A Trip To Canada
Dec 5, 2016, 1:32 am
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
. Yes, some very tasty food, the poutine looked pretty dangerous for my waistline though
. Emirates business was a great experience too, just had to keep telling myself though not to get too used to it.. Montreal was definitely one of the highlights of the trip, only wished I could have stayed longer!. A very beautiful and interesting country, no wonder Canadians are so relaxed and friendly.This was great - I really enjoy reading other people's trip reports of areas that I frequent day to day. Sorry to hear about the gas / petrol situation near the airport for the rental car. They are nearby but it's not at all intuitive how to get to them since it's pretty much direct highway right into the terminals.
. The traffic was backed up in a few places due to roadworks so I was delaying fueling up until I got reasonably close to Toronto. I was a bit tired after being up since 4am and all the driving and it was getting close to the flight time back to Dubai so just opted to return it with a half-full tank. Worked out in the end though.As a big fan of your TRs and a transplanted Canadian from Ottawa who's spent ample time in all four cities, I absolutely LOVED this one. Despite the short trip duration, I think you captured the essence of this region beautifully. If you ever plan to spend a bit more time in Ottawa and would like some restaurant recommendations, hit me up!
. My conference plans weren't confirmed until 3-4 days before I left, so it was a bit of a last minute rush to plan/book the non-work part of the trip. It panned out reasonably well though, although I will definitely have to head back and see all the things I missed.DanielW - congratulations on your first trip to Canada. Despite a short trip, you certainly got in the most of what eastern Canada has to offer. I ate at Le Lapin Saute on my last visit to Quebec City in 2001 and I'm happy to see that it's still running.
I also have to commend you for getting these trip reports up in one shot - it takes me weeks to get my act together!! Thanks for sharing.
If you ever make it to Western Canada (Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Mountain Range) you'll find it quite a bit different than Eastern Canada.
I also have to commend you for getting these trip reports up in one shot - it takes me weeks to get my act together!! Thanks for sharing.
If you ever make it to Western Canada (Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Mountain Range) you'll find it quite a bit different than Eastern Canada.
. Canada has been on my wishlist for quite a while, but figured I needed an extended stay to make the most of it. When the opportunity to go for work came up though, I couldn't resist adding on some sightseeing too.I like sending my TR's to friends and family so figure they its best to do it all in one go so they don't lose interest/clog up their inboxes
.Definitely want to head back to Western Canada too, pity there's no direct flights from the gulf though
.Cheers, frankmu
. Wow!!!
The Canadian Tourist Office should pay you for this great report. I was in Montreal / Toronto 30 years ago and now want to go back all because of your great pictures.
Quebec City is close to where I live but the air fares are steep.May need to use a one way Award.
By the way Rio stock is beginning to do well.
Impressed by your presentation. At least with all the graphs and numbers.
The Canadian Tourist Office should pay you for this great report. I was in Montreal / Toronto 30 years ago and now want to go back all because of your great pictures.
Quebec City is close to where I live but the air fares are steep.May need to use a one way Award.
By the way Rio stock is beginning to do well.
Impressed by your presentation. At least with all the graphs and numbers.
. Yes, maybe some more tourists from the gulf will hopefully convince them to allow some more flights.Yes, Quebec city was very beautiful, with the mixture of French and historic culture it was quite a treat.
Got another conference / presentation coming up so will have to practice my hand gesture technique again
.. All the wheelchair passengers was quite a sight. They looked like mostly elderly people rather than permanently disabled.. Scotland is still on my list. Next trip is a little more closer to home though, Bangladesh. . Another couple of TR's coming soon.. Yes, EK J is something I could definitely get used too.
Dec 5, 2016, 7:24 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
Very nice pictures of my hometown Toronto and of course overall a beautiful report with very enticing pictures!
Last edited by djjaguar64; Dec 5, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Dec 5, 2016, 11:36 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,136
Fantastic photos!
Dec 6, 2016, 12:51 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Programs: BA Bronze, Emirates Silver, Virgin Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,399
Another fantastic trip report from you Daniel!
I loved reminiscing at seeing your photos of Toronto - its been too long since I was there but hopefully we will get back to that wonderful city soon.
Quebec City looks so much different when its nice weather! The time we were there (also in October) it snowed and so was miserable trudging around the city doing a tour with our guide. I couldn't wait to get into a cafe and have a hot chocolate to warm up! The QM2 looked spectacular sitting in the water!
Wow at your lodgings in Ottawa! There didn't look room to swing a cat in there let alone sleep!
