Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[pkondz]

About 17, if I stop for more than just a fill up-of gas LoL
I'm just a bit south of Cleveland.

I picked a most likely worst case scenario and got pretty close!

Yeah.... he's a stubborn lil dude, but we've started the weaning, it's just naps and bed... it'll happen sooner than he thinks!

Stubborn little dude, huh? I like him already.
And if there's a Disney trip on the line, I'm betting on sooner rather than later!

 

[orangecats2]

I usually wonder if anyone even gets what I'm referring to when I post those.

Not always.
And I saw the 13 sign in your pic.

I'm just a bit south of Cleveland.

Hey! I'm from Massillon!

 

[kilroy1966]

A little bit south of Saskatoon.

 

[pkondz]

Not always.

I figured as much.... but that's part of the fun!

And I saw the 13 sign in your pic.

Well, I can't catch 'em all!
Good eyes.

A little bit south of Saskatoon.

Well hi there neighbour!
Both to the TR and to the DIS!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks Tammie. Glad you liked it!




But I didn't do anything!
Surely just thinking evil thoughts is okay???
Well it's okay with me but you know what they say about that Karma chick .....


It should. And now with those machines, maybe it will be.
I guess it still depends on when you get off the plane.
If you're at the back then you're gonna wait.
There's only so many machines to

Speaking of machines and customs, I don't think you read my Mexico TR. Customs in Puerta Vallarta, you picked up your bags, put them on a conveyer belt, then walked through and hit a big button over your head. If the light turned green, you were in! Not sure what happens if it turns red.Really glad not to know.

Thanks a lot! I appreciate you're taking the time to tell me that.
Makes my day!

Looking forward to your next trip. Yay for a Disney trip with Kay! !!!!!! I feel like I have said that before...

Anyway, congrats to the winners on this one , and thanks for the honorable mention!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[orangecats2]

Where is ponzi?

 

[pkondz]

Where is ponzi?

Right here! I'll get everyone in the loop as soon as I do a couple of shout outs.

Looking forward to your next trip.

Coming up quick!

Yay for a Disney trip with Kay! !!!!!! I feel like I have said that before...

Thanks! And... you might have...

thanks for the honorable mention!

You're welcome!

Well, I'm back from my holiday and it's all over but the next trip

I find the only thing that keeps me going after a trip is thinking about the next one.

Makes Ruby angry though.
She's a nester.

great news for you and Kay!

Looking forward to hearing about a summer trip.

Won't be much longer. Exactly one month from today!

I hope Ruby gets a better time frame to enjoy the Deadwood trip as it should be enjoyed.

We'll see. It sounds like she's already trying to back out of it completely.
It's her trip, so it's not like I'm going to force her to go.

 

[pkondz]

Just a quick update on the next update.

The first chapter for the Toronto trip is mostly written.
I say "mostly" because I thought of a few more details I forgot to include.
Just finished loading the pictures into Pbucket, so they're ready to go.
I'm busy today/tonight, but you can expect to see it Wednesday evening.
Depending on how much re-writing/adding on I do, might not be until late evening.

So there you have it.
Stay tuned!

 

[orangecats2]

Just a quick update on the next update.

An update on the update?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

An update on the update?

It's like when the networks start run hourly advertisements proclaiming the the unlivable new season of the smash-hit program that you went and got yourself addicted to will finally be making its triumphant return to the airways...




in six months.

 

[pkondz]

An update on the update?

But at least it's up to date.

It's like when the networks start run hourly advertisements proclaiming the the unlivable new season of the smash-hit program that you went and got yourself addicted to will finally be making its triumphant return to the airways...




in six months.

What? You have a problem with that?
The networks don't think so and they're infallible.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

What? You have a problem with that?
The networks don't think so and they're infallible.

Well they certainly take in more revenue than I do,
so you may me right about that.

 

[pkondz]

Well they certainly take in more revenue than I do,
so you may me right about that.

 

[pkondz]

Surprise.

 

[pkondz]

To the Center of the Universe!


