Category: Canada

It is time to go home already. I woke up early in the morning, and waited in the bus station. There is few people waiting bus, and one old man told me few buses just passed without stoping.

I took bus 95, and then transfer to the train at the waterfront station. I arrived at the airport too early.

The US Customes office is at the Vancouver airport, and I didn’t need to go through at the San Diego airport again. It is much easier and convenient.

 

This is my last day in this Canada trip. The first day is so much excitement, and I saw new things everyday. It was a lack of freedom to do, but I enjoyed being a part of group. Here is a lesson that I learned.

First, you have to be healthy enough to do what you like. If you are sick or not healthy, you are not able to any activites with your full energy.

Second, always be prepared for the uncertainty. I like hiking, but I did not prepared for it. I don’t have proper gears to go mountains, and I hurt my knee after hiking long hours. As a result, I was not able to make the remaining days not so great.

Third, meet new people and make friends. Human is a social creature, and it felts more happiness when they are surrounded by nice people. I need to find a way to meet people and how to become a friend with them.

Today morning, I am still not feeling good on my knee. I just get out of hotel and took bus to Canada Place. This is the place on my first day in Vancouver. I rented a bike, and run the Stanely Park again.

I took picture on Gastown Vancouver Steam clock, and there were already many people around.

On way back, I ate lunch in Japanese restaurant, and it was very good choice.

I sit by the seawall and enjoyed the sunshine.

 

 

 

 

 

It is already day 8 in Canada. I hurt my knee on the hike yesterday, and I was not able to go any outdoor activities. I visited Capilano Suspension Bridge in the morning. There was a shuttle bus from Canada place, and it crossed Lion Gate Bridge.

The fee for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park was CAD 46.95, and I just spend there about one hour to look around. The bridge is longer than the one in sea to sky gondola.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, I was back to Canada Place, and watch Fly Over Canada. It was very short movie that shows famous places in Canada with like real.

Then, I stopped at Granville island for lunch, and bought some fruits. This is the first place I went on day 1.

 

 

 

 

It was little tired after long trip to Banff and Jasper. Today, I took sea to sky gondola, and then hike towards co-pilot.

 

 

 

 

I start the day in the fitness, and left the hotel at 9:00. We stopped at the small town that has salmon hatchery.

The next stop was wine tasting.

Then, we stopped at Kamloops mall and return to Vancouver.

After all people left, I dinner with friends.

In the morning, we took gondola to Sulphur mountain summit, and ate breakfast at gondola station. I wanted go observatory again, and went with two girls. It was little cold, but better for walking because fresh snow makes some cushion. This is pretty town and lots of activities that I enjoy. Probably, I will visit here again next summer.

We stopped at the Lake Louise, and took a short trail to the Fairview Lookout. The view from the above was great.

We stopped at the Lake Louise Village and take a little eye shopping, and had lunch. One the way, the traffic was blocked because of construction. We waited about 20 minutes there.

The next stop was Yoho National park, where there is Natural Bridge and kicking horse river. The water flow between the rocks is so fast.

The next stop was Emerald Lake, and three adventures went Hamilton Falls about 0.7 km. But there was no waterfall, and it is little disappointing.

The next stop was Hemlock Grove, and there are about 400 m loop trail.

The next stop was Dam area from upper street.

Today is day 2 at Banff, also the group has the freedom to do what they want. Early in the morning, we went out for the wild life watching. It was still dark, and we are hoping to spot animals, elk, deer, and bear. I saw a couple of elks and deers, but did not see the bear, indeed we saw “false bear”.

Then we went Lake Minnewanka, but because of heavy fog we did not have a good view of it.

This hotel is the icon of Banff. The architecture is impressive and hotel price was very expensive.

The first thing I did after breakfast is to go hiking Tunnel Mountain, which is 2.3 km one-way. It said the easiest hike near Banff downtown. Fortunately, there are three more companies that I can go with. It was easy as described, but it was very slippery because the snow early morning. Some sections are little icy and it makes more difficult to get down.

After lunch, I planned to go Cave and Basin historic site, but it was closed during this time of the year. And, I was looking some alternatives, but I couldn’t think of anything except hiking. Sulphur mountain is where Banff gondola is heading to. So, I decided to hiking there, and it was one of difficult hiking trail. Also, it is snowing and already a lot of snow is on the trail. I don’t have any hiking shoes, poles, and chains that goes under shoes. It was very slippery on way up and way down. Finally, I was able to make the summit, and the observatory. Actually, the observatory is the highest point. I had the temptation to get down with gondola, but I just came down with my leg. It takes about 2 hour 20minutes round trip, and I stayed about 10 minutes at the gondola station at the top.

