Lesson learned. Need more days in Disney!!! Aug 2010 (NEW 1/20-COMPLETE)

[YukiPhnx]

I'm a believer. No, not a Belieber.

Anyways, a little back story (cause I know how much you guys love these). In recent years, probably...starting in high school. Ok, it's not THAT recent, but let me fantasize. I have had feet problems. Mainly with my heel. I have major heel pain and my whole feet just ACHES after only a few short hours of walking in regular old running shoes.

I think it's plantar fascilitis, from what I've read on the DIS, but I'm not really sure. I've never gone to a podiatrist because I think I can fix it myself and have been searching for the right insoles.

Besides just insoles, I've also been searching for the right sandals/flip flops. I fell in love with Crocs at WDW and have only really had my eye on those. But for those of you that frequent the Tips board, you know there are many other brands of comfy sandals.

Unfortunately, most of those shoes are sold in specialty stores that aren't very close to where I live, and I've never taken a trip far away JUST FOR SHOES. Recently though, a North by Northwest store opened up at the mall near me and I happened to notice they had Sanuks in the store.

Ok, again, if you frequent the Tips board, the most popular brands are Teva Mush, Sanuks, Crocs, FitFlops and New Balance.

This store has both Teva Mush and Sanuks!!! So I tried them all on and BOY did I fall for the Sanuk flip flops. I liked the Teva Mush too, but the heel didn't have as much cushion as the Sanuk and the soles were pretty slippery.

So, this is what I got. The Sanuk yoga mat made from recycled yoga mats! I had no idea it would feel THIS good. Also, I have huge blisters on the balls of my feet right now (from a poor choice of boots...) and I can't even FEEL the pain in my Sanuks.

In this exact colour too.

With most other flip flops, I feel like my two toes are always holding them up, but with these, they just....stick to my feet. Effortless walking. Nice and light too.

Here's more info.

http://www.sanuk.com/yoga-mat

I'll probably be buying some more of the other ones.

In conclusion, EVERYONE should get a pair. It's worth it. I was so happy about this purchase that I just HAD to tell y'all asap. My feet are in heaven.

 

[jenbear123]

Oh great... now I have to go buy ANOTHER pair of shoes Where did you find them?

 

[YukiPhnx]

Oh great... now I have to go buy ANOTHER pair of shoes Where did you find them?

Haha, I know what you mean! If I had more money, I probably would've bought the Teva and North by Northwest flip flops too...

I bought it at North by Northwest. I think there's a big store in the Eaton's Centre or close to it? They recently opened one in Waterloo, which is where I got mine. I'm sure they have at least 2-3 locations in Toronto though...

Man, I seriously love these things. I'm EXTREMELY picky with footwear cause of my foot pain, and this one just passed all my tests.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Those flips look nice! I have alot of trouble with my feet, too! I need support, or my arches really hurt, but it can't be too much because I have flat feet that are half-way corrected (long story). I have wide fronts and narrow heels, so I have "kidney bean" feet. I am always trying to find something I can walk in without pain and swelling. I am excited to try these! And they look so cute, too!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Those flips look nice! I have alot of trouble with my feet, too! I need support, or my arches really hurt, but it can't be too much because I have flat feet that are half-way corrected (long story). I have wide fronts and narrow heels, so I have "kidney bean" feet. I am always trying to find something I can walk in without pain and swelling. I am excited to try these! And they look so cute, too!

Oh yeah, my feet are kind of like yours too! Well, except for the kidney beans.

Have you tried Crocs sandals? I highly suggest their sandals because they're soft and they have a good amount of arch support too. Their Athens flip flops have the cushiest heel bed.

I'm sure you will fall in love when you put these on your feet.

 

[englishrose47]

Do they come without the betwen toe thingie !!I can NOT wear that !!But other than that I think I would LOVE them!!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Do they come without the betwen toe thingie !!I can NOT wear that !!But other than that I think I would LOVE them!!!

They actually made pretty nice sandals that aren't flip flops too. You should definitely check them out!

