Jungle Cat World : A Wild Day Out

 We loved our visit to Jungle Cat World in Orono, Ontario!  Here you can see some wild animals living just close enough to spark awe and appreciation, but still far enough to respect their beauty.

Located about an hour east of Toronto, Jungle Cat World is not your average zoo. Although smaller, it's more intimate, and deeply focused on conservation and education.  

 

They have powerful big cats like leopards and tigers to rare nocturnal creatures and playful monkeys, this place offers a personal connection to animals that you can’t get at larger places.

One of the highlights they offer is the Behind-the-Scenes program, where you can get up close and personal with animals in a safe, but guided experience. (Like feeding a lemur) The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, and their passion for wildlife is infectious. You’ll leave knowing more about global conservation efforts—and probably with 200 new photos in your camera roll.

They also offer Night Safaris for the brave at heart - a gift shop, and a cozy guest lodge if you want to wake up to the sound of lions roaring (I'll have to add that to my bucket list experience!).

 

 

Prices are very reasonable too compared to other touristy attractions.

Admission Prices

• Adult (ages 13–64): CA $16.00

• Teen/Senior: CA $12.00

• Child: CA $10.00

  

 

 

 

 

 

Just a little background information about the owners of Jungle World

 

Jungle Cat World was opened in 1983 by Wolfram and Christa Klose.  The park is still owned and operated by the Klose family.  

Jungle Cat World was initially just a tourist attraction to show exotic animals, primarily for recreation rather than education. Over the years, the park has taken a much more active role in educating visitors.

 

 

 Although here, I love that every day they do an educational feeding tour around the wildlife park.  The Large cats, wolves and primates are fed.  How can I not love this?

We loved feeding the rabbits which came right up to him (and no I've never been up close and personal to a rabbit, lol) I thought this was so sweet. Campers are also educated on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and eco-friendly living by participating in some of the above-mentioned activities that Jungle Cat World offers.

Although I hate to see animals living in captivity, they  tell me that they are better off than in the wilderness and have a great life of food that is given to them in a safe, healthy environment.  In my mind, wild animals need wilderness and everything that comes with that.

This seems like a a great adventure for the whole family—or just an unforgettable day trip with friends!

Have you been to Jungle Cat World? What animal encounter took your breath away?
Do you think zoos can play a positive role in conservation?
Got questions about planning a visit?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your wildest animal stories or help you plan your trip!

Road Trip to Collingwood and Owen Sound

Remember when you were a kid and there was always that one unplanned trip with your folks that turned out to be the most memorable.  Or the trip that started out the worst you know the large cottage rental that was actually a one room shack and no working stove ending up being the best?

I've experienced a lot of those memories.  It makes you realize that it's not really what you have or where you go, it's who you're with that make these memories stick.

A Detour-Filled Adventure to Collingwood & Owen Sound
We hit the road again! I had every detail of our summer road trip carefully planned weeks in advance—but true to form, we tossed most of it out the window and still ended up having an incredible time.

Day 1: Caves, Sushi, and a Swinging Decision

We set off bright and early Sunday morning, rental car packed and stomachs empty—intentionally, since our first stop was Kiticho Sushi in Collingwood. No breakfast. We were saving every inch of appetite for the all-you-can-eat sushi feast (check out our review at aycetoronto.blogspot.ca).

After lunch, we checked into a local motel for two nights and made our way to one of the highlights of the trip: Scenic Caves Nature Adventures in the Blue Mountains.

Perched atop the Niagara Escarpment, this place is a fascinating mix of geological history and outdoor adventure. The caves and crevices were formed over 450 million years ago, and walking through them feels like stepping into the pages of an ancient story.

Though it was July, we learned this area transforms into a winter wonderland come snow season, offering over 27 km of ski trails and 8 km of snowshoe routes—including a path that leads to Southern Ontario’s longest suspension footbridge. And yes—we crossed it.

Well… eventually. My husband nearly chickened out, hesitant at the sight of the rope-lined bridge swaying above the forest floor. But just when it seemed like I’d be finishing the hike solo, he mustered the courage to join me, and we met at the other end grinning like kids who’d just conquered a rollercoaster.

Day 2: Waterfalls & Fresh Air in Owen Sound

The next morning, we headed to Owen Sound, a hidden gem for waterfall lovers. Our goal? Visit Inglis Falls, Indian Falls, and Jones Falls—all just minutes apart, but each offering a unique view and hiking experience.

We hiked, wandered, and soaked in the peaceful sounds of cascading water. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by forest and rock, with nothing but the sound of waterfalls to drown out the noise of everyday life.

We wrapped up with another AYCE stop—this time at Okinawa Sushi in Owen Sound (yes, we reviewed it too: aycetoronto.blogspot.ca).

By the end of the trip, we were sun-tired, satisfied, and deeply recharged. No airports. No customs. No chaos. Just two people reconnecting with nature—and with each other—on Ontario’s back roads.

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Sometimes, the best adventures happen when the plan goes out the window.
Have you ever gone on a spontaneous or semi-planned road trip?
Tell us your favourite road trip story in the comments—I'd love to hear where the open road has taken you!

