Sunday morning we headed back towards Toronto. After checking in, we decided to head into Toronto and visit the Toronto Civic Gardens … here are some shots that we took while there. We also made a quick stop at a marina, just to stretch and walk a bit..

We were staying at the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel. This is their first Canadian property and they have just completed 12 million in renovations to the hotel. Mauriece had arranged for us to have a Signature room, which was a real treat. Our room was on the top floor and was very quiet so needless to say, we slept very well. Up for breakfast the next morning, take the SUV back to the airport, come back to the hotel and take the bus to the train and then to the ROM! The hotel is close to the airport, yet it was hard to hear the airplanes, something I wondered about when checking in, but didn’t have to.

A special thank you to Mauriece and Julie Sutton – this was a wonderful ending to our week in Ontario! http://www.internationalplaza.com/

When we arrived at the Royal Ontario Museum, it was again, our first time visiting, and I didn’t know what to expect. The ROM is a beautiful building in itself, created by an act of the provincial government on April 16, 1912 and opened to the public on March 19, 1914. By 2005 it will have a whole new expansion and it will be a sight to see! In the mean time you can go and visit and not be put off with the renovations, you will hardly notice them while there. We went there to see the ‘Art Deco 1910-1939’ exhibit and were not disappointed. 250 objects in all from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England and only shown here in Canada at the ROM. Be sure to take this in while in Toronto and take advantage of the Royal York Art Deco package for a really special time.

After this we had some time left before leaving on our 10 p.m. flight so had some wonderful hot & sour soup with some shrimp, then headed over to the CN Tower to go up to the top. It was a clear day and after making the trip up, could not believe how high I was…you see I am quite afraid of heights but this year I have faced this evil and done the CN Tower, The Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and the London Eye…that’s the way to get rid of any height phobias…just do it! Tom took the shot looking down, there is no way I could do that…in the shot of the city skyline, look down at the lower right and you can see the Royal York and even see the rooftop garden.

Then to the airport and home … a great time, with many new friends made, old friends seen again and wonderful memories … and that is what traveling is all about!