24 Hours in Toronto

I knew I'd hit Canada the moment the view from my window became ice and snow.



My first visit to Canada, unfortunately, was to be a short one. I wanted to do a day trip from New York to Niagara Falls, and discovered that it would save me over $500 to do it myself and fly via Toronto. So, I had the serendipitous opportunity to add 24 hours in Canada's largest city onto my trip.

My first observation was that it was freezing cold. About -4°C to be precise. My second observation was that all the locals were wearing T-shirts and excitedly chirping to each other about how exciting it was to finally have a break from the cold weather. Apparently just a few days before it had been minus 20.

In true Toronto form, I started my day by walking around the city with a coffee from Tim Hortons (read: Canadian Starbucks) cradled in my gloved hands.

The inevitable first stop, to get my bearings, was the CN Tower – which was the world's tallest tower until 2010.

It's worth buying a coffee from the restaurant to see the last part of the 360° view.

The walk from the CN Tower to Chinatown provides some interesting views of Toronto which were made even brighter by the glorious sunshine – something I'm told the locals hadn't experienced for quite some time.

After an affordable lunch at Noodle King, a recommended Chinatown restaurant, I explored the colourful Kensington market area. This bohemian shopping neighbourhood is well worth a visit for any fan of vintage clothing or collectables.

When I popped home to unload my purchases, I was interrupted by a tapping noise on my window.

For dinner, I headed to Toronto's vibrant Church Street neighbourhood, determined to find some Canadian poutine (french fries topped with gravy and cheese) to top off my fleeting visit. I didn't have to look far. O'Grady's Tap and Grill offered an amazing gourmet poutine with bacon, and months after my visit I can still remember the delicious taste. In fact, a Canadian recently told me that the best poutine in Canada comes from a little pub on Church Street.

Though I had no idea at the time, it was O'Grady's. A great way to cap off my fleeting fist visit to Canada.

Vegas: All Work and All Play

I left Vegas three years ago with a long list of things I'd missed, and no idea if I'd ever be back to tick them off. But this year, I unexpectedly got the chance.

But there was an important catch: this was no leisure trip, but my first international work trip. Consequently, my colleague Sarah and I had a very exhausting work schedule, and the few gaps in which to see Vegas had to be stolen from time we'd otherwise be sleeping - late at night or early in the morning. But, we managed to make a fairly decent go of it. Having said that... I didn't have time to gamble even once, my whole time there!

Sarah and I in the state we appeared for most of our time in Vegas.

Without further ado, here's the list of activities I failed to complete last time:


1.  The Stratosphere rides
Imagine getting thrown off the side of a skyscraper, 350m high. Welcome to Stratosphere. Seriously. There are three theme-park rides that throw you around in all kinds of directions from the top of a tower only a few storeys lower than the Empire State. It's insane. Sarah wasn't at all keen to try the rides, assuming the role of photographer.

2.  Visit a Vegas club
This one I wasn't sure I would get to tick off, but I should have known the Les Mills Megamadness after party would be a good night!

3.  Buffet, sweet buffet
After a long day on my feet, I nearly ordered room service again. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try my first Vegas buffet. Given my companion was the nutrition manager, there was no hope of company, but I enjoyed it on my own regardless. Though, I barely got through three platefuls - including dessert!




4.  See 'O' by Cirque du Soleil
Thank goodness Vegas never sleeps - 'O' performs twice nightly, and the second performance is late enough that we were able to make it after finishing our responsibilities at the convention. Although, we were cutting it so fine that we had to sprint the entire way, arriving so puffed out I thought I was going to die!

I'm very glad we made the effort - 'O' topped every Cirque du Soleil list I could find... and it really was a magical experience. My favourite scene involved a giant pirate ship, with trapeze artists and acrobats completed indescribably complicated manoeuvres while it swung in the air above an enormous pool, which at other times was filled with synchronised swimmers.

5.  Helicopter over the Grand Canyon
Sarah surprised me on my first night, with a big idea that I never expected to work. She hatched an impossible sounding plan for us to helicopter to the Grand Canyon and back before the time that we needed to begin work the next morning - 10am. But it worked. The only catch was that we had to leave our hotel at 5:30am...

Arriving at the airfield shortly after sunrise

The awe-inspiring Grand Canyon - with the SkyWalk just visible in the centre.

The mindblowing view from the SkyWalk

They say the glass is thicker than it looks.

Given the minuscule amount of spare time we had, I'm still shocked at how much we managed to squeeze in.

There's only one thing still remaining on my Vegas list: the roller coaster at New York New York.

Oh well, maybe next time.

Rotorua: 4 Unmissable Activities Off the Beaten Track

Rotorua, known for its pungent rotten egg smell, is probably New Zealand's most touristy city. So, for those who like to get off the beaten track, it can be difficult to know what's worth doing.

This list isn't exhaustive: there are plenty of other cool things to do in Rotorua (hot tip: if you visit the Buried Village, make you you do the side-route to the waterfall - it's worth it). But, this is a list of my favourite four things in Rotorua that you're unlikely to hear much about elsewhere.

And the best part is, you can do all of them in 4-5 hours.

#1.  Wai-O-Tapu
Visiting a Geothermal area in Rotorua is absolutely essential, whatever kind of traveller you are. Having done several, I think the best one for people who like getting off the beaten track is definitely Wai-O-Tapu. It's about 25 minutes out of town, so it gets less visitors, and it offers the most colourful range of different kinds of volcanic sights I've ever come across. The only slightly less-cool thing is that their geyser is stimulated with a chemical to make it go off at a regular time each day.

The Wai-O-Tapu geyser

The vibrant palette at Wai-O-Tapu

Wai-O-Tapu's most famous sight: the Champagne Pools

Oh, ya know, just an acidic, highlighter green-coloured pool

#2.  Kerosene Creek
This place is the best kept secret in Rotorua. A naturally occurring spa pool, complete with a hot waterfall. Let me just say that again: a hot waterfall! It's located a 5 minute drive from Wai-O-Tapu and completely free. Do not miss it.

#3. Māori Jesus

St Faith's Church, a beautiful Tudor-style building right next to a traditional Māori marae (meeting house), has a special secret. Instead of a traditional stained-glass window, they have an ordinary window looking through to the lake, with a white Jesus figure painted on it, appearing to walk across the lake towards you. And what makes it even more special is the fact that Jesus is wearing a Māori cloak and has Māori features. I love this sign of harmony between religion and indigenous culture.

#4.  The best pies in New Zealand
We Kiwis are damned serious about pies. Not the family-sized fruit pies you see overseas, but a single-serving meat pie with flaky pastry. When I was in London there wasn't a kiwi treat I missed more than an old fathful mince and cheese pie.

So, telling you I know where to find the best pies in New Zealand is quite a big deal. But I'm going to: Better Pies 2000 has an awful name, but the most amazing pies you will ever taste. Usually I'm a total carnivore, but even the vegetarian one is incredible: with pumpkin, broccoli, carrot, mushroom all in a delicious cheesy sauce. Honestly, try anything, they're all good.

Once you've got your pie, drive back to the lake and eat it on the edge of the pier. It's bliss.