Happy New Year! I'm back from the hols.

That was some vacation. First, some observations about Toronto.

(1) You need to queue to get into LCBO on Christmas eve. Someone commented, "This is new to me, I just moved here from Winnipeg." Right, it's new to me too. After all, it is possible to get alcoholic beverages from every grocery store and depanneur across the river in Gatineau.

(2) Best Buy's boxing day sale starts at 7 am, and by 7.30, the queue to get into the building was already snaking round the back. By the time we got in, the Sony wireless speakers were sold out.

Next, some observations about the strike in Mont Tremblant. I had lots of fun despite it.

(1) Rent gear from Yves' Sports in the "old" Mont Tremblant village (opposite the post office) instead of at the "Intrawest" pedestrian village. It's less expensive and there is no queue picking up gear the afternoon before.

(2) Someone commented that Intrawest has been moving people from hotel to hotel as they are short on housekeeping staff. Well, we had our own chalet and did our own housekeeping, so it's irrelevant to us.

(3) The direct-to-lift SkiMax tickets came in really useful. Not only are they cheaper, you don't have to queue.

(4) While the strike is on, the number of people per day is limited to 6000 in order to prevent ski lift overload. That's about a third of the usual number visiting this time of the year. As a result, the queues at the ski lifts were acceptable even though many lifts were not operating.

(5) An impressively large number of runs were still open, but the "Edge" and "Le Soleil" were closed. There was fresh snow over the weekend, so conditions were excellent for the most part. Later in the week, extra care had to be taken on some slopes as snow making was not operating, and some were not machine-groomed the night before. But there were signs warning you of possible ice for those.

I like house parties

OK. No more backdated posts.

House parties are nice. They're much better than going to some public place like a club or a restaurant. I'm wondering though, if the proportion of house vs. non-house parties increases as one gets older. Go figure.

Persian food in Ottawa

Still catching up on backdated posts...

December 4

Looking for Persian food in Ottawa? Try Saffron Restaurant (426 Rideau St at Chapel). Went there for D's birthday. I am no expert at Persian food but I like it better than Persian Cuisine Express (340 Laurier Ave W at Bank). Another Persian hangout is the Boofs at a totally out of the way location (730 Industrial Rd).

The only place in Toronto where you cannot find good food

Still catching up on backdated posts...

December 6

On the way back from London ON after an interview at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. This is probably the only place in Toronto where you cannot find good food. Well, go with the crowd. Casey's On Stage looks like the busiest. Not too bad after all.

Looks like the couple sitting next to me was thinking the same way. Apparently they missed their connection to St. John NB while returning to Canada from Miami. They were quite excited to hear that I was originally from Singapore as their son has married a Thai girl and moved to Thailand, where they have since visited a number of times.

I also learn that it is possible to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play in Tampa Bay for only US$20 during the regular season. Wow! That's really cheap compared to the tickets for home games at the Air Canada Centre, or games at the Corel Centre in Ottawa.

Sushi Party

Still catching up on backdated posts...

November 19

The best way to get sushi in Ottawa? Make it yourself. A sushi party. What a great idea!

Best Greek Restaurant in Ottawa

Catching up on backdated posts...

November 25

The title says it all. It's Pilos Restaurant on Montreal Road east of Aviation Parkway (876 Montreal Rd).

Wolf Trail - Gatineau Park

This is possibly the most scenic trail in the Gatineau Park for a hike in the fall and today is arguably the best day this year to be out taking in the autumnal colours. Not so cold yet that you need to be heavily wrapped up, but cool enough to be really refreshing. There was quite a bit of rain last night, but the trail is in remarkably good shape and not slippery at all. There are just a few small puddles here and there. Someone has to send me their photos before I can post anything, since I neglected to bring my camera along. But for more information about the trail, you can always check out the following link:

http://bersoft.org/canada/quebec/gatineau/wolf_trail/

We maintained a reasonably brisk pace and finished it in about 4 hours.

Toronto calling

Do you ever get that feeling of the big city calling? This weekend was another one spent in Toronto, and something about this place keeps me coming back. Part of me hates the effort that one has to put in just to live here, for example, the need to watch out for drivers cutting in front of you at every corner, the queuing for something as simple as ice cream, and the "I will be there in 25 minutes, depending on traffic" routine. But deep inside of me, a voice is calling for the excitement and the energy that one does not get to feel in Ottawa, the city that goes to bed at five-thirty p.m.

We will see. If an exciting career opportunity brings me back to Toronto...

Barron Canyon - light team route

Camping on Opalescent Lake on the Barron Canyon route did not disappoint. I was part of a light team of four who drove to the park on Saturday morning and put-in at Brigham Lake in order to maximise the chances of getting two of the best campsites on Opalescent Lake for Saturday night. After a short P200* from the parking lot, a short paddle down a really shallow section of the river to Brigham Lake, and a P730, we were at Opalescent Lake. As it turned out, we managed to take over the reputed "flintstones" campsite from the people who were just about to leave when we got there at about half past twelve, and secured the campsite opposite it on the north shore of the lake as well. This campsite is one of a kind, as some people a long time ago must have decided to build this unique kitchen/fireplace out of rock, complete with seats for eight.


It was a beautiful day for a little paddle around the lake, and a swim, before the main group who put-in at Grand Lake early that morning after camping Friday night at Achray arrived later in the afternoon.


And by the way, we met pirates as we arrived on Opalescent Lake. Honest! They were flying the Jolly Roger and even put up a sail (although I think the wind was going the wrong way so they were have having a tough time paddling forward). They were headed for Cork Lake, which was going to be out of character with its usual quietude that night judging from the amount of Captain Morgan's they had with them. You probably won't believe me until I post a picture, so wait till I get my hands on one.

