On Top of the World Again, Toronto, Canada

No, not Everest this time, but the CN Tower - the highest building in the World. We had to splurge a little as it is one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World! Around 4 PM, we took the speedy lift up to the first viewing platform, 342 m (1,122 ft) above the ground. Here, there is an outdoor viewing area, and a glass floor!! Even though you see everyone else standing on them, it is still a little frightening stepping out onto the glass. We managed to take the obligatory pics laying down on the glass with the ground far below. There is also a revolving restaurant on the next floor up, for some great dining views.

But this was not high enough! We had booked to go up to the SkyPod, which is the World's Highest Public Observation located at a dizzying 447 m (1,465 ft.)!! What a view, and we had a clear day to boot! Tiny ants below driving miniscule cars! You can easily see over all the skyscrapers in town, and in the picture you can see the shadow of the CN Tower on the right hand side. We managed to spend about 4.5 hours up here, enjoying the sunset and watching the city lights come on. Our usual picnic up tall structures this time consisted of some really great stinky bleu-brie cheese freshly bought from the Kensington Market. I'm surprised we didn't stink out the whole SkyPod as it is not a large space!!

Of course, the Tower is higher than this. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is Canada’s National Tower, the World's Tallest Building, and an important telecommunications hub.

It's purpose: The CN Tower was built in 1976 by Canadian National (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world. The construction boom in Toronto in the 1960's transformed the skyline characterised by relatively low buildings into one dotted with skyscrapers. These new buildings caused serious communication problems. With its microwave receptors at 338 m (1,109 ft.) and 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) antenna, the CN Tower swiftly solved the communication problems with room to spare. As a result people living in the Toronto area now enjoy some of the clearest reception in North America. *Stub