Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

I’ve finally visited the new Aquarium. Every time I pass by, there is always a long line up to go in. People are willing to pay $30 to get in! There was a variety of fishes to see including lots of sharks and stingrays. The best part I like is the tunnel into the big aquarium. There is a moving walkway that circles you around the big aquarium on top of you. I thought that was pretty unique and distinctive compared to the other aquariums I have been. There is also a big tank with lots of Nemo swimming around.

The rainbow reef was also so colourful and beautiful. I was standing there for awhile just admiring it. Also the jelly fish section, so many different types. We’ve spend a good few hours here. I’m considering getting membership so I can see the fish tank on a regular basis.

360° Revolving

It has been probably 20 years since the last time I have been up to CN Tower and to eat. This time around, we went up for lunch. They have the pre-fix menu for $55 for lunch and it includes the admission to the Observation Deck below so not a bad deal. With reservations, they will try to seat you by the window with the 360 degrees view of the city, it takes about 90 minutes to go into a revolving circle. When I first sat there, I do feel it moving so it takes a little to get use to so that I won’t get dizzy. It was a pretty sunny afternoon so the view was amazing.

I got the PEI mussels & clams as starter. The grilled calf’s liver & crispy sweetbreads with maple smoked bacon and caramelized onions. It was something different than the normal steak or fish. I liked it, and polished off the plate clean. For dessert, I go the Lindt dark chocolate lava cake. It was very rich, not very sweet but heavy dessert. The service was good, very attentive. The entire atmosphere of course is the winner, up in the sky looking down and enjoying the skyline of Lake Ontario, Island airport, financial district, and the entire downtown.

360° Revolving – CN Tower
301 Front Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2T6

Niagara Falls

Every time I come, I see a different scenery. This time, it was during summer where all the daffodils and tulips have spouted painting a beautiful colour in front of then magnificent Niagara Falls. We also did the boat ride down to the Falls this time, I think it is over 15 years since the last time I went. And OMG you get totally wet, the poncho doesn’t really help. Luckily it was sunny so I dried off pretty quick.

I still want to go cross the border and check out the view of the Falls from the US side… one day.

Pearl Habourfront

Dim sum by the Habourfront. It is more expensive than your dim sum in Chinatown but you are really here for the view and less crowded. The dim sum was good, comparable to the other good dim sum places in Markham / Richmond Hill.

Pearl Harbourfront
207 Queen Quay West
Toronto, ON M5J 2M6

Hapa Izakaya

We had no reservations so we were lucky to have seats by the kitchen bar. They had a Hello Kitty cocktail so of course I had to try it. It had strawberry  purée, Calpico, Absolut and Soda. They should put a hello kitty head on it or something to make it a hello kitty.

We tried quite a variety of items on the menu. Hapa Wings – Yuzu salt & pepper fried chicken wings, bourbon maple soy. Kakuni – Japanese braised pork belly, garlic toast. Salmon Yukke – Salmon tartar with a raw quail egg, served with tempura nori chips. Steak bites – AAA Beef, Yukon fingerling potato, onion carrot. Lobster Oshizushi – Grilled & torched lobster sashimi, miso mayo. And finally the Volcano ramen. The steak was ok, the meat was quite chewy, hard to break apart. The chicken wing was very tasty as well as the kakuni. The salmon tartar was freshly done, goes well with the nori chips.

For dessert, we got the Japple Pie Gyoza – Cinnamon apple gyoza, green tea ice cream. I like the green tea ice cream inside the cream puff that was on the side more than the gyoza. The service was quite slow but they were nice when they do come and help. The food was slow, waited quite some time for dishes to come but that’s usually how it works for izakaya.

Hapa Izakaya
602 College Street
Toronto, ON M6G 1B4

Doors Open Toronto

It was the perfect weather today for Doors Open, it felt like summer, sunny and warm. Lovely day to spend walking outdoors. I only had the morning to go exploring this year so I was very selective. I visited the Textile Museum of Canada, TIFF Reference Library and St Andrew’s Church.

Textile Museum was hidden, I did not know this place existed. There was an exhibit “Fashioning the Intangible: The conceptual clothing of Ying Gao”. The garments were made with like plastic fabric and when it senses light, it will move so it is like dancing. Pretty awesome. And then they had the exhibit “From Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru”. Since I just came back from Japan, this is great to extend my knowledge of Japan. The kimonos were all so pretty. I like the ones with the pretty flowers.

The TIFF reference library was another place I did not know about. It is open to the public and have archives of thousands of movies that you can view. St Andrew’s Church, I walk by it all the time but this is the first time going in. It’s not a big church but it has pretty ceilings by the altar and a big organ.

It’s been my third year going and yet there is still a lot on my list of buildings that I have not had a chance to see yet. This is why I love Toronto, never get bored!

Blue Jays are 1st!

The Blue Jays are finally first in the AL East!!! Woohoo!! It’s a tight lead between Baltimore and NY. Go Jays go!!

High tea time!

High tea time with a delicious French Macaron! Wait … it’s a soap … I’m so proud of myself that this DIY soap macaron turn out great at the first try. The colouring turned out well and it looks like a edible macaron. It is way easier to make than a real macaron. 🙂

This Horoscope is pretty accruate!

I’m not a big fan of horoscope as how can everyone born in the same month have the same thing happening to them at the same time? But I came across this one that does describe me very well…as well as my close friends and co-workers. Just for FUN!!

PISCES – The Partner for Life 

Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the center of attention. Very organized. High appeal to opposite sex. Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes get the short end of the stick. They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to others but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be.

DIY soap making

I think I’m in love with DIY soap making, maybe this will be my new business venture. All natural soap! It was so much fun! So many different creative ideas and possibilities. I wish I had more time to make more. Will show you my finish products soon! In the meantime, here are the making of …