The Thornton-Cookstown Trail: A Journey of Hills, Heat, and Hydration Challenges

Biking has always been a shared passion for my husband and me, so when we decided to tackle the Thornton-Cookstown Trail, we were excited about the adventure ahead. Little did we know, this ride would become one of our most unforgettable experiences—for better or worse!


The Thornton-Cookstown Trail stretches for a picturesque 16 kilometers, starting from Thornton and ending in the quaint village of Cookstown. It's a beautiful route, winding through lush forests, open fields, and charming rural landscapes. Perfect for a summer day, right? Well, sort of...

The day we chose to embark on this journey happened to be the hottest day in June. The sun blazed down on us, and to make matters worse, we had completely forgotten to pack any water. Undeterred, we set off, thinking we'd find a place to hydrate along the way. Big mistake.

As we pedaled through the trail, we encountered hills that seemed to go on forever. Grueling doesn't even begin to describe it (My husband added to my frustration, but keeping positive and not once agreeing with my misery) The combination of steep inclines and scorching heat quickly took its toll. By the time we reached Cookstown, we were exhausted and dehydrated.


The real challenge began after we reached the end of the trail. We needed to find the nearest GO Station to catch a train home, which was in Bradford, Ontario—another 12 kilometers away. With no other option, we mounted our bikes again and set off, hoping to find some respite along the way.

After what felt like an eternity—an hour and a half of pure heat exhaustion—we finally arrived in Bradford. Our first stop was the local community center, praying it would have a water fountain. As luck would have it, the center was closed, and there was no water fountain in sight.


We found an open washroom and did what we had to do: using our hands as water cups, we drank from the tap. It wasn't the most elegant solution, but it was effective. 

Standing there, drenched in sweat and frustration, I let my husband know in no uncertain terms that I would NEVER do this again. A few choice words were exchanged, but I knew I was letting off more steam than was already coming out of my helmet.


Somehow, we made it to the GO Station in time for the next train. As we collapsed into our seats, a strange sense of elation and accomplishment. I had made it through the toughest biking experience I'd had ever personally faced.


This ride on the Thornton-Cookstown Trail is now etched in my memory as the best and worst biking experience ever. It was a day filled with challenges, but also a testament to our resilience and partnership. Would I do it again? Probably not. But am I glad we did it? Absolutely.

Niagara Butterfly Conservatory

On a lovely spring Saturday morning, we decided to take the GO Train to Niagara Falls. First stop was to a buffet breakfast at the Young Garden buffet and BBQ before taking our bikes along the Niagara parkway to head for the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory, located at 2565 Niagara River Pkwy in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada.


The first thing you will notice is the botanical gardens and outdoor cafes, with winding paths surrounding one of the largest glass-encased butterfly conservatories in North America.


Although their website touts there are over 2,000 different butterfly species, I think I have seen approximately 30-40 of them! My husband describes this place as magical! I don't think I would go that far, although I could appreciate this through the eyes of a child as such. I had a new camera with me, and was fumbling too much to try and get a still shot of the butterflies :) They were quite vivacious both in colour and personality! Some species, especially the pretty blue ones would not stay still for a second. I guessed that is evolution - since butterflies have no defense mechanisms, the bright coloured ones are easily spotted by prey, so they need to keep moving. Though I have seen pictures of them landing on people! Sadly, it was way too crowded when we went for this to occur.
 

I promise you it's like nothing you've experienced nothing like it before. Winding paths of wonderful garden and tropical plants. It's worth two hours of your time, but you may find it rather small and more eager people could probably go through it in an hour. The temperature is very tropical, so you may want to remember a water bottle.


They try to limit the number of people allowed in but could stay as long as I wanted. This is why it becomes very crowded as you would expect it to be for such a popular family experience. Everyone was patient and it was a joy to watch the parents with the young ones teach the kids to be kind and gentle when and if a butterfly landed on them or needed to be picked up to prevent being walked on.


I was fortunate to have a few butterflies land on my hand as did my husband. I also took pictures of different species who landed on others.


I am glad I came. Hope you have a chance to enjoy it too someday!

Happy Trails! 

St. Catherines - Burgoyne Bridge & Merritt Trail

Summer is always a great time in Toronto as our local Speed rail (GO train) can extend over 100 km from the downtown Hub at Union in all directions.

We took the Niagara Falls train to St. Catherine's on Saturday - it was an express train, missing a lot of the less busy stations so it took about 1.5 hrs - which if you know traffic in the 'GTA' that's a great clock time.

A short walk from the St. Catherines GO Train station you will come to the Burgoyne Bridge, originally built in 1915 and praised for its engineering, connected St. Paul Street West to downtown over Twelve Mile Creek Park valley. 

It was replaced by a new bridge in 2016, costing $99 million. The new bridge featured a distinctive arch but had safety concerns due to low railings and a gap between lanes, leading to frequent suicides.

