说不完的再见

  眼看，离开枫叶国的时间已渐渐靠近了，不到十二小时的时间，就已经登上铁鸟，飞回孕育我长大的马国了。
  再见，总是盼望着未知的未来，好像没什么机会再见 。在维多利亚的五天里，每天都与不同的圈子吃晚饭送别，与不同的朋友说再见，希望他们过来找我，或者我来找他们。 但，这个再见好像都太遥远了。真的有机会再见吗？真的还会保持联络吗？ 有点怀疑。。
  不过，真的很感谢，能够在离开之前再次见到你们，能够带着你们的祝福陪我回家乡。Uvic 的朋友， CCF 的朋友， CBC 的朋友， EBC 的朋友， OIBI 的朋友， 因为你们， 我离开前的几天都有很多的祝福。五天一连串的送别会，真的很丰富。
  最后，还是真的要说再见了。希望有生之年真的可以再见面，希望我可以回到枫叶国吧。 无论如何，我们 还是一定会在天国见面的。愿神继续的赐福你们!!
  Eunice, Oliver, Dough, Gladia, Gwon, Yi Ru, Adam, Herve, Wilson, Cecilia, May, Tze Lee, Sun Lu, Evan, Hai,.....GOD bless you all!!

Day 25 of Cycling Journey - Niagara Falls to Toronto

22 May 2010, shower rain and cloudy

     Time had finally come to the end, I had successfully accomplish my journey all the way from Quebec city to Niagara Falls, but I wont bike on the same journey for the 2nd time. I will just easily take a bus back to Toronto this time, no more biking, and is time t have a good rest day, is the 1st time for me to just sit on bus and waiting to transport the another place.
     I am the 1st one wake up in the room, as usual 630am, then stretch a bit and go to clean up. Try not to make too many sound to wake others up, I clear my thing and get out from the room. I want to visit the Niagara in the very early morning.
     The morning of Niagara is huge different from that of the night, is quite and every shop is close. Especially when I am in the main tourist area, no one is coming here in the early morning, they were just back from the party. Biking around the town and found there are quite a lot of buffet breakfast over here. The breakfast buffet is cost only 7 bucks, and you have bacon, eggs, potato, pan cake, waffle, yogurt, fruits, sausage, cakes, eat as much as you can. But, they don't serve with drink, which the drink will cost 3 buck. Anyway, I have both, the food and the drink, and I eat for 5 round..until almost 10am, I think I eat too much...Ooppss!! haha...but not as much as the Japanese buffet I ate few days ago.
     It was suddenly get a heavier rain when I still biking around the town, and I just get in one of the 5 star hotel over here. Sit down in the lobby, and take the news paper to read, and play shoduku on the paper. It still raining outside, so I just keep on staying inside and reading my book. until almost 12 noon. I head right away to the bus terminal and get back to Toronto.

 

     There is actually nothing else I really wanna visit in Toronto, but it too early to go back house and doing nothing. So, I went to the Toronto Convention center. I actually do not plan to come here, just pass by, and found that there are Korea exhibition in the convention center. I went in and found there are a lot of people, and a lot of event. get the ticket, and you can try a few kind of korean food, just have to queue up for quite a long time. I have time, why not. I get fried glass noodles, dumping, and korean salad...and try a lot of korean product drink, the banana milk is damm nice!!

     Then, I went to the horbour front again, and found out that there is an festival today, for kids...there are a lot of event for kids, drawing, kayaking, lego building, comedy show, easy circus, balloons game.....and of course a lot of food as well. Seeing kids all so enjoy the atmosphere here, I also can catch their joyfulness. After that, walking around China town, and also Kensington market. There are very merry, very crowded and you can get a lot of cheap stuff over here.
     Was actually planning just to surf on internet then go to buy some bun to eat, but suddenly Rafeal send a hi to me on fb, said that he is in Toronto. So, I just went out to meet him, with his friend from Quebec as well. They are here in Toronto just purposely want to try a Japanese restaurant called- Guu Izakaya. This restaurant is not far from my place, 5 min biking distance. They actually on the way to Niagara for the vineyard trip, because they taking the course of learning how to taste wine, and his friend is the class president. The others member will go to Niagara tomorrow by bus, but they fly to here today, to try this restaurant, then will go to Niagara on train tomorrow. Amazing isn't it?
     They were both drunk when I saw them, cause they had been drinking since 2pm, due to the lose of Canada Montreal ice hockey team in the game. Rafeal was shock when he saw me, he said I become very tan than before in Quebec. We drink Sapporo and hot Sake, it was nice. Then go inside to have the main dish. They do the ordering, I just eat. They don't really know what to order as well, so just ask the server to come out what ever she think is good. We have 9 dishes, and it was so Great!  I have to admit, this is the best Japanese restaurant I ever been, they don't sell sushi or sashimi at all, sell only those elegant Japanese food, which not easily found in normal Japanese restaurant, all in small portion but is super nice; and the restaurant is crazy, everyone sitting together on the long table, and when there is people come in or go out, everyone in the restaurant greet them, by yelling, and i this single night, we had sand 4 birthday song in the restaurant, everyone singing...lolx...it is insane! Now, I can understand why 2 executive chef from private club want to come all the way to Toronto just to try the food...it is really good, more than good, it is great.!!
     I had a great night with Rafael, he is the 1st I saw in my journey in Quebec, and he also the last I will see in my journey. How great is it? This put a good fullstops to my journey, better than I can ever imagine.

