Fabulous views from THE TOWER
THE TOWER, THE TOWER, THE TOWER. Literally a 10-minute walk from our accommodation. We access via the Terrace and past Rogers Stadium and reported in time to sit and enjoy a coffee before our 10.30 call to the first viewing level.
Yep, we are going UP
A Friday for game day for the only Canadian team in the MBL, the #Blue Jays, we thought we may have misjudged our timings, but there were definitely no crowds. Lots of lines set out in anticipation for the influx but we were first car at every stage of our journey.
Lots of preamble downstairs- prep
A mere 58 seconds and the glass bottom elevator delivered us up the 346 metres to the viewing level. Had views out the glass door as it soared upwards and views to the ground through the floor.
Can watch the ascent from the floor of the elevator
And the usual setup once out of the elevator. Plenty of information boards (mind you, the ground floor had all of the details of construction, the records set by the tower, models and displays and the welcome video from the First Nation's People) and signage and VIEWS to keep you interested.
Glad we saved the viewing till our last day because we were able to recognise the areas we had visited. Quite surprised how glassy and grey the city looked from above, when the overwhelming impression from the ground is the predominance of green space and the proliferation of flowers and gardens.
Your horizon views are complemented by walking on glass floors and because this level is shaped like a donut that extends out from the central tower, it is possible to see to the plaza below. Quite disconcerting really -felt the urge to get off that space. The variety of architectural design of the many high-rise buildings made for interesting viewing and conversation. Truly a beautiful city- the water is always a plus.
There are two additional access points here. One leads to the #360 Degree restaurant - a dining experience where you take a full 360 revolution and take in the night views. The second was to the #Edge Experience. You are on a harness and extended beyond the building. Not on our agenda this time and did have a laugh remembering that our boat guide from a couple of days ago had told us that some 80 year olds do it as an alternate to sky diving. Um, no.
First view at #Skypod level was a porthole
Next level of the visit, for us, was to travel to the #Skypod. This elevator takes you up to 447 metres and the floor space is a little different. This viewing gives a perspective that is more focussed on the street views rather than the expansive horizon views. There was also a pendulum suspended here that showed the movement of the building - happy to say that on our visit very little movement.
You look down from this level
On our way to the castle, but getting a last selfie
Left THE TOWER with a little souvenir. Theoretically we are in our decluttering stage, but I couldn't resist and am now wondering "when the time comes to divvy yp the loot" which one of our children will claim this little useless treasure 😅😄🤣 - but @Mac said I get to enjoy it (and dust it) for the next 20 years. Really quite funny, it's not that I fell in love with how elegant or how aesthetically pleasing it was. It was more that I knew it - I could see it all of the time - it grounded you - and made you realise you were somewhere else in. The world. Yeah, funny - it just made me smile and feel good.
Will be a feel-good reminder when we are home
Back on the ground we were in search of #Chinatown, #Kensington Markets and #Casa Loma (Canada's only castle.) It was all about the public transport. So easy and efficient here. We needed the street car 510 to #Spedina Station and then the 129 to #Davenport. All interconnected- the one fare charge within a 2 hour time frame- and just tap your #Visa card. Worked a treat although we did have 40 metre climb uphill to the castle. I think we have travelled all day - backwards and forwards, on street cars and buses and it has cost us $2.30 .... each. Gotta love that.
Finding #Casa Loma - well worth it
Was worth it, with spectacular views back across the city, especially from the turrets that were accessed via spiral staircase. This home of Sir Henry Pellat built in 1914, is an elaborate residence over 3 floors, complete with gardens, stables, secret passageways and of course the turrets. It is elegantly decorated with period furniture and today is a combination of museum like exhibits amd luxury hospitality venue (there was a wedding today.)
@Mac climbed all the stairs for views from the turrets
Very cleverly presented with an audio tour that gives insights at dozens of waypoints and cleverly repurposed throughout with some areas playing host to themed escape rooms, antique car displays, Halloween dungeons and my very favourite, a gift shop just dripping woth princess and knight costumes for children.
I did like the gift shop
Confessing I didn't do the turrets climbs but of course my personal #Knight ascended every one of the spirals and the wooden staircases to get the lofty views.
Back on the bus and the streetcar and we headed for our very late 4 pm lunch in #Chinatown (pho, spring rolls, satay chicken ... yum, yum, worth the wait ... it was like we hadn't eaten for a month) and then a foot weary wander around the underwhelming #Kensington Markets (we didn't really get it.)
Fought for a spot on the now Friday afternoon peak hour streetcar traffic boosted because of that home game crowd. Had to let a couple go because they were so full and headed back to the #Terrace.
Refuelled but absolutely knackered
We had been chatting with #Blue Jays fans throughout the day and did have plans to attend the game. After all, we are just across the road from the stadium and this was an "important" game. To be honest, we were absolutely knackered after our day and limped home at 6:30 pm.
Except that we could see THE TOWER would not choose the footbridge - too far!
We thought we were being smart and used the footbridge at the base of our building - what we hadn't cottoned on to was that it was ramp access only - and the base of the ramp in both directions faced away from our destination. Only an extra 200 metres but we were moaning. And, first time, there was a line up at our lift. All added to our commitment to not watch the #Blue Jays live. We did follow their progress and cheered on their win - lots of happy Canadian baseball fans tonight.
We had to pack because tomorrow we are back on the #VIA Train heading to #Ottawa.
Meanwhile in 🇪🇺 with @M&I
A sunny day without wind on #Mykonos and they have hit the beach and caught a sunset.
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