Friday, August 31, 2007

This Way to the Top of the World


View from Sky Pod, originally uploaded by Vlasta.

I've taken a 5 hours bus ride from Ottawa to Toronto. I came to bus terminal 45 minutes ahead and to my surprise qued up to already pretty long line. Fortunately they finally dispatched two coaches.

The best way how to move yourself for short distances in Toronto is to use cable car. It's actually just regular tram and I have no idea why they call it cable car. First impression from Toronto is very good. It reminds me Chicago a lot.

A must see for everyone who comes to Toronto is CN Tower [W] which is world's tallest free-standing structure. I couldn't miss. The tower has four observation levels. One of them is restaurant. The highest observation deck (Sky Pod) is located at height 447 m (1,465 ft.). Watching a sunset there was really a pleasure. But what was more breathtaking for me was the lowest deck - Glass floor. Just try to imagine walking on the glass floor 342m above the ground level. Brrrr... Someone even couldn't make it. I had no problems with going there but I didn't feel really good while walking there.

I didn't make it to see much more since I arrived to Toronto quite late. So I hope I'll catch up all tomorrow...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Origine du mot "Dollar"


A Separate Reality, originally uploaded by Vlasta.

No time... So just briefly:

Among others I went to Currency Museum of Bank of Canada and then took guided tour in Parliament of Canada [W]. Both were quite impressive. At the end I went to Canadian museum of Civilization [W]which was really worthy to visit. I wish I could spent there more time.

Just finished planning tomorrow and it seems that I will rather take a bus to Toronto instead of primarily planned train. The reasons are simple - it's easier to get to the bus station and I will not have to wake up extremely early.

Ottawa


Parliament of Canada, originally uploaded by Vlasta.

I've arrived to Ottawa. Later than I initially planned but I still made it to see something. I travelled by Greyhound, the trip was only about 2,5 hours long. When I arrived here I found out that here is like no public transportation at all. It's not that bad but when I went out of Station Centrale (Central bus station) there was only one bus stop with four bus lines. And this stop was for both directions of the buses. I have found there a schedule and was waiting for the bus. After 3o minutes waiting - together with other people - we found out that a bus stop for our line in our direction is behind the corner. The only one... Funny. At least I could have met some interesting people. Mid aged woman from Philippines was trying to remember some Czech people and when she found out that I study economics, started discussing something from game theory. Really crazy discussing economics at the bus stop with stranger.

I have finally got to my hostel and went out. I have watched a light show on Parliament Hill at the end. It was quite amazing (I mean the visual effects, less the talks :-)).



Before I returned back to hostel I stopped by at grocery store. Since I didn't get to any in Montreal it took me a while to get out of there. I was like Alice in Wonderland - wondering what the **** I'm gonna eat here next four months. I found out that "Just what I need" are foil potatoes. What a shame that I don't need em at the moment. (Just kidding...)

Finally I found a great beer store nearby which was (fortunately??) already closed. They have Kozel, Staropramen, Pilsner and maybe more Czech brands. Need to take a look there tomrrow ;-).

Monday, August 27, 2007

Adieu Montreál

I'm done. I saw all I really wanted to and more. Today was not that hurried like yesterday. I took a boat trip and then some rest. I went on Tour de l'Horloge (The Clock Tower) which is located in the harbour area . It was 200 steps but the view was worthy it. Then a lot of walking again.

Among others I found out that now is in the city The Monreal World Film Festival. I've seen the Czech flag on the festival main venue - so I couldn't help myself and had to find out what czech films are competing here. I found out that we have 3 movies and 1 short documentary competing. Movies are Pusinky, Bestiar & Obsluhoval jsem Anglickeho krale (I served the King of England). I know only the last one.
I went to Parc du Mont-Royal to watch the sunset over Montreal. The park was nice and the view amazing. I ended up by spending some time at Place Jacques-Cartier which is known for nightlife and street artists. One of the guys was a real entertainer.


I am leaving tomorrow morning for Ottawa.
Finally I found a good message in the showers. It can help you imagine in what kind of place I'm actually staying.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Je ne parle pas français.

Today was very exhausting. I've spent the whole day walking. But I don't regret it at all. I've seen a lot and have to say that Montreal is indeed a beautiful city. I'm too tired at the moment to describe.
How small is the world! One friend from school works over the summer at Toronto and came only for one day visit to Montreal. I have met her in souvenir shop at Olympic stadium. We were both pretty surprised because we didn't even know about each other that we are staying in Canada.

