slash fundas: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Canadian Rockies: Day 11-13 (Vancouver highlights)

On day #11, I took the ferry and came to Vancouver. Much of Vancouver is filled with Asians. The whole 36 km distance between Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and my hotel in Burnaby, I could see see more Asians than Canadians. If you look out Vancouver from its downtown Canada place, it reminds you of Hong Kong; good and efficient public transport, waterways, tall skyscrapers, and so on. It's only when you travel in other areas of Vancouver, like Coquitlam, north Vancouver, it starts to look more American. It's a place that grows on you.

My first day's second half was spent on board the hop-on-hop-off bus. I didn't hop off, but just took the whole circuit of the main Vancouver city, soaking in many sights like the Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown and China Town. Spending time at the Metropolis at Metrotown mall was a pleasure and finally got a chance to do some shopping. But not much, actually.

Day#12 was a day's trip to Whistler and back. This was the sight and village for 2010 winter Olympics. I took the gondola all the way up to the Whistler peak, took another to go to the other side of the mountain and came back down in an open-air gondola. Layers were necessary at the top, but otherwise Whistler was pleasant and warm.

Day#13 was largely family time. Some time at Lyn's Canyon with a family friend and then later dinner with another branch of my family at Coquitlam, rounded off a very memorable trip to Canada.

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria; whale watching)

After an early morning breakfast at the fantastic Jam Cafe on Herald Street (a must do when you're in Victoria downtown), I head straight for Springtide Whale Watching & Eco Tours office at the Victoria harbour. The waters of Victoria and Vancouver attracts a lot of marine life but none as spectacular and popular as the whales and sharks. If you're lucky, you can see the Orca whales (also known as the killer whales), Humpback whales, in addition to sea lions and eagles. But our aim was to watch the whales. There are several whale watching companies out there. All the whale watching companies have broadly two types of boats; the cruisers (family boats...they move slowly...have a seating area and an open-air deck) and the zodiac boats. The zodiac boats are lightning fast. I had booked a seat on the cruiser boat, but since it had not got enough registrations, Springtide requested me to shift to the zodiac boat. I was only too happy to.

Jam Cafe

The ride on zodiac boats is very thrilling. It is like a race car on sea. It is safe for kids, but you cannot move around or get up when the boat is moving. It is 28 feet long and can seat only 12 passengers. We were taken to the dock where the boats were. All zodiac boat passengers were then divided into two groups (one group for each of the boats) and were given thick full-body suits. We had two cute kids (siblings) who were only too excited to wear the suits and get onto the boat. After a brief safety demonstration, we were in the boat and started. The first few minutes the boat went very slowly. There is a speed limit to all boats within the bay area. Specific areas are also demarcated for the sea planes for taxiing, take-off and landing. The boats can't swim or cruise in such areas. Once we were out in the vast ocean, we picked up speed.

We saw the Humpback from a great, great distance. The giveaway? Snorting of water from the whale's nostrils coming from the underneath and jetting out like a water fountain. We started cruising towards it, but then our boat's captain got a call that a family of Orcas were cruising elsewhere. So we decided to turn and go in the other direction. After cruising for about another 45 minutes or so at full speed, we saw a family of 4-5 Orcas cruising. It was fun to watch them, but it was from a great, great distance. And when Orcas cruise, they come out of water very briefly and the go back inside. They hop and jump and forge ahead. We followed them for quite a distance and then left them and returned back to the shore.

Did I enjoy my first-ever whale watching experience? Not really, but I am glad I did. Whale watching is not the same experience as, say, a wildlife land safari. The land safari can give you continuous glimpse. In a whale watching, you are over the sea, but the creatures are under the sea. You only get a glimpse of the whales and sharks when you are out in the sea and if you're lucky. Don't expect to see them continuously at a stretch.

Orca whale

Land safaris also allow us to get much closer to the animals, without them knowing or feeling our presence. Also, in land safaris, many times the wild animals get used to human (tourist) presence, so they don't mind. But in sea safari, we cannot get close to the creatures because we are in boats and that disturbs them a lot. So, keep in mind these things and tone down your expectation for a whale safari. Will I ever go in another one? Ofcourse, I will. Because sea safaris are not to be had in India and how many times would I go to places where there is whale watching. So yeah, definitely, looking forward to another whale watching experience.

