Adventure Canadas Mini Expedition

aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders

Toronto Harbour Sunday, November 13, 2011 14:00 19:00

Mini Expedition Daily Program

Toronto Harbour, Sunday, November 13, 2011

oday we, along with our friends from Cruise North embark on a remarkable expedition aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders to the centre of the world... Toronto! Our voyage of discovery will take in the little-known areas of Toronto Harbour, and allow us to get a glimpse, albeit from a distance, of what life must be like to the residents of the outlying islands. Though we will not be taking any shore excursions today, as there is only one Zodiac, and it is only 10 feet long, we will have a full program onboard. Dancing throughout the day is encouraged! Many of your favourite expedition staff from the area will be there - as well as over 200 of your fellow passengers from past expeditions! Please let us know if you are vegetarian so we can provide an option for you!

About Toronto Harbour - According to the Wiki

Toronto Harbour is both a commercial port and a recreation area. Commercial activities are confined mainly to the harbours eastern side, while the western side was developed into Harbourfront, a conversion from industrial land to recreational and cultural uses. Harbourfront has parks, hotels, an amphitheatre, and many other facilities. The Toronto Islands are also mostly recreational, although they do also contain a small community and an airport. Toronto also has a second harbour, called the Outer Harbour (Toronto Harbour is sometimes called the Inner Harbour), but it never developed into a commercially viable project. It was created in the 1950s by the Toronto Harbour Commission through the construction of a new breakwater called the Outer Harbour East Headland. At that time, it was expected that there would be a great upswing in the number of ships calling at Toronto once the Saint Lawrence Seaway opened. However, the need for an extra harbour never materialized, and private boats are the only traffic usually found there now. The original shoreline of the northern shore were low sandy bluffs, just south of todays Front Street. The mouth of the harbour pointed west. Fort York, on the north shore of the bay, near the mouth of Garrison Creek, guarded the harbours mouth. It was briefly captured by American forces during the War of 1812. The islands were originally a low sandy peninsula forming the southern limit of the bay. The Scarborough Bluffs are much larger bluffs that lie approximately ten kilometres east of the harbour. Strong lake currents over time washed the sand eroded from the bluffs westwards to form the peninsula surrounding the bay. The peninsula became the Toronto Islands through the result of two storms and man-made activity. In 1852, a storm created a channel through the eastern edge of the peninsula that formed the south edge of the bay. The storm washed through excavations made for sand for local construction. In 1858, another storm widened the channel and made it permanent. The eastern shore of the bay, approximately six kilometres east, was a marsh around the mouth of the Don River. In addition to the Don River a number of smaller creeks flowed into the bay. The original site of the town of York had half a dozen short creeks that flowed through it. As the town developed they all became polluted, and were buried. As the city grew the larger two creeks, Taddle Creek and Garrison Creek, were also filled in.

The set-in-stone, will-not-be-changed, absolutely official daily program of events. (subject to change)
Like all Adventure Canada voyages, there is always something going on, but remember to take some time on deck to enjoy the scenery of Toronto Harbour!
1400-14:25 14:30 14:30 14:45 - 15:00 15:10 - 15:25 15:30 - 15:40 15:40 15:45 - 16:00 16:00 - 16:10 16:10 - 16:11 16:10 -16:15 16:20 - 16:40 16:45 - 17:00 17:05 - 17:10 17:15 - 17:25 17:30 - 17:35 17:40 - 18:10 18:10 - 18:25 18:30 19:00 Boarding period for the Captain Matthew Flinders Captain Matthew Flinders departs from Pier 6 at Queens Quay - latecomers will not have a chance to join - we will miss you. A brief welcome and introduction by Matthew Swan Marshall Dane in concert on the Main Deck Stage. David Marshak and Jeremy Down in concert on the Main Deck Stage. Mini-Movie - Main Deck Christian Moretons premier screening: Into the Northwest Passage Lunch is available on the Main Deck. Washboard Hank and Muriel - Live on the Main Deck Stage. Mini-Lecture - Main Deck: Mike Beedell - Arcticus Feverous Free Time! Mini-Lecture - Main Deck Ken McGoogan presents: Who was Captain Matthew Flinders? Daniel Payne - Live on the Main Deck stage. The Fabulous Hat walk-off - on the Main Deck Stage. Mini-Lecture - Main Deck Paul Prior presents: Is that a Seagull? Dancercise - a complete 10-minute workout on the upper deck. Mini-Movie - Main Deck Peter Rowes premier screening: Greenland and Wild Labrador Tom Barlow, Tyler Yarema and Friends on the Main Deck Stage. Daily Recap on the main deck. Captain Matthew Flinders arrives back at dock Last chance to disembark the ship!

