Sinead's Travelling Experiences

so we left Toronto on June 18th and made our way to Boston.
We found that the cheapest way to do this was to get a bus from toronto to Buffalo and then fly from Buffalo to Boston! It was a straight forward journey and we had very little hassle on the way, even at the border in Buffalo we moved quickly enough so we were delighted with that!

We arrrived in Boston that wednesday night and we booked into the Hi Hostel, which was located downtown and near Newbury street so it was an ideal location. However it was $40 US per person a night, in which we did find dearer in comparison to $25 canadian dollars in Canada. Anyways that night we crashed early as we were fairly knackered!!

As the Boston Celtics had won the NBA final, the tuesday night before we arrived, a celebration parade was taking place the thursday morning. So off we went and got caught up in the middle of it all!! Ah everyone was on a high and in great spirits, we got to see all the team and needless to say we were snap happy!!

The next two days we did some sights around the city, we visited the pub Cheers, did the prudential tower, took in the sights of the city from here...went out to visit Harvard University, went down by Quincy market and of course visited a few bars and nightclubs at night time!

So then at the wkd, we decided to go to Cape Cod, for me it was like a trip down memory lane, as I spent a summer there 5 years ago!! So we booked into a motel in Hyannis and relaxed by the pool for the after noon! That evening then, we went out to West Yarmouth and called into the Irish Village where I use to work.. majority of the staff were all new to me but the head chef was still there and he remembered me so I got chatting to him for a bit which was cool!!

Sunday then we went down to the beach and I went by where I use to live etc...so the house is still standing anyways, which is all good!!!

So all in all, we had a relaxing 2 days in cape cod...monday morning then we got the bus back to Boston and afterwards jumped on our bus to New York for $10!

Well as you know I found work in McCarthys pub, in which I really enjoy! Most weeks, I work there Tuesdays and Thursday nights and then now and again I do Fridays and Sundays and maybe the odd Saturday during the day. Locals that drink there are very friendly and I've had great chats with them, learning all about canada life and their opinions on life here in Toronto!So its all interesting thats for sure.

Now that its coming up to the time for leaving Toronto, I'll give you a breakdown on a few of the attrations here in Toronto that we;'ve done!

1. Toronto Islands : You can get to the islands by taking a ferry accross from the harbour front in Toronto, it costs $6 return. There are 3 different areas on the island that you can visit but the centre island is where main activity lies. The island I guess is really geared towards a family day outing but I really think its worth a visit because even when you are going out on the ferry to the island, the view of the city behind you is worth a look! You can also rent boats, bikes, canoes, pedal boats etc on the island. There is an amusement park for kids..beaches to do some sunbathing on etc! I;ve spent two fully days there now and have enjoyed both days!

2. CN Tower : WOW!! The view of the city from here.... would highly recomend it!!

3. Medival Times : another outing more geared towards kids I guess, but still none the less its something different. You get a meal which consists of eating with your hands and its not bad food must admit! The Knights ride along on the horses and act out a story from medival times!

4. Baseball : GO BLUE JAYS!! Must admit I find baseball rather boring but eh I guess its something to do and its one of those tick the boxes! Blue jays play in the stadium, Rodgers Centre, In which the roof opens out which is pretty cool! The night I went, they beat Seatle Marrionetts!

5. Wonderland : NOw if your a fan of rollercoasters, you'll love this place. Absolutley spoiled for choice!! Wonderland is located about 50 mins from downtown toronto but you can get a bus from the bus terminal with greyhound and your wonderland day pass all for $60, which is quite good!! Water world wasn't open for us, which we were very disapointed with but its open daily now from June 21st on!

6. Beach Front : Ah its lovely down in this area and when the weather is hot hot...its a def must! All streetcars down by the harbour take you directly to the beach so its straighforward to get to! At the moment they say the lake water isn't safe enough to swim in so that is well annoying but there is a massive outdoor olympic pool located on the beach front which will open now at the end of june!!

7. Parks : Ah there are so many parks all around Toronto and any nice evening all canadians are out..either walking, walking their dogs, cycling, rollerblading, playing music, playing baseball, outdoor hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, every sport you can think of they are doing it!! On a fab evening,must admit, there is a lovely atmosphere around the parks! Its like after a long cold winter, the canadians are def making full use of the good hot weather!