Canoe Brewpub in Victoria

Lunch was at the marvellous Canoe Brewpub, an excellent suggestion by my hotel. Located in downtown Victoria on Swift Street, it is on the banks of the harbour. There is an indie air-conditioned sitting and an outside al-fresco sitting. I preferred to sit outside and right next to the water's edge. The restaurant brews its own beer and I was offered four varieties. Lovely thai rice and chicken (very different from the Thai food in India) and a lovely dessert made for a stomach-filling and a very awesome lunch. I took the rest of the day off and retired in my room.

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Canadian Rockies - Day 10 (Victoria; Butchart Gardens)

Time to embark on the solo leg of my trip and it started off with an early morning flight from Calgary to Victoria. Air travel within the US and Canada often gives us the opportunity to fly by smaller aircrafts. My Calgary - Victoria flight was on a Bombardier aircraft; a single aisle with 2x2 seating aircraft. We flew over many ice fields before we landed at Victoria. a good 45-minute to an hour ride to downtown Victoria landed me at my hotel. But since I was about four hours early, I left my baggage, freshened up and left for the Butchart gardens. That's the first thing we tourists do when we are in Victoria.

The ice fields we see from air between Calgary and Victoria

Victoria, at first impression, looks for most parts a large bunch of villages that have come together to form the city. The so-called glitz of a typical Canadian / American city is reserved for its downtown area. Rest of Victoria is very green and it looks like a hilly region, though not mountainous. There are cute cottages and homes spread across the length and breadth of Victoria, especially as I see them as drive down in my double decker bus to the Butchart gardens.

Great Eggfly butterfly

White Tree Nymph

There was a small stop to be made, en route. But the Butterfly gardens turned out to be more than just a small pitstop; it's a beautiful place to learn about- and see so many- butterflies. It's a large greenhouse that they've made it into a forest with dozens of butterfly species such as Lacewing Butterfly, Blue Morpho, Green Moss Peacock, Giant Owl Butterfly and the Giant Atlas Moth, which is so large it is seen to be believed. We saw birds like Blue & Gold Macaw (a type of a parrot, but very colourful as the name suggests) flamingo in its specially created stream, in addition to the Green Iguana, Red Footed Tortoise and Poison Dart Frogs. Several different types of insects such as Leaf Cutter ants, Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis and spiders like the Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater were also there.

Monarch butterfly

The Butterfly garden is just 2 kms short of the Butchart gardens. Typically, take a joint ticket that enables you to get off at the Butterfly garden enroute to the Butchart gardens. Then, once you're done with the Butterfly garden, you can get out and take the same bus company's hop-on-hop-off bus to proceed towards the Butchart Gardens. Bear in mind that you must get off first at the Butterfly gardens first and then do Butchart Gardens. Do not do it the other way around because on return, the bus doesn't stop to pick up people from the Butterfly gardens.

Butchart gardens area where the original limestone quarry once stood

The Butchart gardens are beautiful. The gardens were once upon a time, a quarry that belonged to Robert Him Butchart who came here for this region's rich lime deposits , to feed the cement industry. Once the lime deposits got exhausted, Robert's wife, Jennie started to grow gardens in different corners around the home (which I believe now is the central gift shop, gallery and coffee shop) and its grounds. Eventually,

Butchart gardens

Amongst the many mini-gardens here, there's a Rose garden, Japanese garden and an Italian garden. The coffee shop is good and I had a sandwich and a delicious chocolate ice-cream. By 3 pm I am dine and I glad to catch the bus back to Victoria and relax in my lovely hotel room, overlooking the clock tower.

Butchart gardens

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper and Athabasca Glacier)

Today is the last day of the tour. We left Jasper early morning on the way to the Athabasca Glacier. We had to reach there by 9 am so that we could avoid the large crowds. All through this trip, we had seen glaciers (including the Studfield Glacier we saw from the bus after we left Jasper), but we never got a chance to walk on one. Athabasca Glacier was that rare glacier where people are allowed to walk. The glacier- like all other glaciers- is receding, and we were shown the mark at which it had reached at its peak and where it is now. That was quite a difference. In another 20 years time, we were told, Athabasca Glacier would be no more.

