Home away from home in Toronto

I recently embarked on a memorable journey to Toronto, Canada, over the long weekend in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. This trip was a special one as it marked my first visit to my dad’s side of the family in Toronto since meeting them when they came to Hong Kong several times when I was a kid. They had always made the effort to visit me in Hong Kong, so it was time I returned the favor, especially since I was already on the continent.

The short 1-hour and 30-minute flight from Philly to Toronto made the decision to visit a no-brainer. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reconnect with my family and explore the beautiful city of Toronto. Little did I know that this trip would be packed with incredible experiences and heartwarming reunions.

One of the highlights of my Toronto adventure was the visit to the iconic Niagara Falls. I had heard that the view from the Canadian side was superior, so I knew I had to take the chance to go visit. I was really surprised about the power of the falls and the pictures online definitely did not do justice. We even hopped on a boat that took us right into the heart of the falls. The winds were more powerful than I could have ever imagined. I am not really much of a nature person but this experience was truly shocking and overwhelming.

Apart from our exhilarating journey to the falls, I spent quality time with my family, exploring the vibrant streets of Downtown Toronto. Toronto’s diverse culture and eclectic mix of shops made for a shopping experience. The food in Toronto was also amazing, it has wide variety of different Indian food as well!

But the surprises didn’t end there. During my stay in Toronto, I had the chance to reunite with friends from Hong Kong who were studying in the city. Meeting familiar faces from across the globe made me feel like home and lessened the sting of homesickness. It was an incredible feeling to be so far from home yet surrounded by friends who felt like family.

In the end, my long weekend in Toronto was a perfect blend of reconnection and exploration. Reuniting with family and friends while experiencing the beauty of Toronto and the awe-inspiring power of Niagara Falls made this trip an unforgettable adventure. It reminded me that, no matter where life takes us, the bonds we share with loved ones and new experiences can make any journey worthwhile.

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