{Toronto Canada Then and Now}

Yes, we have been in Toronto in 1986, for the 6th North American Mushroom Conference on July 20-23.
Pieter was the speaker on July 22 and also a panelist.

This is husband Pieter on Sunday, July 20 of 1986 with the Old City Hall Tower in the back ...

This is me on Sunday, June 7 of 2015 in about the same spot.

6th North American Mushroom Conference
Hilton Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto, Canada
July 20-23, 1986

On July 22 of 1986 Pieter was one of the speakers

Also Pieter functioned as a Panelist

and your participation as a speaker was a major contribution in making this conference the most successful on records...

That's me, standing near Harbour Castle Hilton Hotel, where we were having the Conference.
Notice the Canadian way of writing 'Harbour' - just like we studied our Oxford English!

Now it is called The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto

Husband Pieter in the Toronto Financial District on July 20, 1986

Toronto Financial District on June 7, 2015
The Bank of Nova Scotia to the left.

The Bank of Nova Scotia to the left and the Old City Hall Tower in sight on June 7, 2015

 
This is me again, now to the side of the Old City Hall on Sunday, July 20 of 1986

This is the front view of the Old City Hall with Tower on Sunday, June 7 of 2015
The little pink dot in the center, that's me, wearing my Escada polyester/silk jacket.

Just to the side of the Old City Hall is the Toronto Eaton Centre where we went in June, like we did in July of 1986

Me, studying the directory at Eaton Centre.
 We walked back to our hotel in about half an hour; just before the rain!
That was a nice Sunday afternoon for going back to areas where our foot steps were.
Do you also like going back to certain places you enjoyed previously?

Related links:
{Brunch in Toronto With Friends Blogger I Admire} | previous post by me
{Arriving at Hyatt Regency Toronto on King} | previous post by me
{Port Huron, MI - Meeting with Blogger Friend I Admire} | previous post by me
{Livonia, Michigan - Meeting with a Friend Blogger I Admire} | previous post by me
{Our Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Michigan Afternoon Tea} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Flora} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Carriage Tours} | previous post by me
{Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island} | previous post by me
{Shepler's Mackinac Island, Michigan Ferry} | previous post by me
{505 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Delta Annual Companion Certificate Flight to Detroit, Michigan}  | previous post by me

{Brunch in Toronto with Blogger Friends I Admire}

Where the time finally comes we will meet with two more Blogger Friends that I admire!

The lovelies: Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista  and Susan Liberatore  from Ava Grace's Closet .

The waitress was so kind for taking this photo of all five of us.
From the left: Lovely Susan, me, Celia and her lovely Mr. G. and my Pieter...
A table of many languages!

Sweet Celia, had made ​​reservations for all of us at The Hazelton Hotel  in Yorkville, Toronto's hotspot.

We were seated in the rounded area, center of photo, Where the famous ONE Restaurant | The Hazelton Hotel  is located.

The Hazelton Hotel is a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Delicious Chicken schnitzel for brunch ...
Indeed:  ONE RESTAURANT We deliver ... The See and be Scene and delicious food by Canada's Most Celebrated Chef MARK McEWAN.

Bragged enough!
But so well deserved and we're grateful for having both had the opportunity to be here.
Thanks to Celia who had returned from Paris only two days before ...
Jet lag or not, she was there; all smile!

Such BLISS that was for finally meeting in the flesh ...
Celia is one blogger friend I've already mentioned before as a Blogger I Admire.
She survived what should have been a fatal accident, some 9 years ago.

Susan was caught in traffic and arrived a little bit later.
This spunky Mama of 3, is another incredible lady!
Indeed, two Blogger Friends I Admire.
Only too bad that little Ava was sick and could not join her Mama...

A very lovely Sunday Brunch together; thank you once again Celia & Susan - we owe you big!
If you ever do come to the South East of the USA; we will reciprocate.
We both are very happy we did add Toronto to our trip !!!
Stay well and happy Celia and Susan, Until we meet again  ♥♥

Related links:
{Arriving at Hyatt Regency Toronto on King} | previous post by me
{Port Huron, MI - Meeting with Blogger Friend I Admire} | previous post by me
{Livonia, Michigan - Meeting with a Friend Blogger I Admire} | previous post by me
{Our Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Michigan Afternoon Tea} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Flora} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Carriage Tours} | previous post by me
{Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island} | previous post by me
{Shepler's Mackinac Island, Michigan Ferry} | previous post by me
{505 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Delta Annual Companion Certificate Flight to Detroit, Michigan}  | previous post by me

{Arriving at Hyatt Regency Toronto on King}

Another lovely, sunny day for driving the stretch from Port Huron, Michigan into Canada to Toronto.