Day 24 of Cycling Journey - Toronto to Niagara Falls

21 May 2010, Sunny and Hot.

  
( these are the 2 picture I like the most of the Falls, 8pm and 8am picture )

     The times had finally comes, the next destination will be my final destination, Niagara Falls!! The distance from Toronto to Niagara is actually 120km, but since I using the Waterfront Trail, it take me all the way to Niagara on the Lake, then only to Niagara Falls, it actually took more than 150km, which I believe is more than that. Today the wind is calm, the road is in very good condition, and I don't have any luggage at my back, so I go all the way in full speed, top gear for the front and rear, but still it took me 8 hour at least to reach there. My last journey, yet the longest journey.
     And guess what, today is very hot, the sun is so strong. I take off my shirts, and biking topless for 6 hours or more, not just because it is hot, but because I want my body to be as tan as my hand also, to make it more uniform. Some people are looking at me when I bike across the town area, but they don't really care. This is CANADA, not Malaysia. haha...
    Anyway, the trail was company by great view along the Ontario lake, a lot of beach, no traffic, a lot of park, and also a lt of vineyard when I reach Niagara region, is like more than 20km of journey is along the vineyard. No wonder people said: it is a compulsory to visit vineyard in Niagara, and go for the wine testing as well.
    I glad I finally reach Niagara before the day get dark. My leg is almost paralyze when I reach Niagara, biking too hard for too long, I loosing feeling of the leg. But the view of the Niagara Falls had rewarded my journey, it feel worth for everything you had done to get here. Just sit on the field, and drink a pop, rest for a while, looking the crowed from all around the world to come here just for the falls, you feel amazing, awesome!!
    Niagara Falls is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and it catch the most amount of waters from more than 100 of rivers. It separate US and Canada, but you only can see the beauty of Niagara Falls in Canada, surely not US. I was impress and amazed, when saw how much water it fall from the top, and the power of the falls cause such a huge amount of mist. you can even get wet when you standing just beside the falls, the mist raise from 50m height to hit you. Can you imagine that? what can I said? Awesome, Awesome, and Awesome.........the wonder of God's creation is so awesome.
    I was actually plan to just overnight by walking around here and find a 24h shop to rest inside, if I couldn't get a deal for bed. When I came to Red Carpet Inn motel, he was actually giving me 50 dollar per night, then we bargain and he give me 30 dollar per night. This price is actually reasonable enough, then I ask him where is the Hostel International, then he said he actually have dome room if I want, just for 10 dollar per night...Wowow...why not?? that is the cheapest deal I ever heard. I paid 10 dollar for a bed in a motel, with tower and hot bath tub...the room were 6, but there are only 3 in room. I think I am blessed. hhaha...

 

    I even more blessed, when I went to the reception to ask for tourist information, I was told that tonight there will be the 1st night of the open air concert and fireworks....this event is just start, and only on Friday and Sunday. My timing is just right at the time, not too early, not too late....I'm glad i am here at this time. The firework really nice, short but nice.