So I did say that I'd post a mini TR of our Toronto trip.
Get yourself settled in the comfy chair,
pull a comforter over your legs,
grab a nice mug of vodka,
and here we go.
For those of you who might be disinclined to follow along
and want to wait for a more.... Disneyish trip...
Well, that's coming up in about a month.
(A month?!?!? How did that happen???)

But first a word of warning.
I wasn't planning on doing this mini-TR at first,
so I didn't bring a camera with me.
I did take some snaps from time to time with my iPod,
but it has its limitations.
So some pics might be... a little fuzzy.
Just like me!


Why the Center of the Universe in the title?
Toronto is the largest city in Canada.
People living elsewhere tend to see Torontonians as smug or self-absorbed.
So Toronto is mockingly (jealously?) referred to as "the center of the Universe".

How many Torontonians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one.

He holds the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him.



Monday June 8th

Considering how much I enjoyed the Plus seating on the Florida trip,
I decided that I'd splurge a bit and treat Ruby to some Plus seats too.
Plus means that you get to sit in seats with more legroom,
get priority boarding and get free snacks.

More legroom means... maybe an inch more room?
But I grab the first row which is a bulkhead row (no seats in front of us),
so there's plenty of legroom.
Priority boarding... well, as you saw, it got forgotten on the last leg of the Florida trip.
I think that was just a glitch and not a common occurrence.
And free snacks. Well.... you pay for those by paying for the seat, so....
Whatever. It feels free since you're not coughing up more cash in-flight.


So naturally, Ruby declined to have anything.


I really didn't get anything much myself.
Just some chips (crisps Katie! Crisps!) and a Coke.

Everything was going along tickety boo until...
Shortly before landing I remembered what I forgot to do.
Normally, when I rent a car, I go to our local insurance broker
and arrange for rental car insurance.
Doing it that way will cost about $4/day.
Versus the rental agency which will charge upwards of $25/day.
Four days of renting and that’s about $20 (tax incl.) vs $115!

I didn't want to worry Ruby (yet) so I kept it to myself for the time being.
After we de-planed! de-planed! Welcome to... Toronto Airport! (sorry)
...and while we were waiting for our luggage,
I looked up the number for the insurance broker and called them.

"Hi! I'm stupid and forgot to get my car rental insurance and now I'm in Toronto! Help!"
"No problem, Mr. Stupid. Just send us a fax from the rental agency saying you authorize us
to take a credit card payment for you for insurance from June 8th to the 12th.
Don't forget to sign and date it.
Then call us back and we'll take the card info over the phone and you'll be all set."

Phew! Dodged a bullet on that one!


We snag our bag off the carousel of fun and set out for the car rental agency.
Just once, wouldn't you like to ride along with the bags, just to see how it all works?
I would, but I find that the inevitable beatings and incarceration are a deterrent.


Now normally, I just bypass the rental counter and go straight to the cars and pick one.
But this time, I have to send that fax.
We get to the counter and I ask for a piece of paper.
I quickly scribble out the note and hand it back to the clerk for faxing.
I tell him the number to dial and....
"Uh." He says.
That's never a good sign.
"Uh." He repeats. "The machine says there's no line signal."
He looks completely confused and announces the machine's not working.
Well, of course not. In this day and age, who sends faxes?
Me! That's who! Me!
I briefly thought of calling back and sending an email,
but then realized I couldn't sign the email.

Oh, well. Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet.
That's a $100 lesson I've learned there.

Awesome.

We head out to the lot and... most of the cars there... aren't.
They're almost all SUVs.
Which is fine, if I wanted an SUV.
But I don't.
I don't need to look cool. I'm too old.
Do you look cool in a SUV?
I DON'T KNOW! I JUST TOLD YOU I'M TOO OLD!

Sheesh! And they say I'm losing my mind.





What was I saying?


Ruby. What was I saying?
Oh, really? Huh.
Okay.


I didn't want a big SUV.
I'd rather find something a little less gas slurpy.
We pick one of the few cars there. A Dodge Charger.
I suspect, given the fact that the Charger is approximately the size
of an aircraft carrier that it might not be any more economical than the SUV.
But whatever. That's what we pick.


