Blogs from Banff, Alberta, Canada, North America
May 27th 2012
Hi I hope you hav enjoyed reading about my wonderful 9 week trip of the States and Canada. Apologies go out for taking forever to finish the blogs off, and I hope the wait for some people was rewarded. I thoroughly enjoyed originally writing my journal as I went on my Tour, then writing it up into a book, then extracting and editing each entry for my blog, and as I finished entering the last few entries, even almost 2 years after it had all happened, all theemotions came back to me once more. I would just like to finish the blog with a brief summary of what has happened since the Tour ended. I'm sure there are people who might like to know, whilst others may not give a damn. Here goes: After coming back ... read more
May 23rd 2012
Awful sleep again. I took a sleeping tablet and wore ear plugs but could still hear the drone of the fridge in our room. In the middle of the night I pulled the fridge out of its cabinet but there was a mass of wires all tangled up behind so I had to leave it. When I woke Ian up this morning he asks me did I sleep well as I had kept him awake all night with my snoring???? After another buffet breakfast we head up to Sulphur Mountain. The gondola takes you so far then there is a wooden walkway should you choose to take it to the top. We were knackered when we got there but great views and a little family of chipmunks playing at the top. They run about so fast ... read more
Last full day in Banff - probably last blog
Published: May 24th 2012North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff
May 23rd 2012
As it is our last full day in Banff we really should be making the most of it but we are in can't be arsed moods as we had crap sleep again. We head down to the Banff museum, it is not much bigger than the cabin we had at bear ranch! but it is very informative and they have a lot of stuffed birds and animals that have been there since it opened in 1903. I was quite shocked at the size of the cougar, glad we haven't met a real one on our travels. We drive down to Lake Minnewanka and then on to Johnson's Lake. We have been told the walk around this lake is lovely, not too long and no elevation. They lied about the last bit! It was a lovely walk ... read more
May 22nd 2012
Monday morningwe get up quite late so check out and go into the town to get something to eat. There are two bakeries owned by the same people - The Bear's Paw and The Other Paw. They sell many different coffees and bread; bagels; muffins; scones and cakes - all baked on the premises with the kitchen in full view of the customers. We buy two coffees, a bagel with cream cheese, an egg and ham barm and two raspberry and white chocolate scones and pay $15 or £10. That is the cheapest place we have eaten and definitely one of the best. We visit Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake but again the lake I really wanted to see, Maligne Lake, is still frozen. We start the drive down to Banff which is the Icefield Parkway ... read more
May 16th 2012
Ok...bit of a momentous day for me today....the start of the Rocky Mountaineer trip. Bit of history...the idea for this train trip started to develop when I was in hospital about 18 months ago facing some surgery. Anyway, the women in the bed across the room befriended me and began telling me about her experience on the Rocky Mountaineer. I promised myself that when/if I came through unscathed I would set a goal to go on this train trip....and here I am today. Phew...bit emotional writing this. Life is good, I feel lucky and if I was religious would even say blessed. So, just 'being' here is fantastic and 'a moment'....but what was it like? The experience is wonderful (especially as was upgraded at no cost to gold ticket so had the large domed windows etc) ... read more
Monday & Tuesday (14 &15th May) in Banff
Published: May 16th 2012North America » Canada » Alberta » BanffMay 15th 2012
Couple of days exploring around Banff. Yesterday went back to Lake Louise to spend more time there. Could see that the lake had melted a little more now. Had a lovely walk around the lake. Hey Jenny, I understand the word "slutchy" better now. Did a bit of slip and sliding...whoohooo. Also had a bit of a look see at the famous Fairmont hotel...very nice but am not disappointed didn't stay there...bit OTT for my taste. Today just did another long walk in Banff - headed to Bow River park and enjoyed sitting by the River and then walked further to see the rapids and falls. Beautiful. Took my E-reader and I Pod and enjoyed some solitude in a stunning environment. Continued walking for a bit. Sat down and was joined by a German woman who ... read more
May 12th 2012
Spent today in Banff. Walked downtown and booked a couple of tours for the next few days then had a hot chocolate & cake which were so damn sweet couldn't eat/drink. After this caught the bus to the Banff Gondola. Bit nervous but damn it was good. Thought I'd have to share the gondola cabin but didn't ...had one to myself so could oohh and ahhh as much as I liked. Top of Sulphur Mountain (not a great name hey?) was breathtaking. Mountains for 360 degrees, could see the small township of Banff in the valley, view of Bow Lake and the river...just beautiful. I took so many photos everyone is going to be fed up of looking at them (except for me of course). Lunch on top of the mountain and a walk around. Fantastic. ... read more
May 11th 2012
I am sooo tired. Up at 1.45am after about 5 hours sleep and been travelling all day. OK....whinge over...lol (just wanted to explain away potential spelling & grammer mistakes in this blog...although probably no more than other blogs I've done..lol). First thing, I lied...whinge isn't over yet. Shuttle bus was booked to pick me up at 3.00am but was told had to be ready 10 minutes early. So, I was. Driver didn't arrive - rang 3 times! In the end he was 40 minutes late...and wasn't as if he had already picked up other passengers that delayed him. Still had plenty of time but he didn't acknowledge my presence or that he was late. He also drove like a 'pillock'...so, didn't tip him...hah, I showed him! (Ok, now whinge is over). Flight was good - 5.5 ... read more
Reason #4 - Activities
Published: January 29th 2012North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff » Sunshine
January 30th 2012
◊Movie Theatres: The Little Theatre, The Little Little Theatre, and Centrestage. ♦Casinos: Terra Nova Acropolis, Treasure Hunt. ♣Hellshire Beach ♥Dunn's River Falls And Park ♠Surfing ♦Water Sea Doo ◊The Farmers Market... read more
Reason #3 - Night Life
Published: January 29th 2012North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff » Sunshine
January 29th 2012
If you like pubs and sports bars you'll love 'Cuddyz' sports bar. Cuddyz is the premier sports bar in Kingston, founded and run by the cricket legend, Courtney 'Cuddy' Walsh. This place is popular for it's passion in sports with all their sports memorabilia and television screens in every table booth. As well as their signature choices in food such as Jerk Chicken, Pasta, Cuddy’z 519 Burgers and Mama Walsh’s Stew Peas. This place is great for happy hour as wells as getting ready for sporting events like UFC, the NFL and FIFA World Cup. For a more elegant, classy and sophisticated bar, there is the 'Bin 26' a wine and speciality wine store. The name comes from the convention of naming a wine's location in the cellar with reference to a "bin number" and the ... read more