    The tourist area were so merry the whole night, even until late 2am still a lot of people on street. This is an unusual phenomenon in Canada, usually everything go off before 11pm. All the themes park, the museum, the haunted house, the skylon tower, everything is until morning. I not a big fans of themes park or museum or haunted house, I just like to seeing thing, seeing the culture, the atmosphere, and especially when I am travel alone. Something is only fun when you were with others, not by alone. There are different when you travel with others and travel on yourself.
     I took my dinner at 12 midnight in a chinese restaurant, just because I have the desire to eat rice. But, it was sooooo disappointing. I ordered a beef fried rice, and it was the worst fried rice I ever had in a restaurant. The whole fried rice have only a few beef, and few green onion, a egg, then the rest is just rice, absolutely nothing else. and the taste is only soya sauce, not salty, not sweet, basically is no taste. I pretty sure most people can cook a lot better than this, and I for sure can make better. Really, dont eat chinese food in Niagara, Never!!!
    

Day 23 of Cycling journey - Toronto

20 May 2010, Sunny

    Today is unusually hot, just like in the summer, it is 23 degree today. What I doing today is basically, just relaxing. Do nothing much but just relaxing. Sun bath at the urban beach for 1 hour, laying down, let the skin feel the warmth of the sun, yet it doesnt hurt or burn like the Malaysia's sun.

 

    Bike to Ontario place, then found out that it is off until the weekend, then stay there to take my lunch at the park. Went to Tim Horton to get an Ice Coffee and stay at urban beach to rest. The take the ferry to Toronto Island, and rest again. A slow slow day, a real holiday. Toronto island is pretty small, but also pretty nice. A lot of people went there just to relax, biking around the small island, rest at the beach, or picnic at the park. No one is rushing or hurry there.
    Have a dinner with Gefei at the Jazz bar. I have my first Nachos, it was so good and so hot, yet I cant stop eating it. Then come the burger, which likely is the best burger I ever have. I really like the burger, using Italian herb bread instead of normal burger bread, and the burger is cover with cheese and mushroom. It taste so good...!!Yummy.. We drink a beer, but Gefei start to feel dizzy, maybe due to tiredness of the work.
    today is just relax, and embracing the leisure of Toronto-ian. There is actually nothing much to see in Toronto, if you dun like shopping or museum, the only thing left is the CN tower and relaxing in park and harbor.

Day 22 of Cycling Journey - Toronto

19 May 2010, Sunny

     Went to University of Toronto- UoT, which is the 1st location pop up in my mind. It doesnt look like a university at all, look more like a small town, and the building were jut so similar to others big building in Toronto. UoT is very spread, the building is not concentrated at a place, but surrounding the parliament building and Queen's park. It is very huge indeed.

     Royal Ontario Museum - ROM is the biggest museum I ever been, as I can ever remember. There are a lot of different kind of museum inside it,Asia, Europe and Canadian, 1st people, Mineral, Dinosaur, Animals, Bats, Contemporary arts.....I spent 3 hours inside the museum.....although it is impressive, but I only can say "Oh", after that. I think I get almost saturated with Museum. Too many Museum in this journey, too many similar thing. I dont think I wan to go any others museum anymore after this.

    Biking around Toronto, went to Eaton Center and all the way down to the harbor. Gosh! I love the harbor very much, a lot of people walking around there, doing exercise. What most impress me is that there is an urban beach over there. A man-made beach in the mid of the deck, and a lot of people just laying there for sun bath. So relaxing, is feel like in Hawaii. I also laying down at the bench beside, and sun bath also for a while. I wish that my body color and balance with my hand. My hand get too dark during this cycling journey, while my body look white after compare with it.

    Drinking a Ice Capp from Tim Hortons, and an apple pie...under the sunny day, yet the sun is not strong to burn my skin...I love it....!! a lunch with great view of the Ontario lake, and there are always some flight take off at the air port on the Toronto island.

    Meet with Gefei after his work, then we go to CN tower. The tallest building in the whole North America. Not the highest, but is 100m higher than KLCC twin tower. 557 meter high, that is incredible! When we were on the top of the building, which is 443 meter high, that is the 1st time I can see the earth is in curve. We wait there until the sky get totally dark, enjoying the changing color of sky from redish orange to dark, and the light bulb from the street and building on the city, it was awesome! And, do you know that, CN tower is one of the 7 wonders of modern world? Me and Gefei decide to go to the others 6 wonders in our life time tgther..haha....hopefully we can do that.
    Toronto, simply said, is a highly urban city yet with lot of recreation park and harbour for people to get out from the tense of boring life.

Day 21 od Cycling Journey - Port Hope to Toronto

18 May 2010, Sunny

     It was so surprise, when I there is a paper bag on the table when I turn back, and Katherine told me that is for my birthday present. Wow!! She is such an amazing lady, so nice to me. All the present, is so design for me, is give specially on my need. I like you so much, Katherine..haha...