On Sunday, we took the P730 back to Brigham Lake, followed by a P100 and a P440 in quick succession past rapids into the Barron Canyon. There is a good rock outcrop about 1 km into the canyon on the north bank of the river to have lunch and swim. It is near where the Barron Canyon Trail runs above. This is where we basked in the sun and looked up the face of the canyon walls. After lunch, we continued on a leisurely tailwind-assisted paddle through the rest of the canyon and the flats beyond to the take-out at Squirrel Rapids. We were out of the water by 4 pm. Only the car shuttle remained.

*P200 is a portage of 200 metres.

Some facts about parking in Toronto

Think it's alright to park in a private garage without paying and displaying the necessary ticket on your dashboard? Think again. Even in a private garage, you can get a city ticket that comes with a $30 fine for "unauthorized parking on private property" (which includes parking without the required payment). If you get towed, you are liable for towing charges of up to $80 (regulated by the city), and it's unlikely the towing service will charge any less. In fact, you may be charged a "reasonable" fee for storage of your vehicle (like up to $20 per day) on top of that. So be forewarned, Toronto is a fine city.

Toronto City Roots Festival

The growing presence of the Toronto City Roots Festival (which is in its second year) is starting to be felt with more artistes participating and the lineup improving. It is ultimately a very grassroots festival, with many new performers striving to make an impression. The well-known, recently reunited and revitalised Parachute Club headlined Saturday's show, drawing most of the crowd that evening to the main stage. The Sisters of Sheynville (a.k.a. "Yiddish swing chick band") who played a little earlier in the evening at a different stage were eclectically colorful with their blonde reinvention of the Barry Sisters. The all female group consisted of double base, clarinet, drums, keyboard, and of course 2 vocalists. The whole yiddish thing didn't help me (because I like to understand the lyrics) but I am almost ashamed to admit this since they they were so enthusiatic about it and I really did enjoy the music very much.

The historic distillery district where the festival was held is also growing into its new identity, and is noticeably more settled in terms of character since I was last there when it first opened in 2003. It's an interesting location for music as the GO train and some goods trains run right by, making for a discordant and yet strangely charming inner city Torontoresque experience, gentrified though it may be. The old fermenting room which housed the main stage was an acoustic nightmare, but did make it feel like an authentically underground gig. www.torontocityroots.com www.thedistillerydistrict.com

No TiVo in Canada - so a PVR it has to be

It really frustrates me at times that in Canada, we pay more for less consumer choice simply because the market structure is so much less competitive than it is south of the border. High speed internet, cable TV, phone services, online music, the list goes on. You don't even have TiVo here. So in my attempt to take control of my TV viewing, I have decided to get a PVR from my service provider. Well, at least now I can watch what I want when I like it, fast forward and rewind to my heart's content, and stick to what's worth watching. I'm almost tempted to get an unlicensed DirectTV dish and figure it out myself, but I probably won't bother.

Ottawa Folk Festival

Made it out to the Ottawa Folk Festival at last. It could not have been a better day (it did rain yesterday and Friday too). The Ottawa river was sparkling just off Brittania beach amidst a constant breeze. Best act for the day: The Arrogant Worms, a comedy band whose brand of poignantly observant though tongue-in-cheek humour is laughably musical. Some others worth tracking: Painting Daisies from Edmonton, and the Wailin' Jennys. www.ottawafolk.org www.arrogant-worms.com www.paintingdaisies.com www.thewailinjennys.com

Kia Sorrento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe

You would think that since Hyundai owns KIA, the Sorrento would be as crappy as the Santa Fe, but surprisingly that's not true. The Sorrento (another fabulous free rental upgrade this weekend) is a much more powerful, smoother, and well-finished mid-sized SUV than the Santa Fe. And unlike the Santa Fe, it does not make disconcerting noises as if something is about to fall off all the time. But then in terms of prices, the Sorrento basically takes off where the Santa Fe ends. It is decidedly higher-end.

Ottawa Greekfest

When your friend's greek, the place to to is Greekfest. Lamb, yummy. Spanakopita (this is one with spinach in it), yummy. Tiropita (this is the one with feta in it), yummy. Galaktobouriko (this is even better than Portuguese egg tarts), yummy. Milopita (this is the apple pie), yummy. You get the idea. I was there twice this weekend. www.ottawagreekfest.com

Greek Souvlaki House

The Greek Souvlaki House at the SW corner of Prince of Wales and Baseline is a great place to have brunch, lunch, dinner, or any meal of the day. Everyone I know who's been there has said that they can't believe the amount of food they put on the plate at their amazingly reasonable prices. I got to try it, finally, and was surprisingly impressed with quality of food in addition to the quantity, and liked the casual and relaxing atmosphere of the large split-level dining hall. It's not the best greek food in town, but certainly up to standard.

Reflections on a weekend in Toronto

Insanity is a trait common amongst the inhabitants of Toronto. You need some of it in order to cope with the multi-cultural, high-density, fast-paced environment that's constantly on overdrive. This weekend, an ex-Torontonian (that's me) decided to go with the flow...

Friday 10 pm, along the Don Valley Parkway: At least the Don Valley parking lot is smooth today. I am directed via cellular to head for the Firkin. I wasn't expecting to be at a pub directly on arrival, but it's a group I do want to meet.

Saturday 10 am, Warden Avenue near Aurora: I'm on my 49 km bike ride. Some of these guys training for the Niagara race have already done 80 km before we arrived!

