CANADA
FIVE CITIES, FIVE DAYS
by Alan Muraoka
I have always had a secret crush on Canada.
I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because it welcomed
our draft dodgers during the Vietnam War, or that prescription
drugs are easier and cheaper there, or maybe it’s
just the Mounties. Whatever the reason, I think of Canada
as a hipper, cleaner, and sexier version of the States.
So when I was given the unique opportunity to travel
to five different provinces on a coast-to-coast tour
of the country, I jumped at the chance. I would be visiting
five distinctive cities, staying in deluxe accommodations,
and traveling on a private jet. There was a catch. All
of this luxury would be condensed into five days; Five
cities, five days. I fantasized that it would be like
being a rock star on tour, like Jagger doing one-nighters,
only without the booze, drugs, and women. Well, at least
without the drugs and women.
Let me clarify something right off the bat. I’m
a product of a middle class upbringing. I’m one
of those guys who always takes home the tiny toiletries
that are offered in hotel rooms, and will hide them
in my suitcase so the maid will restock them daily.
So there was a part of me that was afraid that I’d
be like a fish out of water. I decided that to truly
be a jet setter, I needed to assume the role, like an
actor getting into character. After Googling “jet
setter,” I realized that I needed: A) Fabulous
outfits—check; B) A nonchalant, slightly bored
attitude—not usually my nature, but check; and
C) big, Jackie O sunglasses—check! Canada, here
I come.
The first stop on my Canadian adventure
was Cape Breton. Cape Breton lies on the northeast
tip of Nova Scotia and offers travelers a diverse terrain
of scenic mountains, rugged seacoast, and lush forest.
The native customs and architecture of the Mi’Kmaq
(one of the First Nation tribes) pair nicely with the
Gaelic influences of the Scottish, who were the first
settlers to land on its soil. (Nova Scotia is Latin
for “New Scotland”). The area is so beautiful
that inventor Alexander Graham Bell moved his family
from the States to Cape Breton in 1885. At the Alexander
Graham Bell National Historical Site (Tel: 902-295-2069.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/alexandergrahambell),
located in the town of Baddeck, you can learn all you
want about this prolific inventor and humanitarian.
Next, I headed west to the town of Glenville, and to
the Glenora Inn and Distillery (Route 19/Ceilidh
Trail. Tel: 800-839-0491. http://www.glenoradistillery.com).
The Glenora Distillery is the only single malt distillery
in North America, and visitors get to see the whole
whisky process from start to finish. What is unique
about Glenora is the Inn that is situated on the property.
With nine modest rooms and six log chalets nestled in
the wooded mountains, this is definitely a place to
get away from it all. With daily Celtic entertainment,
you can live out your Lord of the Dance fantasies as
you are immersed in the bagpipes and fiddles of the
traditional Scottish ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee).
Day Two found me in Toronto, Canada’s
largest city. As I live in a sprawling metropolis already,
I decided that the only way to compare my New York existence
with this one would be to spend the day doing what I
normally do in a big city: dine at a nice restaurant,
go shopping, and take in a flick. So after checking
into my hotel, the Fairmont Royal York (100 Front
St. W. Tel: 416-368-2511. http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork),
I hightailed it over to Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner
(111 Queen’s Park. Tel: 416-362-1957. http://www.jkkitchens.com).
Located on the third floor of the Gardiner Museum, this
vaulted-ceilinged, glass-encased restaurant offers up
tapas-sized dishes that Chef Kennedy describes as “Canadian
interpretations of international classics.” Specialties
include Hopper (a Sri Lankan crepe made with rice flour
and coconut milk) with curried fish, and wild boar terrine
with cider glaze. Next, I needed a little retail therapy.
So off I went to the upscale department store, Holt
Renfrew (50 Bloor St. W. Tel: 416-922-2333. http://www.holtrenfrew.com).
With nine locations throughout Canada, its high-end
designer merchandise is on a par with Barney’s
New York or Fred Segal. Since I was only playing the
role of jet setter, I really couldn’t afford this
pricey couture. So I just browsed and gladly accepted
the free samples from the men’s cosmetic counter.
With the meal and shopping out of the way, the only
thing left on my hit list was the entertainment. Wouldn’t
you know that I made it to town just in time for the
Toronto International Film Festival (http://www.tiffg.com).
Being the hooked up jet setter that I am, I was able
to snag a VIP seat to one of the premieres. As I strolled
past the paparazzi and crowds to settle into my seat,
I thought that the only thing that would have made this
moment any better would be to have a Kit Kat bar and
some Peanut M & M’s, the items I usually sneak
into the theatre to save on the price-gouging concession
stand. I didn’t want to blow my faux riche cover,
so sadly I went snackless. Ah, the sacrifices of the
upper class.
 Day
Three found me in Banff, Alberta, a picturesque hamlet
surrounded by the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies.
Banff is a winter destination of choice for skiers and
snow enthusiasts, and the town has a quaint, Alpine
chalet-quality that I found quite charming. I expected
to see Heidi and Grandpa-pa, ready to greet me with
open arms and a nice cup of cocoa. That didn’t
happen, but I was definitely welcomed with open arms
at the breathtaking Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
(405 Spray Ave. Tel: 403-762-2211. http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings).
This 770-room, Scottish castle-inspired hotel is situated
in Banff National Park, and its world class amenities
include an 18-hole Stanley Thompson golf course (plus
an added nine-hole “Tunnel” course), a state
of the art fitness center, and their award winning Willow
Springs Spa. After a deep tissue sports massage and
a nice mineral pool soak, I decided to make an early
evening of it so I could wake up early to watch the
sun rise. I was told that a nice stroll through the
golf course would lead me to the Bow River, which runs
along the hotel property, and would afford me a spectacular
view of both the Rockies and the river. I was also told
that it was moose mating season, and an early morning
walk might offer me a glimpse of these creatures feeding
and frolicking on the golf course fairways.
Continued
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On
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