Toronto, Canada – 5-6/7 April 2019

As we begin our descent into Toronto on Thursday 5 April the captain advises its 2 degrees in Toronto.....thankfully it’s managed to increase (by 1 degree) rather than decrease. Let’s hope that continues throughout the day.

We land into cloudy Toronto at 9.50am, 30 minutes ahead of schedule. The sun is nowhere to be seen.

There is a super long line at immigration! Nothing as smooth as it was basically two weeks ago when I first arrived. After what seems like forever I finally get to the front of the line. Next to no questions, phew!

There is a rather large temp difference between Toronto and Havana....take me back!!

 

As I arrived at the luggage carousel my bag just came out – talk about timing!

Lois was at the airport to pick me up (so nice!). As we exited the terminal area to the car park the 2 degree temperature hit me, definitely a shock to the system. Man alive it’s cold! Thankfully my winter clothes are back at Lois and Nic’s place. Within seconds of getting into the car the seat warmer is working. Just what I needed.

We have a stop at a supermarket to pick up a few items. I could have spent hours wandering the aisles!

When we get back to the house Lois takes the groceries inside and collects Nic. The boys are at day care. It’s time for a coffee and snack. I’m taken to their local Italian grocery / coffee shop.

I already feel like I’ve been up for hours so relaxing back at their place is lovely. We want Gaggan on Chef’s Table….so excited to be going there in a couple of months!

Lois’s Mum drops us at the train station mid-afternoon where we take the train into the centre of Toronto. Thankfully we are able to walk underground the majority of the way to the bar where we meet the Sarah’s and Melody (who were 3 out of 4 of their bridesmaids). Lots of chit chatting and wine drinking!!

Melody lives quite close so we walk back to her place for more wine and dumplings. Nice to see a Toronto city apartment.

 

 

I said no to walking to the restaurant. It’s just too cold and I’m wearing Lois’s shoes, which are at least 2 sizes too big for me.

Dinner is delicious!!

 

Melody had been talking all night about this dessert place nearby. So when the dessert menu is brought we say no thank you. Instead we walk a few minutes down the road, pick up a few different types of dessert then walk back to Melody’s for dessert and more wine (totally not needed!!).

The uber ride home is very quiet!!

Saturday 6 April it’s a very slow start for Lois and I......more sleep is definitely needed!!

We drive to Niagara Falls, stopping enroute for breakfast (coke and harsh brown from Tim Hortons drive through for me….) and petrol. It’s such a gorgeous day!

Once at Niagara Falls the fun begins of finding a park. We are most definitely not the only ones who had this idea today.

Niagara Falls is just as amazing as it’s been the other times I’ve been fortunate enough to visit. I snap away like a crazy person!!! Hello the U S of A, so close yet so far.

Nic, Alex and I go on the go-karts.  SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Being pressed for time (Nic has a 6pm flight to Montreal) Lois goes back to get the car and we wander the streets a bit.

We head to Niagara on the Lake; a quaint little town with a very petty main street. Lunch is items from a bakery in the beautiful sun.

While Lois took Nic to the airport, I stayed home with the boys. Alek was sleeping the whole time.

The boys had an early dinner then we walked around the road to a school park where they played. A lot of fun!!

Lois had arranged a babysitter for a few hours. While Lois was showing her around I did a last minute reorganising of my carry on suitcase, I wanted to carry as least as possible!!

I wasn’t feeling great at all when we got out of the car to walk to the restaurant. It was cold but that wasn’t affecting me at all. Definitely need sleep and water and perhaps food. Let’s hope I can get through the dinner.

We had expected to get a table given its after 8.30pm but alas no, there were two other tables in front of us. No worries, we’ll sit at the bar.

Dinner is super tasty! Corn followed by tacos.  I stick to the water!

 

One of the joys of flying so late in the day is there are absolutely no lines for security.

As I slowly walk to the lounge I notice there are less than 8 flights due to depart in the next 3 hours. The majority of the shops are closed and there is hardly anyone around.

It’s a struggle to remain awake for two hours. In the end I leave the lounge at 1am; boarding begins shortly after I arrive at the gate.

We pull back from the gate in Toronto 9 minutes earlier than scheduled on Sunday 7 April - it’s well past my bed time at 1.36am!

It’s been absolutely amazing having time with Lois, Nic and boys. I need to ensure it’s not another 3.75 years before we see each other again.