Kingston Local Customs

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As we started out on our Loyalist Parkway drive, many miles west of Kingston, I was surprised to see wineries springing up beside the highway, such as the Sandbanks Estate Winery seen in these photos. However, in hindsight I should not have been, because I have even seen them starting to make an appearance in my home province of New Brunswick. In this case, it turns out that the local soil mixture of limestone, sand and clays combined with the moderating effects of Lake Ontario on the air temperature makes this an ideal area for growing grapes. The surge in the industry in this part of Ontario is quite new, with total acreage growing from 20 to 600 in just seven years as several wineries 'took root'. Not surprisingly, the best wines produced here are cool climate types similar to some European varieties, including Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

In the case of Sandbanks Estate, the wines produced from their 6 acres of vinifera and hybrid grapes are aged in French and American Oak casks before being bottled for sale. Along with many other wineries in the area, they take part in winery tours and tastings as part of the local tourism industry.

IN ONTARIO, when at a red light, if you want to turn right, look to your left and if no one is comming, GO!!
:)

YES, YOU CAN TURN RIGHT ON RED LIGHTS!! All you have to do is be carefull, do a complete stop, let people and bikes pass..and that's about it.

Buying alcool is weird and kinda annoying in Ontario. Contrarily to Quebec, where you can buy beer at every corner store, here, you can only buy them in beer stores!

You go in (people 25 and under be prepared to show i.d.) and you look at the wall where all the choice of beers are exposed. THEN, you go in line and tell this person what you want. Then the person calls the backstore and your case comes rolling on some rolling slide thing.. anyways.

Kingston is a beautifull and very active port for tourists. Americans cross Lake ontario to enjoy this beautifull city. Also in this area (the marina is on Ontario) is where all the festivals and fun happen during the summer.

Kinston is where you'll find the renowned Queens University, specialised in applied sciences. All these students help make this town even nicer and livelier. The only deception is that the student houses are all beautifull old houses..which the students don't care for. I even saw stupid grafiti on front doors and stuff..

One of the few remionders that Canada (And Kingston) was a British Colony.

BTW: Only 1 percent of the population here speaks french.