Athabasca glacier

We alighted from our tour bus at the visitor centre opposite at the foothills of the glacier and boarded the glacier service special bus that takes us close to the glacier. From there, we take the special red bus that takes us on the glacier. The wheels of this red bus are huge that enables the bus to walk- it looked more like crawling than walking- on the bus. At one point, the road's descent (or ascent, depending in which direction you re going) seemed rather steep. It reminded me of Hong Kong's peak tram.

The red glacier bus that takes us onto the Athabasca glacier

Walking on the glacier was fun. On the way to the top- in the red bus with giant wheels- we spotted a large group of men and women who were hiking all the way up to the glacier. The bus driver told us that there is only a designated area on the glacier for people to get off and walk as the ice is weak on many areas. If you step on such places, the ice may give in and you sink inside and drown in icy cold waters down below. That's scary!

Athabasca glacier

After a brief lunch halt, we visited the last lake of the trip, the Peyto lake. Unlike the Moraine lake which had an unmistakable greenish hue, the Peyto lake had a dark blueish hue. It was one of the prettiest lake I had ever seen. It was also our tour guide Robyn's favourite lake and we finally saw the lake she was talking about throughout the trip. And I could see why she loved the lake so much. The star like shape the lake shore had taken on one end was very interesting.

Lake Peyto

That done, we headed back to Calgary from where we had started the trip. This time, we stayed opposite the Calgary international airport. In the evening, we had our farewell dinner with our friends, followed by a good night's sleep.

End of a very memorable Gate1 trip of the Canadian Rockies and I left for Victoria the next day, on my own, with very fond memories.

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper National Park, Spirit Island)

Jasper was cold. It was around 1 degree C in the night we were in the Jasper. The next morning felt very cold too, at about 5-6 degrees, and we had to put on layers while in the bus itself. But we were told it would warm up in the day. But if the first thing in such weather that you're going to do is to take a boat ride in a lake, you better warm up. We went past lush green forests and Athabasca river to reach our first stop of the day; the Medicine lake. It was cold and foggy and we couldn't see the lake shore from afar. Boats were lined up, all decked up and ready.

After a brief washroom and cafe stop- I wasn't the least bit hungry as we just had a heavy breakfast- we were in the boat and zipping. Two girls were in charge; one was driving the boat and the other was the guide explaining us the significance of the medicine lake and the Spirit Island. Medicine lake owes its popularity, to an extent, to Kodak. Peter Gales' image of the Spirit Island- which is at one end of the lake- and which was taken from a Kodak camera was hung at the Grand Central station in New York in August and September 1960. This island is held to be sacred by the First Nation people and hence we weren't allowed to step on it. But there were enough pathways on the shore to take pictures of it.

On the way back, was a hidden jewel that Robyn took us to. It was a canyon- called the Maligne Canyon- that appeared out of nowhere. It was quite deep, befitting a canyon, with only a narrow crevice from the ground level from where we could see the canyon and admire its depth.

Lunch was on our own back in Jasper town and my friend and I walked through the town, searching for the right place. We chose an A&W burger outlet.

A couple watering their plants at the community garden

In the evening, we took the Sawridge Inn shuttle car to bring us to town. Since this hotel is 2 kms away from the main town, it has a shuttle facility to take us to the town. But the return trip is on our own. Both my friend and I love to walk, so it was a pleasure to walk back after a very light dinner (soup only actually, as I wasn't hungry). On our way, we came across the Jasper community garden. It's a local municipality-owned place where tow residents cane take up plots and grow plants, flowers and fruits. We met this old couple who had a plot there; the wife was caring their large, white dog who she said came into their lives, the husband was watering the plants. Residents who don't have space in their houses to grow a garden can take up plots at a community garden. Indian cities would do well to have such community gardens; it's one idea I would like to import into India.

