Have a ball in Canada with a trip to watch basketball, baseball and, er, lacrosse
If I ever win the lottery, my plan is to travel the world watching sport and sampling the local food and drink
IF I ever win the lottery, my plan is to travel the world watching sport and sampling the local food and drink.
But until my numbers come up, that sort of life is a bit out of my league.
So when I got the chance to fly to Toronto to see some live sport, I jumped at it.
As an Eighties kid who grew up playing NHL Ice Hockey on the Sega Mega Drive, I'm well aware Canadians know a thing or two about that sport.
But when my itinerary arrived, it wasn't on the list — we'd be watching basketball, baseball and lacrosse instead.
As a West Ham fan who regularly watches them from the terraces, I was keen to see how different the Canadians would be in the stands.
What would the songs be like — and would they serve decent half-time pies? After an eight-hour flight from London, I touched down at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and took the 25-minute transfer bus to Union Station downtown.
I was staying at the Delta Toronto, the city's newest hotel, right in the heart of the SouthCore area, which is buzzing with shops, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment.
But it was especially perfect for me as it was just a five-minute walk to Rogers Stadium (baseball) and Air Canada Center (basketball and lacrosse).
It's also close to the Toronto CN Tower — a great place to have dinner in the revolving restaurant 1,814ft up in the air.
After waking early the next morning, I took in the amazing views of Lake Ontario from my new pad and set out on a pregame walk around the city.
I ended up at the Gooderham and Worts whisky distillery in the Historic District, which is full of cobbled streets and red brick, Victorian-era buildings.
It's home to many of Toronto's hottest designer boutiques, unique cafes, artisan shops, breathtaking art galleries, performance venues and award-winning restaurants.
After lunch at the trendy Mexican restaurant El Catrin, I headed to the Real Sports Bar next to the Air Canada Center for some more pre-game food — and more importantly, beer.
The pub was full of sports fans watching on more than 200 TVs on show, one being a monster 39ft HD big screen.
I'd have been happy to stay there for ever.
Fed and watered, I made the short walk to the Air Canada Center and settled into my seat to watch the first of three events this weekend.
This was an NBA match featuring superstar Kyle Lowry and his Toronto Raptors.
Entering the stadium I was met by the impressive sight of around 20,000 fans surrounding the basketball court. The atmosphere was very different to what I'm used to at West Ham.
The supporters were very well behaved and the atmosphere was a lot more family-friendly.
It was like a circus with plenty of stuff apart from the game to grab your attention.
This ranged from fans taking shots from the half-way line for cash or cheerleaders firing T-shirts into the crowd with special guns.
There was so much entertainment I don't even remember much of the game.
Toronto won the match but having already qualified for the playoffs, nobody seemed too bothered.
The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel's Soco restaurant, I headed to the Rogers Center to watch Jose Bautista, inset, and the Toronto Blue Jays in their season opener against the famous Boston Red Sox.
I arrived early to watch the batting practice and to take in their incredible indoor 53,000-seat stadium.
Walking around the arena, I was amazed by the amount of food on offer. It seemed like people were more interested in eating than the game.
I sat down with my pizza and huge drink, ready to be entertained when one of the players warming up hit a high ball right over us and, as everyone ducked for cover, I nearly lost my food! Luckily, I held on and the game began five minutes later.
I know a bit about the rules of baseball but it was fortunate I had an expert sitting with me to explain more.
Though while asking the most obvious questions, I did get some funny looks from the seasoned fans.
After the game finished, the feast of sport continued for me as, after an hour or so back at the hotel, I headed back to the Air Canada Center.
This time it was to watch lacrosse — the one sport on this trip that I was clueless about.
Settling in to my seat, I could tell it was going to be much more like what I'm used to back home watching the Premier League — and then some.
Seats were closer to the pitch than I'm used to and the supporters were rowdier.
It didn't take long for me to realise why. Within minutes of kick off, a five-man brawl broke out on the field. It was savage, with fists flying as supporters egged on their men.
More travel
This went on to happen a few times during the match. And it didn't even stop at half-time when they had kids' teams playing a short match during the break.
This little "friendly" got far rougher than any sport I play now, let alone when I was nine.
Heading back to the airport the next day, I thought I might look into lacrosse teams in London and give it a try myself.
I also made a mental note to start buying more lottery tickets.
This really was the kind of weekend away I could get used to.
GO: TORONTO
GETTING THERE: Air Canada operates four non-stop daily services from Heathrow to Toronto, with return economy flights starting from £474.15. See or call 0871 220 1111.
STAYING THERE: The Delta Toronto Hotel has rooms starting from £100.81 per room night. See .
MORE INFO: See .