FLOWRIDER Mobile Wave
Yesterday had my kind of weather for the Ex, not too hot, not too cold. Perfect walking around weather.
I wanted to spend some time in Direct Energy Centre today so I hopped on the CNE Ex-Press Train at the Dufferin gate. A quick two stops later, and I was at the Princes’ Gate. That saved a lot of walking.
I headed down Princes’ Boulevard just in time to catch the Wheel of Thrills performance. This is a new attraction. I thought it was scary when he was walking inside the wheel, and then he got on top of it! At one point he seemed to lose his balance on the very top, my heart was in my throat.
I headed into the Direct Energy Centre. I couldn’t help but notice all the people in the tall yellow hats, so I headed down to check them out. They were part of the All You Need is Cheese display. I didn’t arrive in time to get a seat for the cheese tasting, but it looked really good. I have to get there on time one day. The cheese tastings are on five times a day. I headed around to the other side of the booth and caught a cooking demonstration. The chef showed us how to make breakfast “muffins” with bread, eggs, cheese and ham. They were delicious. You know, I could live off all the free food I have gotten since the Ex opened.
By then it was time for the Ngai Tuahuriri performance at the Pizza Pizza International Stage. I really enjoyed this show. This group performs traditional Maori haka, which is something to see. I have seen other Maori groups perform, during Caravan. The Ngai Tuahuriri was by far the best troop I have seen. Not only were their dancing and facial expressions great, but the singing was so beautiful. Members of the audience were brought up on stage to try their hands at the dance. That was hysterical. If you catch the act look out for something I found interesting. Even when the performers are standing still, they are in motion. While standing all of the performers flutter their hand, as if they are so full of energy that it has to escape somewhere. I really want to catch this show again.
I had been inside a while, so it was time for some sunshine and waves. I headed across the boulevard to see the FLOWRIDER demonstration. I went from the deeply traditional to the cutting edge. The FLOWRIDER surfers combine skate and snowboarding tricks and techniques with surfing technology. It was quite amazing. The FLOWRIDER performers at the Ex are all champions in this sport, so we got to see the best of the best. One of them is not only a top FLOWRIDER competitor, but is also an NASA engineer that helped develop the space shuttle. He’s a regular Buckaroo Banzai!
Next, it was up the road to the Canadian Forces display. The look out tower was a neat vantage point for photos. It would be a gorgeous place to see the sun set over the CNE. A bagpiper started to play in the tower. What was that military tune he was playing? M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E. Oh, a not so military tune. The Navy bus shows short films about the navy. They were quite informative. I forgot that Canada has the longest coastline in the world. It was cool to look through the periscope. I wish I could hook my camera up to it. The military band was playing when I came out of the bus. This band is mostly from the Artillery, with a few members from various other areas of the forces.
Time to catch the CNE Ex-Press back to the west end of the park and head home. Tomorrow, the Ex after dark!