Saturday 2 pm, Cafe de Macao at First Markham Place: There is something on the menu that translates to African Chicken that's really good here. Apparently this is a dish that does in fact exist in Macau. As to the source of the name, I would guess that the curry-like sauce is in fact of African origin.

Saturday 10.30 pm, in the kitchen: Movie night on the back rooftop. Cool! But I've had a long day and definitely feeling a little out of it. She refills the Brita pitcher with tap-water, hands it over to me. I put it back in the fridge. She is still thirsty after finishing her glass, asks me if I could pour her some more. I begin pouring and spill water all over the kitchen floor. Duh! The dim-witted me forgot that Brita pitchers take time to filter the water you put into it and do not pour until the process is complete. We sure make a great team.

Sunday 2 pm, High Park: The wasps at High Park seem more habituated to humans than the variety in Ottawa. They appear more adept at getting into your food and drink. Maybe mango juice wasn't such a good idea after all. We also had to queue for ice-cream. But it was a really nice day out nonetheless.

Sunday 9.30 pm, Jersey Giant on Front Street: Girl from Winnipeg, talkative, aspiring fashion designer, waitressing to pay the bills. Hopefully her Toronto dreams come true. Guy from Mississauga, went on boat cruise on Lake Huron with Barrie singles group. Looks like the unofficial GTA* is expanding to include both these places.

Monday 10 am: My friend is headed off to the beaches at Ashbridge's Bay. Sounds like a plan I will have to pass up as I'm leaving early this afternoon. I remember good sand and volleyball. But I wouldn't get into the water with the sewage plant next to it. I'll have Lac Philippe or Meech Lake anytime.

Monday 4 pm: The west-bound traffic on the 401 slows to a crawling pace as the residents of Toronto make their way back from their cottages. I'm glad I'm going the other way.

*Greater Toronto Area

2006 Volkswagen Jetta

I'm almost tempted to go right out and buy one for myself. This must be the most Audi Volkswagen yet. I've always felt that the previous Jetta did not offer enough value-for-money. After all, VW produces middle-classed automobiles, doesn't it? But the 2006 Jetta took so many pages out of Audi's playbook past and present that I'm beginning to be convinced otherwise.

The new Jetta handles impeccably and hugs the curves on the road better than any non-sports sedan I've driven. And I'm sure it can hold it's own against many of these. Preserving the character of the Jetta series, the clearance off the ground was decent, so it loves your cottage lane as much as the highway. This new incarnation resolved the main weaknesses of the old Jetta:

1) Power - The old non-turbo gasoline-driven Jetta offers only 115 horses, and despite the surprisingly smooth acceleration at any speed, lacks brute force. The new Jetta comes with a 5-cylinder, 20 valve, 150 hp 2.5 litre engine which helps a lot.

2) Fuel efficiency - I've always thought that the old Jetta was one of the least efficient 4-cylinder small cars around, and I suspect that could have been the tradeoff in order to maintain reasonable torque at all speeds with only 4 gears and limited power. Although the new 5-cylinder engine is spec'd to be a little less efficient than the old model, I actually think (having driven both) that it is in fact just a tad bit more fuel efficient, largely thanks to its more advanced 6-speed automatic transmission. [although I think you might be able to maximise fuel efficiency on the old Jetta by not exceeding 100 kph]

3) Lack of interior space - The legroom for backseat passengers used to be miserable. The new Jetta has noticably more room inside, and a much larger trunk as well.

There were a few other things about the 2006 Jetta that wowed me:

1) Transmission - The 6-speed automatic transmission meant that it (by definition) shifted more often than any 5-speed or 4-speed variant. Nevertheless, shifting was very smooth, though not indiscernable like in a Mercedes, but seriously I like to feel the gear change when I'm driving so that I know what gear I'm on. And in the event that I'm not sure, the display on the dashboard tells me exactly. It shifts down extremely readily when I jab down on the accelerator, and one can always manually shift the lever to the right (to enter tiptronic mode) and down to down-shift before accelerating if so desired. The 4-speed sport mode is fantastic. With peak torque rated at 3750 rpm, the sport mode looks like it can handle any road, and yes, this thing knows when not to shift up to a higher gear (which is the problem with most automatic transmissions on difficult roads). It's a pity I did not have the time to find a road challenging enough to test it to the limit.

2) Seats and stuff - Extremely comfortable. The velour fabric was nice. Not leather, but looks really tough. Comes heated of course, just like the Jetta of 2005. You can pay for leather of course, and for all sorts of fancy stuff like full power seat adjustments (the power incline adjustment comes standard), a multifunction trip computer (that tells you your fuel efficiency, compass, etc...), steering wheel audio controls, and others. Other standard features include rear air-conditioning vents, a driver's armrest (doubles as the cover of the between-seat storage) that can be adjusted for height, which is nice. And by the way, there is a 12V outlet in that between-seat storage so you can charge your toys and keep them hidden at the same time.

3) Flashing turn signals on the side rear-view mirrors. OK, I know this is no big deal but I've always had a fascination for these little blinking lights. And if you look close enough into the headlights, you will find that there are VW logos embedded in them.

Was there anything I didn't like about the vehicle? Well, it was kind of shaped like a Toyota Corolla. Despite the really large VW logos in the front and the back, a friend of mine actually asked me if it was a Corolla, but admittedly he approached it from the side. Then again, the Corolla is a really good car too, so that's fine. The other thing is that the new Jetta is based on a newly engineered platform, and I prefer to wait for some time to pass before making a commitment. I don't even buy the latest Pentiums from Intel.

