Fabulous day trip today to Niagara Falls. Mark started off with a helicopter ride over the whole area, then on to the viewing points and after a sumptuous lunch overlooking the falls on to the “Maid of the Mist” boat trip to the bottom of the falls – When they say you need a raincoat for this stage they mean it. We still got quite wet – incredible amount of wind and spray – like being in a rainstorm. Both the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian) and American Falls are very impressive – massive volumes of water falling over the drop – the difference between the two great lakes – Erie and Ontario. We took lots of photos which we will put up as soon as we can.
Teppanyaki dinner
Impressive dinner tonight – will be Mark’s new BBQ party piece next summer.
Dinner was cooked by a one-man show at our table – steaming onion volcano, fancy knife turning and chopping and all. Delicious and filling.
Comments
Comment by David Brown on 2007-06-07 20:00:57 -0700
Not often that I know much about food. But Tepanyaki is a favourite for me, so I will appreciate an invitation when you two are turning this on.
Toronto
Woke up to the exciting family news- another engagement! Congrats KC and Nick.
Farewelled Chris heading back to Whistler and work, while we flew on to Toronto. Has been great to spend time with Chris.
Bumpy-ish flight to Toronto. Lovely drive into the city beside Lake Ontario and park areas. Another nice room at the Fairmont Royal York with a view of the lake and port area. After drinks and hors d’oeuvres, we had a big early evening walk around some of the central city area, shopping malls, parks – tall buildings everywhere. Still sunny and warm at 8pm and we are off to dinner.
Calgary
Too early for the stampede unfortunately! A good drive from Banff today- leaving the Rockies behind and travelling through countryside that could be found in NZ. Very pastoral at times and we all thought it looked like home (Mark, Gill, Chris).
The highways were mainly long and straight for kms- speed limit mostly 110km. Lots of warning signs again for elk but fortunately for us we did not meet them on the highway! We had an interesting little excursion through the suburbs following Google directions which turned out to be to a similar sounding location but miles away from where we were meant to be! Chris had us out on a shopping spree for him post arrival – new shoes and essentials he needed! The weather here is ok but considerably cooler – the brochure says it can be “rather unpleasant” and the city has an interesting “Plus 15” walkway system through numerous building links at first floor level – accessibilty to shops, malls etc without getting wet.
Lake Louise/Banff
A lot cooler today- a change from the 30-35 degrees we have been experiencing. Great to sleep in for awhile this am, breakfast overlooking Lake Louise, named after Princess Louise the daughter of Queen Victoria – just beautiful – the lake is a turquoise colour due to the melting glacier silt. Chris canoed the length of the lake and back! Mark and I walked around the side – great views of Mt. Victoria and Victoria glacier until the rain set in!!
Rocky Mountain highs
Wow! spectacular scenery all around. We entered the rockies at the end of day 2 of our Rocky Mountaineer train trip. Day 2 took us to Jasper where we stayed overnight having covered 625.6 kms that day. The scenery along the way was diverse going from green and treed to very arid. The train trip was very relaxing though also tiring in a way as you rock along! We were fortunate to be on a trip with very low numbers so had plenty of space to wander around and also to enjoy a special lounge car.
Rocky Mountaineer Day 1
All aboard the train at 7.10am! De-trained at 7.30pm in the stop-over town of Quesnel. A full day but very relaxing and enjoyable – great scenery- steep canyons, raging rivers, soaring peaks, contrasting vegetation, no bears on route (but saw one on the Whistler slopes early this am), good company and heaps of food and drink.
Another early start tomorrow – on to the Rockies!
Comments
Comment by Barby on 2007-06-03 20:51:55 -0700
Hi Enjoying your descriptions but haven’t seen any photos yet – seems to be a problem with the link?
It’s true…
It’s gorgeous! you hear about how pretty, stunning and picturesque Whistler is and it’s true. Even without the snow the village encompassing Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is impressive. Towering fir trees, beautiful tulip displays, “alpine” architecture and careful landscaping make for a truly delightful setting. I had a great wander and window shop this am- I was exceptionally good- it was very unfortunate- you can’t buy at the beginning of a trip with limited luggage space !! I did assist Chris with purchases this afternoon though (and paid!).
A day in Whistler
This morning Mark and Chris tackled the “Zip Wire” a series of huge flying foxes (zip lines) strung across a river valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Gill went shopping. The zip-trek was great fun – spectacular scenery – pics and video will hopefully be up in the next day or so. In the afternoon Chris and Gill did the shopping thing and added to Chris’ wardrobe and pantry! For dinner we were invited to a meal with Chris and 7 of his friends to celebrate Emily’s birthday and Jen’s leaving Whistler. Tomorrow we board the Rocky Mountaineer train again for a two day journey through to Jasper.
Reunion at Whistler
Yes Mark is alive and well although you haven’t heard from me! An early start yesterday for commuter Sky Train into Vancouver then onto the Whistler Mountaineer Train for a fanstastic journey through the North and West Vancouver communities along the coastline skirting the fjord, Howe Inlet – and on up through the mountains to Whistler by lunchtime. Met up with Chris who had come to meet us off the train with his new boss who took us through Whistler Village to the Chateau Whistler where Chris works and we are staying – great room overlooking both Whistler and Blackcomb – bit of a tour of the hotel, village and staff accomodation – so we have a good impression of the set up here – and it is apparent that Chris is doing well, enjoying himself, has no intentions of coming home anytime soon. Dinner with Chris in the poncy dining room and then met a few more of his mates at a favourite bar in the village Cinnamon Bear. Great to be here spending time with Chris.