Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,198,517 members, 7,968,424 topics. Date: Monday, 07 October 2024 at 07:03 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania (57900 Views)
Frozen Lake: A Trip To Lake Simcoe In Ontario ) Pictures) / Road Trip To Hamilton And Naigara Falls Ontario / From Lagos To Toronto - Follow My Canadian Hustle (2) (3) (4)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (Reply) (Go Down)
Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 4:15am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Hello Nairaland Fam, hope you are recovering from the 'detty December'. In the spirit of the new year, follow me on a road trip to Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Itinerary: Columbus, Ohio - Niagara Falls - Toronto - Brampton - Windsor - Detroit (Michigan) - Columbus, Ohio - Penn State. I happen to be in Ohio for a few days so I plan to take off from Columbus. The plan is to rent a car for three days (some options include Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, etc). I think I will settle for Alamo. Got a quote for a mid-size SUV for $345 (does not include insurance) as long as I return at the same location and time as I picked up. If I had opted in for 4 days, I would have been charged a weekly amount. But since it is less than four, I was charged a daily rate which when you add taxes and some other charges adds up to $345. Gas (fuel): The car's tank will be full on pick up and I'm expected to return it full (except I pay about $54 or so...or a little more or less) and I will not have to worry about returning a full tank. Well, I opted in for returning a full tank. Insurance: To avoid stories that touch the heart, I will use a rental car insurance company I found online to cover my trip. I will use Bonzah and I got a quote for about $37. When I decided to embark on this trip, the first thing I did was to map out an itinerary (not necessarily all that will take place in Canada but how to get there by road). I used Google and found several US states that border different parts of Canada. For those in Detroit, Michigan and environs, you can get in through Windsor, Ontario. Those in New York and environs can get in through Buffalo, NY (through the Peace bridge). I think one of the states in New England (comprises Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, etc) borders Montreal, Quebec. Since Pennsylvania is somewhat closer to New York and I was in Ohio at the time, I decided to enter Canada through Buffalo, New York. The plan was to get to Niagara Falls in Ontario first before moving to Toronto. Google said the drive from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) where I pick up my rental car to Niagara Falls in Ontario is approximately 5hrs 24m (352 miles). Kindly note that Ontario is a province while Toronto is a city. Then, from Niagara Falls to my Hotel in Toronto (Days Inn by Wyndham) is approximately 1hr 35 m (141km). U.S uses miles whereas Canada uses kilometers. Immigration and Border: As long as you are not a U.S passport holder, you require a visa to enter Canada. When I applied, the turn around time was pretty decent. Thankfully, they no longer require covid-19 testing and quarantine as they did during the peak of the covid-19 pandemic. So, less worries. Let's hit the road. Pictures attached were taken at the CMH airport...the car rental section. 38 Likes 8 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by buttlover(m): 4:29am On Jan 13, 2023 |
can i call u? 1 Like |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 4:31am On Jan 13, 2023 |
As you can tell, it was a long boring drive. Thanks to my Gospel playlist (with Mercy Chinwo, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Ada Ehi, Limoblaze, etc) I did not sleep. Had frequent stops to fill my tank and get food. From the airport, branched to Chick - fil - A to get Waffle Fries and Sandwich and strawberry lemonade (sorry, didn't take pictures of those). Pictures - on - the -go 40 Likes 6 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 4:43am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Decided to do a 'see-snap-and-go' at Broderick Park, Buffalo, NY. I think it is in Niagara Street (named after Niagara Falls). There's a lot of streets in different states across the United States that have the same names. After a brief sight-seeing and picture-taking, I did the 10-mins drive to Peace Bridge (which is the border between US and Canada at Buffalo, NY). I intend to change some 'change' I have to Canadian dollars and stretch before driving pass to the other side. 22 Likes 4 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by gaby(m): 4:49am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Follow you go where? Why I go follow you? Where we dey go and na so you take follow people reach there? 10 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by NumeroUno7(m): 5:02am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Nice one OP... I am glued... Please i'd appreciate if you give pictoral illustrations of your thoughts about Canada. I love to see more of Canada; heard they have this striking similarities with the USA but then we know some things differ about Canada ranging from currency, house structures, streets, environment, development, transport systems, etc 31 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 5:07am On Jan 13, 2023 |
In Ontario Finally made it pass the border. It was a pretty straightforward process. The officer checked my documents (Visa in my passport) and asked few questions. You are required to declare any cigarettes and alcohol you have on you. After other checks, I heard "welcome to Canada, enjoy your stay". Mind you, I don't know much about traveling with goods across the border. I just had my luggage with me to avoid long waits. The first thing I noticed on arrival was the KM/H signs. As I mentioned in my previous post (I think I did), US uses miles. But it wasn't a hassle maintaining the speed limit. While the vehicle's speedometer had a hybrid and analog count, there was a digital feature which I just toggled on with a button and it switched from Miles to KM on my dashboard. I noticed I was driving slower than the US. The most speed limit I saw was about 100KM/H which is about 65 miles per hour. In the US, the most I have seen is 70 miles per hour which in KM/H is approximately 113. Anyway, I had to obey the law. The second thing I noticed is the road network. Looked pretty much like some freeways (highways) in the US. I was surprised to see the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) and the picture of the Queen in some Canadian dollars. Anyway, let's see what Canada has in store. Still enroute Niagara Falls, Ontario... All seemed to be going well until I noticed my network switched from 5g to LTE and Emergency (I didn't think about roaming). Problem! Plus my battery was almost flat. Thankfully, I found a McDonalds on the route and decided to branch. Got snacks, eased myself, charged up, and connected to the wifi to reroute to Niagara Falls. Time is around 5:30pm and its pretty dark. Niagara Falls, meet soon! 15 Likes 1 Share