Hebrews 11:17-19

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called,"

19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

(New King James Version)

Breaking with my tradition of quoting scripture without comment on this blog, I feel that a few clarifying statements are required here. Firstly, the God of the Bible does not condone human sacrifice even though Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac in this particular instance. The sacrifice was never carried out as God who never intended it to happen stopped Abraham before he could complete the act. There is a deeper issue as to whether God ever commands immoral acts, in effect contradicting his own nature. God generally does not do so, but we certainly observe an exception in this case. There is clearly no benefit in extracting any moral precedence from a situation so outrageous, but the enigma serves a purpose here, for it indicates the existence of a spiritual lesson beneath the literal plot. The promises of God in the life of the faithful, like Isaac is to Abraham, are in each case to be surrendered and put to death only to be kept alive by the grace of God. Lest we co-opt his promises and make them our pride instead.

Funk n' Crawford

So much for the plan to go to Montreal for the Just for Laughs festival. Maybe next year. As a consolation, comedy in Ottawa is not bad. Absolute Comedy along Preston Street in Little Italy is a nice place for acts. In fact, Funk n' Crawford were absolutely hilarious. Highly spontaneous, creative, intelligent, musical and literary, the improv duo proved to be extremely entertaining indeed. www.hahaha.com www.absolutecomedy.ca

Why I rent instead of own a car

Five reasons why I rent a car on the weekends instead of buying one:

1) Save on parking: Weekday daytime parking is expensive in downtown Ottawa where I live and work.

2) Free exercise: Downtown Ottawa is nice and compact. I walk to work.

3) Enjoy free parking: Weekend parking in downtown Ottawa is free.

4) Save on insurance: For some inexplicable reason, although I have over 10 years of driving experience from my home country, not a single second of that is counted when it comes to auto insurance. This means that my insurance costs will be really high if I were to own a car.

5) Test drive the latest cars: I get to drive really nice cars each week. Admittedly, this involved finding the right place to rent from. :) This week I got a brand new 2006 VW Jetta with the 6-speed Tiptronic. Cool!

First bridge game in 2 months

In 10 minutes, I'll be going for my first bridge game in almost 2 months. It's about time.

The Mexican Wedding Shirt Minister

Stone-faced Dolly's at Bronson and McLeod is a pretty nifty place to have breakfast on the weekends, especially when an Ontario born and bred United Church minister wearing a mexican wedding shirt joins you at the next table together with his ethnically east indian wife (both Canadians). By the time we left at 11.30 am, the place had surprisingly emptied out. I hope it wasn't due to our conversation filled with dialectic observations.

Food served too fast - must have been reheated

The burger at Hard Rock Cafe was served really fast. Almost too fast. Makes you wonder if it was prepared in advance and reheated.

Stopping in Montreal chinatown for lunch = bad idea

So much for trying to stop in Montreal chinatown for lunch. Unless you are willing to pay as much for parking as for your food, that's not an option on a weekday.

Gite Le Roupillon

Roland Bergerat and his wife runs this rather inexpensive but nice bed and breakfast conveniently located in Quebec City. It is located near a hospital in a well-maintained and reasonably quiet lower middle class neighbourhood. There is no air-conditioning but the rooms are well-ventilated and equipped with ceiling fans. Private off-street free parking is provided next to the house. Breakfast is a generous display of muffin, croissant, bread and jams, fruit salad, cereal, coffee, tea, orange juice and milk.

From there, you can drive to Vieux-Québec in about 15 minutes, and the bus will take only slightly longer. The only issue I had with this place was that it was situated at an intersection with a 4-way stop (not the most busy but there was traffic), which meant that there was noticable car noise for most part of the evening before midnight and in the mornings (on weekdays). http://www3.sympatico.ca/leroupillon/

Things to do and not to do while visiting Ville de Québec

Other than the obvious attractions in Vieux-Québec itself, do...

1) Visit l'île d'Orléans. Give yourself lots of time to discover the local produce, to look for art, to go antiquing, or whatever suits your taste. There is an amazing sculpture garden at the east end of the island (furthest from the bridge) next to the church. www.iledorleans.com

2) Visit at least one waterfall.

La Chute Montmorency which is closest to town is the most accessible. You have the choice of taking the cable car (for $6 one-way or $8 return) or walking up the steps. The fun of getting all wet near the base of the falls is entirely optional. Although it's one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls, it's obviously not one and a half times as impressive, so one should not expect too much, but it's fun nonetheless.

For a short (45 min) family stroll in the woods, Canyon Ste-Anne is more enjoyable. The fact that the trees are marked telling you what they are (e.g. eastern hemlock, yellow birch) can be quite educational. www.canyonste-anne.qc.ca

If you have more time, Les Sept Chutes nearby is another family friendly location offering more to explore. www.septchutes.com

Do not...

1) Get your left rear-view mirror busted by a passing vehicle while parallel parked on the right side of the street. This happened to me.

2) Have too high expectations if you have come from or have visited Europe before. Vieux-Québec is old and historic but not that old. This is North America after all. All the things about it being like Europe are true, but only to an extent. Remember that it's only 400 years old.

3) Be surprised that Québec is referred to as the national capital. The sign on the way into the city clearly states you are entering "la région de la capitale nationale". My first reaction was, "Isn't that the same thing they put on the sign on the way into Ottawa?" In fact, the sign on the way to Ottawa tells you that you are entering "la région de la capitale du Canada". A small but subtle difference indeed.

4) Be shocked that many establishments such as restaurants do not accept credit cards, or accept only certain credit cards. There appears to be a strong preference for vendors to collect payments in cash in Québec which would make it harder to keep track of revenues accurately I suppose.

la fête du Canada Day

Aujourd'hui, le 1er juillet est la fête du Canada.
Today, the 1st of July is Canada Day.

