of which I carry around with me everywhere.....NOT!)

The bus is long and laborious (from Toronto to Vancouver you're sat on the same bus for 2 and a half days!) You can, however, get a bus pass which is valid for 30 or 60 days worth of travel (anywhere in Both Canada and the US) for $630 and $750 respectively.

Flights are expensive (well relative.....) No Ryan Air or Easy Jet over here, and the distances are much bigger (About $350 each one way from Toronto to Vancouver)

Which leaves Trains...... which are expensive (It's peak time here in Canada now!) No Shit Sherlock !!!

The Can-Rail pass costs $750 for 12 days travel in 30 (only in Canada!) However, after some reasearch, we think we might go for the North American Rail Pass which is $1,150 for unlimited travel for 30 days anywhere in North America..... however... it's expensive ($1,150 is 600 Pounds Sterling... which when you consider our Around the World Flight Ticket cost us only 850 Pounds is puching the barrel out a little bit too much!!!!)

Anyway, we think we're getting closer either way and think it's a toss up between the bus and the Train.

Flying is boring and you see nothing inbetween....

Went to China Town for Breakfast and had a coffee.

While we were sat down a group of kindergarten kids in bright orange jackets walked past us holding hands....... two by two !!!

This was swiftly followed up by a guy walking around with two Cats (real ones) standing on his shoulders.... strange....

Then two ladies pushing push chairs walked past.... nothing strange there expect that the push chairs had three babies in (EACH!) and they were back to back so they were like little baby Buses......

China Town in Toronto is certainly surreal! Unfortunately... no photos !! Typical... I'm going to start taking my camera everywhere from now on

Steph had read in the Lonely planet about the Panorama Lounge.

This was a bar with great views of the City and (as the Lonely Planet reliably assured us) had $5 beers.... which sounded great!

we walked into the bar, feeling a little bit underdressed, and sat at a table on the Balcony. Sure Enough the view was great and I set about trying to get some pictures with the new camera!

The Beers came and so did the bill...... I wanted to Jump!

One beer and one White Wine.......guess how much ????

go on....guess ????

$19

NINETEEN FECKIN DOLLARS !!!!

PLUS TAX !!!!!

WHICH MADE IT $21.50!!!!!

THAT'S 10 pounds Sterling !!!

Even London isn't that expensive!

Neither's Bloody Norway for that matter.... NOR Anywhere else from what I can think !!! That must be one of the most expensive beers I think I've ever had !!

PLUS TIP........ PLUS FECKIN TIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FECKIN TIP MY ARSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After some debate and having sipped my drink for about an hour we left.
It was a nice view... however... I'd recommend going there and getting a Tap Water!

Feckin Lonely Planet needs updating that's for sure!

PS. we left a small tip
(well it wasn't the waitresses fault their prices were extortionate!)