Jasper community garden

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Louise and Jasper)

Time to leave Banff and within minutes of leaving the hotel, we were zipping on the highway, past the Vermillion lakes and beautiful memories of the previous evening's biking session I had, on the way to Lake Loiuse. Our first stop was at Moraine lake. Although its to choose a favourite lake in Canadian Rockies among more than three dozen lakes in the region, Moraine lake was my favourite. The road leading up to was wet- it had just rained early morning before we reached- and it was cold and gloomy. And the turn just before we reach the lake, we were told, was open only to few vehicles at a time and I think we were lucky to reach there just in time because just before we took the final curve, I could see the authorities preparing to shut the road. Once we alighted the bus, we had to do a mini hike to get up to a vantage point to get a good view of the lake. And it was memorising.

Moraine lake

Clear water with an unmistakable greenish hue, Moraine lake was a beauty. In my opinion, only Pangong Lake in Ladakh region in India, would more than match Moraine's beauty. We met a photographer who said he was there for five hours that day just to get the sun- which was behind us at that time- to get to the right position so he could get a clear picture of the lake. I could relate to that passion, as I'd spent hours in Ladakh, at different places, to get that picture perfect sunset.

Lake Loiuse

Next stop was Lake Louise. Another beautiful lake with a vast pathway along its shores. There was a newly wed couple there getting their pictures taken. I think they may have just got married there before we reached because I heard the Scottish piper play his pipes. My friend noticed that he had an American flag on the pipes. It's quite usual to see newly weds going to iconic places to get their pictures taken, dressed in their wedding attire. I am told the trend is slowly coming to India; newly weds have been spotted by people getting their pictures on the steps of the Asiatic library in Fort, Mumbai.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel on the banks of Lake Loiuse

The Fairmont Lake Louise hotel is very imposing in the background and I was tempted to go inside and check it out. We were told to marvel at its gardens but frankly, I didn't find them too impressive, given the kind and quantum of resources we were told the hotel has, just for its garden. The hotel was majestic, obviously. The river cafe- a lovely cafe with gigantic windows that give you a view of Lake Louise right in front- was shut, presumably for the couple that got married at Lake Louise. The centre chandelier in the lobby was very impressive with figurines holding forth.

The lobby of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel

Lunch was at this grocery shops' corner where I had my first ice-cream sandwich of the trip. And by the taste of it, it certainly wasn't going to be my last. We chose a bench behind the stores, next to a stream and a railway track. The honk of an engine coming up from behind the tall trees was most thrilling as it pulled up a freight train. The only missing, I thought, was a comfy cottage that I dreamt I could build there and live forever, watching trains go by. By the way, we saw some really long freight trains that just didn't seem to have any last coach!

From here, the ride to Jasper town was very scenic. We reached the Sawridge Inn hotel and it was a very classy hotel. Dinner was at the hotel that night.

The Sawridge Inn at Jasper where we had stayed (below)

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff, gondola ride)

Canadian rockies reminds you a lot of Switzerland and no town reminds you more of the Swiss alps than Banff. Coupled with a gondola (or ropeway, in Indian terminology) that takes you on top of a mountain from where you get panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains, forest cover at the bottom and a town (Banff) far away, it reminded me of Lucerne.

View of Banff town from Sulphur mountain

is a beautiful town if you are to explore. A typical summer resort in an otherwise cold region, Banff is a very residential town once you go past the Banff avenue; the town's main road filled with souvenir shops and restaurants. Once you cross the bride over Bow river and turn left in front of the Cascade gardens and drive up the hill, you go past by cosy homes and sub divisions. People are seen tiding up their garages, watering their plants, getting their cars ready to go on hiking trips, neighbours chatting and catching up. We drove past the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. It looks like an English castle from a distance. This hotel was started by the Canadian Pacific railway ages ago to bring tourists to the Rockies. Eventually, Fairmont group of hotels, a Canadian luxury hotel chain, took over. Barely 15 minutes later, we were inside the gondola, going up to the Sulphur mountain. Once up, we walked to the old observatory and the cosmic ray station, which was a good 15-minutes climb up many flights of stairs.

