Toronto is one of my favourite cities in Canada, and we’ve gotten to know it pretty well through multiple visits. It’s an easy getaway destination, a mere five-hour drive from Ottawa, and there are a lot of cheap hotels if you don’t mind staying in the suburbs, like most Toronto residents.
This time, we were there for the Bryan Adams concert and only stayed for a day, but we still enjoyed a nice walk in the city and a stop at two of our favourite restaurants—The Old Spaghetti Factory on the Esplanade, and a small Chinese dumpling place in Chinatown.
The drive into Toronto never ceases to amaze me, as the highway plunges between the condos, always taller and always closer. I never truly understood real estate and why people think investing in a $300,000 condo by the freeway is a good idea. I can understand the lucky—and rich—few who live in condos right in the downtown core, but why bother living in the suburbs in a condo? I guess it’s like real estate in Paris: you buy whatever you can and hope for the market to keep booming.
We often end up in Chinatown during our trips to Toronto. I like the atmosphere and the fact that it’s always crowded. The number of small businesses is amazing, and there aren’t too many franchises in the neighbourhood, which makes for an interesting walk.
This time, after eating our dumplings, we ended up in a small side street of Kensington Market we had never explored before. It was full of “alternative” clothing stores, and the smell of incense was overwhelming. Kensington Market boasts an amazing number of murals, most very well done and they liven up the area.
On the way back to Chinatown, we bumped into Olivia Chow, the wife of late NDP leader Jack Layton, giving interviews in Cantonese—no idea what she talked about!
Hi Zhu,
What a cool day trip in Toronto! I would love to go one day.
I would also feel comfortable in Chinatown. I like it when there is a mix to a big city and when people and quarters are diverse.
Thanks for sharing your pics of Toronto :).
I always end up in Chinatown, no matter where I go… karma 😆
I always thought Ottawa and Toronto are very close to each other, like 1 or 2 hrs apart! Haha!
From your pictures, I can see that Toronto is one hectic and bustling city, what a contrast to the beautiful river and lakes in the centre of Ottawa! 🙂
But am sure the cosmopolitan air is much denser here, and more exciting nightlife to boot.
Well, Toronto and Ottawa are very close… on a Canadian scale! 😆
As usual, I love the pictures. I wish I could photograph like you do 🙂
Awww… it just takes practice, trust me 😉
Toronto has a special place in my heart. It’s a city I’ve come to love, with all its quirkiness and personality. I always love the feeling of being almost in a different country every time I move in and out of its ethnic neighborhoods.
Eh, one day we should really meet there!
My old city! 😀 I really like the feel of Kensington Market. Even though I never end up buying anything vintage, I do enjoy walking around and people watching in the area.
I rarely buy anything either but walking around and window-shopping is half the fun!