CN Tower - Toronto

History of CN Tower
The CN Tower, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a communications and tourist tower standing 553.33m (1,815 ft 5 in) tall. Since its completion in 1976, it has been the world's tallest free-standing structure on land; however, its status as the world's tallest building is contentious. It is considered the signature icon of the city, attracting more than two million international visitors annually.



CN originally referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower. Following the railway's decision to divest non-core freight railway assets, prior to the company's privatization in 1995, the CN Tower was transferred to the Canada Lands Company (CLC), a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development.



Comparing the heights of other tall structures with CN tower.

KVLY-TV mast is the tallest structure on earth with 628 meters located on Traill County, North Dakota, USA. This structure is supported by cables.

Petornius platform standing on water is taller than CN tower at 610 meters located in New orleans, USA.

Sears tower is the tallest sky scraper with antenna at 527 meters located in Chicago, USA.

Eiffel tower is merely 324 meters, but truely a master piece located in Paris, France.
If these facts interst you, read more about worlds tallest buildings and structures

Road to CN tower
It was a 150 Kms 2 hours drive for us. take a look at the satellite image of the CN Tower.

Glass floor
You can look down 342 m(1,122 ft) right below your feet. Many people experience acrophobia when they walk on this glass floor. It also has a cafe in this floor.
At 1150 feet height 360 restaurant takes a full rotation once every 72 minutes. You can take a look at the whole city in about an hours time sipping your coffe.



Skypod
Skypod at 447 m (1465 ft) is the highest observation deck in the world. On a clear day you can see up to 120 Kms, including outline of lake Ontario and mist rising from Niagara falls.
Skypod gives a spectacular view of the high rises of the city.
Visitors love to spend most of their time here.



Facts

CN Tower is world's tallest free-standing structure on land. Made a detailed study on this claim and CN tower isnt the tallest free structure on earth (as i was told) its Petornius platform standing on water.

CN Tower is alomost twice as tall as Eiffel tower is.

this building is used in various games like Simcity 3000, Ace combat 5

CN Tower experiences lightning strikes 40 to 50 times a year

CN Tower is listed in Guinnes world records as tallest free standing structure.

This is one of the most important tourist place in Canada.

Niagara falls

This is one travel destination for which we had been waiting for months together.

History of Niagara falls -
Niagara Falls are a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River in eastern North America, on the border between Ontario, Canada and New York State.
While not exceptionally high, Niagara Falls is very wide. With more than 6 million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water falling over the crestline every minute in high flow, and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average, it is the most powerful waterfall in North America.



Niagara Falls is renowned both for its beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power for Ontario and New York. Preserving this natural wonder from commercial over-development, while allowing for the needs of the area's people, has been a challenging project for environmental preservationists since the 1800s. A popular tourist site for over a century, the Falls are shared between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.



Nothing is more thrilling than to watch Niagara falls roaring infront of you. Ferry services like "Maid of the Mist" does exactly this. It takes you close to the falls. Raincoats are provided to keep you safe from loads of mist and water that falls on you when you go closer.



It was a 182 Kms, a 3 hours dirve for us. Here is a google road map that we used to reach Niagara.

Satellite view of Niagara falls

View a live camera on Niagara falls

Niagara looks equally bright and lit up in the night (check out the schedule on their site) with colorful lights. To add more to the beauty you can see wonderful fireworks display on friday and sunday nights at 10 PM. Check the schedule on their site as the timings vary throughout the year. Its another not to miss event in Niagara.



Some interesting facts about Niagara falls

The first person to go over the Falls in a barrel and survive was a 63 year old female schoolteacher.

Niagara falls is 12,000 yrs old.

Every year over 12 million tourists visit Niagara.

Marilyn Monroe starrer "Niagara" was filmed in Niagara Falls in 1952.

In 1960, Roger Woodward was the boy who had survived a descent over the Falls after a boating accident above the Falls.

Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is known as the Honeymoon Capital of the world.

Until 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was erected, the Falls at Niagara were the symbol of America and the New World.