Last winter, a bear came near this public telephone booth, searching for food. It ripped apart the telephone and took it away and left its powerful paws' impression

There's always a rush to move on when you are in a group tour as they normally pack in so many things. So after a quick cup of chocolate milk and a hurried stroll through the gift shop, we were down and out of the gondola and back in Banff town for lunch. Then, the float ride over the Bow river followed. It was quite slow, at a glacial pace, but allowed to soak in the beauty of the countryside. The river is popularly used for kayaking and on many days during summer, we see groups of men and women kayaking along the river. We saw three Elks in the river curiously looking at us till we were out of sight. I think we interrupted their drinking. On one edge of the river, there were hoodoos; rock formations that look like interesting patterns. I think it took us more than an hour to reach the destination. we bid adios to the boatmen and went back to Banff town.

The Elks in Bow river

The hoodoos on the Bow river (below)

For dinner, my friend and I decided to try Chinese since I was in the mood for Chinese food. The table was at the balcony right above Banff avenue, so that was good. But the food was quite ordinary. Give me Indian Chinese food any day.

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Canadian Rockies: Days 11-13 (Vancouver)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-13-vancouver.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-11-victoria-whale.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-10-victoria.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-9-jasper-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-8-jasper-national.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-7-lake-louise-and.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-6-banff-gondola.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-5.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-4.html

Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-day-3.html

Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)

http://kayezad.blogspot.in/2017/09/canadian-rockies-days-1-and-2.html

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)

Canadian Rockies is known for its lakes, amongst other nature beauties. But the most eye-catching of all lakes are the glacial lakes where water comes from the glaciers. These lakes reflect either dark greenish or blueish hues. Our first lake stop today, after we had lunch at a pitstop, was the Two Jack lake.

Two Jack lake

Since we reached there around 3ish in the afternoon, we didn't see the bright colours that this lake is supposed to reflect. But it was still beautiful. Then, we went past Lake Minnewanka, which I thought was prettier than the Two Jack lake, but that's debatable. On a side note, towards the end of our trip, Robyn our tour guide, took a poll on people's favourite lakes. And the verdict was quite split up.

a food truck (more like a bus than a truck) in Canmore

Lunch stop was at Canmore; another beautiful town in the area. Canmore is just a few miles before Banff. Just the sort of weather where you'd like to outside in one of the many Al Fresco restaurants with some lunch or snacks or even a cup of tea. We reached Banff; our destination for the day and where we'll spend two nights. Banff is a pretty town, quite touristy at first. The main street of Banff (Banff avenue; our hotel was right on it) reminded me of the Fisherman's Wharf; filled largely with souvenir shops and restaurants and lots of people, shopping and eating. But it is a much, much sober version of the Fisherman's Wharf. After checking in, freshening up and nice hot cup of tea in the room, my friend and I head out to explore Banff. There are several walking trails and we chose to walk on the one that took us at the edge of Banff avenue, over the bridge across the Bow river to Cascade gardens, then through the forest trails meandering in a forest cover, bordering the river, right up to the Bow falls. The spot of Bow Falls was like a mini beach that served as a good picnic spot for many.

Banff avenue, as seen from Cascade gardens

For dinner, we chose a nice Greek restaurant on Banff avenue. The place seemed to be popular because there was a waiting list and we had to wait for about 15 mins for our table. It was Greek night; the patron told us. We bet they would be saying this to all their guests, everyday. But it was quite fun. There was a belly dancer who danced away to glory, entertaining all of us with her moves and music, and nudged all of us to join the frivolity. The host, then, came in and asked if any of us are celebrating anything that night. Somebody was celebrating his birthday with his family and the birthday boy got to dance with the bellydancer. Soon, he asked for volunteers to learn the greek dance and many volunteers came forth and they all danced all around the restaurants. We were taught greek dance in seven easy steps. The grand finale: well, ofcourse, to break plates. In perfect greek tradition. This got all the kids in the restaurant excited; all of them came on the floor and got to break plates to glory. Fun night it was. And the food was good. My first-ever Greek cuisine.