In typical Ottawa fashion, just as the road signs say "rue Metcalfe Street", a merging together of the French and English forms, today is "la fête du Canada Day".

Have fun!

Only fools stage the Taming of the Shrew?

Looks like every city has its production of Shakespeare in the park in summer. Ottawa's contribution this year is "the Taming of the Shrew", a play so sexist that the first reaction most audiences have is why??? Well, we need not look further than the name of the group staging the production for the answer. The aptly named "Company of Fools" were impressive in their stagework. With only four actors, the convincing casting of over 10 characters through the use of puppets required no more suspension of disbelief than any other production would have warranted. The simple but deliberate use of costume and puppetry made it easy to follow the many characters intertwined in Shakespeare's plot of deception. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening for it was as humorous and entertaining as any other Shakespearean comedy I've seen.

Performances start at 7.30 pm and are currently at Strathcona Park but will be moving to other locations around town in the weeks ahead. www.fools.ca

Calgary to Ottawa on Westjet

I appreciate the humour exhibited by the Westjet crew, "In the event of cabin depressurisation, the panels overhead will open up, releasing Donna's* phone number." ... laughter ... "So I see you're listening after all, but of course the oxygen masks will..." It sure does give the impression that they love their job, which is always a good thing.

*(name of other flight attendant, not her real name.)

The only problem on this flight was that the satellite TV system would fail above 30000 ft (it worked on take off and on the final descent... duh!), and they had charged $1 for the headset. I was almost tempted to be a prick and return it for my precious loonie, but I figured I might be able to use an extra headset around the house anyway. www.westjet.com

Quality Inn - Calgary North (Airport)

Decided to take a risk since I was staying here only one night.

Pros:
(1) Cheap.
(2) Near airport.
Cons:
(1) Bathroom has no ventilation fan, not even a passive vent.
(2) Cleanliness tolerable but not what I would expect of an establishment bearing the Quality nameplate.
(3) Only one layer of windows (and not even well sealed). This is not quite acceptable in Canada as it does get drafty.

Langano Skies Ethiopian Restaurant

I found this Ethiopian restaurant along Whyte (82nd) Avenue at 99th Street. It's not inexpensive, but not pricey either. I suppose it's a good way to get educated on what Ethiopian food is like. One scoops up the meat/vegetables/sauce with injera, which is a white flat-bread that is somewhat fluffy (for the Singaporeans, think murtabak with softer skin). One eats only with hands, and all from the same plate. On the menu are wot and tib amongst others. The beef curry we got tastes a lot like beef rendang from back home but better. I think they added assam, but I will need to get my hands on the recipe to confirm. The chicken drumsticks were yummy.

The Canopy Christian Community

If you are in Edmonton and looking for a church but not your regular run-of-the-mill place, check out the Canopy Christian Community. Refreshingly unpretentious, arts/creativity-oriented, pastor dresses casually, friendly and relaxed, innovative. Trust me on this one. www.thecanopy.ca

Isaiah 55:10-12

10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

12 For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

(New King James Version)

Alberta Place Suite Hotel - Edmonton

Looks like the upgrading trend continues. Got upgraded from the studio I booked to a 1 bedroom suite. We stayed here 4 nights. The suite is large and functional, reasonably clean, and a really good deal for downtown Edmonton as it comes with free indoor parking. The view (we were on the 16th floor) was good. The daily maid service was excellent but I am not sure if that is due to the tip I left or not. Even though the price was reasonable, there are lots of places outside of downtown to stay in Edmonton so unless you have a reason to stay there, one might be better off further out. But this time, the fact that the Society of Arts in Healthcare conference was nearby tipped the balance.

I had to check in before getting access to the parkade via the alley in the back. Some care had to be taken to avoid scrapes going round the corners. It amused me a little that Hertz was in fact using this parkade. Somehow Hertz seems to have all these locations where they are just asking for damage to happen to their cars (like the Crowne Plaza Hotel car park in Ottawa for example).

The only complaint I have is that the small and purely functional hotel lobby smelled a bit like a greasy kitchen no doubt because the adjacent cafe served bacon and eggs (i.e. greasy breakfast) and chinese food (i.e. greasy lunch) from a kitchen that was not well ventilated enough. www.albertaplace.com www.societyartshealthcare.org

Best donairs in Canada?

Checking out Whyte (82nd) Avenue in Edmonton on a Friday evening after the play. But why a donair? Because we had an early dinner, want something to eat but don't want to spend too much, and I'm tired and need to go to bed soon.

This place is a few shops west of Chapters on the north side of the street. Now I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. If this is any representation of donairs in Edmonton, with enough time I am quite sure I'll find a worthwhile challenger in this town to the King of Donairs out east. I won't be staying in Edmonton long enough to find a new sovereign though, and for now the crown for the best donair remains in Halifax (tasted and verified one year ago by yours truly). www.chapters.com www.kingofdonairs.com

Love's Labour Lost in Edmonton

As the clouds were looming overhead, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the amphitheatre at Hawrelak Park was a real theatre (i.e. with seats and roof) and could be described as semi-outdoor. I was expecting something along the lines of the amphitheatre in High Park (Toronto) where you sat on steps/sloping grass under the open sky.

The production was modern, fun and entertaining. However, at times the cast seemed to speak to each other more than they did to the audience, almost as if they were staging for television instead of theatre. Perhaps this had something to do with the fact that they were miked up, as opposed to using a traditional low-tech set where you had to project your voice. Nevertheless, this highly musical presentation of "Love's Labour Lost" kept the action up and the audience captivated. Though true to the original, the production took lots of liberty in interpretation, which is something I enjoyed. Given their highly energetic and physical style, I was regretting not being able to catch their performance of "Romeo and Juliet" (they switch plays on alternate evenings), which could have been quite an experience.