( The Stir for me to cook, the book about what am I gonna be in 5 years time, the card with blessing on my bike tour)


( Katherine and me while she sending me off, on the road)

     I follow the Waterfront Trail, as suggest by Katherine and her members from the bike club. It was a very nice road to take. One thing good about travel on bike, is the you never go on the highway, instead using the back road or the country road. The waterfront trail is design specially for cyclist, and the scene along the road was amazing, so nice, so natural. This is what that never make you get tiring on the bike, because you enjoying the journey. Honestly, this is the best route I ever take on this journey. Again, have to thanks to Katherine for print out all the trail for me, so I wont get lost.
 
    When I reach some place near Oshawa, I saw a lot of people over there, and police officer were there also, road is blocked. I was wondering what had happen? There are strike, an legal strike organize by the worker's union, because the company try to take away the pension of all the elders. Well, this really have nothing matter to me, but they have free hot dog and pop for everyone, just Q up and you will get it, why not?? hah...it was 11am, and is almost time to have lunch after 3 hours of bike. Really glad to have a hotdog and pop...haa..
    I reach Toronto at around 3pm, while waiting Gefei finish his job at 5pm, I went to The beach, and the 1st thing I think about is Ice Cream. Sitting at the bench, eating Ice cream and the zuchini cake made by Katherine, looking at Ontario's lake, it was so awesome, so relax. When the boss ask me how far had I travel, I told her 130km, she was shock!! haha...she havnt heard I biked for 160km yet....but, today is a long journey yet feel so short, because of the great scenery along the way.

     Gefei work and stay just right at the middle of Toronto Downtown, working with Cancer Care Ontario. It is easy to find his place, and is very convenient to access to anyplace in Toronto, because it is so near to all the hot spot in Toronto. We back to his place, arrange and prepare something, clean up my self with the cold shower ( the hot shower is run off), then we went to have dinner.

Day 20 of Cycling Journey - Port Hope

17 May 2010, Sunny

    Arrange by Katherine, I went to have a mountain biking with Sue, using Katherine mountain bike. Sue was an older lady, age of 56, but she is very fit in shape, and still very active, do a lot of out door and extreme activities. Mountain biking for Malaysian, maybe will just thinking of bike in forest, nothing special, but that was totally a wrong perception about mountain biking!!
   This is the 1st time i have such a kind of biking experience, it was amazing, fascinating, extreme, and so fun!!!! Mountain biking involve a lot of up hills and down hills, and bike on soft sand, you have to learn to balance your self during climb up the hills, and during high speed down the bumpy hills. This was an amazing birthday gift for me. Sue was more than double of my age, but she mountain bike a lot faster than me, I have to chase her with all my strength. But, still a lot of time I lost my balance and fall down. She is an awesome great lady, the pedal doesnt fit in my shoes, so she drove me to 1 of their fellow in the biking club, Rob, and he change a pedal that fit my shoes clip.
     We had 2 and half hours of mountain biking, done around 20km, 3 or 4 loops, but that is alrd a tiring day. I really enjoy mountain biking a lot !!!!! Thanks Katherine and Sue for all the effort that make my days so meaningful.
     Had a rest, and went to help Katherine to do with her garden. She wanna to clear the grass in front of her office today, so I volunteer to help her together, so we can make thing done earlier and easier for 1 person. She not kind of person that will ask ppl to help, but I love to help. This is one thing that I learn, dont always wait others to ask to help, go and volunteer to help before ppl ask you. They will appreciate your effort, and you gain more when you giving out.

 

     I had agree to make a good dinner for Katherine today, and since it is my Birthday eve, I also wish it can be a good meal for myself as well.Beside, is my last day in Port Hope, I wish to treat Katherine with a very good meal as well. Katherine has some salmon, and she love salmon a lot. So, I decide to make a ginger baked salmon, with asparagus sauce that I made myself, with dressing of Ceaser Salad and Fried Asparagus with Fettlehead. I had learn baked Salmon before in Victoria, and I wish to make it more special this time. So, I mix the ginger with maple syrup, made the paste to baked the Salmon, with some season of red wine vinegar, lemonade, garlic, onion, Parmesan cheese and fresh Basil. Katherine and I enjoy the meal a lot, and I really love it as well. It took me 1 hour to cook everything, but I really enjoy it, especially when you cooking for people that will love your meal. i even try to arrange the meal in very nice way, think that I had quite good of culinary art as well...haha....How was the look? Homemade thousand Island sauce for Ceaser Salad and Homemade Asparagus sauce for the salmon, it was perfect combination...
    Katherine made a cup of espresso for both of us, and serve with zuchini cake. It was a good supper or dessert. We had a almost 3 hours of meal, from dinner to dessert, non-stop of eating. But, we really have good time together.
    Tomorrow will have a long ride to Toronto, following waterfront train. and will meet Ge Fei there. Have to prepare to rest d.
    Happy and Blessed Birtday, Leon!! May GOD always grant me with Peace, Joy, and Love!! that is my Birthday wish.