As we steam out of the lot, we stop at the exit booth.
"Hi there!" A woman says. "Do you have your licence handy?"
I hand her my licence and she pecks at her keyboard.
"Okay." She says. "You're all set. Do you need any insurance?"
"Funny you should ask." I say. "I do need the CDW or whatever it's called."
"Do you want the all-inclusive for only $6/day more?"
"No thanks."
"Okay, that'll be $500"(ish. I don't remember the exact number. I know it was over $500.)
"What? That can't be right!"
"That's for the entire rental. Not just the insurance."
"Oh. Okay."

Now I didn't remember at the time exactly how much I was paying,
but I figured once she gave me a receipt I would see how it all broke down.

Uh. Maybe I shouldn't use the term "break down" when I'm renting a car.


She hands me a slip of paper, I pass it to Ruby and we set out.
We're not even out of the garage, when I stop and ask Ruby to hand back the slip of paper.

It's not a receipt. It's a form for you to indicate previous damage on the car.
I don't get that. At all.
I suppose if I get in an accident I'll just indicate that there's a big dent and it will be okay?
Weird.
Maybe I was supposed to fill it out at the booth with other cars honking their horns behind me.

Suddenly it hits me.
"Did she say that it was $500???"
"That's what I heard." Ruby replies.

My car rental was for $212.67.
$500 is almost $72/day extra!!!


Now I don't know who to be more mad at.
Me, for forgetting to get insurance ahead of time.
Or the rental company for gouging the heck out of me!


Grrrrr.....


I settle down (no really, I don't) and get Itchin' Betty out of my carry-on.
If you've read my Hawaii TR, you'll know who that is.
Well, her name isn't actually "Itchin" Betty. But it rhymes with her real name.
Besides, I like alliterations.

Betty is our GPS.
No sense in paying an extra $3,862/day for a GPS when I already own one.
Plus with this one I've already programed in the hotel address.

We set out from the garage into... rain.
The forecast for our entire week is calling for rain.
Every. Day.

Oh well. I brought an umbrella. I won't melt.
I might discorporate. But I won't melt.
(Anyone get that reference? I'll be impressed if anyone does.
Oh. And if you look it up in Urban dictionary... they got it wrong. It predates that.)


Okay. So it's raining.
But we're dry and Betty is leading us to our hotel.
"In one kilometer, take ramp on right onto Highway 407."
Yup sounds about right.
As we approach Highway 407, a nagging doubt starts to form.

Wait! 407 is the Express Toll Route!
It will track the car and send a bill to the owner.
Carp! I don't need this! I can see it now.
"Yes, Mr. pkondz? This is the car rental company. We have a bill for tolls on ETR 407? That's $326."
!!!
"That's crazy!"
"Well there's our processing fee and late fee and gouge fee included in that total."

Nope. Nope. Nope.
I jab at Betty and switch to "Avoid Toll Routes"
"Recalculating" she says condescendingly. Then;
"Continue 1.7 kilometers, then turn right onto Highway 7"

Yes. Seven. That's right. Not 407.
Close one.

We make the turn onto #7 and are at our destination in no time.
Except there's no hotel there.
Um.
I pull into a strip mall parking lot and try to figure out what's up.

Ah.
Programming Itchin' Betty ahead of time = smart.
Programming her with the wrong street number = not so smart.

I punch in the correct address and we set off again.
There's the hotel.
I pull under the entrance canopy and we schlep our bags into the lobby.
I go back out to the car and the rain is letting up a bit.
I park and don't even get wet on the trek back to the lobby.

As we check in, we ask if there's some place nearby to eat.
"Oh! There's a great little kabob place just over on the next block.
It's really good and you can just walk over."

When we get to the room, Ruby makes a happy discovery.
"Hey!" She says. "According to the agenda, we have to check in after 3pm... Tomorrow!
So we can spend the whole day together!"

Sweet!


By the time we unpack, the rain has stopped completely.
And we're getting hungry.

"What about that kabob place?"
"Sure."
"Shall we walk?"
"Sure."
So that's what we do.

And she was right. It was good!

