slash fundas: Canadian Rockies: Day 7 (Lake Louise and Jasper)

Sunday, September 24, 2017

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)