Out & About #246 | Adventures in Barrie Day 2: Rowing in Orillia + Thai Plate

After successful attempts at biking from the previous day, we opted to test out my newly-established physical capabilities by taking on a trail that was equal parts smooth pavement (asphalt) and rocky/sandy terrain the very next morning.

​​Majority of the path was devoid of curves and zigzags, enabling the inexperienced riders such as myself to focus on maintaining a straight line while exerting more or less power when going uphill and downhill respectively.

The expedition was short, but nonetheless a wonderful experience for touring the area, all while honing my skills.

Following our stop for lunch, we set out to Orillia for some fun on the water. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, making the drive through the downtown section of the city a very pleasant journey.
​By mid-afternoon, an incredulous amount of people, local families and tourists alike, had already gathered along the waterfront and claimed their territory via vibrant-hued beach towels. Fortunately enough, we were able to detect an empty parking spot almost immediately upon our entry into the busting lot.

The true highlight of the day commenced after we rented a Sit-On-Top (SOT) Kayak from Kayakity Yak's stall.
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​The centre front section of the lake had been sectioned off for swimming, leaving the remaining area to be shared amongst kayakers, rowers, speedboat enthusiasts, and compact cruise ships. With safety as our top priority in the water, I opted to pick the brighter yellow of the two Nereus kayaks. Banana-like in both shape and colour, the boat rendered us highly visible to other occupants of the lake even at a distance, and also more distinguishable in the case where photos were to be taken from the shore.

We took advantage of our two-hour rental period, leisurely paddling around (while being attacked by silently deadly UV rays) for the full duration; the trip also involved observing other occupants engaged in their own respective water activities, seeking shade underneath a short section of lofty trees, and examining the landing docks of several houses located directly on the edge of the lake.

The experience was not only fantastically refreshing, but posed a special significance as it marked my debut into the world of rowing.

Post-sports ice cream runs are mandatory for scorching summer days, so our next line of action was to join the steadily growing lineup outside Sweet Dreams.

The year-round sweets fixture featured a plethora of unique ice cream flavours housed within an adorable white-and-cotton-candy-pink shack. Maple Walnut, Algonquin Canoe, Heavenly Hash, and Nanaimo Bar were only some of the many that were being distributed in sugar and waffle cones.

After a solid twenty-minute wait, we were finally able to leave the premises with two waffle cones' worth of Orange Pineapple-Coconut and Polar Plunge-Chai Vanilla. Totalling a little over thirteen dollars, the treats definitely weren't the most budget-friendly options I've seen, but the extra-friendly attitude of the girl working behind the counter made the wait more bearable - she even provided us with samples despite the long trail of customers behind us!

The scrumptious cones eased us into the evening hours, where a brief stroll around Downtown Orillia revealed that few businesses operated past 7 pm with the exception of restaurants and gastropubs.

Mississaga? Mississaga, it was.

With the assistance of the ever-convenient Google Maps, our cravings eventually led us to Thai Plate.

The self-proclaimed authentic Thai restaurant had apparently operated in Toronto since 2004, but recently made the move to the more serene city of Orillia. (And who can blame them? It's absolutely beautiful here!)

The interior of the restaurant was decorated with ornate traditional pieces such as elephant sculptures and framed pieces of Thai currency. A bit chilly and somewhat dim for my liking though, I suggested a patio seat to enjoy the rest of the warm weather before sunset.

Our servers were welcoming and very smiley, gladly providing us with suggestions and explanations when we were having trouble decoding the menu. To make matters more challenging, none of the members of our party were particularly keen on spice - a crucial element in Thai cuisine.
The conclusion following ten minutes of intense discussion (and the absence of Khao Soi on the menu) was to order two dishes for sharing, and three uniquely Thai iced beverages to accompany them.

< Pictured above and below: Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee, Fresh Mango Chicken, Red Curry Chicken, Steamed Jasmine Rice, Coconut Rice, and Singha Beer >

Thai Iced Coffee, while rather pleasant in appearance, was a tad too bitter for my liking; the bold aroma had been lost from the heavy dependence on instant coffee powder. Thai Iced Tea, on the other hand, had been a spectacular choice. Unlike the overly sugary variations of the Toronto food scene, Thai Plate's version retained a sweet, subtle singleness sans ice cubes in excess. In short, it was much more enjoyable than the overpriced cups from the core, and paired exceptionally well with the "mildly" spicy dishes that we had requested., 

The Singha Beer, as I had been informed, lacked the standard wheat-iness of other beers. Personally, I found this to be a positive factor, really.

Both entree items arrived swiftly, making their appearance only minutes after the arrival of our drinks.

The Fresh Mango Chicken, ordered in conjunction with a plate of star-shaped Coconut Steamed Rice, was tasty and only slightly spicy. The dish was brimming with copious amounts of thinly-sliced chicken breast, red bell peppers, and semi-ripe mango chunks, which was both a pleasure to witness and burden to scoop up without disturbing harmony.

In comparison, the Red Curry Chicken plate possessed a higher spice content, but also exuded the most divine fragrance of coconut milk and complex blend of herbs. Each bite was hotter than the former, but delicious all the same. Bamboo shoots and succulent pieces of lychee were great additions as well. The heart-shaped plate of Jasmine rice was useful in soaking up the curry sauce, though wasn't nearly as memorable as the Coconut Steamed Rice.

Too satiated for deep-fried bananas or "sticky rice stuff", we withdrew from the dessert menu.

I fell into a solemn slumber during the return trip, only awaking as we neared Horseshoe Adventure Park. Curiosity instated a quick, late-evening stroll throughout the grounds, just in time to witness the gradual descent of the sun past the horizon.

As a concluding note, this weekend trip was definitely the most active - and most satisfactory - trip I've taken part in. Along with embracing the waters from a rower's perspective for the first time, I was also overcome with an immense feeling of accomplishment from my progress in cycling. Never had I previously contemplated that being drenched in steam and gaining a new skill set would be so rewarding and fun!

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