In response, Niagara Region installed 10-foot high, rust-resistant aluminum barriers in 2020 to prevent further incidents. While these improvements enhanced safety, some criticized the demolition of the historic bridge, valuing its heritage significance over the new structure.

If you look down from the bridge you can see the Merritt Trail.  It runs alongside Highway 406, near the Burgoyne Bridge, following the path of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Welland Canals. It honors William Hamilton Merritt, who first proposed the Welland Canal. You'll find remnants of old canal locks and mills along the way.  It's not as peaceful as the Participark Trail due to its proximity to the highway.

The Garden City Skyway is a 40-meter-high section of the QEW between St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake that often closes during bad weather.

Starting from Bradley Street in south St. Catharines and ending at Martindale Pond Road in West St. Catharines, the Merritt Trail spans 11 kilometers, connecting with the Green Ribbon Trail and the Participark Trail. It's popular for walking, hiking, biking, and motorbiking.

                                                 

Unfortunately, being new to the area and had to time our walk around the train schedule back to Toronto as well as checking out an All You Can Eat restaurant in town (for my AYCEToronto blog of course!), we didn't do the entire trail today. 

Instead we started off 

from Gale Street following the Welland Canal and did a loop south to Richard Pier point and back around again following the creek.

We noticed a lot of litter in parts a long side the park trails in a few places as well as a few vagrants, but the town is pleasant and the people are pleasant.  Times are tough everywhere, especially in the smaller towns where work is in short supply and workers - even less.

We want to come back again once I have a better camera, and I promise I will take more pictures when we do the larger trail.

In the meantime... Happy Trails! :)

Greenwood Conservation Area

Greenwood Conservation Area located in Ajax has several trail points (White Pine walk, BirdWalk, The Orchard, Meadow Walk, Duffin's Lookout, and Oliver's Rest)

The most popular trail is the  Greenwood Conservation Loop.  It was pretty easy even though it spans 14.5 km and typically takes around 3 hours to complete. 

I've blogged Duffin's earlier so we've been here before so I didn't spend a lot of time taking pictures as the sun was setting the air was getting chillier as twilight came.

You will love this trail which is perfect for bird watching, hiking as well as road biking.  You'll most likely meet other enthusiasts along the way!

 The Duffin's trail is a 2.9 km loop trail that starts at he Greenwood Discovery Pavilion and loops around near a Leach Free dog walk area. 

Most of our time was spent on the "Greenwalk" where the high and ominous forests of Jack Pines lined the forest bed as far as the eye could see.

Niagara Falls - Bridal Veil Falls (US side)

Nothing beats going for a walk on a fully developed autumn day!  We spent a better part of the day exploring New York's State park coming from the Canadian side - this was especially exciting seeing never before tourist attractions.  We tried to get through as much as we could before the last train out of Niagara Falls.

As you cross the American Pedestrian bridge, I was overwhelmed by the power and roar of the American rapids underneath my feet!  Once you are on the other side, you can head over to the North shore trails to the Bridle Veil Falls (also known as Luna Falls) where you will immediately be taken in by the closeness you feel to the power of the water.  Although the I think this makes the waterfall experience more exciting that on the Canadian side is how you are able to have  a birds-eye view - and I think the Canada Geese agree with me as they were quite relaxed right in the centre of it all.

The Bridal Veil is the smallest falls among the three waterfalls, that together known as the great Niagara Falls. The Bridal Veil Falls is in the US side located right to the American Falls separated by Luna Island. The Goat Island in the Canadian side separates it from Horseshoe Falls.

The waterfall looks like a 'Bridal Veil' and thus the name Bridal Veil Falls. The Bridal Veil Falls is also known as Luna Falls and Iris Falls. The height of Bridal Veil Falls is 181 ft. Though it is a small waterfall compared to its two counterparts, it has its own specialties.

The Cave of the Winds, a wooden elevator takes visitors across the falls is a popular tourist attraction here. The Cave of the Winds was an old natural cave, which was closed due to rock fall in 1954. Now Cave of the Winds attracts diverse visitors to go close to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Get to Luna Island or take 'Cave of the Winds' tours to experience the unmatched beauty of nature and the Bridal Veil. 

Nikola Tesla's legend lives on in Niagara Falls for many of his contributions to science and technology.

Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse established the first hydro-electric power plant at Niagara Falls, marking the beginning of global electrification. 

Today, the remains of the original plant, Adam's Power Station (Power House), may transform into a science museum. This museum would celebrate the significance of the Niagara Falls Power Plant as the world's first hydro-electric facility, a pivotal milestone in electrical history. 

Designated a National Landmark Historical Site, Adam's Station (Power House) attracts about eight million tourists annually on the American side of Niagara Falls, while the Canadian side draws around 20 million visitors and today we were one of them!

Niagara Falls as no doubt you are aware is renowned for its natural beauty, serves as the symbolic birthplace of global electrification. It represents the triumphant implementation of Tesla's Polyphase Alternating Current (AC) Electricity, illuminating the entire world today.

Overall, undeniably it was an amazing day! Happy trails!