All in all, really worth watching, but not as good as the perfomances I've seen in Toronto of "a Midsummer Night's Dream" and "As You Like It" by CanStage. www.rivercityshakespeare.com www.canstage.com

Calgary to Edmonton drive

I'm feeling like... this must be the most boring drive in the world. The highway is as straight as it can get, and the terrain as flat as it can be. The speed limit is 110 kph and there are traffic cops plying this stretch. There are not even that many cows to see. The good news is that it's only 3 hours long.

Banff Boundary Lodge - Harvie Heights

We stayed here 3 nights. Looks like the offer I got from Expedia.ca was worth it after all. It turns out I got upgraded from a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom suite, which made for a really comfortable stay (we did not have to use the sofa bed anymore). The rack rates for this place are high in my opinion, and I would never pay that much with the online booking systems offering so much less.

This is a good place for a family, especially if you are the independent sort (i.e. make yourself at home but don't expect to be served). The rooms are clean and the kitchen well-equipped (includes dishwasher). You get lots of space, free coffee and tea, and the beds are comfortable. The bathroom has an effective (though rather loud) ventilation fan. There is a convenient coin operated laundry room for the use of all guests. If you are interested, there are also a shared outdoor hot-tub and barbeque that you can use. The location is extremely convenient, just outside of the Banff National Park gates, and 5 minutes drive from shops and restaurants in Canmore. Not as convenient as staying in Canmore itself where you can walk to the shops, but close enough.

However, you have to be happy with some quirks and limitations. For example, check-in time is 4 pm. The front desk is open only from 3 pm to 10 pm. So checking in before 3 pm or after 10 pm is basically impossible (don't try it, I saw some people arriving at 10.30 pm and not being able to reach anyone). Most of the units require traversing about 6 to 10 steps, so this is not the place for you if you are unwilling to carry your luggage up that number of steps. The door/door closer/door frame to our unit was tight/heavy/well-sealed so it requires a decent shove to get open. The place is just off the highway so if you are looking for complete peace and quiet, this is not possible. Nevertheless, I found it reasonable quiet, but I do come from a city. Since the units share common walls (or are upstairs/downstairs of each other), you also run the risk of having noisy neighbours although we had none during our stay there. There is no daily maid service (unless you stay 1 week or more in which case a maid will come mid-way through your stay), although you can request one for $30. Towels will be replaced if you put them in the specified basket and leave them by your front door before 11 am. If you need supplies such as soap/shampoo, just walk over to the front desk during opening hours and you will be given more than you need (but you do have to walk over). There is no air-conditioning in the rooms, which is fine for this time of the year, but perhaps not in mid-summer. www.banffboundarylodge.com

Nice lakes along the Minnewanka Loop

I'm very glad I did not leave out the Minnewanka Loop. There are some really nice lakes on this stretch.

Minnewanka Lake is the only lake in the Banff National Park where motor boats are allowed, and does look like a really nice place to take your boat out for the evening to watch the stars from. But I don't have a boat. Some sheep were crossing the street just as I was leaving the car park.


Two Jack Lake is very pretty, extremely idyllic and calm, and looks like a great spot to picnic or for a little paddle. But keep a watch out for the wildlife! Elk all around while I was there.



The nearby Jackson Lake is a little further off at the end of a cul-de-sac and seems rather popular among hikers. I've heard that the trail around the lake is good for wildlife sightings, although we did not have time to explore much.

Lake Louise vs. Moraine Lake

Lake Louise is overcrowded with tourists most of the time. So I decided to pop in at sunset to give it a chance against its less hyped little sister Moraine Lake (at noon) which was crowded too, but more more pleasant at any time of the day. The blue hue and the closeness of the mountains make for good photos at both of these lakes, but in my opinion there are nicer lakes in the Banff National Park, Bow Lake for example, and many others not accessible by road I presume. Well, one has to visit the 2 most photographed lakes in the region, no?

Lake Louise:





Moraine Lake:

Most Spectacular Roads Driven

(1) **new** Banff to Jasper via Icefields Parkway- Alberta - Canada (June 2005)
(2) Samos to Marathokambos (loop) via Karlovasi and Pythagorion- Samos Island - Greece (August 1998)
(3) Torquay to Port Fairy via Great Ocean Road - Victoria - Australia (December 2001) www.greatoceanrd.org.au
(4) Queenstown to Te Anau via Manapouri - South Island - New Zealand (June 2002)
(5) Victoria to Port Hardy via Nanaimo - Vancouver Island - Canada (July 2002)
(6) Halifax to Liverpool via Peggy's Cove and Lunenberg - Nova Scotia - Canada (July 2004)

Little grizzly but where is mum?

Young grizzly sighted along the Icefields Parkway, but where is mum? By the way, this bear stopped over 10 cars, uhh... I mean over 10 drivers stopped their cars to get a closer look at this bear.

Toronto to Calgary on Westjet

Some observations on why Westjet is successful:

(1) High staff morale. They can be quite funny and it does help to brighten up an early morning flight.
(2) Monetisation of the smallest things, e.g. the cups are sponsored by Coke, the napkins have Travelodge ads on them.
(3) Cool leather seats and satellite TV system.

