Out & About #1081 | Toronto Zoo + Daigyo Matcha

With my days of being a valid TPL cardholder coming to an end, I began to review outstanding destinations of interest on the TPL Map list. The Toronto Zoo surfaced as a candidate of value, given that no other known source would grant complimentary admission. (PRESTO perks would save 20% at best.)

I successfully reserved a Saturday spot prior to vacation, but, as the day of the planned visit drew near, I found fatigue overwhelming me. There were few days remaining until the job transition, and tirelessly had I slaved within the walls of my house to accomplish all the tasks outstanding.

Grudgingly, I went. Departing at the early hour of 9:30 AM had been my proposal, for risking loss of exercise time was not in the agenda. In the face of inadequate rest, I slid into the passenger seat reluctantly, eventually dozing off periodically with my head bobbing involuntarily over the course of the commute.

There was minimal traffic along our route. By the time we had pulled into the asphalt lot, it was just 10:16 AM.
"Let's leave at 2 PM." I announced.
My browsing partner had nodded in acknowledgement, however I knew it was too good to be true. The concept of time is finite for me, yet (regrettably) fluid for others. As expected, we wouldn't be able to depart until every section of the zoo had been covered. In this sense, it worked in my favour that not all sections were viewable by the due to climatic needs of animals.

​The entrance of the zoo was different from my recollection, likely since ongoing construction resulted in pedestrian detours. Traversing from the parking area to the entrance involved meandering about construction fences at dedicated pedestrian crossings. Signage was ample, thankfully so, as the crossing was situated at the parking egress area, just before the toll gates.

Parking was charged at a flat rate of $20. Visitors had the option of paying via QR code or upon exit with the assistance of a staff member.

​The entrance area was bustling with families with young children even within the attraction's first hour of operation. That said, I found the bathroom facilities quite pristine; whether or not it was owed to the early hour and comparatively lower visitor volumes is uncertain. Kitschy and inviting was the underwater theme. I also appreciated the hooks along the counter for placing bags while handwashing and a hand-drying mechanisms built into the counter, one allocated per faucet and soap dispenser set.

Maps were positioned throughout the facility: one providing an overall view of the zoo grounds and another providing a detailed view of the area in which one was standing.

​I was utterly indifferent to our itinerary, given that my presence was to enable entry (presentation of library card and reservation email; no ID required) and accompany my browsing partner in the leisurely browsing of animals. Had I been visiting for the first time, my approach may have been different, and my response energetic instead of lax.

​Australia was up first, primarily due to its proximity to the entrance/"Discovery Zone".

View the full album HERE !

​The Pavilion assumed an indoor facility as it housed birds (in cages) and insects (in display cases). Sections with bodies of water also allowed for a small turtle population.

Occasionally, one would also find photo booths for $10 keepsakes.

​Despite being an individual that self-identifies as being neutral-negative towards bugs, my stomach grew queasy at the sight of leaf insects - those that adopted the visual appearance of dried (or fresh) leaves as a form of camouflage. The choice of lighting within the display case enabled visitors to distinguish hairy insect bodies from real leaves.

Australasia also included a dimly lit corridor for underwater species. This section was similar to Ripley's, but condensed into large tanks with many species, as opposed to individual tanks featuring up to five species.
Of note, the jellyfish tanks were cleaner and the fish more lively overall. My favourite from this route was the Clown Triggerfish, a speedy, whimsical two-toned marine creature with vibrant yellow lips and a supposedly aggressive personality.

We then went on to explore Eurasia and the Tundra Trek. The procurement of Cizi and Stevie, along with subsequent interactions, had confirmed an aversion to slithery, limb-less beings. They were neither furry not cuddly, defying the very factors for affection. Other cold-blooded species also incited goosebumps with their movement patterns.

It was with much relief that majority of species took to stationary positions within their allocated abodes. Their tendencies kept our perusal time to a minimum (always important with my browsing partner!!) and further enabled decent snapshots.

​I appreciated the clear descriptions above the display cases, along with additional info boards in the connecting corridors. Of particular interest was a heat camera, which generated a live display to mimic the warmth detection of a rattlesnake.

New to the zoo were accessible boardwalks connecting the regional designations. These trails were exceptionally spacious, yet barren of tree cover in the late winter/early spring months. Should they be shaded, however, I envisioned a tranquil experience akin to the internal pathways of Capilano.

​Between Eurasia and Tundra Trek was a path leading to the Greenhouse and Animal Hospital. This stretch also included a Zoomobile station and self-serve Tim Hortons encased within a flat-roofed, container-style fixture with sliding doors. As one could assume, Zoomobile fares were charged separately, either per person (at $9.50) or in groups of four (at $32 or $8/pp). While the option wouldn't have been a bad idea in the sweltering summer months, I was more than willing to cover the zoo by foot amidst below-seasonal temperatures.

Entering into the greenhouse resulted in instantaneous condensation on glasses. The interior was incredibly toasty, leading me to shed my jacket within seconds of strolling. The trek was short-lived though, thus all winter accessories were immediately reinstated upon our exit.

We also chanced across the Wildlife Health & Science Centre, which doubled as an Animal Hospital with sizable operational rooms. The insides of these rooms were viewable from the main corridor, which featured floor-to-ceiling glass windows into the surgical/examination rooms and interactive displays related to animal health.
This building also housed an office area, which was accessible by security card only.

​Tundra Trek offered sightings of bison, camels, snow leopards, and more. 

​Experienced zoo-goers had equipped themselves with telephoto lenses, then positioned their cameras just beyond the fences to capture movements of the animals. Viewing windows inside tunnels were largely used by parents and small children in strollers, as they provided unobstructed perspectives at lower heights.

