well actually by the time we finally get across the border it's about 3pm...fingerprints, photos, family history what else do you need.... we're sad to leave Canada so much more to do and see!! we will be back (that's a promise not a threat by the way)
the long journey South is rewarded with free booze and snacks at our hotel happy hour !! they like the serve the local wheat beer with a slice of orange we learn.... We're staying bit North of the centre in the University area of town so only couple minutes away from a little marina and some lovely view including some students practising martial arts... the local kayaking place has a Mexican restaurant attached ... bingo.... !!
right gotta sign off now as Seinfeld is on!
Thursday 29 July 2010
Tuesday 27 July 2010
where were we?
thu 22/07
so our first drizzly day has us booking a cruise on Lake Maligne... on the way we spot an Elk and a black bear cub.....but we have a somewhat grumpy driver so no photos ! boooo!
once on the lake we learn all about glaciers and stop off at Spirit Island just in time to see a deer walk along back into the forest from the island to the shore because because the island is actually a peninsula... and guess what there are solar power ecological loos....then we head back to the tea house for rasperry scones !!
then back to jasper to do some laundry and catch the 10 o clock Seinfeld double bill
fri 23/07
TRAIN leaves somewhat delayed but we make up time on the way despite having to reverse one mile en route to pick up two elderly German cyclists in the middle of nowhere.... i spend most of the time in the skydome which is populated by quite interesting people quizzing me about who the Prime Minister of Canada is - of course i have no idea but then he didn't know the UK or German one so there!!... there is also a non-stop-talking train expert - his 26th trip on this route ..so we get running commentary - thank God for my new headphones - then i hit a new low when a lady next to me says "there sure are a lot of trees"....
we leave it too late to get food so are left with pot noodle tomato flavour but then i have that for lunch most days....
the views are fantastic though .. you just don't get tired of rivers, lakes and mountains... there is a full moon so even in the dark you catch you find yourself staring out at moonlit lakes....
24/07
we arrive a bit knackered but our North Vancouver hotel is brand new and a room is available to check in at 11am!! result! we head to Granville Island to meet up with Christine and go to best VEGGIE food place ever.... we have Nachos for starters on a plate the size of a 14 inch pizza and that is small Nachos.... and we drink beer out of jam jars... quite a few of them
25 / 07
sunday starts with a swing - well breakfast at Londsdale market (think Borough market but indoors and next to the bay with the Vancouver Skyline in the back) - there is a Gospel choir singing Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye tunes... then off to the Vancouver Tower for view of the city before we watch the sun-tanned Vancouverites?? play volleyball on Kitsilano Beach.... then on to Gastown - we start at a touristy pub and end in a dodgy... Igor and the Red Elvises charged $10 cover charge so we went back to the dodgy pub... at which stage we realised we missed the last seabus (it's a ferry) to North Vancouver so Night Bus it is....
26 / 07
another sunny day so we're off to stanley park for a walkabout and a visit to the Aquarium which is expensive but ace.. dolphins, beluga whales, otters, birds, crocodiles and even a sloth!! we end up suitably thirsty so head for the pub.... not just any pub but the Morrissey Pub..... guess who wanted to go there?? and no we didn't miss the ferry a second time
27 / 07
after a couple of days in the city we decide it's time for some nature and hiking and we're only a 20min bus ride to lynn canyon which is perfect as it's nice and shady (did i mention it's a another hot, sunny day yet?) we brave the suspension bridge to hike to the twin falls, then on to rice lake
and go back via the loop trail....
after quick swim i head out to watch the sunset on nearby Ambleside Beach............aaaaah this is the life!!!!!
tomorrow - last day in Canada!!
so our first drizzly day has us booking a cruise on Lake Maligne... on the way we spot an Elk and a black bear cub.....but we have a somewhat grumpy driver so no photos ! boooo!
once on the lake we learn all about glaciers and stop off at Spirit Island just in time to see a deer walk along back into the forest from the island to the shore because because the island is actually a peninsula... and guess what there are solar power ecological loos....then we head back to the tea house for rasperry scones !!