Day 19 of Cycling Journey - Port Hope

16 May 2010, Sunny Sunday

     Have a great rest yesterday, and woke up 6am in the morning. I think both of them were still on the bed. It was Sunday, so I went out to the backyard to do my devotion, read bible, read the devotion book, meditation and pray. The air was so refreshing in the morning, the grass was so green, the sun was so warm, is like everything, every natural in Port Hope were greeting me a good day.

     I made the yogurt and coffee myself, while waiting them to wake up. Having some chat with them, then prepare myself to church, and visit around this little lovely small town. I went to the First Baptist Church, this was the 1st time I went to church service during my biking journey. I felt like being back to the home, so warmth heart, so belonging. When the song of praise were raise, it hold my spirit up as well, the desire to worship is deep inside beneath the bottom of heart, especially after you had experience so much of grace and mercy. A lot of brother and sister came to greet me, and bless me for my journey, although it seen a bit of crazy to them.
     The whole noon time were so short, I were just cycling in the town, a very slow cycling just to see the town and take picture. I really enjoy the light burden, so relaxing, so down to earth, feeling so right at the moment. It is surely a good way of spending a Sunday, just to make yourself back to the mother nature, seeing the masterpiece of natural work.
     Katherine had done a fabulous work for me. Help me to plan my journey to Toronto, following the water front trail, which I was planning to take the number 2 highway, she said is very busy and dangerous for bike. She mail her friend to ask opinion, and print out the route all the way from Port Hope to Niagara Falls for me. Not just that, she also called her president in the cycling club to have a mountain bike trip with me next day, and borrow me her good mountain bike as well. Arrange everything for me, so that I could enjoy Port Hope to the optimum.
     We had decided to have BBQ steak for the dinner, but Katherine is sick with steak, so she had her chicken. Claudie bought some sausage also, a true sausage, not wiener that we found in Malaysia, which taste a lot better. This is my first time to eat a bake Asparagus as well, with squash  and salad as well for the side dishes. We even have tea and chocolate as dessert later after the dinner. It was a great and full dinner. 
     I am really blessed, really glad, to have Katherine and Claudie here in Port Hope, to host me on my journey. Although she keep on saying I am her hero, for doing such a long journey, no planning, with big laptop, with forehead wind......but, she is my angel, that give me blessing on my journey.

Day 18 of Cycling Journey - Yarker to Port Hope

15 May 2010, Strong Windy

    Woke up very early in the morning, 5 am, when everyone is still in their dreamland. I also have no idea, since when i start to get wake up so early everyday, maybe because the sun get up 5am in the morning, the room is already totally bright, I get waked up by the sun everyday.
     I try to lower down the sound in every movement, because they just live beside my room, I can easily wake them up if I dun go it slowly. I prepare my bag, clean myself up, and bring everything down stair. it was only 6am by that time I went down stair. Then make my own toast, and a cup of milk. Then Andrew come down, he used to be the 1st that wake up in this house, but now it was me. We have coffee together, and he send me on my journey to Port Hope 7am in the morning. This was the earliest time I ever start my journey.
     The journey to Port Hope was 140km according to google map, but I think I bike more than that. There are a lot of bumpy, and quite a bit of hills. The worst is the strong wind that keep coming forehead, never stop for the whole journey. Anyway, the journey to Port Hope is a lot easier than the 2 before this, the road is very clear, and I never miss a junction, just all the way following highway 1 and 2. Beside, I like the scene on this journey, a lot of cow and lamb farm, some horse farm, and lots of apple farm. I took some picture during the bike, without stopping down, and take the picture when the bike goes on....

 

     I reach Port Hope at 3 something, and Katherin were in the garden, cover in soil as she said, doing her gardening with her boyfriend. They were really friendly, the 1st thing I have for my arrival is a refreshing Carona beer with lime, I love it. Katherine show me the room after that, It was amazing, a lot more than I expected.