 

[Cat0727]

Your flip flops are really cute! How cool they are made from recycled yoga mats! I love the way standing on a yoga mat feels on my feet lol, I definitely will check those shoes out!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Your flip flops are really cute! How cool they are made from recycled yoga mats! I love the way standing on a yoga mat feels on my feet lol, I definitely will check those shoes out!

Yeah, I always had reservations about them being made of yoga mats, cause they're soft but not supportive, but this flip flop just has a top yoga mat layer and has pretty good support!

I bet you'll love them when you try them on.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Montreal Pt.7

Final chapter! I didn't take all that many pictures of Day 2 or 3. I think the cold really got in the way of that. Yes, I can keep blaming the cold for stuff! Can you tell I REALLY don't like it?

Today was our last day in Montreal and we were leaving in the evening. Unfortunately...due to an underestimation of travelling time, we spent our last 2 hours, waiting for the bus....but I'll get to that later!

We woke up again at 9am to catch breakfast that we THOUGHT ended at 11am like the day before, but we totally forgot that this day was just a regular day in Montreal, and not a holiday like it is in Ontario.

It was a Monday and back home, it would've been Family Day! Silly...I know...But in Montreal....it was an OFF day! As in, the vast majority of museums and galleries in the city were closed on Mondays. I'm pretty sure this is only during the winter season when they don't expect as many visitors.

So, after feeling defeated about not reading the breakfast schedule carefully, we went back up to our room to pack up our things and check-out. We were headed to the Montreal Science Centre! I had just bought an annual pass and it was the only thing open that interested Andrew (meaning, not a mall).

Something I wanted to show you guys were the windows of the centre that we passed through to get to the subway entrance. They were tinted with yellow, and during the day looking out of it, the outside looked like a flashback scene!

Not sure if you guys understand what I'm saying...but it had a really nostalgic look about it that I just LOVED.

Doesn't it feel all old and romantic?

So, the Science Centre was only a (relatively) short walk from the nearest subway station, so we just walked there. We wanted to take pictures of our walk over, but it was just too darn cold! Although my new tights made the cold MUCH MORE tolerable.

Here I am, walking up to it with my weekend bag and backpack on. The weekend bag is actually my gym bag and it was able to fit all Andrew and mine's clothing and travel stuff in it! Why isn't Andrew carrying it? Well, he packed his laptop and was also holding onto all the leftovers we amassed over the weekend including the pizza from the night before.

When Andrew saw this, he said, "What the? How did we get to Epcot?"

The Science Centre part is on the right. It's connected to a skating rink.

So we got there at 11am, dumped our stuff in a locker and set off to explore the place. I LOVE the Ontario Science Centre, which you can probably tell because I have an annual pass and everything. I can literally spend hours in that place.

So...the Montreal one...well, since it was cheaper we assumed it was smaller. We were right. It was MUCH smaller. I would say....1/3 or 1/4 of the Ontario one? Of course, the Ontario one does have the IMAX theatre, but if you're comparing the exhibits themselves, the Montreal one was VERY SMALL.

We still had a GREAT time there! They had one room that was filled with stuff that our "arcade" part of the Ontario one used to have! It was really cool to see that those old structures were moved to Montreal. This one room was very interactive and so much fun. Actually, this whole centre was very interactive. Much more so than the Ontario one, which is why Andrew liked this one better.

Here are some of the stuff we played with! In this one, you were supposed to stand in the orange circle and created a large bubble around yourself. We didn't know this until some other kids came to try it out, but here's how far Andrew got being outside the circle.

Chair of nails!

It's ok McDuff, it's not THAT bad...

McDuff is trying very hard to lift this heavy metal.

This chair is hooked to a pulley so you could pull(ey) yourself up on it! Andrew got all the way up, but let go before I could get a good picture! So we ended up with this.

Oooh, an infrared camera.

Andrew asked me for 2 quarters for this shot.

The Centre is right on the harbous, so you can see out on the river. This was a little sitting section for the parents!

There was a couple of other rooms that weren't all that interesting...And then we came across this.