I also loved your pics from the air of Niagara, you get a very different view to the one at street level.
I loved reminiscing at seeing your photos of Toronto - its been too long since I was there but hopefully we will get back to that wonderful city soon.
Quebec City looks so much different when its nice weather! The time we were there (also in October) it snowed and so was miserable trudging around the city doing a tour with our guide. I couldn't wait to get into a cafe and have a hot chocolate to warm up! The QM2 looked spectacular sitting in the water!
Wow at your lodgings in Ottawa! There didn't look room to swing a cat in there let alone sleep!
I also loved your pics from the air of Niagara, you get a very different view to the one at street level.
Dec 6, 2016, 5:56 am
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
. I really enjoyed my short time in Toronto, got to see and experience quite a few very different and interesting places.. I will definitely have to come back to Toronto, hopefully when the view from the CN Tower is not so cloudy.. Great to share my relatively short but very cool trip here with everyone.. Just working on my next TR now, back to Africa again to Eritrea.. Apparently Emirates is starting a codeshare bus service from Seattle to Vancouver too!http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...quick-shuttle/
Another fantastic trip report from you Daniel!
I loved reminiscing at seeing your photos of Toronto - its been too long since I was there but hopefully we will get back to that wonderful city soon.
Quebec City looks so much different when its nice weather! The time we were there (also in October) it snowed and so was miserable trudging around the city doing a tour with our guide. I couldn't wait to get into a cafe and have a hot chocolate to warm up! The QM2 looked spectacular sitting in the water!
Wow at your lodgings in Ottawa! There didn't look room to swing a cat in there let alone sleep!
I also loved your pics from the air of Niagara, you get a very different view to the one at street level.
I loved reminiscing at seeing your photos of Toronto - its been too long since I was there but hopefully we will get back to that wonderful city soon.
Quebec City looks so much different when its nice weather! The time we were there (also in October) it snowed and so was miserable trudging around the city doing a tour with our guide. I couldn't wait to get into a cafe and have a hot chocolate to warm up! The QM2 looked spectacular sitting in the water!
Wow at your lodgings in Ottawa! There didn't look room to swing a cat in there let alone sleep!
I also loved your pics from the air of Niagara, you get a very different view to the one at street level.
. Quebec while snowing must have been pretty, despite the cold.The lodgings in Ottawa were definitely a bit claustrophobic, ok for one night but no sure about any longer though
!
Dec 6, 2016, 6:47 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
DanielW...fantastic TR. I am biased as i'm from Canada. But really happy to see you do the trip justice with some amazing photos. Makes me want to visit my own country!
Also...I noticed you ate poutine twice. your first description of it as an "interesting experience" made me think you didn't like it. Definitely not an every day thing...but I love the stuff (the tim horton's...not so much).
Also...I noticed you ate poutine twice. your first description of it as an "interesting experience" made me think you didn't like it. Definitely not an every day thing...but I love the stuff (the tim horton's...not so much).
Dec 6, 2016, 11:07 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Great pics. Love the dealer using the old school payphone...I am sure the scents in Kensington were not merely bread and great food but lots of weeds being burned.
What is interesting is that you are the pax that AC says don’t exist…those that fly to Canada and apparently AC has managed to convince our former government that EK is just a ferry for business to be taken away from AC…and hence, only 3 flights a week.
Most locals have come and gone from St. Lawrence by 10am (we are usually done and gone by 9…[live about 500m walk to the market…] nice shot of the wedding party outside of St. Pauls Basilica in YYZ…I suspect the waiting list to get married there is also long…. Love seeing all the rio tinto lanyards. Reminds me of a buddy of mine who is senior commercial lawyer for them in London.
What is interesting is that you are the pax that AC says don’t exist…those that fly to Canada and apparently AC has managed to convince our former government that EK is just a ferry for business to be taken away from AC…and hence, only 3 flights a week.
Most locals have come and gone from St. Lawrence by 10am (we are usually done and gone by 9…[live about 500m walk to the market…] nice shot of the wedding party outside of St. Pauls Basilica in YYZ…I suspect the waiting list to get married there is also long…. Love seeing all the rio tinto lanyards. Reminds me of a buddy of mine who is senior commercial lawyer for them in London.
Dec 6, 2016, 12:35 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Oslo
Programs: World of Hyatt, SAS Eurobonus
Posts: 139
Another fantastic trip report! You always manage to capture the essence of what at least I love about travel; discover new places, seeing interesting sites, people watching, food and so on...