 

     We have a lot of great time together after we clean up. We went to get some grocery together, and I make the dinner. Again, curry chicken, coconut milk rice, but this time with addition of Asparagus Shrimp, with some new idea I have in my mind when I was thinking how to deal with it. The Asparagus Shrimp turn out to be the best food among this. I glad they enjoying the dinner very well. Me and Katherine have red wine, while her bf has beer.

    This was really a good time with both of them, I hope to stay more day just to relax, in this little beauty nice town.

Day 17 of Cycling Journey - Westport to Yarker

14 May 2010, cloudy

     Wake up morning at 7am,  it was really a good rest. Take a hot bath in the tub, it give refreshing for the morning, and prepare for the journey ahead. I love the hot tub a lot, never had it since I on my bike journey, which I used to have it everyday in the hostel in Victoria.

     Went the the restaurant just in front the motel, and met Bernie and Bar sitting there having their breakfast also. So, we sat down together and enjoy our breakfast. I order a breakfast set which come with bacons, 2 soft eggs, toast and fries potatoes, not forget my favorite coffee as well. We have a good conversation together, talking about church a lot. Which, I really enjoy talking about it. When we about to finish our meal, Bar went to the counter and buy the bills of everyone, she was so nice. I having 2 grandma now, Bernie and Bar..haha!! There were really an angels for me.  
     Do you ever felt you were in the wrong place, and asking God why am I here? I had ask this question yesterday when I have to stop at Westport. But, some how, God's will is higher than my will, He know exactly what I need, and what best for me. It was just at the right timing, right place, right people. I met this 2 sister when I go to the motel's office, and I never ask a stranger for dinner together yet I done it, then I know them. Isnt it incredible? and It get raining after I reach Westport....If God is not in all the scenario, how can everything seen so perfect, so arrange?
    Bernie and Bar gave me a big hug as a blessing to send me on my journey. I really love to meet with them again, hope they will make their trip to Langkawi one day.
    The journey to Yarker is not really long, 80km.  This was a best weather I had for biking, it was cloudy, but not too windy, and no strong sun. The forecast actually predict today gonna rain, but end up God is looking after me. I always have good weather here, except the 2 day in Mentobello. However, this was the day I had most hilly journey, the road to Yarker is all along the big lake of Rideau, the scene is very nice, amazed. But, I was heading toward my destination, so I didnt took picture along the way.
    However, I miss a junction, and missing my way again. End up I took 20km more than I expected. But, still safely reach Yarker before 2pm. This was the earliest time I ever reach my destination, usually I reach a place at 5pm above. Yarker is a very small and quite village, just 3 street in the village. I have a good rest over here.
    Anna and Andrew was expecting me to reach their place. They were renovating their art gallery that is going to open on August, and since I am free, i volunteer to help them to do some work also, just for a while. Then I take some walk around the village. Anna is an artist, paint a lot, and Andrew is a professional photographer, which have some work put in the museum in Montreal, and he use to go to elementary school to give workshop on photography.
    Anna make us some Polish dinner, as both of them are from Poland. This is the 1st time I eat a mash potato as the main dish, and others meat and vege as the side dish, but it was really a nice meal. Polish food is good....they also have their own home made beer, taste like the Tiger beer....gosh, I miss Tiger beer!!
    Tomorrow going to have another long journey to Port Hope, to meet Katherine, and probably will have some day over there, to go church on Sunday also. Hopefully it will be a good weather for biking tomorrow.

Day 15 of Cycling Journey - Ottawa

12 May 2010, Sunny

    Today was the warmest day I had in Ottawa, it went until 16 degree in the noon. Since it was my last day in Ottawa, and I had almost visit everyplace in Ottawa, I just make my day very easy today.
    Went out at around 10pm, bike along the path beside Rideau Canal, and went to University of Ottawa to have a look. It was a nice path along the Rideau Canal, some people were having tour on the boat. I take a rest, and read my book on the bench just beside the Canal, and a wonderful day.
    Yesterday I saw a Italian restaurant with a big banner hanging outside " All you can eat, Lunch buffet for only 7.95 ", since it is so cheap, and I really wanna try some Italian food, I decide to go there for my lunch. However, It really disappoint me. They only serve 3 kind of pasta, 2 simple pizza, meat ball, and some salad. Thats all for a buffet, nothing much choice actually. Anyway, I spent an hour and half there, watching the tennis game, and eat for 5 round. The guy sat just beside my table said I had eat a portion for a week, haha...tht is actually a portion just for my one day. It worth a 10 buck meal...in term of quantity, sure not the quality...

