Canada

[MONKMAN]

45 minutes ago, Stu said:

Have booked for a week in October. Only sport that seems to be on is the Argonauts so might go to that - it's on the Canadian equivalent of Thanksgiving Day so should be fun. Niagara Falls is a definite as is the CN Tower, will head to the islands as well.

Messaged a relative who lives in Canada and used to stay in Toronto for some tips. He replied and I've added him as a Facebook friend - first thing he's going to see is Blame Canada from South Park 

When do you go? I'm fairly sure the Ice hockey season starts at the beginning of October.  If the Maple leafs aren't playing, then chances are the Marlies will be. They play in the AHL, which is one rung below the NHL but still amazingly high standard.

When going to Niagra, I'd hire a car which is fairly cheap and drive yourself.  The falls are amazing but the town itself is a tacky shithole.  Right behind the falls are a strip of Vegas like Casinos that you never see in any of the pictures.  Take a detour on the way there or back and stop off in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Only a few miles from Niagara and couldn't be anymore different.  It's so picturesque, it looks like something out of a film set.  I'm sure it's also one of the most affluent towns in North America, with some of the highest house prices as well.

[Stu]

1 hour ago, MONKMAN said:

When do you go? I'm fairly sure the Ice hockey season starts at the beginning of October.  If the Maple leafs aren't playing, then chances are the Marlies will be. They play in the AHL, which is one rung below the NHL but still amazingly high standard.

When going to Niagra, I'd hire a car which is fairly cheap and drive yourself.  The falls are amazing but the town itself is a tacky shithole.  Right behind the falls are a strip of Vegas like Casinos that you never see in any of the pictures.  Take a detour on the way there or back and stop off in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Only a few miles from Niagara and couldn't be anymore different.  It's so picturesque, it looks like something out of a film set.  I'm sure it's also one of the most affluent towns in North America, with some of the highest house prices as well.

October 5-12. Marlies first game is the 15th - from past experience first games are also ridiculously expensive. I don't mind going on a tour to Niagara as long as I can find a decent one. Neither of us drinks so don't mind paying a bit more for other stuff.

[MONKMAN]

3 minutes ago, Stu said:

October 5-12. Marlies first game is the 15th - from past experience first games are also ridiculously expensive. I don't mind going on a tour to Niagara as long as I can find a decent one. Neither of us drinks so don't mind paying a bit more for other stuff.

The tours to Niagara are cheap anyway, hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore and do things at your own leisure,

[Torpar]

On 8/21/2016 at 13:03, Stu said:

Have booked for a week in October. Only sport that seems to be on is the Argonauts so might go to that - it's on the Canadian equivalent of Thanksgiving Day so should be fun. Niagara Falls is a definite as is the CN Tower, will head to the islands as well.

Messaged a relative who lives in Canada and used to stay in Toronto for some tips. He replied and I've added him as a Facebook friend - first thing he's going to see is Blame Canada from South Park 

The way things are at the moment, there's a good chance the Blue Jays may be in the playoffs, though the ticket prices are a bit of a joke. Last year a lot of people suddenly remembered they were huge Jays fans once they got good.

Depending how bothered you are to see an ice hockey game, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL best 16-20 year olds) have a game while you are over. As do the Oshawa Generals on the other side of the city, but neither are easy to get to without driving.

The Argonauts games look a lot more fun since they moved to Toronto FC's ground with tailgating etc, though unless they play Hamilton or Saskatchewan the crowds aren't great

Edited August 23, 2016 by Torpar

[Latino Lover]

Off to Vancouver on Saturday any recommendations other than obvious? Cool bars etc would be welcomed, staying in north Vancouver 

[welshbairn]

Don't bother with Gastown, Chinatown's the best place for a night out.  This information is a couple of decades out of date.

[Stu]

On 21/08/2016 at 18:59, MONKMAN said:

When do you go? I'm fairly sure the Ice hockey season starts at the beginning of October.  If the Maple leafs aren't playing, then chances are the Marlies will be. They play in the AHL, which is one rung below the NHL but still amazingly high standard.

When going to Niagra, I'd hire a car which is fairly cheap and drive yourself.  The falls are amazing but the town itself is a tacky shithole.  Right behind the falls are a strip of Vegas like Casinos that you never see in any of the pictures.  Take a detour on the way there or back and stop off in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Only a few miles from Niagara and couldn't be anymore different.  It's so picturesque, it looks like something out of a film set.  I'm sure it's also one of the most affluent towns in North America, with some of the highest house prices as well.

