This one of a series of posts about my trip to Canada. Most posts about this trip can be found here.

After the Pulp gig I had a coach to catch the next day, which took three and a half hours. Clearly, five days looking out of a window on a train wasn’t enough.

I was headed to Kingston, one of the oldest cities in (modern) Canada and its first capital. It sits further up Lake Ontario and marks the furthest east I have ever been in Canada. Next time I come, I’d like to visit Quebec and the Maritimes.

I arrived and immediately went to find a place to eat, then headed to the waterfront for an evening stroll before night fell. After that I visited a few local bars, most of which were quiet midweek.

The next day was the main reason for visiting. I had booked a cruise on the lake that took me around the Thousand Islands area. Yes, after plane, train, car, and coach, I boarded yet another mode of transport. I had hoped for a dining cruise in the evening but realised that these only happen on the weekends so I made this the main event of the day and it started just after lunch.

It was a fantastic three hours on the water, in bright sunshine, with entertainment provided by a jazz duo and a wonderful tour guide who gave great commentary and facts about the lake and surrounding areas. Alongside the natural scenery, the houses we saw on the islands were stunning. I try not to live a life of jealousy, but seeing those mansions, gardens, and views, I couldn’t help dipping into a bit of envy. If I ever find a winning lottery ticket on the floor, I’m retiring to Kingston and buying one of those houses.

It was a perfect day, and I ended it by treating myself to a meal at the posher end of the scale with a table at Chez Piggy. The steak and rösti were superb, and even though I was eating alone I had a great table to watch the room of couples and families breaking bread together. This was probably the day I most felt it would have been nice to share the experience with someone. But I was meeting my friend tomorrow back in Toronto, so I headed to bed ready for the coach back in the morning.

Kingston was a real surprise to me. I was expecting a bit of a boring old town, but it had so much character and life. It’s a university town, and also has a military academy, which I guess keeps it fresh. The holiday is rapidly coming to an end now, and Toronto promises more exciting experiences.