And a tip: When asked whether you want the pretzels or the cookies, go for the cookies (assuming you like shortbread). I asked for pretzels the first time, only to feel a little outclassed holding on to an unnamed package of pretzels vs. Peek Freans shortbread cookies. www.westjet.com

Yorkdale Mall on a Saturday

I take back what I said about it being nice to be back in Toronto. It's been quite a whlle since I saw so many people and cars getting in each others' way! While waiting (how can anyone be early in this traffic?), I talked to this guy who is studying in Winnipeg (originally from Bangladesh) and also waiting for someone who's delayed in traffic. Looks like he finds Toronto overcrowded as well, and despite calls from his relatives and friends in Toronto to move there after he's graduated, he doesn't think he will... www.yorkdale.com

Federicks Restaurant - Scarborough - Toronto

It's good to be back in Toronto again. I was visiting a friend in Scarborough and we decided to go to Federicks Restaurant first introduced to me three years ago. I do miss the food there. A typical non-fancy chinese eatery cum take-out best described as a Hakka-Chinese-Indian-Malaysian restaurant. The mee goreng and the butter chicken are among my favourite dishes. You can find it at 1920 Ellesmere Road. It's part of a little row of about half a dozen shops with private parking (free).

Where to fill up along the 401

I usually stop at Kingston (Division St exit) for some fast food and a toilet break en route to/from Toronto/Ottawa, and to fill up the gas tank. But I learnt something new today from a more experienced 401-weekend-commuter. While the Division St exit is still the most convenient place for food, the most inexpensive place for gas is the Flying J at Napanee. Apparently this normally saves you about 4 to 5 cents per litre, and in today's case, a whopping 9 cents per litre.

Went swimming for the first time this year

I was swimming for the first time this year at a friend's condo pool. It has been so hot the past few days that a swim after tennis was very much a no-brainer. Summer is most definitely here! It's early this year (it technically does not start till the solstice on June 21 2005, 2:46 A.M. EDT (06:46 UT)). That's rare for Canada :).

Johnny Farina not open for lunch on Sundays

We were intending on going to Johnny Farina on Elgin Street for lunch but discovered that it opens only at 4 pm on Sundays. Went to Bravo Bravo for their Sunday brunch buffet instead. $17.90. A little more than what I would typically spend mid-day Sunday at the all-time favourite Manx or on the patio of the Fox and the Feather, but you get more food. It's a buffet after all. Quality is reasonably good. www.johnnyfarina.com www.bravobravorestaurant.net www.foxandfeather.ca

Stony Swamp - Greenbelt West - Ottawa

Stony swamp in Greenbelt West makes for a reasonable hike, as you can extend the route with a choice of paths in the area, or get adventurous and try one of the unmarked trails (created by mountain bikers, no doubt) as we have done. Unless you run into a swamp, you will hit the road sooner or later. The terrain is flat. If you are looking for an easy stroll, you can stick to the main trails and the boardwalks.

We met a couple of girls decked out with elbow pads and full suspension mountain bikes on one of the marked trails. It looked like they were going downhilling. However, I could not see any hills for miles. Perhaps they were going somewhere else later, and since I do not see any photographers around, I'm quite sure they were not part of a shoot for a mountain biking ad :).

Lynn Miles - Westfest - Ottawa

Lynn Miles was on at Westfest this evening. It was humid, and at several points a few drops of rain did come down. But the sky seemed to mirror the melancholic Lynn Miles, crying guardedly, letting only a little fall. I'm going to buy a Lynn Miles CD, which is special since I do not typically spend much of my income on music. Powerful folk-style lyrics and heartfelt storytelling, combined with refreshingly modern acoustic rock guitar. www.westfest.ca

Milestones is open in Ottawa

Went to the new Milestones in Ottawa for drinks. It's at the bottom of the new Claridge Homes' luxurious 700 Sussex residential development. Despite the fact that it's under a condo, it doesn't look that way. Well, with an address next to the Chateau Laurier, it's Ottawa's most prestigious spot. Looks like the Milestones patio (I'd have to call it a terrace) will be vying to be the hottest spot in town. www.milestonesrestaurants.com www.claridgehomes.com

Dim Sum in Montreal

As far as Dim Sum in Montreal Chinatown goes, I vote for Ruby Rouge which takes up the entire second floor of a small mall. www.restaurantrubyrouge.com

Outremont finds - Montreal

The portuguese restaurant that serves both tapas and table d'hôte diagonally across from the Outremont theatre in Montreal is excellent. Very reasonably priced, as is all food in Montreal. The gaspacho is the best I've tasted in a while, and the barbequed pork portuguese style was tender, succulent, and you could just taste the charcoal which just right and not too overwhelming. The oyster bar directly facing the theatre seems really popular too. Not to forget lilloquet down the street, for ice cream.

Parts of 417 between Ottawa and Montreal reduced to 1 lane

I discovered today that parts of the 417 between Ottawa and Montreal are reduced to 1-lane each way due to construction. Basically, while the 2-lane section going one direction is closed to traffic, the traffic is redirected to share the 2-lane highway normally going the other direction. Vertical pylons are placed in between the two lanes (now going opposite directions) in order to prevent overtaking. It's smooth going unless there is an accident but there will always be one car which will slow to 85 kph (the speed limit in the construction zone is 80 kph), even though I personally feel safe up to 100 kph. I have no idea when the construction will end.

There was in fact an accident that caused a jam on the way to Montreal this morning, and despite the fact that I had no map with me, I decided to follow a UPS van off the highway onto the side road which turned out (fortunately) to be a rather convenient bypass of the construction as well as the accident.

2 Kings 19:29-34

29 'This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And in the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.

30 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward.

31 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, And those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.'

32 "Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.

33 By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city,' Says the Lord.

34 'For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "

(New King James Version)

Las Aguas - Hamilton

I'm in Hamilton for the Canadian Economics Association conference, and my colleague has this suggestion for supper, Las Aguas at 1375 King Street East. Turns out to be a cosy little portuguese restaurant. Expensive by Hamilton standards. Starter, main course, and a glass of wine set my expense account back by about $40. But well worth the treat, and cosy enough for a special occasion.

