Ontario Journey 2010: The Final Part (2)
Here it is, as promised!
So the day after our Wonderland trip, we awoke early and caught a cab back to Union Station, where we waited in a long line for the train to London. We arrived in London just after 2, and Kyle's aunt Bev was there to greet us! She took us to the London Public Library (where she is a cataloging librarian) and gave us a tour. I LOVED that library! It is located in a mall, where a former Bay and Eaton's store used to be located. The thing is HUGE! It has a courtyard with a garden and an outdoor storytime centre. And a cafe that makes delicious food!! We ate lunch out in the courtyard, and then went "behind the scenes" at the library to see where Bev works. There was a party going on for a staff member and we got to have some cake! Score!
After our library tour, we went to the local market and picked up some goodies for dinner. There was an Italian festival going on and we got to sample some really delicious risotto. *drool*. Then, we headed for Bev's house, where we got to meet her gorgeous dogs and see Simon, Kyle's cousin. (I had met him briefly in Edmonton once before!). We enjoyed drinks in the backyard, and then Kyle's uncle Eric came home, and we had a fantastic dinner of barbecued steak. We just hung around and chat before turning in for the night. A great day!
The next day was very hot, but nice, so Eric, Bev, Kyle and I took the dogs for a walk after breakfast. We walked along some nice rustic trails in the woods and got to see Bev and Eric's neighborhood. Kyle and I stopped in to tour a small branch of the Museum of Ontario Archaeology that featured exhibits on Aboriginal history in the area, while Bev and Eric took the dogs home and got ready for lunch. The museum was really neat, it had a replica of a Native village built out on the grounds. Here is Kyle, standing on top of the fort:
"I pity the foo who dare cross my bada$$ fort!"
Heh heh. After our tour, we met up with Bev, Eric and Simon for lunch at one of the best sushi places I have ever been to. It had this awesome crispy tuna sushi which was amazing. And we just kept ordering more and more!!
After lunch, we took a walk through some of the parks in London and got to see the Thames River:
Not England, but still nice!
Then, we headed to the University of Western Ontario (the school I would have gone to had I taken late acceptance there!) and got to see where Eric works (He's a professor in the biochemistry lab). His lab was really cool, lots of neat things to see. Then Bev, Kyle, Simon and I went to rent a movie and pick up some stuff for the evening. Bev and Eric had a previous engagement to attend that evening, so Kyle, Simon and I went out for dinner at a restaurant called "Jack Astors". I enjoyed a very delicious curry. Simon's nacho platter looked awfully tasty too. We sat out on the patio and just enjoyed good company (and our last night in Ontario). Then we headed back to the house and watched "The Book of Eli". It was pretty bleak, but good. Then we bid adieu to Simon and turned in for the night.
The next morning, Bev drove us to the airport amidst the dense fog (which delayed our flight a little bit). Then it was back to Edmonton! It was kind of a downer returning to such cold, chilly weather after experiencing the heat wave in London. But as soon as I got home and presented Luna with her new blanket (a gift from my mother) and catnip toy.....
.......I knew I was glad to be home!! :)
So the day after our Wonderland trip, we awoke early and caught a cab back to Union Station, where we waited in a long line for the train to London. We arrived in London just after 2, and Kyle's aunt Bev was there to greet us! She took us to the London Public Library (where she is a cataloging librarian) and gave us a tour. I LOVED that library! It is located in a mall, where a former Bay and Eaton's store used to be located. The thing is HUGE! It has a courtyard with a garden and an outdoor storytime centre. And a cafe that makes delicious food!! We ate lunch out in the courtyard, and then went "behind the scenes" at the library to see where Bev works. There was a party going on for a staff member and we got to have some cake! Score!
After our library tour, we went to the local market and picked up some goodies for dinner. There was an Italian festival going on and we got to sample some really delicious risotto. *drool*. Then, we headed for Bev's house, where we got to meet her gorgeous dogs and see Simon, Kyle's cousin. (I had met him briefly in Edmonton once before!). We enjoyed drinks in the backyard, and then Kyle's uncle Eric came home, and we had a fantastic dinner of barbecued steak. We just hung around and chat before turning in for the night. A great day!
The next day was very hot, but nice, so Eric, Bev, Kyle and I took the dogs for a walk after breakfast. We walked along some nice rustic trails in the woods and got to see Bev and Eric's neighborhood. Kyle and I stopped in to tour a small branch of the Museum of Ontario Archaeology that featured exhibits on Aboriginal history in the area, while Bev and Eric took the dogs home and got ready for lunch. The museum was really neat, it had a replica of a Native village built out on the grounds. Here is Kyle, standing on top of the fort:
"I pity the foo who dare cross my bada$$ fort!"
Heh heh. After our tour, we met up with Bev, Eric and Simon for lunch at one of the best sushi places I have ever been to. It had this awesome crispy tuna sushi which was amazing. And we just kept ordering more and more!!
After lunch, we took a walk through some of the parks in London and got to see the Thames River:
Not England, but still nice!
Then, we headed to the University of Western Ontario (the school I would have gone to had I taken late acceptance there!) and got to see where Eric works (He's a professor in the biochemistry lab). His lab was really cool, lots of neat things to see. Then Bev, Kyle, Simon and I went to rent a movie and pick up some stuff for the evening. Bev and Eric had a previous engagement to attend that evening, so Kyle, Simon and I went out for dinner at a restaurant called "Jack Astors". I enjoyed a very delicious curry. Simon's nacho platter looked awfully tasty too. We sat out on the patio and just enjoyed good company (and our last night in Ontario). Then we headed back to the house and watched "The Book of Eli". It was pretty bleak, but good. Then we bid adieu to Simon and turned in for the night.
The next morning, Bev drove us to the airport amidst the dense fog (which delayed our flight a little bit). Then it was back to Edmonton! It was kind of a downer returning to such cold, chilly weather after experiencing the heat wave in London. But as soon as I got home and presented Luna with her new blanket (a gift from my mother) and catnip toy.....
.......I knew I was glad to be home!! :)