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 5:11am On Jan 13, 2023 |
buttlover:I'm not sure how that works 9 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 5:12am On Jan 13, 2023 |
gaby: Sorry. |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by aycapri(m): 5:15am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Nice 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 5:16am On Jan 13, 2023 |
NumeroUno7: Thank you! Glad you found this thread interesting. Will do. I'll try my best to do some similarity check between some of the states I've visited in the US and the cities I get to visit in Ontario. Will share as many pictures as I can as well. So far, I've got hold of the CAD 10, 20 and 50 and the textures are like the 5-50 Naira polymers. Currency-wise, 1 USD equals 1.34 CAD (according to Google). Will get on the streets to see how things look and will try to use public transportation to move around. 12 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 5:16am On Jan 13, 2023 |
aycapri: Thank you! 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by gaby(m): 5:37am On Jan 13, 2023 |
7 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Sweetvie: 7:16am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Wow! I'm following Lemme grab a seat 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by symbianDON(m): 9:27am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Quite an interesting account so far! 5 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by ZINNYBANKS: 9:56am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Omo see as every where neat . no wonder oyinbo people dey live long neat and serene environment. 6 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Yemlizzy(f): 10:07am On Jan 13, 2023 |
…. 1 Like |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by MMempire(m): 10:59am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Following! 2 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by NumeroUno7(m): 11:50am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Very well then... I have been longing for a detailed thread on Canada, thank God I already found one Borgamaame: 2 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by NumeroUno7(m): 11:51am On Jan 13, 2023 |
Sweetvie:Your monika sha... Is it what I am thinking? Sweetvie 3 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Sweetvie: 12:10pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
NumeroUno7:Hmm What are you thinking? 2 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 8:25pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
Finally made it to Niagara Falls. At first, I was kinda sad that I didn't make it during the day (it starts getting dark from 5:00pm and sometimes earlier). When I saw the Falls and the beautiful lights, I screamed "Omo!" as Nigerians do. I was amazed. Getting there was smooth. Had to pay about CAD 10 for parking which is approximately $7 USD. I think it could have been a little more expensive if I spent more than 1hour. A lot of parking lots in Canada and the US charge by the hour while some charge a flat or daily or overnight rate to suit different needs. Back to Niagara Falls. I found that there's a lot of things to do there depending on the season. Several tours, restaurants, hotels, and fun activities. Since I got there around Christmas/New Year, you should expect that there will be fairy lights. Kinda reminded me of a Christmas Light Show I attended sometime. They get really creative with Fairy lights decorations and all. Too much talk, find pictures below 19 Likes 3 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 8:31pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
More pictures 4 Likes 2 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 8:51pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
From the parking lot to the Falls itself is a bit of a walking distance. Well, I found my way through the signs. Look around with me 10 Likes 2 Shares
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Geo4646: 9:09pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
Ok 2 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Hybrid600: 9:15pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
Amazing! I wish you took pics of the falls so we too go shout "omo" for here! Keep em coming! Borgamaame: 9 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 9:28pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
More pictures 9 Likes
|
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by timibare(m): 9:57pm On Jan 13, 2023 |
Oh God of Elijah, hear my voice!! I must visit this place in Jesus name! 96 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by NumeroUno7(m): 2:47am On Jan 14, 2023 |
Very beautiful.. I wonder how this place would be in the summer 8 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by bfn1: 6:11am On Jan 14, 2023 |
Good! 5 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Sweetvie: 9:19am On Jan 14, 2023 |
Borgamaame:which phone are you using? 3 Likes |
Re: Road Trip To Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Pennsylvania by Borgamaame: 4:53am On Jan 16, 2023 |
Hello Fam, sorry for the delay in transmission Got caught up in a lot. Well, after the Falls I headed to my hotel. The drive was about 1h 30m or so. Twas a pretty interesting drive. On my way, I spotted an Indian Restaurant (Indian foods are really good! and I love their Mango lassi drink). Couldn't resist the temptation to branch plus my stomach was rumbling (I had eaten only waffle fries and spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A since morning). Anyways, I ordered for rice some goat stew. I love curry stew, polak stew with lamb as the protein. Really nice meals I have tried. 7 Spice Bar and Masala Grill (At fairview Street) is the name of the Indian Restaurant and boy, the food was so filing that I had to takeout some. It was too much for one sitting Plus their service was great! I recommend. Pictures attached... 23 Likes 5 Shares
|
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (Reply)
3,000-year-old ‘lost Golden City’ Of Ancient Egypt Discovered (photos) / "Ambode Fix Ekins-Okejra Addo Road – Ajah" Pasted On A Keke Napep In Lagos / 17 Travellers Burn To Death In Fatal Crash On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Graphic)
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 49 |