then back to jasper to do some laundry and catch the 10 o clock Seinfeld double bill
fri 23/07
TRAIN leaves somewhat delayed but we make up time on the way despite having to reverse one mile en route to pick up two elderly German cyclists in the middle of nowhere.... i spend most of the time in the skydome which is populated by quite interesting people quizzing me about who the Prime Minister of Canada is - of course i have no idea but then he didn't know the UK or German one so there!!... there is also a non-stop-talking train expert - his 26th trip on this route ..so we get running commentary - thank God for my new headphones - then i hit a new low when a lady next to me says "there sure are a lot of trees"....
we leave it too late to get food so are left with pot noodle tomato flavour but then i have that for lunch most days....
the views are fantastic though .. you just don't get tired of rivers, lakes and mountains... there is a full moon so even in the dark you catch you find yourself staring out at moonlit lakes....
24/07
we arrive a bit knackered but our North Vancouver hotel is brand new and a room is available to check in at 11am!! result! we head to Granville Island to meet up with Christine and go to best VEGGIE food place ever.... we have Nachos for starters on a plate the size of a 14 inch pizza and that is small Nachos.... and we drink beer out of jam jars... quite a few of them
25 / 07
sunday starts with a swing - well breakfast at Londsdale market (think Borough market but indoors and next to the bay with the Vancouver Skyline in the back) - there is a Gospel choir singing Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye tunes... then off to the Vancouver Tower for view of the city before we watch the sun-tanned Vancouverites?? play volleyball on Kitsilano Beach.... then on to Gastown - we start at a touristy pub and end in a dodgy... Igor and the Red Elvises charged $10 cover charge so we went back to the dodgy pub... at which stage we realised we missed the last seabus (it's a ferry) to North Vancouver so Night Bus it is....
26 / 07
another sunny day so we're off to stanley park for a walkabout and a visit to the Aquarium which is expensive but ace.. dolphins, beluga whales, otters, birds, crocodiles and even a sloth!! we end up suitably thirsty so head for the pub.... not just any pub but the Morrissey Pub..... guess who wanted to go there?? and no we didn't miss the ferry a second time
27 / 07
after a couple of days in the city we decide it's time for some nature and hiking and we're only a 20min bus ride to lynn canyon which is perfect as it's nice and shady (did i mention it's a another hot, sunny day yet?) we brave the suspension bridge to hike to the twin falls, then on to rice lake
and go back via the loop trail....
after quick swim i head out to watch the sunset on nearby Ambleside Beach............aaaaah this is the life!!!!!
tomorrow - last day in Canada!!
Wednesday 21 July 2010
too busy hiking to do any blogging
but will update in couple of hours (after our evening walk) it's daylight till 10pm so we are making the most of it - check back in a couple of hours for photos !!
in bullet points
sat 17th
walk around toronto - indian parade hare hare hare krishna along the main shopping street, then onto harbourfront (i'll take the 2nd yacht on the right) st lawrence food market (bargain rhubarb and apple pie)
sun 18th
niagara falls - two maidens riding in the mist (those of you who've been there will know what I'm on about)
CN Tower including vertigo inducing glass floor (only 3x4m mind) lovely views though
mon 19th
fly to edmonton (including barking dogs under plane -somewhat distressing, even more distressing the news that David Cameron is our First Officer on board)
not very scenic downtown so might as well watch some good-looking men on a giant screen - Inception - i kind of lost interest after level 3 - worth seeing though
nice of of the day in the completed deserted swimming pool !!
tue 20th
greyhound to jasper - it's high season and only about 10 people on our bus !!
arrive to glorious scenery and sunshine so decide to go for evening walk - which was pretty steep and demanding - SORRY JO!... we spotted 5 deer though and had couple of pints afterwards
wed 21th
sunshine again - hurrah so up to Jasper Tramway and then up to summit where there is snow!
just got back an hour ago but will have bit of evening stroll followed by some beers which may or may not cause a delay in uploading those photos.....