Flying out on Wednesday. My Canadian relatives have agreed not only to come to meet us but to drive us to Niagara Falls (and back I hope!) on our final day so we don't have to bother with the tour companies. If we don't annoy them enough we're hoping to do a boat ride, the tower and behind the falls there. My brother is also keen to go on some cable car over a whirlpool. not so sure myself. Hopefully persuade them to take us to Niagara on the Lake too.

On 23/08/2016 at 17:58, Torpar said:

The way things are at the moment, there's a good chance the Blue Jays may be in the playoffs, though the ticket prices are a bit of a joke. Last year a lot of people suddenly remembered they were huge Jays fans once they got good.

Depending how bothered you are to see an ice hockey game, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL best 16-20 year olds) have a game while you are over. As do the Oshawa Generals on the other side of the city, but neither are easy to get to without driving.

The Argonauts games look a lot more fun since they moved to Toronto FC's ground with tailgating etc, though unless they play Hamilton or Saskatchewan the crowds aren't great

We've gambled on the Blue Jays winning tomorrow to make it through to the next stage and have bought tickets for their game on Sunday - we get the money back if they don't so seemed sensible enough. Argonaut tickets bought too, seems BMO Field has been redeveloped a bit over the summer so was hard working out where to sit.

Also got a cheap deal on Groupon for a harbour/island tour so everything shaping up nicely

[Torpar]

16 hours ago, Stu said:

Flying out on Wednesday. My Canadian relatives have agreed not only to come to meet us but to drive us to Niagara Falls (and back I hope!) on our final day so we don't have to bother with the tour companies. If we don't annoy them enough we're hoping to do a boat ride, the tower and behind the falls there. My brother is also keen to go on some cable car over a whirlpool. not so sure myself. Hopefully persuade them to take us to Niagara on the Lake too.

We've gambled on the Blue Jays winning tomorrow to make it through to the next stage and have bought tickets for their game on Sunday - we get the money back if they don't so seemed sensible enough. Argonaut tickets bought too, seems BMO Field has been redeveloped a bit over the summer so was hard working out where to sit.

Also got a cheap deal on Groupon for a harbour/island tour so everything shaping up nicely

Nice, I'm sure they weren't cheap but if they get through it looks like some atmosphere at the games, judging by last year. As much as the bandwagon fans annoy me, it's pretty cool seeing the whole city behind the team, today at work we are encouraged to wear Blue Jays gear in the office. I kind of miss the days when they were shit though and I could get a ticket for $15.

BMO Field is now almost an excellent looking stadium, reminds me a little of Anfield. I used to live near it and the speed of the building work was incredible, could see the floodlights on most nights as they worked through the night. I say almost as one end of the ground is horrible now, took away the seats to accommodate a CFL field. TFC fans were raging, for a North America city they take their football pretty seriously, no real surprise considering most of them are first or second generation Canadians from footballing countries

Edited October 4, 2016 by Torpar

[Stu]

45 minutes ago, Torpar said:

Nice, I'm sure they weren't cheap but if they get through it looks like some atmosphere at the games, judging by last year. As much as the bandwagon fans annoy me, it's pretty cool seeing the whole city behind the team, today at work we are encouraged to wear Blue Jays gear in the office. I kind of miss the days when they were shit though and I could get a ticket for $15.

BMO Field is now almost an excellent looking stadium, reminds me a little of Anfield. I used to live near it and the speed of the building work was incredible, could see the floodlights on most nights as they worked through the night. I say almost as one end of the ground is horrible now, took away the seats to accommodate a CFL field. TFC fans were raging, for a North America city they take their football pretty seriously, no real surprise considering most of them are first or second generation Canadians from footballing countries

They were about £160 for the pair once fees etc had been paid as it was through a resale site (hope they're valid). I had about £160 sitting in a cashback site that had built up over the time so that can go towards that. Last year we went to Chicago and got in the day they made it through to what was the equivalent of the semis of the world series (my baseball knowledge is non-existent). The place was just crazy all week, impressive considering they have two MLB teams there. Would be great if Toronto was like that.