Sorry, no food porn pics, or even much of a description of what we had.
I wasn't planning on doing this mini-TR at the time.
I think I had lamb and/or beef and Ruby had Chicken.
I do recall that this was the first halal restaurant either of us had ever been to.
So no pork on the menu.
But considering how tasty what I had was, I sure didn't miss it.



On the way back to the hotel, we spotted a movie theater.
"Hey! Want to go see a movie?"

As we walk in to the theater, we realize right away that something's not quite right.
We don't recognize a single movie title on the marquee.
We glance toward the ticket booth and there are signs on it.
I don't remember exactly what they were but,
I think one sign had "Hindi" with an arrow pointing right
and "Urdu" with an arrow pointing left.

Good idea. That's what we did. We left.


"Well, I spotted a Cineplex theater on the drive to the hotel." I say.

We head back to the hotel, and grab the car.
We easily find the theater and watch Pitch Perfect 2.
Meh. It was okay.
Wish I'd waited for the rental.
I hear the original was good.
I wouldn't know. Haven't seen it.


Afterwards, we do what anyone visiting a vibrant, fascinating, new (to us) city would do.
We went to bed and promptly fell asleep.



Tuesday June 9th

We woke up with a plan.
No we didn't.
We knew one spot we wanted to see, but after that we were winging it.
So far, it wasn't raining, and it didn't rain until after we got back to the hotel that evening.
Score!

I'm guessing we stopped somewhere for a muffin or something, but I don't remember.
We told Betty where we wanted to go and she got us to our destination in about half an hour or so.

We had no idea how long we'd be, so I steered into a parking garage.
I noted the damage on the slip of paper we'd been given.
I then parked inside the garage.


Walking out of the parkade, the first thing we see is this.

For those of you who don't know, that's the CN Tower.
It used to be the world's tallest free standing structure,
but now it's number six on the list.
It's still the tallest structure in North America though, so pretty high.

And we're not going there.
I've already been to the top twice.
Once each with both DDs.
While the view is wonderful, I didn't feel a need for a repeat.
Ruby didn't feel like going up either.
If she had, I would now be telling you how I've been three times.

But at $35/person, I'm kinda glad she declined.


Just to the right of the tower is this interesting building.

It houses Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.
Tripadvisor lists it at #6 in the World for best aquariums.
And we were very much looking forward to checking it out.
(Note to self. See Atlanta, Georgia's aquarium. World's largest.)


When we walked in, the first thing you see is this nice little aquarium.
(well little when it comes to the rest of the place)

I really liked this one. Not sure why it struck me, but it did.

There was a bit of a line-up to get tickets and it didn't seem to be moving much, or at all.
I hesitated and noticed some unused kiosks to our left.
We wandered over and.... you could get tickets at them!
I swiped my credit card and in less than a minute had our tickets.
We walked into the aquarium, passing by the still unmoving line-up.
Baaaah-bye!

I did take some snaps, so feel free to look around.
(Saves on my incessant typing, too.)

That pic is a real disappointment to me.
It was so amazing.
This tall two story column of water with a large school of silver fish constantly circling.
It was hypnotic.

When I took that picture, I knew what those were.
Not so much now.

That picture is very deceptive.
It looks like a normal home aquarium almost.
Until you notice the people at the bottom
and you realize that this aquarium is about three stories high.

There was also a long, curved glass tunnel that took you through a tank filled with sea life.

Anyone for a swim?

Hi Mr. Ray!

Puffer fish. I love those guys.
Super dangerous to eat, though.

There was an area where, if your child was misbehaving,
you could shove him in a small tunnel and traumatize him
by having him surrounded by reef sharks.

I mean if that doesn't calm the little hellion down, what will?

Oh, I know! Force their hands into a tank filled with horseshoe crabs!
That'll do it!

Problem solved.

In this area are restrooms.
So while I waited for Ruby, I took this snap.
The horseshoe crabs are in the tank right in front,
play structure to the right, food lower level center rear.
The upper level is the entrance.
Notice the life-size whale skeleton, upper right.
Also notice the large globe in the upper left? It was rotating. And cool.

