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.
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.
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.
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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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)
Canadian Rockies: Day 11 (Victoria whale watching)
Canadian Rockies: Day 10 (Victoria)
Canadian Rockies: Day 9 (Jasper)
Canadian Rockies: Day 8 (Jasper)
Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Loiuse)
Canadian Rockies: Day 6 (Banff national park)
Canadian Rockies: Day 5 (Banff)
Canadian Rockies: Day 4 (Glacier National Park)
Canadian Rockies: Day 3 (Waterton)
Canadian Rockies: Days 1 and 2 (Calgary)
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