in bullet points
sat 17th
walk around toronto - indian parade hare hare hare krishna along the main shopping street, then onto harbourfront (i'll take the 2nd yacht on the right) st lawrence food market (bargain rhubarb and apple pie)
sun 18th
niagara falls - two maidens riding in the mist (those of you who've been there will know what I'm on about)
CN Tower including vertigo inducing glass floor (only 3x4m mind) lovely views though
mon 19th
fly to edmonton (including barking dogs under plane -somewhat distressing, even more distressing the news that David Cameron is our First Officer on board)
not very scenic downtown so might as well watch some good-looking men on a giant screen - Inception - i kind of lost interest after level 3 - worth seeing though
nice of of the day in the completed deserted swimming pool !!
tue 20th
greyhound to jasper - it's high season and only about 10 people on our bus !!
arrive to glorious scenery and sunshine so decide to go for evening walk - which was pretty steep and demanding - SORRY JO!... we spotted 5 deer though and had couple of pints afterwards
wed 21th
sunshine again - hurrah so up to Jasper Tramway and then up to summit where there is snow!
just got back an hour ago but will have bit of evening stroll followed by some beers which may or may not cause a delay in uploading those photos.....
Thursday 15 July 2010
The House Always Wins ...Unless Auntie Jane is in Residence!
First trip to Toronto yesterday. Beautiful city, could quite easily move there. Found Kensington Market which is very much like Portabello Market and as for Chinatown, it goes on for miles! Maybe that why its the 3rd largest in the world. However you can beat the view along the Waterfront. We may have the River Thames but there is nothing quite like looking out across a crystal blue Great Lake. Can't wait for the weekend, when Heike and I can explore more!
In the evening, we all made the trip up to the local Casino near Orillia, which is owned by the native Indians. We were actually there to see a bit of good old American Rock...John Mellencamp! Remember 'Jack and Diane'? He in fact sang a lot of his new album, which had more of a country/bluegrass feel and so was more up my street.
We did let Auntie Jane loose in the Casino afterwards. A maze of tables and slot machines that dazzle the eyes! And the results were sweet...she won $265 at Poker! Its not for beginners though. Auntie Jane is an expert at the cards so don't believe the House gives away its hard-earned cash to just anybody!
In the evening, we all made the trip up to the local Casino near Orillia, which is owned by the native Indians. We were actually there to see a bit of good old American Rock...John Mellencamp! Remember 'Jack and Diane'? He in fact sang a lot of his new album, which had more of a country/bluegrass feel and so was more up my street.
We did let Auntie Jane loose in the Casino afterwards. A maze of tables and slot machines that dazzle the eyes! And the results were sweet...she won $265 at Poker! Its not for beginners though. Auntie Jane is an expert at the cards so don't believe the House gives away its hard-earned cash to just anybody!
Monday 12 July 2010
For Sure...
Right whilst Heike is recovering from Germany's outcome in the 'Soccer' World Cup I've been spending the first few days of my trip with my family in Barrie Ontario. Barrie is about 60 miles north of Toronto, right on the edge of Lake Simcoe.
Weather has been great - 30 degrees - so the locals can enjoy the sun and beaches during the summer and then the ski slopes in the winter.
Been treated to some great days out: movie and family BBQ on Saturday and a trip into the hills on Sunday.
One downside to the trip so far...got bitten by the midges within hours of arriving! Typical! Must have seen the Englishwoman coming! But hey I think its going to be an continual occurence on this world trip!
And why the title 'For Sure'? Seems to be what the kids are in to. But tends to get a wee bit grinding when said at the end of EVERY sentence!
Will be taking my first trip into Toronto in the next couple of days so will report back then.
Ta ta for now!
Jo x
Weather has been great - 30 degrees - so the locals can enjoy the sun and beaches during the summer and then the ski slopes in the winter.
Been treated to some great days out: movie and family BBQ on Saturday and a trip into the hills on Sunday.
One downside to the trip so far...got bitten by the midges within hours of arriving! Typical! Must have seen the Englishwoman coming! But hey I think its going to be an continual occurence on this world trip!
And why the title 'For Sure'? Seems to be what the kids are in to. But tends to get a wee bit grinding when said at the end of EVERY sentence!
Will be taking my first trip into Toronto in the next couple of days so will report back then.
Ta ta for now!
Jo x
Thursday 1 July 2010
21st century
have decided to start a blog for my travelling adventure and who knows i might even update it every once in a while...... expect lots of photos and lots of uninteresting facts .... oh and i like a good moan too
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