These little guys are Sea Dragons. Sorry they're washed out a bit.
(If you can't tell, they're the white ones. They're related to Sea Horses.)

There were still more displays including an entire glass wall filled with
majestic jellyfish.
The photo just didn't make the cut.
The motion is what makes it interesting anyway.

On the way out to the inevitable gift shop, you pass by some of the equipment
used to keep the aquarium running.
I found this to be almost as interesting as the aquarium itself.

We picked up a couple of souvies for the girls on the way out.
All in all, we were blown away by the aquarium and would highly recommend it to anyone!
There's far more to see than the pictures I've posted here.
Plus we went through it fairly quickly.
Usually I'll take the time to read the placards in front of the displays,
but today I was content to let Ruby take the lead and go at her pace.

Continued next post!​

 

[pkondz]

Continued from previous post!​

After exiting the aquarium, we were getting kind of hungry.
Hmmm.... fish & chips? Fugu? Shark fin soup?
Nah...
We grabbed a couple of hot dogs and some drinks from a nearby cart vendor
and plunked ourselves down on a bench to figure out what we were going to do next.

I hadn't really thought of anything to do with Ruby ahead of time,
since we didn't know until after we got here that we were going to have a day together.

I suggested the Kensington Market, she agreed, so we headed back to the car.
I didn't really know where Kensington Market was, but it was in Betty's brain.
Unfortunately, Betty couldn't tell us how to get there since for some odd reason
she wasn't able to pick up any satellites from underneath tons of concrete.

What's with that???


When I pulled out of the garage, she figured out pretty quickly where we were
and where we needed to go.
I petted her on her housing.
She seemed pleased at the attention and said "Turn left onto Bremner Boulevard."

In just a few minutes, we were parking at another garage.
Odd.
This garage's parking rates are about a quarter of the one by the CN Tower.
How very curious.




Kensington Market is the name for a neighborhood covering a few city blocks.
It's chockablock full of cafes, produce and other markets, thrift stores and the like.
It's quite colourful and there's lots for the senses to experience.
And no. I didn't take that many pictures.
We simply walked around and enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells.

I did take one, though.

What the heck is French Caribbean cuisine?
Whatever.

We came to a corner and I spotted this place.

Well, there's no way I'm not going to check out a place like that!

We wandered in and.... pie heaven!
All sorts of pies!
And they all looked sooooo good!

Now Ruby isn't a huge pie fan...
But even she decided to give one a try.
She ordered a Key Lime pie while I asked for a raspberry rhubarb slice.
As I was about to pay for our order, I spotted some molasses cookies and grabbed one.
Let it never be said that I passed up a molasses cookie!
Perish the thought!

We settled in at a small table near a window
(our view)

The pies?
I know Ruby liked hers, but I'm glad I didn't order it.
There was coconut in the whipped topping.
My pie was absolutely to die for.
Really. I just might die for another slice of that pie.
It was that good.

Well... sustain a slight injury for one.
Perhaps an Indian rope burn... or a noogie.
Good pie, though.
I sure wouldn't mind going back some day for more!
(The cookie was good too.)


Afterwards we strolled around for a bit more then retrieved the car
and drove back to the hotel.
Ruby freshened up a bit and we went down to the main floor
so she could check in for her conference.

Once we were done with that, we decided dinner was in order.
We had seen a Moxie's near the kabob place and so we went there.
Food was... well it was Moxie's food.
I guess you could compare it to a slightly more upscale TGI Fridays.
Good enough, but nothing too special.
No idea what we ate. Just the impression it left.


When we were finished with our meal, we headed back to the hotel.
We did not check out the Hindi/Urdu theater again.
But we did watch The Imitation Game on Pay Per View.

Now that was an excellent movie.
If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.
Not for the littles though.

When it was done, Ruby crashed and I followed her into dreamland soon after.

Tomorrow is another day and I'm on my own in the Center of the Universe.

G'night!

Toronto Mini TR - Boom and Bust​

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Following along for your TO mini TR!

I haven't been to Toronto in a few years, but I don't remember the aquarium. I guess it's fairly new? I hadn't heard of Kensington Market before, but it looks like a good place to go.

