Toronto's Hidden Jewel

MP3 Track of the day: The Red Warrior - Last Samurai soundtrack

Weather: Sunny and windy

Well you may have noticed a time change in my posting; instead of posting in the evening here I've changed to the morning. The reason is that there are sooo many people here with laptops that the Wi-Fi system couldn't cope; every 10 minutes I kept loosing connection. Therefore I've decided to get up early, go out a little later than usual and stay out later ... see I'm flexible :)

Anyway yesterday was brilliant (apart from hearing about Lewis Hamilton :( ). I only have two things left that I wanted to do in Toronto; firstly I wanted to go onto the Islands and secondly I wanted to take some photos of the city at ground level. I reckon, leaving around 12pm it would take 2 hours to do the islands, 2 hours to do the city photography and then up to the bus station to buy my coach ticket, see if I can find a book with loads of photos of Toronto in (I try to get one from each place I visit) and then back for tea and crumpets.

However when I got across on the islands I was just amazed how beautiful they were. The islands are split into three areas:

• Centre Island - Commercialised with an amusement park (though I'm here out of season so nothing was open ... and a good job too!)
  
• Halans Point - An airport is right at the tip of this island, but the beaches to get there are stunning.
  
• Ward Island - My favourite bit; the best beach on the island and beautiful views. There is a small village here also; this must be the best place to live in the world.

I spent four hours on the island, walking around the whole thing, taking photos and just soaking it all it. I saw one old gentleman just sitting on a beach with one of the best views in the world ... what a perfect way to spend a day. I've taken loads of photos of this place so please see my Flickr account, it's well worth it.

The great thing about this island is the contrast; on one side of the island you've got a beautiful beach, fantastic sea (thought it's a lake) views and paradise. Then walk 5 mins north and you have the Toronto skyline to sit and look at ... can it get any better?

After the island I went around the city for a little while taking photos before heading to the bus station and then back to the hostel (no souvenir book of photos as I couldn't find anywhere open ... forgot it was Sunday).

When I got back I didn't really fancy tea; I'd had my breakfast around 11:30am, my dinner around 4:30pm and so I wasn't hungry. Besides I couldn't face another 'fast food' meal. It maybe just me but I can't find any normal restaurants here ... it seems to be either really posh or fast food. So far I've eaten pizza, cheeseburger, chicken wings and so I couldn't face another meal like that. Therefore I went out and I brought back the biggest orange and banana and just eat them ... and you know what, they were lovely.

I suppose now would be a good time to talk a little about the hostel; it's very big with at least a few hundred people staying. Apart from the internet the facilities are good and the breakfasts a great (though I didn't like the French toast I had yesterday) but you have to pay for them. The room is tight for space but my roommates have been nice; 1x Malaysian, 1x Norwegian, 2x Brazilians, 1x Australian, 1x Brit, 2x Germans. The Malaysian has been the most friendly but he's a little annoying; can't seem to sit still for 10 minutes and snores (though not as loud as the American in Budapest). I am looking forward to my new hostel in Ottawa as it's only 38 beds in total, it will be nice to be in a smaller place.

See you in Ottawa!