​As noted, a handful of areas were not open yet due to weather. Included in this selection were the Mayan Temple Ruins (accessible from Tundra Trek), Giraffe House in Africa, and, amusingly, majority of the Canadian Domain.

​Prior to entering the Canadian Domain, a Steep Hill warning sign was spotted. The descent was notably steep, but nowhere near the treacherous slopes of Korea. Heading downhill inflicted some knee pain, while climbing back uphill caused hamstrings to activate and the jacket to shed again. Once again, I was glad to have proposed an early spring visit: the same paved segment would be otherwise torturous in the summer months with no shade in sight.

​Besides mountain  ̶g̶h̶o̶s̶t̶s̶ goats, monkeys, and sleeping polar bears, I was most intrigued by the White-Handed Gibbon. Our visit into the African Rainforest Pavilion had coincided with their 2:30 PM feeding time, allowing crowds to observe the primates in their most active state.

​Before departing the zoo, we made a mandatory stop at the gift shop, as well as the universal washrooms within the building.

​I spotted a lower quality rendition of my Velcro monkey; needless to say, there was no stopping any subsequent interactions with them. Beautifully designed wooden postcards had also entered onto my radar, but their thickness and fragile nature deterred me from purchasing. A few already sported cracks and defects. Moreover, they would not be able to fit in my newly-acquired postcard holder from Muji in Gangnam.

​Our departure was eventually delayed another ten minutes due to congestion in the parking validation egress queue, namely one driver tapping her validated parking ticket under the barcode reader for Toronto Zoo membership holders. Errors repeatedly received after tapping thrice ought to have sparked an alternate approach, but alas, common sense is not so common after all.

Outside food was permitted into the zoo, which was expected given that many of its visitors comprised of babies and young children. While I had the foresight to bring a packed lunch, my browsing partner opted to restrict food consumption until many, many hours later. There were plenty of food kiosks by the entrance and in the densely-populated Africa section, though stalls in other regions were shuttered. Palgong Tea was spotted in at least two spots within the zoo, but bearing atrocious price tags between $7.75 and $9.00 (per drink!).
If I had learned anything from our Korea travels, it was that my browsing partner did not recognize the importance of regular food intake. Matters would need to be taken into my own hands to ensure wellness needs were adequately met - as depressing as that was.

The next and final stop of the day was Daigyo in Sky City. At the highway off ramp, my browsing partner advocated for a stopover at the nearby auto retailer. It was immediately denied, for we were already behind schedule. The response was a despicable grunt - utter disregard for the schedule I had delivered with clarity in the days and hours leading up to the outing and periodically throughout. It remains a mystery how the concept of time can be so hazy to some, when time is finite and unchangeable in any dimension.

​We ultimately arrived at 3:43 PM, making my return-to-home deadline of 4 PM unattainable.

​The primary objective of the trip was to obtain matcha. O-Sulloc had disappointed me greatly, prompting the need for a proper source of grassiness. The staff member behind the cashier greeted me warmly, then gladly provided comprehensive responses to each and every inquiry. Daigyo classified their matcha selection by "season". There was a total of four types, each named "(season of) Mount Fuji".
When asked for a recommendation for both baking and drinking applications, she responded that all "seasons" of matcha were suitable for baking, and, in fact, exceeded culinary grade as they could be prepared for tea ceremonies. "Autumn" and "Winter" were described as being intense and astringent, therefore paired better with milk, whereas "Spring" and "Summer" were described to boast a lighter profile, with Summer being the most vibrant. In particular, "Spring" and "Summer" were recommended for drinking straight.

Although each "season" featured distinct profiles, I likened them to varying degrees of intensity on a spectrum for comparison purposes. Eventually, I decided upon "Spring" and "Autumn" for variety. "Spring" was secured in the form of a 30 g, while "Autumn" in a 50 g bag, the only format available.

​During this visit, I'd also take interest in the Brown Sugar Soy Premium Houjicha Latte. The iced beverage set me back $7.50, while a substantial swirl of Matcha Soft Serve an additional three dollars. The surcharge was indeed hefty, but value justified as the toppled swirls descended down to the base of the cup, wholly exceeding my expectations.

The combination of houjicha and matcha made for a muddy appearance that was not unlike a typical Military Latte (959). While my browsing partner regarded the visuals with furrowed brows, I dismissed the questionable gaze and defended the concoction wholeheartedly: It tasted impeccable! - robust and complex from the teas, mildly sweet with a brown sugar syrup drizzle lining the inside of the cup, and creamy without veering into the territory of satiating. Admittedly, some sips tasted a bit "raw" as a result of the soy milk base, though could be easily forgotten with spoonfuls of luxurious matcha soft serve and sips of houjicha.

​I suffered a mild brain freeze due to the chilly components, but again thoroughly enjoyed the slushy texture of soft serving mixing with ice. The pairing showcased the grassiness of matcha and the nuttiness of houjicha, without either overwhelming the other. Rather, the teas were robust and harmonious.

By the late afternoon hours, congestion had inflicted a painful one hour return trip. After bidding farewell to my browsing partner, I joyfully commenced my cardio session, finalizing learning of STAYC's BEBE as planned​, in spite of extreme exhaustion.

​In the subsequent days, I crafted many matcha lattes. The combination of homemade raspberry jam and frothed Autumn of Mount Fuji was phenomenal. Silky and potent, delightful and enchanting - Daigyo succeeded in offering the very best matcha there ever was for homemade lattes.