Note that 1375 King Street East is on the two-way stretch of King Street East which branches off from Main Street East after where the one-way King Street East "crosses" Main, i.e. where the one-way Main becomes two-way. If this sounds confusing, this is because it is. Furthermore, the turn-off from Main to the two-way section of King Street East is not obvious, even though there is a small sign indicating where it is. My colleague originally gave me the impression that it was on the one-way stretch, which meant I got lost for a while. Anyway, if this is still unclear, check Mapquest before setting out.

How to avoid the Arnprior junction on highway 17

The 17 at Arnprior tends to be jammed.

The alternative is to take county road 52 from Renfrew to Burnstown, straight through across the Madawaska river to White Lake, and then cut through to county road 23 to Pakenham. You can then go across the old stone bridge on the Mississippi (no, not the more famous one), onto the Kinburn Side Road to the 417.

And oh, the Blackbird Cafe in Burnstown is wonderful. Delicious blueberry flan, mmm... I almost stopped if not for the need to be back in Ottawa to meet with the rest of the group.

Littledoe Lake - Algonquin Park

This lake is worth a second visit. Perhaps then, we'll have more time to explore the long narrow bays off the east side of the lake that I see on the topo map, instead of heading out instinctively to the west in the direction of Tom Thompson Lake as we have done.

It finally looked more like wilderness country after about a couple of hours canoeing from the Canoe Lake put-in, first passing the cottages (for the Singaporeans, read bungalows), and then the boys and girls camps, to relatively uncivilised territory where we spent relaxing the rest of Saturday, and exploring all of Sunday.

Most of Algonquin Park is extremely organised in order to prevent camper destruction of the natural environment. Campsites are clearly marked and equipped with thunder-boxes (i.e. outhouse without roof and walls, just a cover) so that irresponsible campers do not do their personal business at random spots and leave toilet paper all over the place, which I heard is the case at certain other parks. The only thing we came across that was not on the map was a beaver dam, which needed to be traversed by getting out of the canoe.

We camped at the entrance to the lake at a very large campground with tent pads overlooking the entrance to the lake over a steep cliff. Great spot so long as you are not expecting strong winds, as the higher elevation minimises bugs. There is a 30m walk up from the take-out to the campsite proper, which is fine for this time for the year, but not as nice if swimming at the campsite is on the agenda. The water is still too cold for swimming at the moment. I can swim with my 3mm neoprene farmer john wetsuit on, but I find my exposed arms freezing up...

Time to head home now. It was a wonderful trip. Back to the evil? city. I'm going to miss the peace and quiet.

Tom Thompson Cairn - Canoe Lake - Algonquin Park

If you have never visited Tom Thompson Cairn on Canoe Lake, make it a point to stop there on the way to whatever lake you are headed to. All it takes is a little scrambling up a few rocky steps (about 10m elevation). The totem and cairn in honour of the great Canadian artist Tom Thompson who drowned mysteriously in Canoe Lake provide us a moment to reflect on the grand Algonquin landscape that was the subject of so many of his paintings. It's also a great photo op.

Canisbay Campground - Algonquin Park

Arrived at Canisbay campground, which is an OK place to stay for the night if you are looking for a convenient place near the Canoe Lake put-in for next morning's trip into the park interior, but be prepared to turn in late...

On this long weekend Friday evening, there's quite a queue at the campground office crowded with 20 people inside. Some were waiting in line to get checked in, while others were coming in to ask for firewood and what not.

When it was our turn, the young lady at the counter had trouble with the computer system. Apparently, the program would not allow her to simply move someone from one campsite to another. She had to do a delete, followed by an add.

Once we were underway, we drove to the car-camping ground, set-up the tents under the illumination of the headlights, and was soon in bed. However, sleep did not come easy. Our neighbours were having a party, and a rather loud one at that. And as far as I can tell, the party ended at about 2 am. So much for the lights out rules at these campsites. Not a pleasant experience for me at all. It reminded me of East Coast Park in Singapore. I did not come to Canada or all the way to Algonquin Park to be reminded of the high-density and overcrowded place I evacuated from.

Perhaps the other smaller campgrounds along highway 60 are better than Canisbay, but for now, I am looking forward to the Algonquin interior. BTW, there is cellphone reception here (I'm using Bell Canada), but please turn it off unless you really need it.

Granary Schnitzel House - Eganville

Be sure to stop by the Granary Schnitzel House in Eganville on the way to Algonquin Park (if you are coming from the east side). Great schnitzel, good beer, nice patio, or if you prefer the dining room is immaculate too.

I've also been told that the tavern in Wilno, Canada's oldest Polish settlement, has excellent Polish food. Definitely next in line on my places to stop on the way to/from Algonquin.

City-wide worship and prayer - Ottawa

City-wide worship and prayer 7.30 pm - last Saturday of every month. Don't miss it! www.worshipandprayer.ca

Psalm 45:1-4

1 To the Chief Musician. Set to 'The Lilies.' A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.

3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty.

4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.

(New King James Version)

Luskville Falls - Gatineau Park

What a wonderful day it is! Sunny and warm. It's time for the annual "spring has come" hike. The Luskville Falls are flowing once again. Not as much water as I expected, since winter ended a little earlier this year and we did have below average snowfall. The Luskville Falls are supposedly dry year round except in Spring. The water is also not as cold as I expected. It's chilly but not icy. Only a few traces of winter remain, some negligible patches of snow still exist near the top of the falls. Spring is definitely here...