Archery at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto

Not far from the Toronto Archery Range is the Aga Khan Museum. For the price of admission you get to explore the history of the Muslim world stretching from Spain to Indonesia, covering ceramics, stonework and metal works, and historical documents / artwork spanning approx. 1500 years.

Amongst the collection of artifacts is a variety of depictions of archery, which as an archer, I took the time to photograph (flash photography is not allowed in the museum, but it only takes a moment to turn the flash off).

I was disappointed there was no examples of antique bows, arrows, swords at the museum. There was however a very nice dagger, and the ceremonial helmet and matching shield shown below at the bottom of the images.

Note - I am afraid I did not write down the context of many of these images, so my descriptions will be somewhat generic.

A group of men discussing something while an archer waves his bow in the air.

A half-man / centaur(?) shooting at his own dragon-like tail.

Three archers on horseback battling a dragon. One of the archers carries a sword while another appears to be talking to the dragon.

Larger detail of the archer who seems to be talking to the dragon.

Larger detail of the archer who is backing away from the dragon.

Two important looking men discuss with onlookers, while a quiver of arrows appears to float in midair.

An archer on horseback stabs a lion in the neck with his sword.

An archer and a white demon wrestle in a cave, the archer is stabbing the demon with a dagger.

An archer and a swordsman talking.

The ceremonial helmet and shield of a 18th century sultan.

Overall, a very enjoyable a trip. In the future I hope to take more photographs at museums (those that allow photography, that is) showing a variety of archery artifacts.

Ballistic Bowstrings from Bradford Ontario

For years now I have been purchasing Ballistic Bowstrings from Tent City in Toronto, which apparently are made in Bradford, Ontario. I am currently looking for archery tourist locations to visit near Bradford.

I figure it is only a short distance from Toronto and should be worth the trip.

Plus when I buy bowstrings I usually buy 3 to 5 of them at once, so maybe I should stock up while I am there.

Attention Archers of Niagara / Hamilton region of Ontario

Archery Niagara is looking for a few good archers - and it doesn't matter whether you are an old pro or a complete beginner. If you live in the Niagara region / Hamilton area and are into archery please join by visiting http://www.meetup.com/Archery-Niagara/

Hang out with your fellow archers, bowhunters, bowyers and toxophilites in the Niagara region of Ontario.

Visiting Toronto this Winter? Go see "The Heart of Robin Hood" at the Royal Alexandra Theatre

Are you visiting Toronto this Winter?

If so, I recommend you go see "The Heart of Robin Hood" at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

HOW MUCH - Ticket prices are between $45 and $105.

WHERE - The Royal Alexandra Theatre is at 260 King Street West.

WHEN - December 23, 2014 - March 1, 2015.

Click here to buy tickets for The Heart of Robin Hood.

While in Toronto you can also take your bow to the Toronto Archery Range for some target practice. Even though it is winter, the archery range is still open. Read the Guide to Winter Archery in Toronto for tips on how to stay warm while doing archery outside in the cold.

Winter Archery in Canada

So you want to practice outdoors during the Winter eh? (Or in an Arctic or Sub-Arctic region?)

Well it is Canada, and it is freaking cold outside.

Thankfully there are some tips to practicing outdoors in the Winter. Read The Guide to Winter Archery in Toronto to learn more about the best techniques for practicing in the snow.

Also check out the Inuit bow below. Inuit bows are a type of composite bow made from antler, sinew and often use cable backing to make the bow even stronger than a normal composite bow. They end up being extremely powerful bows capable of taking down polar bears.

The Inuit are famed with their amazing aim too. Give them a bow, a rifle or even a rock and they can usually hit whatever you ask them to. Amazingly good shots.

Saugeen Shafts Archery Range in Peterborough

Looking for an archery range in Peterborough Ontario?

Check out Saugeen Shafts (saugeenshafts.com) which operates an indoor archery range where you can rent a lane and shoot to your hearts content.

They also operate a Summer Camp for youngsters, Archery Lessons for Adults and Children, a "$6 Ladies Night" for women only and group archery events.

Plus you get to visit beautiful Peterborough. What is not to like?

How Tourism Benefits an Individual's Intelligence and Mental Well Being

My girlfriend and I have different ideas about what makes for a good vacation / tourist holiday.

My interests are that of visiting museums, water falls, hiking trails, gorges, historical forts, archaeological sites, and so forth.

Take for example my recent trip to Crawford Lake Conservation Area and Hilton Falls - both near Milton Ontario.

The Crawford Lake Conservation Area included an Iroquois village / archaeological site which we visited. The site was certainly educational - and I purchased 20 flint arrowheads at the gift shop. (The girl at the desk looked at me funny when I bought so many, but whatever.)

This brings me to my first point:

#1. Many tourist attractions are also educational.

#2. Many tourist attractions require a degree of exercise.

And exercise is good for you, not just physically, but it also boosts mental well-being.

#3. Many tourist attractions also sell things - which fuels our interests in history, education, and in my case: archery.

Like the arrowheads I purchased.

Or like these arrowheads I photographed at the small museum at Crawford Lake.

#4. Beautiful scenery makes for great experiences and photography.

And also amazing videos. Like the following videos I made of Hilton Falls.





Which was all very much fun to do.

When my girlfriend and I first met her idea of a vacation was relaxing at home - basically doing relatively nothing and just relaxing. Since then however I have taken her to the beach many times, waterfalls, gorges, hiking trails, bicycling, museums, art galleries, archaeological dig sites, and numerous other places.

And during that time she has realized, yes, it is more expensive to travel and explore and try new things - but it is also way more enjoyable.

If you've ever met someone who doesn't like to travel you probably know that people like that are actually quite boring. eg. Years ago I worked in an office and the guy next to me never traveled. He only stayed at home and watched Japanese anime - and nothing else. He had never even seen a single episodes of The Simpsons. His entire life revolved around staying at home and watching Japanese anime. That was it. Pretty boring.

Now you might think "Hey, doesn't your entire life revolve around archery?"

No. Not really. My entire life has many things it revolves around. Archery is just one of many interests. I also enjoy writing, painting, poetry, sculpture, photography, making/editing videos, woodworking, bicycles, and many other activities.

Someday I would even like to go back to university, write a dissertation and get my Masters degree. I am confident enough in my writing abilities that I can do it too.

As opposed to the people who haven't really blossomed in their lives because they sit at home, do nothing and haven't really explored the world or expanded their understanding of it.

And have fun while doing it.

Reminder - Ontario Hikes Book

This is more just a reminder for myself to buy this book and then visit many of the places suitable for archery mentioned in the book.

Archery in Hamilton - City of Waterfalls

So I found this website called Hamilton - City of Waterfalls and I have determined I definitely want to go there - and do archery of course.

Largely I want to go there because Hamilton has 126 different waterfalls - which means it would be a very scenic place to practice archery and work on my photography book.

Furthermore I think it would be a fun place to go, whether it is Summer or Winter.

Travel, tourism and archery!

This my new blog devoted to travel, tourism and archery.

It is very simple. Go places that are amazing and beautiful, preferably outdoors, and then do archery there for fun! My goal is to eventually, after years of collecting archery / tourist photos, publish a photography book of myself and friends doing archery in many different tourist locations.

Below is photos of Hilton Falls, Ontario, a waterfalls in Hilton Falls Conservation Area, just west of Milton Ontario.

I think it would be an awesome place to go and do archery - with the Conservation Authority's permission of course.