This time I had booked at the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King , on 370 King Street West in Toronto, Canada that is. 

In November of 2011, we were in Toronto for the last time, for a two-day wedding.

Happy sight to see the 1,815' (553 m) tall CN Tower again!

A bit to the left of the sign, which reads Kipling Ave., you can see the CN Tower showing up! 
By the way, Kipling is my favorite Belgian Luggage light weight.
I only have a messenger bag from Kipling ...

Yay, the CN Tower comes more in sight; that means destination almost reached!

Such a free companion certificate from Delta is great but it does not let you fly out from Canada!

So I had to drive back to Detroit, to point F after reaching today's point E in Toronto!

Round trip was 1093.54 miles ...

Or about 1759.88 kilometers in 20 hours!

Due to heavy traffic jam on June 2nd, when we arrived in Detroit, Michigan and had to go all the way to point B.

Later I learned that also on June 2nd, Dutch King and Queen head to Michigan  the Dutch Royals had landed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

That explained the traffic problem!

Even King Willem-Alexander says, 'If you ain't Dutch ...'   In his first speech in Michigan, King Willem-Alexander said his country is appreciative of its connection to a state that is six times its size and holds the biggest population of people with Dutch heritage in the U.S.

Turning off King Street West onto Widmer St for entering the parking garage ...

Above you see the sign Hyatt; we arrived!

Quite a large hotel!

The above two photos we made next day, while walking... just getting home before the rain.

My blue Mazda2 rental car did a great job! Funny for being in Canada with a Florida license tag.

Small car but we only traveled carry on.

Hyatt's Grand Bed with pillow top, down pillows and down duvet, just like at home; feels good!
And guess what ?!
At the Reception husband Pieter got asked about his accent; yes, still after 32 years.
He said that he was Dutch by birth, American by choice.
To which he got the following reply:
'Ah, the Dutch King and Queen were staying here a week ago!'

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
Yep, on May 31, this photo got published on the Royals' FB Page
Very fittingly for them to stay at Hyatt Regency Toronto on King!

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands  and she truly is a Queen of Fashion!

Husband Pieter is treating me, his driver, to a cup of tea!

Laptop out and using the free WiFi Internet with fast speed.

Very efficient bathroom.

Shower

First thing I did was get those shoes off! 

My Escada jeans and top did have some stretch, they were quite comfy.

BIG surprise for having such a great view of the CN Tower!

From our room on the 10th floor ...

Lovely blue sky.

Let's go from 10th floor to the top on the 20th!

That is even more impressive, now looking down onto the building across the street.

We are at the top level as you can see to the left.

Lovely view here.

Metro Toronto population is above six million!

A truly majestic CN Tower ...

Downstairs, in The King Street Social Kitchen, Hyatt's main restaurant, we enjoy a quiet dinner.

Pieter just ordered a starter of Grilled Calamari.
 Rouille, cherry peppers and salted preserved lemon.

My choice was from the Mains ...

Country Harvest
Roasted root vegetables, garam masala scented puy lentils, balsamic grilled tomatoes, red pepper sauce, parsley E.V.O.O (Extra Virgin Olive Oil).
Another perfect day!

Breakfast for next morning I had Belgian Waffles with fresh berries.

Even With One Cape Gooseberry or Physalis peruviana.
Tomorrow we continue ...

Related links:
{Port Huron, MI - Meeting with Blogger Friend I Admire} | previous post by me
{Livonia, Michigan - Meeting with a Friend Blogger I Admire} | previous post by me
{Our Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Michigan Afternoon Tea} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Flora} | previous post by me
{Mackinac Island Carriage Tours} | previous post by me
{Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Shepler's Mackinac Island, Michigan Ferry} | previous post by me
{505 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Delta Annual Companion Certificate Flight to Detroit, Michigan} | previous post by me