May 21st - Algonquin Park - Toronto

Wendy persuaded me to drive back into the park in a final attempt to see a bull moose before we left for Toronto. So, at 8.30am we drove about 15 kms into the park. Her desire to take a photo of a bull moose paid off almost immediately. There, on the verge of the highway, was this magnificent bull moose. We pulled over and were about to take some close-up photos when two trucks came towards us and caused the moose to run across the road. Wendy snapped this photo, which made me think that here was the Canadian equivalent of a zebra crossing: a 'moose crossing'!!

Before going any further I must mention what a great place to stay the Algonquin Lakeside Inn has been. Gary and Tina Schulz are the best hosts you could ask for.

As I have already mentioned the G8 Summit will be held at Deerhurst Resort near Huntsville. We made a two km detour off Highway 60 to see the place where the 8 leaders will come in June. It is a resort complex surrounded by a golf course. Ideal, I suppose for President Obama, who loves golf, but I'm not so sure about the other leaders.

The drive south to Toronto was on Highway 11 a typical Canadian four lane freeway. We were lucky to be heading into Toronto as the traffic was comparatively light, whereas the traffic leaving Toronto for the holiday weekend was very heavy. The drive into Toronto took about an hour and a half and we entered the suburbs at around 12.30pm.

We then had our first good view of the CN Tower, that dominates the Toronto skyline.

As we drove towards downtown Toronto we stopped at some traffic lights and I noticed this reflection of the car in the mirror of a bus stopped alongside us.

Toronto is a very busy and prosperous looking city as these photos of downtown hopefully show.

We reached our hotel, the Fairmont Royal York, on Front Street at about 1.30pm and directly opposite is Union Station, a very imposing classical looking building.

As we were taking our bags out of the car, who should we see but our great friends, Jim and Leejun Taylor, who had driven across from their home in New York State to meet us. Jim was driving one of his latest acquisitions, a rare Ferrari 599. I'll try and post a photo of it before he leaves on Sunday.

Once we had checked in to the hotel we all went to have a bite to eat on the waterfront overlooking Lake Ontario. As we walked to the lake we went past the railway museum with several magnificent engines on display.

After lunch we went to the CN Tower. It is over 1,800 feet tall, with the observation tower at nearly 1,500ft.

The views from the top are simply awesome. Apparently the tower can sway up to 2 metres in high winds!

Here is our hotel, the Fairmont, from high above.

The home of the Blue Jays baseball team, Rogers Stadium.

Downtown Toronto with our hotel in the lower centre.

In the observation tower. From left to right:  Leejun, DeeAnne, myself and Kenny.

After about an hour we walked back to the hotel. Wendy noticed this poster for a Queen Victoria lookalike competition being held next Monday, Victoria Day, the day after we leave, which is a shame as I would have tried my hardest to persuade the girls to take part!!

Tomorrow we have the day to explore this great city. Then, on Sunday, we drive for a one night stay in Ottawa.