Our Trip to Canada (Part 2)

If you remember, my post about the first part of our trip to Toronto was building up to our wedding day...

On the morning of the wedding, Disneyboi and I ventured over to the Starbucks (where else?) across from Lawrence and Emmy’s apartment. I think we were a bit tense, a bit nervous about the forthcoming ceremony!

on the way to get wed!

We went back to the condo and got changed into our wedding garb, then headed down to the ferry port with L&E where we met our officiant Adriana. We had skyped Adriana previously to arrange our service and it was great to finally meet her. We were cutting it a bit fine and got to the port in the nick of time. We got to Ward’s Island where the Rectory café is situated and where our ceremony would be held.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, we couldn’t have asked for any better really. When we got to the venue we were greeted by our server Danielle who made us feel very welcome. The ceremony then took place after a few formalities. It was a quiet, discreet humanist service which we both wanted, neither of us being religious. I welled up a bit!

the service with our officiant Adriana

We had lunch afterwards with some fizz, appropriately from the Ontario region, then Lawrence took some wedding photos at different locations around the island. Before long we were back aboard the ferry and back into the city, then off on our next adventure.

We changed into more relaxed clothes and packed our bags ready to catch a bus to Niagara Falls. This was our mannymoon! We were exhausted and fell asleep on the bus.

At the Falls!

We got a taxi from the Niagara Falls bus station to our hotel and then went out for dinner – a pizza place – not very classy for a wedding night I know. But it ended up we couldn’t manage very much and we headed back to the hotel after our busy day!

The next morning we spotted an IHOP (an International House of Pancakes) which we love and had an extortionate breakfast ($50 for some pancakes and coffee!!) before grabbing a cab out to Niagara on the Lake.

This is such a beautiful little town, 20 minutes drive from Niagara Falls and so, so different. The Falls can be a bit overwhelming with neon lights and loud music but Niagara on the Lake is a picturesque town with quaint written all over it.  There are beautiful shops, restaurants, the Shaw Festival Theatres and it is surrounded by beautiful Lake Ontario.

The Shaw Cafe at Niagara on the Lake

We literally spent all day in the town, just wandering around, buying bits and bobs (we were in the Christmas shop several times) and eating ice cream (I had scoops of maple pecan and pumpkin spice). We had dinner in the evening in a lovely little restaurant called Corks then called a cab.

The Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara on the Lake

We headed back to the Falls in time for the fireworks and a light show which they have a couple of times a week, then we headed for a quick drink before heading back to the hotel.

The American Falls all lit up

The next morning was Saturday and our last day in Niagara, where we ended up on the Hornblower cruise going into the falls. We were given red ponchos and got wet, but not as wet as you might think. Nor was the boat ride as choppy as we had feared.

On The Hornblower

We shopped a little, of course, the Hershey Store at the Falls is very cool with a Kiss on the roof and a bar of Hershey's outside!

Hershey Store, Niagara Falls

Time was against us and after a late lunch with a stunning view, we were soon back on the bus to Toronto where dinner was waiting for us at L&E’s.

That weekend was Thanksgiving in Canada and on the Sunday we had a family gathering at Disneyboi’s other cousin, Evelyn’s home.

Thanksgiving dinner

There were 20 people for dinner and it was a great social gathering, quaffing lots of wine, eating turkey and all the trimmings plus pumpkin pie (and a very yummy chocolate cheesecake affair made by a lovely lady called Imelda). It really was a fun evening which was over all too soon.

A farewell photo

Our holiday was nearing it's end and over the next couple of days we did a few more touristy things and I arranged to meet up with fellow food blogging friend Stephanie from Kitchen Frolic. Stephanie gave us a lovely wedding gift of Squish Artisanal Wedding candy and a cookbook 'Street Food Diaries' by Matt Basile who is Toronto based.

me and Steph from Kitchen Frolic

We had a wander with Steph around the city and over to a Michaels craft store which I had been keen to visit. It was lovely to meet Steph and I want to send her a big thank you for the lovely gifts she gave to myself and Disneyboi.

Our last night was Tuesday and we went out for a final dinner with our hosts Lawrence and Emmy who had been so kind to us during our stay. We cannot thank them enough and it was sad to be saying farewell to Emmy who was going to work the following day and we wouldn’t see before jetting off.

On Wednesday, after a gorgeous breakfast at a very retro diner called the Patrician,  we picked up a few last minute purchases and had a last minute beer with Lawrence. We were then back on the plane before we knew it!

And that was that - our Canadian marriage vacation was over far too soon sadly. We were shattered but had the best experience ever. I hope you have enjoyed reading about our trip and sharing some very special memories with us.