I've actually been thinking about making a trip to the centre of the universe this summer. I need get away from the dismal weather we've had in Newfoundland. I think old man winter forgot to upgrade some software and summer hasn't loaded yet

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[KathyM2]

Toronto is mockingly (jealously?) referred to as "the center of the Universe".

But wait, isn't it? I couldn't resist. Loving reading a TR about my own home town...It's fun to see how others experience the place where you live your life every day.

He holds the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him.

You got it!

Just once, wouldn't you like to ride along with the bags, just to see how it all works?

Totally. I'd want to come down the ramp too...or up the ramp at Pearson lol

I hear the original was good. I wouldn't know. Haven't seen it.

I really thought that movie was a lot of fun Elizabeth Banks is quite hilarious and there's some good 80's tunes.

she got us to our destination in about half an hour or so.

Where the heck were you staying? Why so far from downtown?

But at $35/person, I'm kinda glad she declined.

Yeah...way to rip off the tourists as usual. We're good at that here.

There was also a long, curved glass tunnel that took you through a tank filled with sea life.

Love this place. We had a membership the year it opened and went like 50 times. Haven't been back since - only because of the exorbitant prices to go for one day.

I mean if that doesn't calm the little hellion down, what will?

Try being a chaperone on a school field trip...ugh.. Talk about stress. Keeping track of your assigned 6 kids in the semidark insanity of that place is no easy task, let me tell you.

All in all, we were blown away by the aquarium and would highly recommend it to anyone!

It is pretty cool. Other than the prices. But sometimes they have deals online.

We grabbed a couple of hot dogs and some drinks from a nearby cart vendor

Ahhhh street meat...yum.

I didn't really know where Kensington Market was, but it was in Betty's brain.

You should have walked from the CN Tower area. Next time, call me.

We wandered in and.... pie heaven!

Yum. Love that place.

I sure wouldn't mind going back some day for more!

Again, next time, call me

Ruby freshened up a bit and we went down to the main floor so she could check in for her conference.

Ohhhh so that's why you stayed up in the 'burbs. Or the 905 as we centre of the universe people like to call that area.

The Imitation Game on Pay Per View.

Definitely on my list.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So I did say that I'd post a mini TR of our Toronto trip.
Get yourself settled in the comfy chair,
pull a comforter over your legs,
grab a nice mug of vodka,
and here we go.

Woohoo! Drunken commentary!

For those of you who might be disinclined to follow along
and want to wait for a more.... Disneyish trip...
Well, that's coming up in about a month.
(A month?!?!? How did that happen???)

How many Torontonians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one.

He holds the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him.

Nice! I'm assuming we can just substitute "New York" or "California" here.

Uh. Maybe I shouldn't use the term "break down" when I'm renting a car.

Yeah, gotta watch the jinxes there.

My car rental was for $212.67.
$500 is almost $72/day extra!!!


Now I don't know who to be more mad at.
Me, for forgetting to get insurance ahead of time.
Or the rental company for gouging the heck out of me!

You should at least get to drive a Rolls Royce for that or something.

Well, her name isn't actually "Itchin" Betty. But it rhymes with her real name.

Gotcha.

Programming Itchin' Betty ahead of time = smart.
Programming her with the wrong street number = not so smart.

Sounds like she has the right to do some itchin'.

Walking out of the parkade, the first thing we see is this.

Is King Kong always hanging out there, or just on certain weekends?

I hesitated and noticed some unused kiosks to our left.
We wandered over and.... you could get tickets at them!

Wow, that worked much better than at Kennedy Space Center.

There was an area where, if your child was misbehaving,
you could shove him in a small tunnel and traumatize him
by having him surrounded by reef sharks.

Can you buy permanent seats?

What the heck is French Caribbean cuisine?

It's just like regular Caribbean cuisine, but you're not good enough to eat it.

We wandered in and.... pie heaven!

Yes, please!!!!

I know Ruby liked hers, but I'm glad I didn't order it.
There was coconut in the whipped topping.

Yeah, coconut would be a problem for me too.