Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Toronto, Canada
Arrive Toronto station an hour and a half late. And you moan about a few minutes on your daily commute.
The first impression on approach is the CN Tower. It. Is. Tall. Toronto reminds me of New York. Same style skyscrapers. Same architecture. Same shadows in high summer caused by the tall buildings.
After 36hrs on the train am ponging and in need of a proper wash. Given there’s a G20 meeting next week accommodation availability is minimal. So have to make do with a suite at the Sheraton (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyztc-sheraton-centre-toronto-hotel/). Well you know. Hobson’s Choice. Ahem.
Opened in 1976, as a communications tower, the CN Tower is named after ‘Canada National’, the railway company that built it. Was the world’s tallest tower at about 553m (1,815ft) until it was usurped by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2007. Which itself was usurped by the Chinese Canton Tower two years later.
Security scanner to enter the CN Tower blows a burst of compressed air over you. Sniffing for bombs and explosives.
Glass fronted panoramic lift zooms up the side of the tower to 1,200ft. View is spectacular.
And then remember I’ve paid extra to go higher still to the SkyPod.
At 1,465ft up.
View is even more spectacular.
Can see for miles. But too hazy to see Niagra Falls about forty miles away. On a good clear day visibility is up to 100 miles.
The railway station is below the tower and a goods train starts to trundle by 1,465ft below. Snaking all the way back for what is about a 2km long train. Astonishing to see in its entirety.
Now for the best bit.
The glass floor.
Fortunately quite good with heights but you still get that little frisson of nerves as you make the first step on to the glass floor and look straight down to earth 1,122ft below. Wow. Impressive.
Such a gorgeous warm night and still, clear air that I can sit out for dinner. With a view of the illuminated CN Tower. It entices me back to see the night time view.
Another puff of compressed air later and I’m at the top again. Glad I came again. Night time gives you a different perspective on the city.
And.
Can now make out Niagra Falls across the lake.
One of the platforms gives access to the elements outside.
It was a nice calm evening at ground level with no wind whatsoever.
But at 1,465ft up it’s like stepping into a wind tunnel.
Jeez.
The wind speed is staggering.
Can physically lean forward without falling over such is the force of the wind.
And like a big kid. Just have to play with seeing how far I can lean forward.
Until I fall over.