8. Musicals : Got to catch Dirty Dancing on Stage. wahooo!!! Toronto has plenty choice of musicals on stage so if thats your thing, def worth a look!

9. Eaton Centre : Shopping Heaven!!

10. Richmond, Spandina area : Pub, Nightlife Heaven!!

Niagra Falls of course is a highly recommend place to vist, even though its about 2 hours from Toronto, it is def worth a visit. Falls are breathtaking thats for sure!!

Ok well I think thats it for now on what I can think of anyways!

Its now come the time to say farewell to Toronto and Canada life..all very sad...have really enjoyed here and have made good friends so def be sad to go but sure eh thats what its all about I guess!! oh the thoughts of packing up, not good but sure eh it has to be done!!

Next Stop USA : BOSTON, New YORK!! Don;t worry I'll try my best to keep you updated!!

We decided that the best way and of course the cheapest way to travel to Montreal was by bus!
So a couple of days before hand we booked our tickets with Coach Canada, which cost us a total of $156 return for both Mary and I and then booked the HI hostel in Montreal for the 3 nights which cost $75 each.

Friday morning at half 7, we left Toronto bus terminal and faced into our 7 bus hour long journey! Must admit didn't find it too long as I slept most of the way. We stop off in a area called Kingston for about 20 minutes or so that def broke up the journey.

Anyways we arrived at about half 2 that day and headed straight for our hostel. We were sharing a 10 female dorm, and it was perfect, plenty of room etc and we had our own bathroom so all was good!! We soon then realised that our hostel was within walking distance to downtown Montreal so it was happy days!!

That evening we went for something to eat and later that night we hit rue d cresent for a taste of Montreal's night life! As canadians would describe, AKA 'PARTY TOWN". We initially ventured into a pub called Hurleys and got a taste of back home..and it turned out one of the band members, knew all about Dunworly and spent many summers there when he was younger! So its a small world I tells ya!! we then moved from pub to pub and finished up in a club called Thursdays..which had a revoling dance floor might I add!! All in all it was a good nights craic!!

Next morning, when we finally got ourselves out of bed,we headed for Old montreal! Oh its def worth a visit! Lovely old cobble streets, def has a european taste to it! Then walking along the harbour and in and out of all shops. It has a lovely atmosphere there, its like a completely different city in comparison to the hustle and bustle of downtown Montreal!! Of course the main attration in Old Montreal is the Notre Dame Basillca. Saturday night we went and saw a luminating light show coveying the history of the basillca! Turns out it was an Irish Man you designed it!! Anyways it is def worth seeing thats for sure!

Sunday then we ventured up to Mount Royal..another aspect to the city that it is totally different to everything else. Mount Royal over looks the city and when we reached the top, it was like the city was no where to be seen. Lots of people were walking, sunbathing, having picnics, cyclying etc. I really enjoyed it and the view is def worth a look.

Everyone in Montreal in bi-lingual..french and english not a bother! It's like they look at you and decide what language they should use! As you can prob guess, it wasn't hard to guess we were english speaking!

We were lucky we got such good weather the first 3 days we were there but however on Monday, it lashed rain all day! So alot of our time was spent in the pathways underground, looking about the shops etc. We left Montreal that night at 8 o clock and arrived back in Toronto in the early hours of Tuesday, needless to say longing for the bed!

Feel free to check out some of my pictures so far;

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/sineadmc/cCanada/

Now that housing was arranged, it was time to start the search for a few hours of work!!

Guess it likes any place, its all about who you know and who you meet!! So my cousin's neighbour down in Toronto, who is from northern Ireland suggested we called to mvVeighs pub in downtown toronto to have a chat with him.
So off we went and before we knew it, he gave us another name to go off and see!

That evening we then spent the time walking the streets of Toronto, talking to various people!!

In the end it lead us to a pub called McCarthtys pub, located on gerrard street west, in which is now my new work place!!
Its a small place and reminds me very much of a local country pub back at home... but it has plenty of character, great atmosphere and plenty of irish locals that have been living here with years!!