    Then I went to buy a cup of coffee and went to the Museum of Currency. This Museum was on my list of visiting in Ottawa, and It is free for entrance. It is really a good Museum, they had a lot of collection of currency from the ancient of Asia, Europe, Africa, and of course Canada and US. Do you know? people in the old time trade thing with fur, and different fur from different animals have different price, so you must be able to differentiate the kind of fur just fro touching to be a merchant at the old time in Canada. It was impress....They have the collection of the 1st coin, the 1st paper currency...lot of collection...
    After that, i went to the Library of Canada, just to have a visit, to look around. It is bigger than the library I went in Trois-Rivere, but the collection of book is much lesser than there. They only have reference book over here, reference book for Canada studies....
    Taking my way back through the other road that I never taken, and I end up to be in the Museum of Agriculture, and the Experimental farm....so I went inside to have a look, and took some pic. Lay back on the field just beside the Lock as I back from the Museum, and almost fall asleep in the fully nature around me, the lake, tress, grass, flower, duck, birds, insect.......I was like back to the nature, so comfortable to lay down my head. But I decide to take out my book and sit on the bank of the canal, and do my reading. I was a very relaxing day...

     As I on the way back to home, I saw Paola and her subordinate  sat on the bench, just beside the bike path. So, I went to say hello, and then we went to the fresh market together to get some stuff. I want to buy banana for my journey tomorrow, and she wan to get something for the dinner she want to make tomorrow.
    Paola make us a good Omelet dinner, with Onion, bell pepper, cucumber, old cheddar cheese, and hams.....It was a nice dinner, although I never having Omelet have a main dish.

Day 14 of Cycling Journey - Ottawa

11 May 2010, Sunny

   Today weather is super nice!! Yeepy....after the breakfast, I went to the most attractive festival of Ottawa every year in May, the Tulip Festival. There is a history behind this Tulip Festival, and Ottawa receive 10000 of Tulip from Holland every year on this season, as some appreciation by the Queen, for some reason during the war...I dont really remember so much about that. There were thousands of Tulips, and a lot of different kind of Tulip that I never see before this. They give very nice name to the Tulip such as Red Devil, White Dream, Black Hero, Holland Beauty....... This is the 1st time I saw so any Tulip in my life.haha....lots lots of Tulips.....and the scent of flower is so strong in the garden....Gosh!! I love it.........A lot of buses drop the tourist over here for sure. I glad to be in ottawa at the right time.
    I bike all the way to Victoria Island, pass by Little Italy. I bought something for lunch, and bring it all the way to Victoria Island to enjoy it....it is really good!! then bike all the way to Gatineau Park, to the Museum of Civilization......it was a sunny day, I enjoying the trip on bike actually .....
    Laying at the park and just suddenly fall a sleep on the top of the grass.....it is like the quick sand, they called it quick grass, cause a lot of people just attract by the grass and lay on it....when i woke up, it is almost time to back. So i went to the shopping center before I back, to buy something.
    Have a great dinner with Paola, she make Barbeque Pork and Lamb, but the lamb get a bit of burnt, any how, it still taste very good. I made some red bean soup with dry longan, Paola and Twan like it....is something new to them as well...

Day 13 of Cycling Journey - Ottawa

10 May 2010, Sunny and Windy

     The temperature outside were 5 degree, but it is sunny, some chilly wind. Having breakfast with Paola and John, which end up talking a lot of technical thing about Polymer with John. He is a partner in his company, that design facilities for people with difficulty in housewares. They use a lot of engineering grade plastic, and he share with me the difficulty he met in designing, manufacturing, and a lot of thing. Such a nice guy!! After the conversation with him, I suddenly felt that I had lost a lot of my knowledge about polymer, although some of the basic knowledge is still with me.
     Go along the River on the bike path, all the way to the Governor General house - Rideau Hall, and the house of Canada prime minister- Stephen Harper. It was impressive, a lot of guide outside, but the GG house is open for public to visit. Then went to the Rideau Falls, a small falls actually. But is was a historical site in Ottawa, with some story lay behind. and also the Ottawa Lock. It is interesting to know the function of the Lock from the history. I can share it when I come back...
     National Gallery of Canada is a place the having lot of collection of contemporary arts from Canada, America, Europe and Asia, it was impressive. I spent about 2 hour inside, looking at the art, the paint, the crave, architectural...and enjoy my lunch in the cafe with great view of the town.

