Day 129: Swift Current: Bison or Buffalo

May 14, 2016

Today I started off with a tour of a Bison sanctuary.

Those things are monstrously huge!! We were able to go in a safari bus right up to the herd though, and see the massive creatures in their own groups.

We were lucky enough to even see some new borns who were less than a week old!

Fort Whyte also had some ponds and other exhibits where I got to see some birds, taxidermied animals, and the cutest of all, some prairie dogs!

After the tour, I hit the road. Radio stations are limited, so I found myself listening to a tourist station. It was half text-to-voice automated from their website, and half this old guy telling stories about his time in the state.

Saskatchewan, the province I was in, I was informed means "swift current" in a native language. I found it funnier than I should have, staying in the English equivalent.

Also, for anyone wondering, Bison and Buffalo are the same thing, but they actually aren't related to Water Buffalo, and the term is apparently seem as kind of racist.

Tomorrow, Calgary xx

Day 128: Winnipeg: A Long Drive

May 12, 2016

Today I drove for pretty much the whole day. I had a quick stop off at a Kakabeka Falls and then got to it.

I passed the latitudinal midpoint of Canada, and left the 90km/h speed limits of Ontario for the 100km/h speed limits of Manitoba.

Tomorrow, Buffalos and a town called Moose Jaw xx

Day 127: Thunder Bay: Sleeping Giant and Couch Surfing

May 11, 2016

Today I headed to Thunder Bay.

My day started off fairly spectacularly with perfect reflections over a series of still lakes. The drive was beautiful through to White River where I stopped for some lunch with Winnie the Pooh. (The original bear was from there)

Thunder Bay turned out to be a pretty cool place too. Just before the town, I stopped for a quick hike to the Ouimet Canyon. The power of I've thousands of years ago completely amazed me.

The town is also known for its "Sleeping Giant" formation, but there were two different cliffs I was looking at, and either may have been it. the view over the town and the war artifacts were still cool.

I also have car sleeping a miss for the night, trying out couch surfing for the first time. The people were really nice, and kinda odd, so it was a good time!!

Tomorrow, Winnipeg xx

Day 126: Lake Superior Park

May 10, 2016

A fairly short update today, as I have terrible internet.

I drove through one of the most spectacular areas I've ever seen today, with incredible rolling hills, and a lake so large you would be forgiven for thinking it was the ocean!!

I planned on stopping in Sault Ste Marie, but the town was a little dull, so I kept going, and am now in a small town called Wawa. For some reason, they have several giant goose statues.

I also saw my first moose!!!

Tomorrow, Thunder Bay xx

Day 125: Niagara Falls: The Falls and Photos

May 9, 2016

I had the most amazing time at Niagara Falls. The town is beautiful, and the falls are honestly one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. Sadly I cannot show you them as my memory card has decided to be completely blank of all data for some reason.

Besides having no photos, I can still use my words to describe them. Last night was my first real look, and it was amazing. The Falls get lit up every night, and there were even fireworks!! It was freezing cold, and I am so glad I had my ski jacket, because the cold was definitely worth it for the view.

The fireworks were a little bit strange though, as they almost dwarfed the incredible power and size of the Falls. Even the gushing of the water was drowned out by the sound of the fireworks. It was a really cool effect though, with the falls illuminated.

I went back this morning before heading off as well. There was practically no one else there, and I got to sit and stare at the Falls uninterrupted. There are actually two main falls, one owned by Canada, and one by the US, but you can only appreciate them from this side.

I am really upset I lost the photos, so I will have to go back again when I get to New York on my American leg of the road trip!! (Ahhhh, how tough my life is haha)

The road trip today was really nice, too. I'm working on the footage now, but I drove to Sudbury, I'm looking forward to exploring the town!!!

Tomorrow, Sault Ste Marie xx

Day 124: Toronto: A Car

May 8, 2016

This is going to be a relatively short update. Up until now, I haven't really been enjoying Canada all that much, and it's all my own fault.

Normally I'm out finding new things constantly, but I've been so jet lagged and frustrated that I just haven't been having fun. But that changed today.

I picked up my car, and am ready to hit the road! I've mapped out the campsites I'm going to be staying at (for showers and cooking) and I've raided a Walmart (depressing place, but the prices make it worth it) so I am all set for a massive road trip!!!

I'm currently in the town of Niagara Falls, and I'm going to go down after sunset to see it all lit up, then spend some time there tomorrow before heading off. I'm finally excited!!!

Tomorrow, Niagara Falls xx

Day 123: Toronto: Car Hunting

May 7, 2016

Today did not go as expected. It is mostly a rant, so ignore this one if you don't want to hear me complain!!

I planned on buying a used van which I could use to road trip in, but unfortunately, the information I had been relying on was all wrong. One of the main reasons I flew into Toronto was because a lot of sources online said that buying a car as a foreigner was incredibly easy in Ontario (this state). They were wrong.

After finding the perfect van (a 2007 Dodge Caravan cargo van with some dodgy paintwork, making it about a third of it's normal price) I tried calling to get insurance, which is required for the purchase of a car here. Not possible to get without a Canadian licence.

I spent almost 2 hours and $60 of credit trying to find a way around it, but it simply wasn't possible. I am completely gutted. The internet has let me down. I honestly felt really defeated and horrible about it for that whole time, as it was really what this whole trip was depending on.

I can still drive in Canada with my International Driver's Permit though, I just can't get insurance to buy a car. This means I will be renting one, which I didn't want to do because it's quite expensive under 25, but it's still cheaper than buses across the continent.

On the plus side, I do get to pick up a car tomorrow, and I had a pretty good laugh at some of the hilarious punny shirts at a souvenir shop. My personal favourite was probably the "Bear Bum" boxer shorts, but this was pretty good too.

Tomorrow, Niagara Falls xx

Day 122: Toronto: The CN Tower and Exploring

May 6, 2016

Today I woke up at 4am, which I'm attributing to slight jetlag. It is taking all of my energy not to go and have a nap now at 1pm, but maybe it's just what I need??

I headed out early and went and got a proper Canadian breakfast - buttermilk pancakes with real maple syrup!!! It was in a cute little diner with a rude old Italian man serving, and the food was incredible. It may have had something to do with the fact I hadn't eaten since the plane though!!

After some food, I headed to the CN tower - the tallest building in in the world until the Burj Khalifa. The view was amazing though, Toronto is honestly a beautiful city.

Tomorrow, car hunting xx

Day 121: Toronto: A Really Long Flight

May 5, 2016

I have finally arrived in Canada!! After 2 x 15 hour flights, and a 3 hour layover, I have slept until 9pm and ruined my body clock.

The flights were actually great, with awesome in-flight entertainment, and great food. On the first one, I made friends with the stewardess because the flight was so empty, and she kept bringing me drinks and more food.

The second flight was packed, but it was still pretty good, We flew over Greenland which was pretty amazing, So icy!!

Saying goodbye at the airport was absolutely terrible though. My stewardess friend lent me some eyeliner though.

Tomorrow, exploring xx