Visitors from all over the world targeted Niagara as a must-see during a visit to North America.

To conclude,
We had a wonderful time in Niagara. Its a must visit place if you happen to visit north american continent.

Lion Safari in Cambridge.

Watching captive animals in the cages is much different from watching them freely roaming around in safari.
Lion safari is an attaractive travel destination to see more than 1000 exotic species of animals and birds. Its specially enjoyed by young ones.

It was 60 Kms drive for us to the LionSafari from Stratford.

Entry fee for adults is $22 Cad. which almost covers everything. Map is provided to you so that you can drive through the park by yourself. You can also choose to see the park in Safari tour bus. Check the lion safari website for details and timings.

First animals you will find are Asian elephants swimming in the lake.


You will find Baboons climbing on cars to get whatever people offer them. Be careful & do not to open the windows. You are not allowed to feed any animals in the safari(Although many people do feed them for the sheer fun of having the animals around their vehicles).



Then there were Lions sleeping lazily in the sun. These are not bothered about humans as none of the visitors feed them.



This zebra was just looking around visitors as if its a waste of time.


Herd of deers (i do not know the sub species of it)


Few peacocks were walking between visitors. One of them was dancing with its beautiful feathers open.


Apart from these animals you will also find African Macaws, Different types of parrots, Eagles, hawks, Falcons, Emu, Owls, Cheetah, camel, Yak, American Bison, Rhino, Shetland Sheep and Horse.

Safari also includes demonstration of
Parrots paradise, Birds of prey and elephant round up (this is much like our old days animal circus)


Apart from animals and birds, safari also has Misumu Bay Wet Play area. We were running short of time and could not see this.

Swans of Stratford - Avon river

Last weekend we went on lakeside drive. We started at 6:30 - Just incase you are wondering that it will be dark,it wont be. Summers have relatively longer days and it gets dark at about 8:APM here.



Some history..
In August 1918 a pair of swans was released in this river and their population has grown considerably over the years.
White swans (in the picture) are called Mute swans. The Stratford Waterfowl And Nature Society (S.W.A.N.S) Group is a group of volunteers dedicated to helping waterfowl along Avon river (also called Lake victoria)



Swan facts

Swans can live upto 25 years.

Swans are vegitarians.

Male swan is called a Cob.

Female swan is called a Pen.

Baby swan is called cygnet.

Group of swans is called a herd.



Its common to see some swans crossing the roads and the car drivers waiting patiently for them to cross the road. It was a wonderful evening spent with these swans.

Swan emergency in stratford.
If you see a swan in need of help call 519-271-0250 ext 243




Official website of the swans in stratford

My footprints in Canadian snow

Its wonderful to see snow again after a gap of a year. Last time it was in Netherlands ,

now its in Canada. Its an ever exciting thing to step on snow for people like us who come from dry lands where we dont see snow.

Nature looks beautiful and gets painted with white color all over when it snows. Playing snowball is fun for kids & audults equally. We enjoyed it :)

Early morning walk gets you some wonderful glimpses of the nature. You get to see the small bird chirping around, Water droplets that got frozen trying to drip from corners, Lakes frozen and lot more.

Whenever i saw my own steps in the snow i grin'd..."My footprints in Canada!!"

Since this is almost the beginig of summer we may not find this snow for long.

I hope summer will be far more exciting when we can walk around places freely.

Shiroda beach

Lush greenery with palm trees and coconut trees will welcomes you to this small not so famous village called Shiroda. Shiroda beach has long stretch of clean sparkling beach.



I love spending my holidays in coastal areas. Shiroda is one such romantic spot. Shiroda has a delightful view of the sea and white sand. This is a perfect holiday destination for sun, fun and clean beach.

How to reach there :

Shiroda beach is located about 508 K. M. from Mumbai and 57 K. M. from Panji.

Nearest Airport is Dabohli (Goa) 92.K.M and nearest railway Station is at Sawantwadi.


You wont find regular crowd and shops hence beach is clean and attractive. It has a beach resort. Local people are very friendly and hospitable.