Don't worry, no pictures were allowed. There was a middle school group that was visiting and you could tell some of them were pretty uncomfortable...but had to write a report on it.

Also a group from a Catholic girls high school that were way too immature... but wtv.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was overall very informative and very interesting and again, interactive. Interactive sex exhibit you ask? Well, there was a place that had two tables set up a couple feet from each other and had headphones on each table.

When you turn the headphones one, they gave you instructions on how to act and what to do. It was an experiment in seducing someone and being seduced! It was hilarious though because Andrew ended up as the one being seduced and he was touching his hair and neck and stuff, haha.

It was a tad bit hetersexist, but overall, very well done. They also had panels of people's naked bodies throughout lifespan. Very interesting.

So, we got there at 11am and had finished looking at everything by 12:30pm. We ate our leftovers for lunch and decided to head back to Rue Crescent to check out the Crocs store I saw the night before.

We took some more photos of the frozen-ish harbour.

I thought it looked REALLY cool in an eerie sort of way.

The downside of couple travelling is that we rarely get photos of the two of us in them. I can't wait to travel with my best friend and her dbf so we can finally get more couple photos!

We decided to take another way around to get back to the subway (which was MUCH easier said than done). We passed by Pointe a Calliere, the museum we wanted to go to but had no time for.

Ah wells, next time!

After some more walking, we finally find the subway entrance and got to the Crocs store.After much browsing and trying different shoes on, I bought a pair of Duet Flip flops. Also one of the Winter clogs. Since the clogs meant I could buy gibblets, I did! I bought Stitch, Wall-E and Eve ones.

Our original plan on Day 3 was to check was Schwarz, a famous smoked meat place in Montreal. It was highly recommended by friends. Looking at the map, it didn't look too close to a subway station and I didn't know how to take the bus. Andrew and I were worried we wouldn't make it to the train station in time, so we decided to skip it. We were also way too tired to walk more because we were carrying all our stuff with us.

Probably not the best idea because we were at the terminal by 2:30pm for our 5:30pm bus...While waiting, Andrew bought a box of his favourites. We took a picture because it is in a paper box and not a plastic bag!

Eventually, the bus pulled up st 4:30 and we were allowed to board then. We actually left the terminal at 5pm instead of 5:30pm. I wasn't too worried because the tickets were like plane tickets. They had all the passengers so they just left early.

The ride back to Toronto was uneventful. The sun was setting, so there wasn't much to see out the window. I just listened to the Dis Unplugged and fell asleep.
We DID end up making a stop in Kingston though, so I said to myself quietly when we got off the bus, "Hey Lessa and Beth!" We got home around 12:30am and went straight to bed.

Overall, I had a really good time in Montreal and can't wait to come back in the Summer to do all the things we weren't able to do! I'm sure when it's much warmer, we'll be able to walk more. When we were walking up to the Science Centre Andrew asked if we could go somewhere warmer next time. This coming from the guy that doesn't like to take vacations! So next Feb, we're going on a cruise to the Caribs!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks for sharing your Montreal trip with us! I have never been there for "real", the drunken weekend doesn't count.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Thanks for sharing your Montreal trip with us! I have never been there for "real", the drunken weekend doesn't count.

You should so check it out again when sober!

 

[ronnmel]

I followed you from the no-buy thread. So far I've read your first day. I thought it was funny how you did the Asian Peace sign, since my DH is Filipino and he has a lot of pics of himself doing the sign. And now his daughter does it almost EVERY time.

I also read your Montreal TR since I live there. You definitely need to come back during the summer, it's much warmer! I went to the Ontario Science Center in Toronto last summer and I was a bit disappointed that it was not as interactive as the Montreal Science Centre. But it was still very cool.

 

[glennbo123]

I went to the Toronto Science Center a couple of times when I was growing up, but have never made it to Montreal.

Andrew's infrared picture with the quarters was great! Very clever of him to think of doing that.

And that "Sexhibit" sounds interesting. And informative!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks like a fun day at the Science Museum - lots of play with! I did like the "yellow scene" from the past Umm, all that ice in the harbor - brrrr. Glad you were able to get away to relax during your studies. Do you have the Summer off now?

