Bon Appetite at Toronto, Canada

Finding Halal food is not a problem in Toronto. There is a plenty of Arabic food outlet such as Mediterranean, Babooz and Medina.

Most of the Arabic restaurants are located along Gerard street near the Eaton Chelsea hotel. Fortunately most of the food court in the large shopping mall such as at Toronto Premium Outlet and Eaton Centre have at least one halal food outlets.

Alternatively you can also choose seafood restaurant such as the red lobster or Indian vegetarian food. But I feel that the Indian vegetarian food the taste had been modified to suit westerners taste buds. It is not as spicy as in Malaysia. Seafood on the other hand the taste is great and the portion is a lot bigger for Asian.

Bon appetite!!!

Toronto Premium Outlet, Toronto, Canada

If you want to buy North American brand such as Levis and Fossil (honestly I am not in shopping), Toronto Premium Outlet is the best place to buy those item. From my observation, it is 50 percent cheaper here than at Eaton Centre. But be prepared to buy more than a single item as normally huge discount was given if you buy in pair.

The location is about 45 minute drive from Union station. I took transfer package from  http://www.kingtours.ca/ which cost me about CAD30. They will pickup you at the hotel on the morning and than pick up again at the main entrance.

Getting halal food is not a problem since there is a number of vegetarian options as well as Arabic food by Villa Madina. Happy shopping!!!

Eaton Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, Canada

Eaton Chelsea Hotel is located at the heart of Toronto city. The hotel conveniently located within walking distance to the College Subway station, several restaurant and Eaton Centre shopping mall. You can easily book tour to the Niagara Falls and Toronto Premium Outlets from the concierge.

The hotel's room size is OK for me and the recreational facilities is clean and conveniently located on the top of the hotel. 

Room price starting from CAD149.00. But from my experience CAD196.00 is more easier to get. If you lucky to get the CAD149.00 room, you can add CAD30.00 to upgrade to club room with 2 breakfast.

For more information and to book the hotel please visit http://chelsea.eatonhotels.com/

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

CN Tower is the tallest structure in Canada. The tower scaled 553.33km. CN tower is a abbreviation of Canadian National Tower. Among activities is glass floor walking, dining out and edge walk. 

By using public transport you can easily reach CN tower via Union Station. The view up there is spectacular. There is also outdoor observation deck. But you may need warm clothing if you visit the tower during fall or winter.

Queuing to buy ticket will be quite long if you arrive late morning during weekend. At the base of the tower, there is a photo shoot session. But it is up to you either to buy or not the photograph. The cost of the souvenir photos is CAD30. It is not cheap but maybe worth it if you rarely have opportunity to visit the tower.

For more info you may visit http://www.cntower.ca/intro.html

Visa Application to Canada from Malaysia

Toronto skyline view from CN Tower

For Malaysian passport holder, you are required to have visa to visit Canada.
Canada have their high commission in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
However visa application need to be done at VSF Global office at Menara MCA, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
The easiest way to go to the Menara MCA is by using LRT Kelana Jaya Line Ampang Park Station.
From the station entrance, turn left and the building is about 50 metres away.
Before you proceed for visa application please ensure the following item had been done.

1) Prepare 2 passport size photograph according to the specification. Please print and give it to your photo printer (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/photospecs-e.pdf)
2) Fill up and print on-line form (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp)
If you are not sure how to fill up the form you can fill the form at VSF Global for nominal fee. But please ensure you have all the information including name and address for you close relative (your parents, sibling and children)
3) Prepare Bank draft in Canadian Dollar. It is CAD75 for single entry and CAD150 for multiple entry.
Please confirm with the website and contact number of VSF Global.
(http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/malaysia/allaboutvisa.html)
4) To ease the process, you can submit your passport along with visa application.
5) Submit your application to VSF Global at Menara MCA

Processing of the visa may took 13 days. But for business traveler, the proessing time can be shorten if you attached the financial support letter and invitation letter from your Canadian counterpart.

Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

Colmar Tropicale is a hill resort located about 1 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via Karak Expressway. The France Colmar themed luxury hotel is operated by Berjaya Group.

The entrance fee for the resort is RM12 for adult and RM8 for children. Thee fee is refundable if you stay at the hotel.

There are three main attraction to the resort which are the Colmar Tropicale itself, Botanical garden and Japanese Garden. You can drive to all of the above mentioned attractions besides using free shuttle bus services.

The cafe up there is OK although quite expensive. For budget conscious traveler may opt to eat heavy breakfast at Genting Sempah Rest Area or bring your own food or snacks up there.

Other attraction here is Japanese themed spa called Tatami Spa and La Lavanda Spa. Both spa require advance booking. Tatami Spa is the way too expensive but La Lavanda Spa is OK but you cannot bring children to this place.

Like Fraser Hill, there is no petrol station up there. For more info please click http://www.colmartropicale.com.my