I wish I could speak French...


Today top visited places:
  • Le Stade Olympique [W]
  • La Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal [W]
  • La Biosphère [W]
  • Jardin botanique de Montréal [W]
  • Parc Jean-Drapeau [W]
  • La ville souterraine [W]
  • & more & more ...

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Bienvenue à Montréal

I've just arrived to the "hotel" and all is fine.

Flight from Prague was delayed a little due to bad weather condition in Paris but fortunately it didn't cause any problems. Even my luggage has arrived OK! :-) Fortunately my luggage was loaded to the aircraft as last in Prague so that they could transport it on time to my connecting flight in Paris (see the picture).

Flight was OK, I arrived to Montreal on time. However I had to wait the longest line I've ever seen on the arrival. It took me 2 hours wait just to get to the customs. I had to go then to Immigration and Citizenship office to have issued my study permit. It took another hour.

After 3 hours waiting I finally picked up my luggage and took Aerobus to downtown Montreal. Because it was already 10 PM and I left information about 9 PM late arrival when booking the hostel, I rather took a cab to place where I stay. Although it was just 1 km away I really didn't want to walk it with all my stuff. And more, I wanted to try what taxi services do they provide here.

I had probably a bad luck for a driver. He didn't speak English - I would accept that but maybe he didn't even speak French. What is for sure he didn't know the city at all and even couldn't read a map. Kind of funny. He was totally lost on 1km trip and fare meter started to show pretty unpleasant price when we were rambling around. After I protested and told him off, he stopped the meter. After a while started the meter again. I resigned arguing with him, but when we finally arrived to my place I gave him much less than was metered. After I told him that I have noted his concession number and that I'm gonna complain and call Bureau du taxi (fortunately the sticker with phone number was in the cab) he agreed to price I suggested and left. I don't know what to think about it - if he did it on purpose or was really that dummy.

My accommodation is a real backpackers place. First impression was sth. like OMG! But I hope I'll get over it. It's a great atmosphere over here - place is full of young travellers right now some guys are playing a guitar next to me.

I went to take a look around and first impression is great. I am in the very center - part called Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal). Streets are full of people - all around are clubs, bars and restaurants. I didn't know that place with so European atmosphere is in North America. It's like walking in old neighbourhoods of Paris.

To be continued...

Ready to go

I've just came to Prague, had last Czech beer and manage to make last hostel reservation I needed to have where to sleep during the forthcoming week. I'm waking up in 4 hours, will go to the airport and will hope that flight from Prague will have no any delay because my transfer at Charless De Gaulle has no reasonable time allowance.

More updates later on from Québec...

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Now playing: Coldplay - In My Place
via FoxyTunes

Friday, August 17, 2007

Toronto - Calgary: 3494 km by bus - decided!

After never ending decision-making process I said YES to the most craziest traveling experience I will probably ever have and bought a ticket. I will take a trip from Toronto to Calgary BY BUS. It will take 50 hours and will be 3494 km (2171 miles) long trip. Just for illustration it's as long as round trip from Prague to Moscow and back straight.

Detailed report from the trip here.

It's hard to believe that bus can be more expensive than plane. Compare prices of flight tickets and bus fares below.
The other option I had - which I would prefer the most - was train ViaRail.
But the ticket - more than $500 - crazy! Really cool is the fact that you can even reserve whole room in the train. But for this trip would single room cost more than $1400.


The process of purchasing the ticket was quite complicated as well. Although Greyhound has sophisticated on-line reservation system they accept only Canadian credit cards.
When I read all the instruction I found this statement:

For International Customers
An International credit card can be used for Will Call online ticket purchases. International customers can also purchase their ticket at any Greyhound location upon arrival in the U.S. or Canada. For international customers without toll-free access, please call 214-849-8100 any time between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Central time for fare and schedule information.

I expected that I'll be able to buy ticket via phone but when I called there I found out that the only alternative to Canadian credit card is credit card issued in the United States.
Come on! This is customer service? Why?
I have finally bought the ticket. The service charge for purchase via Sales Agent was $15. They told me that they are faxing the information about the transaction to Toronto and when I arrive there, ticket should be waiting for me. I hope all is gonna be fine.
I didn't get any receipt or written confirmation of transaction. The only information I have is 6 digit confirmation number.

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Now playing: The Killers - Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll
via FoxyTunes