Toronto

Toronto didn't quite get off to the start we'd hoped. The 12 hour time difference to Hong Kong and dodgy burger for our first lunch (at the Queens Mother Hotel on Queens St West for those of you playing at home) did nothing to help the sleeping patterns or settle the stomach.

Alas we ploughed on... and even my bedridden state didn't keep Ames from the shopping strip all too long. Having been to Toronto once before, I was keen to veer from the tourist trail and take a peak at the street face offerings of a few offbeat precincts including;

• The Distillery District (think art, design, pretentious, and with a price tag to suit),
• Kensington Market (hippies, vintage/second hand clothing and plenty of passive political activism - in the palatable form of badges, pins, stickers and magnets, that'll show them!),
• Chinatown (same shit new city, and not quite Hong Kong!),
• Queen Street West (mainstream alternative and shopping)

More dazzling adventures included a jaunt to Niagara to check out the falls, and to the Rogers Centre to see the Blue Jays get taught a baseball lesson by the Yankees... Couldn't have been a radder ending than the Yankees grand slam home run in the bottom of the 8th innings!

And then there was Andy and Krista's wedding and lead up week celebrations. What can be said, sensational!!!! Toronto developed it's own little Australia for the week as friends and family made the pilgrimage from down under for this almighty event. A celebration of beer (and night on the town to get to know a few locals and local establishments), wedding rehearsal, and wedding rehearsal after party later... it was time for the main event.

The wedding was a Catholic service held in a beautiful big church in downtown Toronto. The bride and groom were suitably brimming with excitement and looking absolutely stunning!

All went as smoothly as could be hoped including the fine best man (and maid of honour, Julie's) rendition or a few Catholic prayers before the congregation. The last minute call up for this duty was a surprise to say the least, but it was nice to finally find god... unfortunately I think I lost the dude at the reception later that night after a few too many Keith’s ales!

The reception was good fun, everyone stoked to let their hair down after an emotional day, week, and no doubt months for Andy and Krista. The speeches went down well (Francis' was my personal highlight), the company great (a room full of smiling, really really nice Canadians) and the booze and dance floor was unrelenting. All in all an amazing day... just a pity about the country music soundtrack really...

Great to catch up with Andy and Krista.. even better to see them so happy together!