Oh yeah, my feet are kind of like yours too! Well, except for the kidney beans.

Have you tried Crocs sandals? I highly suggest their sandals because they're soft and they have a good amount of arch support too. Their Athens flip flops have the cushiest heel bed.

I'm sure you will fall in love when you put these on your feet.

I do have a pair of the sandals - love them! I tried the Athens sandals when I went to Atlantis - I wore them only as far as down to the pool and got a huge blister between my toes and the skin ripped off the ball of my foot. The between the toes thingy was too thick. I have learned to just get the flops with the ribbon between, or that happens to me. I did get some Champion shape up flips in LA, and I love them! I can't wait to see how tight my butt will be!

 

[__disneygirl]

Awesome Montreal trip... is it just me or is Spaceship Earth in this photo?

LOL. Just looking at the pics is making me cold, it must have been an ice box up there. Definitely will be better in the summer. And I'm way jealous of the carribean cruise! Maybe I could take one if I wasn't so obsessed with Disney World.. haha. Also, those sandals seem awesome, I'm happy they were able to help you. I kind of want to try them but I am too addicted to my Crocs!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I followed you from the no-buy thread. So far I've read your first day. I thought it was funny how you did the Asian Peace sign, since my DH is Filipino and he has a lot of pics of himself doing the sign. And now his daughter does it almost EVERY time.

I also read your Montreal TR since I live there. You definitely need to come back during the summer, it's much warmer! I went to the Ontario Science Center in Toronto last summer and I was a bit disappointed that it was not as interactive as the Montreal Science Centre. But it was still very cool.

Hey there! Good to see you and Yeah...the Asian peace sign. Andrew and I make fun of it a lot, cause it's in almost EVERY PHOTO with Asians in it. We tend to do it as a joke, haha. But most people don't see it that way cause we're Chinese...

Yeah, Montreal was so much fun! I can't wait to come back and visit La Rhonde and all those other places we missed. The Science Centre was a lot of fun. The Ontario one is trying to be more interactive now. Their new Innoventions room is pretty cool. Wow....I just realized we have an Innoventions in Canada! Hahaha.

I went to the Toronto Science Center a couple of times when I was growing up, but have never made it to Montreal.

Andrew's infrared picture with the quarters was great! Very clever of him to think of doing that.

And that "Sexhibit" sounds interesting. And informative!

Yeah, Montreal would've been an even further trip for you right?

I had no idea why he wanted the quarters but I love is idea! It was so cool. Get it?

Haha, yeah....sexhibit....You wouldn't find such a thing in Toronto.

Looks like a fun day at the Science Museum - lots of play with! I did like the "yellow scene" from the past Umm, all that ice in the harbor - brrrr. Glad you were able to get away to relax during your studies. Do you have the Summer off now?

Yay, I'm glad you liked the yellow scene! It was SOO COLD. Even though it was a getaway....it didn't really feel like it...This was my Spring Break. Where's the spring???

I'm still in school right now for the summer. I'll be graduating at the end of the summer!

I do have a pair of the sandals - love them! I tried the Athens sandals when I went to Atlantis - I wore them only as far as down to the pool and got a huge blister between my toes and the skin ripped off the ball of my foot. The between the toes thingy was too thick. I have learned to just get the flops with the ribbon between, or that happens to me. I did get some Champion shape up flips in LA, and I love them! I can't wait to see how tight my butt will be!

Which sandals do you have? Yeah, I think that was my problem with the Athens too. Super cushy footbed, but uncomfy toe thong. I had to send mine back.

Oooh, Champion shapeups. Let me know how that works out!

Awesome Montreal trip... is it just me or is Spaceship Earth in this photo?

LOL. Just looking at the pics is making me cold, it must have been an ice box up there. Definitely will be better in the summer. And I'm way jealous of the carribean cruise! Maybe I could take one if I wasn't so obsessed with Disney World.. haha. Also, those sandals seem awesome, I'm happy they were able to help you. I kind of want to try them but I am too addicted to my Crocs!