Adventure Canadas Mini Expedition

aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders

Green P Parking

Green P Parking

The Captain Matthew Flinders

Joining the Voyage

Location: The Captain Matthew Flinders, as pictured on the cover, will be docked at Pier 6, at the Queens Quay Terminal building located at 207 Queens Quay West (Main intersection- Queens Quay West & York Street) Parking is available on the North Side of Queens Quay in the Green P lots - there are other lots available as well at various rates. Please arrive early to make sure you can park and arrive to the ship before departure at 14:25. Driving From the East Take 401 West to Don Valley Parkway. Take Don Valley Parkway South to Gardiner Expressway. Once on Gardiner Expressway, take the Yonge/York/Bay exit. Turn left onto Yonge Street and then right onto Queens Quay. From the North Take Highway 400 South to Highway 401 West, Highway 401 West to Highway 427 South, then Highway 427 South to Gardiner Expressway Toronto. Take the Yonge/York/Bay Exit to the Yonge ramp. Turn right at the first light and proceed to Queens Quay where you will turn right. From the West Take Highway 401 East to Highway 427 South to Gardiner Expressway Toronto. Take the Yonge/ York/Bay Exit to the Yonge ramp. Turn right at the first light and proceed to Queens Quay where you will turn right. From Lester B. Pearson International Airport Take Highway 427 South to the Gardiner Expressway Toronto. Take the Yonge/York/Bay Exit to the Yonge ramp. Turn right at the first set of lights and proceed to Queens Quay where you will turn right. Public Transit Take Subway, Streetcar or GoTransit to Union Station. Within Union Station, transfer to the #509 Harbourfront Streetcar towards Exhibition. It will continue down Bay Street, turn right onto Queens Quay and drop you at the foot of York Street. Approximate travel time: 5 minutes. You may also walk approximately one kilometer from Union Station. Exit via Front Street, turn left, walk to York Street. Turn left and continue down to the water.

Mini Expedition Accommodations

Want to spend some extra nights in Toronto?

Adventure Canada has a special rate of $125/night + tax at the fabulous Metropolitan hotel in downtown Toronto if you would like to spend the night before of after the Mini-Expedition. The Metropolitan is home to North Americas #1 Dim Sum restaurant amd is located right beside City Hall. More info on the hotel can be found at www.metropolitan.com.

Please call Adventure Canada to make your booking at 1-800-363-7566.

Mini Expedition Fancy Hat Option

What would a party be without a theme? In true Adventure Canada style, were inviting you to break out your favourite headgear for the event, seeing as its going to be the middle of November! This is, of course, completely optional! Fun, fabulous or funky - its a Fancy Hat party onboard for those who choose to participate. There will be a Fancy Hat walk-off for those who want to strut their stuff. Prizes will be awarded for the best hats of the day.

Mini Expedition Sailplan

Please be aware that this sailplan is our intended route, but weather, lake conditions, and, of course, the spectacular wildlife we intend to encounter may change the actual route travelled.

Mini Expedition Reading List

What expedition would be complete without a reading list? Here are a few of our local authors and expedition staff members. Douglas Gibson, Ken McGoogan and Kathleen Winter will also be on hand, so bring you books to be signed! Margaret Atwood, In Other Worlds: Sf And The Human Imagination, published by McClelland & Stewart, 2011. Douglas Gibson, Stories About Storytellers: Publishing Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau, and Others, published by ECW Press, 2011. Graeme Gibson, The Bedside Book Of Beasts: A Wildlife Miscellany, published by Doubleday Canada, 2009. Ken McGoogan, How the Scots Invented Canada, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., 2010. Kathleen Winter, Annabel, Published by House of Anansi, 2011.

Mini Expedition Clothing List

Its going to be the middle of November, most of you are Canadian, and can stick your hand out the window in the morning. We will, however, be on the water, and there are some great outdoor deck spaces to get a view of the Toronto Skyline or Toronto Island. May we suggest a jacket? Oh, and a hat - but not just any hat (or it could be just any hat!) - Fun, fabulous or funky - its a Fancy Hat party onboard for those who choose to participate. Prizes will be available for the best hats of the day.

Questions? Give us a call, wed love to help! 1-800-363-7566 or (905) 271-4000

Adventure
Canada
Adventure Canada 14 Front St. S. Mississauga, ON L5H 2C4
905-271-4000 or 1-800-363-7566 www.AdventureCanada.com