USA/Canada June 24 -July 15

[Blackadder]

Time for my yearly migration to warmer weather, and to the US and for the first time Canada.
A trip report of sorts when I remember to update things.
First off my flight to LAX on QF11 , pushed back from 1750 to 2100 due to mechanical repairs. Notifications by SMS and Email around 6hrs prior so plenty of advance notice. Still left early enough to avoid the School/afternoon peak crowds on the train , so arrived at SYD around 1600.
Landside departures virtually deserted, so a quick check in /bag drop.
My upgrade to J was successful, so through security with a grand total of 0 in front of me.
Through the Duty free gauntlet, and to the temp lounge in the basement.
Had read reports of crowding issues, but to my relief plenty of room available.
Butter Chicken and Rice among the hot dishes, and just a hint of spice to it but not too bad as far as free food goes.

 

[Blackadder]

Around 3.5hrs late on arrival into LAX, which isn’t too bad considering we didn’t leave until after 2200.
Menu could do with a refresh , it seems to be the same base with minor variations.
Had the Chicken skewers and Beef for Dinner, a little bit overcooked but not too bad, a decent thickness in the cut.
Breakfast , a standard Sausages, Beans ,Kale/Spinach mix.
Crew in J were very attentive, so no issues there.

 

[Blackadder]

First full day in the US, a OMG it’s early start for an 0600 flight from LAX to PHL and a connection to YYZ.
Facing a short connection time in PHL, but the planning gods were on our side , not only arriving at the same terminal, but a mere 4min walk gate to gate. As an added bonus arrival was around 15mins ahead of schedule.
Next flight a short hop across the border to YYZ in a Embraer 175, and due to severe weather in parts between probably the most turbulent flight I’ve been on for a while.
Rental car collected from Enterprise (the only company that didn’t have a crazy deposit due to the WC) then to our hotel for the next 3 nights the Doubletree Downtown Toronto.
As is the way with Downtown Hotels, room is on the small side but central to most things.

 

[Blackadder]

A visit to Niagara Falls for the first full day in Toronto, and lunch at the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant overlooking the falls.
Our host advised us not to place anything on the sideboard, as it would take 1 hour for it to comeback around .
Great food (albeit it CAD$44 for a Tenderloin burger)
After lunch a 20min tour to both the US and Canadian falls , it starts with a short funicular ride down to the wharf , on arrival the usual professional posed photos with the hope you’ll part with your $CAD or $USD.
Then the ponchos are handed out, even from the other side of the Niagara River you can feel the mist from the falls.
First off is the US falls, and being so close to such an impressive geographical feature you can’t help but feel in awe at the volume of water falling in front of you.
Then a short cruise past the cliffs covered in the local bird population brings you down to the Horeshoe (Canadian) falls.
To say you get wet it an understatement, despite only being around 30feet from the falls, at times it’s impossible to see them through the mist , but you just hear the incredible roar of water.
Away from the sheer natural beauty of the falls , the town of Niagara to me is tacky , with every tourist trap place you could think of.

 

[Blackadder]

Maybe due to the WC , but from initial appearances Toronto is a very clean city. Still have your homeless , but doesn’t appear to be the graffiti and general grime of other major cities.
3 nights in Toronto wrapped up with early morning check out, and after breakfast a visit to the Hockey hall of fame. Not much of a Hockey fan, but have a casual interest in the game but it’s a way of life here in the Great North. Highlight of the HoF for me would be seeing the original trophy that the National Hockey League competes for, the Stanley Cup and the opportunity to have your photo taking with the cup.
After the HoF visit, when in Canada do as the Canadians do and go to Tim Hortons. Primarily for Coffee, but also a selection of bakery items, wraps, burgers etc.
Followed by our drive out of town South for the next two nights at Niagara Falls.

 

[Blackadder]

Home for the next two nights the Hilton Fallsview Hotel , with a Fallsview room.
For those who haven’t stayed there it’s a hotel/casino complex with 3 Towers.
I had a Fallsview room on the 44th floor of the North Tower (furthest from the falls), but still an amazing view of the American and Canadian Falls.
Hotel room had a few minor signs of wear and tear, but nothing significant. Most annoying issue was the lack of hot water for the shower. It was reported to the concierge who flagged it for maintenance, but only had a short stay there so not resolved in the timeframe of the stay.

 

[Blackadder]

Day tour taking in the Canadian side of the falls, before crossing the Rainbow Bridge into the US, for a up close look at the Falls with Maid of the mist, and a visit to Cave of the winds to get even closer to the falls (and wetter as well).
After the day tour , a drive out to the picturesque historic town of Niagara on the Lake. I would highly recommend visiting if you’re in this part of the world.

 

[Blackadder]

After saying goodbye to Niagara Falls , it was time to head back to YYZ to drop the hire car off , and then in a first for me Porter Airlines direct YYZ to LAX.
Thought we were doing well to get back to YYZ with time to spare , but I managed to jinx myself.
No online check in available for Porter as they needed to see the ESTA for reentry to the US.
After checking in my bag (and not recognising my QF FF when deliberately booked as a AA codeshare), it was through to the bag drop.
Then the fun and games started, the bag drop failed and after multiple attempts to reset it by staff more bag drops failed, so the whole system needed a reboot.
After the reboot it was time to deal with US immigration which is handled on the departure side at YYZ.
Despite completing the MPC I get directed to the general queue which consisted of 2 TSA agents (1 of which was occupied by a person being extensively questioned by them)
Eventually through immigration, and it was a very quick walk to the furthest gate for my Porter Airlines flight to LAX, arriving just as boarding was starting.
On board Porter operate their longer flights with a small fleet of E195 aircraft in a 2-2 layout.
Like other North American carriers, no meal included unless you are on one of the very few fare brackets that include meals.
So complementary mini butter choc chip cookies and almonds , along with complementary drinks.
Purchased a couple of things from the BoB menu, a cold chicken salad, and a cup of chicken noodles.
Salad wasn’t too bad , but not sure that it wouldn’t have been better served warm.
A largely uneventful flight taking us over snow capped peaks of Colorado , and a number of wildfire areas for the contrast.