 

There was heavy fog, and I couldn’t see the lake behind hotels. It was cabin style hotel and some rooms are on the second floor. Left hotel at 8:00 am, and we gonna pick up our breakfast, then headed to Jasper. The 31 F in the morning, and I felt much colder.

The first stop was Mt Robson provincial park, and we had breakfast and look around visitor center. This Mountain is tallest in the Canadian Rockies, and I was told it is very difficult to summit because of the need of climbing and snow hazards.

Then, we stop at Jasper Village, and ate lunch. There is not much things to do in Village.

On way to icefield, we stopped at a couple of viewpoints and took pictures.

Considering it is off season, there are still many people in Columbia icefield. There are few options, and I went glacier skywalk. You need to buy a ticket and take a bus for 8 minutes to go there. There is no private parking there. On way down I saw mountain goat, but the bus passed by so quickly. I don’t have a picture for it.

Then we stopped at first big lake, and then another stop then 15 munites walk to Lac Peyto Lake, there was snow on the trail but it was worth to visit. It was pretty lake to view from the high point.

Wake up early morning, and check out the hotels. It was easy to find Canada place because I went here yesterday.

The bus left 10 minutes late, and the first stop was Hope. The driver said it was named “Hope for gold in early years”. The city was small and there is nothing except coffee break. The local gift shop was there, but it is little over priced, and I didn’t buy any stuff. The white honey is a kind of interesting item. Also, the city has a river and mountains, which make me attractive. The mountains looks taller and surrounds the area.

There is almost no car on the way, which is different than California. If you want to live with solitude and good nature, this area might be good for you.

About an hour, we stopped by small convenience store with gas in Fraser Valley. The weather was sunny, and temperature was 46 F at 11:00. The gas price is little expensive in Canada, $1.41. Considering the Conversion rate, it would be $4.2 US dollars.

Take a lunch break at the gas station and fast food Tim Hortons. I usually not eating fast food, but there is no other choice. But, it looks healthier than the one in US.

The next stop was Aberdeen mall at kamloops, which I believe the better choice for lunch break.

The next stop was waterfall to the north of Clearwater. There was parking area and short trail that leads to the Spahats waterfall. There was snow and little chilly at early October.

Our hotel is Mike Wiegele, and arrived at 7:00 pm. The dinner place is local restaurant which is only place in town. I didn’t expect it is good, but not bad. It’s almost 9:00 pm after dinner, and return to the hotel and wrap up the day 2.

Wake up early morning, and headed to San Diego airport. Air Canada does not have kiosk, and I check in with staff. I just bought new carry on luggage, but I couldn’t take it with me because it was little over-sized. Waited about an hour and half, the plane finally took off. Some pretty girl sit next to me, which I never had that experience before. About 3 hours, I arrived at Canada, and the first I look at was totems, then so many people waiting for security exit.

I got a SIM card replaced, enjoy unlimited call and text, though I have no person that I know in Canada. The company name was phonebox and it has better deal than other mobile provider. Cross the street and get a skyline train. I got compass card and bought one day pass, which I can use train and bus for a day.

I needed to drop my luggage at the hotel, and luckily there is one room available and I was able to check in. Then I went to Granville island to eat lunch. It was about 20 minutes walk from hotel, and I needed to cross the bridge.

There are many new constructions going on and the view from the bridge was great.

I went public market and there many choices I can eat. I chose to eat steamed chicken thigh with vegetables. The grocery also has good selection of fruits, vegetables, and meat.

Then, I take a bus to waterfront. I didn’t decide where to go, but that’s the stop the bus was heading to. This is the place I will take tour bus tomorrow, and the mountains over the sea was impressive.

I rent a bike, and cycling along seawall which is sorrouding Stanley park.

At some point, I turn around, and return the bike. On way to hotel, I exchange the US dollar to Canada dollar, and the exchange rate was much better at VBCE than airport.

I also saw Korean grocery, and ate dinner here. I think the lunch at Granville public market is much better.

Finally, I went hotel and conclude the day 1 at Vancouver. My first impression was good, and lots of activities that I like.