    The Parliament place is like a huge castle, and is 3 castle together at the same place. The Parliament place is just at the right center of the downtown, and is the first thing you will notice from Gatineau. Parking my bike at a side, and walking around the downtown, many monument for some memorial. There are actually a lot of museum in Ottawa, but i getting sick with museum, so decided not to visit museum anymore. Too many museum had visited, all about historical thing, yet I not really enjoying historical. I will prefer a super natural, a park, a lake.......all about natural.

    Went to Bywart market, a place that sells a lot of thing at the street, not as merry as the Pasar malam in Malaysia, but is kind of like that. Saw a a lot of people Q up at a stall, buying hotdog and ice cream, so i also take part in it. A great ice cream in such a chilly weather...haha...
     The china town in Ottawa is not really a china town, is more like a Asian town, with lot of japanese, korean, vietnamies, Siam or thai  and chinese as well. The China Town here do not have a gate like others China Town does, weird. Anyway, I manage to get something to cook tonight, and some for tomorrow. Although they have lot of shop, but sells less thing than the 2 chinese shop in Victoria...hhaa...even a Montreal China Town is much better than here.
     Make some porridge with beef, crab and mushroom, in long grain brown rice. It was good, and Paola like it. Though this is the 1st time she tried a porridge cook in rice. We talk a lot about food that night, French food especially. What is French food? think about it....

Day 12 of Cycling Journey - Mentobello to Ottawa

9 May 2010, Snowing and freezing windy

    Woke up the morning and found that the roof was cover in white- It is snowing !! Never expected to catch a snow in spring, it was an unusual phenomenon. The temperature outside was around 3 degree Celsius, more colder than yesterday. Anyway, outside is dry, and the snow only stay in the morning. So I decided to take a move again today, not to delayed my journey again.
    After prepare everything and loaded the thing on the bike, I start my journey in some snow, and it is super cold outside. This is the 1st time I have to ride in long pant, sweater, and glove, and also cover my ears with the small cap on the wind breaker. Pieter send his best regard to my journey.

    It was pretty a tough journey in such a cold weather. But after I longer ride, the body get warmer, and start to feel better. However, the foot toes never get better, it only getting more freezing as you keep going.
    When I was just pass through Papineuville, up the small hill, suddenly I suspect there is something wrong with bike. The rear tire get flatten, the tube had been sting by the sharp rock on the road. Wowww....This is not going to happen on me, not gonna be happen on Sunday, in the middle of no where.....I was thinking what is going on, why like this...Is there a lesson for me to learn from here? There are a lot of question pop up in my mind as I pushing the bike along the way. Some people can get frustrated, some can just give up, but I was looking at the purpose of all this. I not dare to blame the Lord when i thinking of Job, after so many thing he been through, but he never dare to curse the Lord, only curse on the birth of himself....
    After half an hour of pushing the bike, I stop at a ice cream shop to ask for the nearest bike mechanic. But they told me the nearest bike mechanic is 60km away from the town, which is in Gatineau. That was too far for me. However, the boss treating me very good. He ask his employee to give a cup of coffee to me, and call his friend which own a shop that sales hardware, he even put his work aside the drive me to his friend's place to buy the patch for tire and drove me back. I fix the leak tire with the patch, and then continue my journey. I never forget to show my appreciation to the help given before I left. It was really a lesson for me, and a grace to experience. Always bring a back up tire with you!!
    It is always glad to found someone having the same crazy idea with you. I met a chinese couple from Taiwan that also travel on biking at the traffic light in Gatineau. They were asking me the direction to Mentobello, which I just come from there. And I going to Ottawa, and there were also just leaving from there. They travel from Toronto, and will go to Halifax, all the way by camping and being host. It was nice to know, I am not the only crazy people the doing this king of thing in this season. But I was into the wind direction, and they were with the wind direction, which make them a lot easier than me.....
    Reaching Ottawa at around 4pm, and I almost lost the feeling of my toes. It was freezing inside. Meet with Paola, which is my host in Ottawa. She is a scientist, and a bike traveler as well in NZ, AUS, and European. We have some tea 1st when I reach, and sit down to warm myself up. Then I went to clean up, and she prepare a good pasta for us. I love the way she prepare the pasta, i never cook pasta this way, and it looks very easy. The taste was great, better than some at the restaurant that i tried before. By the way, this is the 1st pasta I had during my this whole journey....I was really thinking for pasta for a long time....

   
( My room in Ottawa..nice!!)