And if not then I should hopefully be able to pick up some kit in the clearance sales

[Stu]

On 04/10/2016 at 14:15, Torpar said:

Nice, I'm sure they weren't cheap but if they get through it looks like some atmosphere at the games, judging by last year. As much as the bandwagon fans annoy me, it's pretty cool seeing the whole city behind the team, today at work we are encouraged to wear Blue Jays gear in the office. I kind of miss the days when they were shit though and I could get a ticket for $15.

BMO Field is now almost an excellent looking stadium, reminds me a little of Anfield. I used to live near it and the speed of the building work was incredible, could see the floodlights on most nights as they worked through the night. I say almost as one end of the ground is horrible now, took away the seats to accommodate a CFL field. TFC fans were raging, for a North America city they take their football pretty seriously, no real surprise considering most of them are first or second generation Canadians from footballing countries

Well the Rogers Centre was class - both the tour (getting on the field) and the game against Texas, especially the end. The Argonauts are utter pish but it was nice being in a stadium I've seen on TV while IndyCar are racing around that area. Pity we had seats at the end nearest the lake and not in the sun - it was bloody cold! Biggest cheer was for a squirrel running on the pitch and across the end zone.

Toronto is a tremendous city, really enjoyed it. Went running along the front of the lake a few mornings and saw a couple of fantastic sunrises. Weather was glorious for a couple of days, including the one when we went to the islands. Watched the sunset from the top of the CN Tower and went to Casa Loma and other tourist shit.

My Canadian relatives kindly took us to Niagara Falls. The Falls themselves were stunning (we did behind the falls, the boat tour and the tower) but, as expected from comments on here, the town itself is an utter shithole. I've never been to Blackpool but it's what I'd imagine it would be like.

Overall a tremendous holiday and would recommend Toronto to anyone

Edited October 13, 2016 by Stu

[Forest_Fifer]

Booked now.

Fly to Calgary - pick up car - Banff- Lake Louise - Jasper - Emerald Lake - Calgary.

Can't wait...

[Mon_The_Fife]

Booked now.

Fly to Calgary - pick up car - Banff- Lake Louise - Jasper - Emerald Lake - Calgary.

Can't wait...

When are you going mate?

[Forest_Fifer]

Just before Easter. Might be a touch on the cold side but is supposed to be reasonably dry.

[bud1876]

Just before Easter. Might be a touch on the cold side but is supposed to be reasonably dry.

Aye a bit chilly right now - 12 here tonight.

[Forest_Fifer]

Shit! Where are you mate?

[bud1876]

Shit! Where are you mate?

Hubley Nova Scotia mate... it's about 15-20 mins drive to Halifax.
I see your going around easter so it won't be anywhere near as cold but there may be some snow still around depending on the area your in.
I see your going to Banff as part of your trip.... lots of people here have said it's absolutely stunning scenery.
Enjoy your whole trip when it comes round.

[Stu]

On 21/02/2016 at 20:22, Mon_The_Fife said:

I loved St Johns in Newfoundland, the weather can be a bit extreme though. If I hadn't settled in New Zealand I would have probably gone there.

I didn't do Montreal but Toronto was nice. I do miss Tim Horton's. Like has been said Niagara Falls it's spectacular but the town itself is on a par with Blackpool. A day drip is highly recommended though.

Probably as good a place to any to say Tim Hortons are opening in Glasgow next month - looks like it's in Central Station so will probably cost a fortune.

[stawner upper]

The queues at some of them "Timmys" at times, you'd think they were giving the stuff away, if the prices are good I can see them taking off big time here as well

[senorsoupe]

1 hour ago, stawner upper said:

The queues at some of them "Timmys" at times, you'd think they were giving the stuff away, if the prices are good I can see them taking off big time here as well

That's the key.  Here in Canada a cup at Timmy's is less than $2.00 Canadian, which is significantly cheaper than Starbucks and comparable to McDonalds (who also have good coffee).  Tim's Coffee is functional and reliable but nothing special, people drink it over here as some sort of patriotic gesture, especially in small towns, but it's really nothing special.  I'm not a coffee snob (my only requirement in a coffee is that it has caffeine) so I'll buy it when I need coffee and it's close but I don't go out of my way for a cup.  

Either way, reliable coffee will soon be available to Glaswegians!

[Stu]

Wait, they sell coffee?! I only used them for donuts.