OH MY GOSH, you just reminded me!! I was trying to remember why that picture was there and it was because Andrew said, "What? How did we get to Epcot?" We took that pic cause it looked like Spaceship Earth. I should add that to my post...Thanks for reminding me!

Oh my gosh....freakin ice box...What about.....a Disney cruise?? That's the best of both worlds, you should def try it. Especially since there'll be new cruises departing from NYC now!

Which Crocs do you have? I have the Capris and the Duet Flip. I love the Sanuks because they were just SO SOFT. My Crocs didn't help with my blisters much, but I still love them too. We can't have too much shoes, right?

 

[ronnmel]

Awesome Montreal trip... is it just me or is Spaceship Earth in this photo?

In 1967 Montreal had a World Fair (called Expo 67). This geodesic dome was actually the American Pavilion. Then in 1976 there was a fire during renovations and only the steel frame remained. It stayed closed for a very long time, and reopened as a Biosphere water museum in 1990. (thanks Wikipedia!)

Hey there! Good to see you and Yeah...the Asian peace sign. Andrew and I make fun of it a lot, cause it's in almost EVERY PHOTO with Asians in it. We tend to do it as a joke, haha. But most people don't see it that way cause we're Chinese...

Yeah, Montreal was so much fun! I can't wait to come back and visit La Rhonde and all those other places we missed. The Science Centre was a lot of fun. The Ontario one is trying to be more interactive now. Their new Innoventions room is pretty cool. Wow....I just realized we have an Innoventions in Canada! Hahaha.

My husband too does the peace sign as a joke, but I think his 12 y.o. daughter is actually serious and trying to be "cool".

La Ronde used to be fun for me, but now that I've been spoiled by Disney I don't like it so much. You wait forever in every line, with very boring queues, for rides that are not always so great. I mean they do have great roller coasters, but unless you go on a day with somewhat bad weather you will wait hours and hours in line. They have a fastpass system, but you have to pay. So yeah, my advice would be to go on a cold and cloudy (not rainy though) day.

That's cool that the Toronto Science Centre has added an Innoventions section. A little piece of Disney.

 

[englishrose47]

Loved the yellow tint pix and Andrew with the quarters!! Great Report!!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

In 1967 Montreal had a World Fair (called Expo 67). This geodesic dome was actually the American Pavilion. Then in 1976 there was a fire during renovations and only the steel frame remained. It stayed closed for a very long time, and reopened as a Biosphere water museum in 1990. (thanks Wikipedia!)

Thanks Wikipedia!! Is it still a museum? I couldn't tell, it was so far away.

My husband too does the peace sign as a joke, but I think his 12 y.o. daughter is actually serious and trying to be "cool".

Awww, she's still at the age where she thinks it's cool It's such a generic pose for when you can't think of what to do with your arms.

La Ronde used to be fun for me, but now that I've been spoiled by Disney I don't like it so much. You wait forever in every line, with very boring queues, for rides that are not always so great. I mean they do have great roller coasters, but unless you go on a day with somewhat bad weather you will wait hours and hours in line. They have a fastpass system, but you have to pay. So yeah, my advice would be to go on a cold and cloudy (not rainy though) day.

Oh yeah, I read about the Go Fast pass. Sounds like the Universal express pass, but more expensive....I don't like how they make it sound like you're reserving a time in the ride. I was so confused when I was reading about it at first.

Yeah, I think we're all spoiled by Disney's awesome theming. I still love going to Wonderland and now that I have a season pass, I don't only have to go when I have a full day and have to make sure the whole day isn't rainy! It's nice to tour it non-commando style and go when the crowds are lighter.

I really want to try a six flags park, so I can't wait to visit La Rhonde! I'm a thrill junkie

That's cool that the Toronto Science Centre has added an Innoventions section. A little piece of Disney.

Yeeeah, I love having a little bit of Disney in my Canadian life.

Loved the yellow tint pix and Andrew with the quarters!! Great Report!!!

Thanks Rosie! I liked those parts too! Now I can resume my regular Disney TR