Cavorting in Canada: York Cemetery

After spending five nights in Montreal, it was time for me to move on. I had a flight to Toronto, where I would be spending a few more days. However, as Toronto is more a happy place for me, having been there several times in the past, I didn't really do some major sight-seeing. Instead, I revisited the places I liked, and additionally, I met up with some friends who live near the area. But there was one thing that I decided to check out, the York Cemetery.

Cavorting in Canada: Biosphère de Montréal

The last thing I saw in Montreal before moving on was the Biosphère de Montréal. This is a museum about the environment, and is housed in a structure that used to be for the Expo 67, in Saint Helen's Island.

Cavorting in Canada: McGill University and Mount Royal

One afternoon, I decided to get out and climb Mount Royal. After all, it's just right there, easily accessible from where I was staying. And on the way, I also wanted to check out McGill University. I've passed by it already a few times and the campus looked pretty, so I figured I check it out.

Cavorting in Canada: Downtown Montreal

I was making use of the good weather overall, and preferred spending time outdoors instead of indoors. So I went ahead and explored further on foot Montreal, and this time, I somehow ended up in the downtown area.

Cavorting in Canada: Biodôme de Montréal

Montreal hosted the Olympics at some point in the past. But once those events were over, the facilities have been repurposed. The velodrome, for example, which was constructed for the Olympic Games, was repurposed into the Biodôme de Montréal, which is an exhibition area that showcases several ecosystems in the Americas. I actually thought this was a neat idea and therefore went there for a visit.

Cavorting in Canada: Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal

There is Mount Royal, this large mound of earth bisecting the city of Montreal. And on one of its flanks, there is a massive building, a religious one, the Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal. One afternoon, I decided to head up Mount Royal and pay this place a visit.

Cavorting in Canada: Outremont

When I visited Montreal, the weather was very agreeable. Hence I took the opportunity to explore the city's outdoor side. One morning, I ventured out to Outremont, an affluent neighbourhood. I wanted to see what life in general feels like in this town.

Cavorting in Canada: Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

I visited Canada's most visited art museum. One afternoon, I headed out and took a walk to the nearby Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. It was fantastic!

Cavorting in Canada: Vieux-Port de Montréal

When I arrived in Montreal, it was already the evening: my flight from Frankfurt took off in the late afternoon, and so by the time we landed in Montreal, it was evening. Getting to my hotel was a smooth affair, but nevertheless it took some time. So I just plopped in bed and didn't see anything until the morning after. So when that finally happened (after breakfast), I first checked out the Old Port area of Montreal. It was a fine weather outside, and I wanted to be out and about.

Cavorting in Canada

Ok, that was cheeky. I am choosing Cavorting in Canada as the title of my next series of travelogues, yet to be honest, I have only been to two places in Canada for the duration of this trip. I spent 5 days in Montreal, followed by 4 days in Toronto. And saying that I have cavorted in Canada by visiting these two cities is a massive stretch. But do allow me this stretch, at least, after all, the alliteration is great.

St. Michael's Cathedral

The last time I was in Toronto, I visited a Hindu temple, and in conjunction with that, I also visited a cathedral. It's funny that an atheist would visit these religious sites, but honestly, I find it fascinating to observe people so devout in their religious beliefs, that I find myself sitting there, observing them to no end.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

When I was in Toronto a few weeks ago, I decided to visit a Hindu temple. It happens that the largest Hindu temple in Canada is just near the Toronto airport. So, armed with my day pass, I decided to take my camera and pay it a visit.

Pillitteri Estates Winery

When the weather was just starting to become cold, my good friend Puku visited me for a bit. The next day, we decided to cross into Canada and visit a winery. We ended up visiting the Pillitteri Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, as it was near, and they were still giving tours even though the summer wine season is already over. We made it just in time for the tour.

Eating Toronto

So I am in Toronto, once again. Having friends in this city is awesome, add to that the fact that it is just a short hop across the border, that it makes it easy for me to visit it every now and then. I've been here for a few days, and so far, all I have done, aside from hanging out with my friends, is eat.

The Mounties and the Visa

Ah, finally, the three pieces of documentation that I need for this upcoming conference trip is set in place. I now have a new Canadian visa! Let me explain why that is needed.

Toronto Tombs II: St. James Cemetery

The last time I went to Toronto, we visited two tombs. The first one was the Toronto Necropolis. After a detour in Cabbagetown, we headed to the St. James Cemetery. Like the first one, this is also a historic cemetery, where famous Canadians are buried.

Detour in Cabbagetown

During my latest stay in Toronto, I made it a point to visit two historical cemeteries in the city. I began with the Toronto Necropolis. After spending a few hours there, we headed to the St. James Cemetery, but on the way to that, we passed by Cabbagetown, a rather affluent neighborhood. It is also the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America.

Toronto Tombs I: The Toronto Necropolis

As I was in Toronto recently, I decided to bring my camera and visit some places of the city that I haven't been to yet. And since I spent a weekend there, I decided that I should visit some historic cemeteries, given that the weather was actually quite nice. So I was able to visit two cemeteries, and this is the first. This post is about the Toronto Necropolis.

Hello Toronto!

So this weekend I am here in Toronto. I have been here since last Friday, and so far, it's been a fun ride. It's the last weekend of the semester, and thus I have a little time to spare.

Toronto Tandoori

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and I headed to Toronto, because I had another friend who was turning 30 and therefore was throwing a party. Our plan was to head there, and with a spare change of clothes, crash in their apartment overnight and head back to Buffalo the day after.