Monday 23rd June
A early start today as we had to get ready for our taxi pickup at 5.45am. We manged to get out the house without much trouble, but we forgot our toasted bagels on the kitchen counter. The traffic was manageable and we arrived at Gatwick south terminal just after 7am, where we unloaded the bags and let the taxi go. We had to proceed to zone 2, which seemed to be in the “basement”. I had checked in online, but almost wished I had not as the queue was really slow, mostly people seeming to be complaining and staff taking their time. Eventually we got to a counter – we had to weigh our hand luggage – all under 5kg no probs, then we had to weigh the bags – 16.x and 18.x. Well I could have taken that extra pair…
After checking in we went through security and got some breakfast – Cinnamon Swirl for Bhavni and a Croissant for me with coffee and tea before a final boots shop and then boarded the plane. It was a 9.25am flight around 11 hours long. So we got to watch some movies and tried to sleep for a bit.
We arrived in Vancouver at 11.30am (Monday) . Going to security I was asked what we were intending to do for the next 2 weeks, and I excitedly started reciting our itinerary – quickly being ushered on. Out bags as usual took a while to get out. We made out way out and took the skytrain to downtown – central station, which took just under 20 mins. Funny enough we found ourselves sitting next to the person who was next to us on the plane.
Getting out we just went into the Pacific Center to see if we could get a Sim, but it turned out that it would be much more expensive then I thought, so we gave up and (after walking round the place), walked down Robson St, in the hot and humid day, around 10 mins to our hotel – The Listel. It was Bhavnis first experience for the way that road signs work in America, and total confusion ensued.
Checking in we went up to the top floor (6th) and freshened up before going out. We just went up the street and into a cafe/restraunt, where we ordered some Quinoa salad, a burger and yam fries. Bhavni ordered a sangria, amusing as it was quite alcoholic.
We then walked to Stanley park, which was quite a bit of a way, turning quite residential before the park. We had a walk around the pavilion and the rose gardens, before catching a tour bus, which took us around the park – though a bit quickly. In retrospect we should have just hired some bikes. We got dropped out of the park near the ferries to Granville Island, so after a look around we made our way back to the hotel and relaxed a bit as it was now after 6pm.
Bhavni soon enough got restless and we were out again at 7.30 towards the north of downtown, where we went to Vancouver harbour and saw the Olympic flame there, catching a bit of drizzle. Bhavni then was on the search for a 7-11 for some fruit, and after a long while we found one…. Anyway we got back to the hotel around 9.30 and retired for the night.
Tuesday 24th June
It was a sightly restless night, jetlag, but we properly woke up by 6.30am, getting out of the door at 8.15. The day looked like it was going to be a wet day so we borrowed two umbrellas from the reception. We first walked to Canada Place to see the famous 5 sails of the port building (and taking plenty of pictures), before we walked to the Vancouver public library – famous for its Colosseum design. We were still early so it had not opened yet, so we went to one of the cafes there and ordered a masalla Chai for Bhavni and a London Fog (really over sweet earl grey with milk) for me, whilst connecting to the wifi.
After about 30 minutes we were on our way again, walking towards China Town. On the way we stopped at a kitchen shop and had a browse. We bought a couple of soup bowls for our travelling and a gift for Milan’s Cousin (who we were going to meet). It was only a small walk to the Dr San Yan Fat Garden, where we bought our entrance tickets. The next tour was due to start at 11am, so we had nearly 20 minutes, so we went to the big art room where there was lots of Tibetan art (for an exhibition) and I tried my hand at calligraphy. Bhavni also tried, but somehow managed to fall of the stool (breaking one of the bowls!). We joined the tour which went around the garden talking about all the different features and significance. We learnt that doing double sided silk panels will make you go blind, my eyes had trouble even seeing the stitching.
After finishing with the gardens we then walked to Gas Town, where we had a look around some of the shops – some quite posh, some tourist traps, before waiting for the going off of the famous steam powered clock. Walking back to downtown around 1pm, we connected with Burrard street and took it all the way to the bridge which went near Vernier Park, then we walked to Graville Island. It was nearly 2pm by now, so we made out way into the market and ordered a mexican wrap from one of the outlets there, before we started to systematically have a look around. I suppose if you really like brik a brak, then the island is good, but it did not have anything that would jeep us there for hours, so we eventually left around 4.40pm, walking over Graville St bridge, then Robson St and back to the hotel.
Bhavni phoned Milan’s cousin Sunjay, who phoned back with his address. We had a little time so we got ready and left at 7pm catching a taxi to his house, which was quite nice. There we met his wife and his son (who had just finished from Nottingham). We had a home made dinner, before it became a Dr, Dr, Dr and trainee Dr discussion with me slowly falling asleep (waking up just enough to spout things like the importance of the Cocraine review). Sunjay dropped us of at 10pm to our hotel.
I basically retired for the night, whilst Bhavni spent a bit longer phoning Kenya.
25th June
We managed to get a bit of a rest waking up by 8am and leaving the hotel by 9am on a much brighter and sunny day. Our first stop was to the downtown tourist center, where we firstly picked up one day travel cards for us and secondly we booked a show at Graville island in the evening.
We walked to the ferry terminal (waterfront) where we boarded a ferry to the north shore – a 15 minute journey. We went into Lonsdale Quay Market having a look around the shops there – Bhavni bought some clothes there. We took some photos from around the market, and tried looking around the next streets, but they were just normal high streets so we just went back to the market and got some coffee/tea and some bread as a snack and ate watching the waterfront.
Catching the ferry back (avoiding the usual crazy guy) we then caught the bus to vernier park (very busy with lots of children). We went into the MOV (museum of Vancouver), but that was a big disappointment for us and it was very small. The artwork outside was quite nice though. We then walked to Kits beach to have a look around, most of the children on the bus we caught earlier were here and the place was very busy. We leasurely walked through and then caught another bus to downtown.
Bhavni was in the mood for shopping, as the day was hot we centered around Pacific center. Bhavni got a new pair of trainers. We were getting a bit hungry so we went to the food court and got a pad-thai (okish), before we headed back to the hotel. We had a bit of time and I was still peckish, so whilst Bhavni lazed in the AC room, I just went down the road and got a subway sandwich.
Around 7pm we went out managing to catch a No 5 bus to the center and then the No 50 to Graville Island. We were e bit early or the show so we had a drink inside waiting for the doors to open. The Imvprov show was really funny, with two teams competing for funny acts. Bhavni tried to say “Made in Chelsea” for a name of a show but it got interpreted as “Maude and Chelsea. Well a few hours of laughter later we headed back to the hotel (catching the 50 and another) before retiring for the night.
26th June
Today was an reasonable early start and we were awake and checked out by 7.45am. We walked to near the Hornby Street to the Avis check in desk. Not to busy, so we were seen to by the person behind the counter and we ended up with a Hyundi rather than an American car. Down to the 8th floor underground, only one unmarked scratch.
I took my time getting out, new car and left hand drive and drove to the hotel. Bhavni tried to direct… still confused about the street signs so I ended up directing my self. We picked up our bags and then made our way out onto Highway 1A, which went through Stanley park and over the lions gate bridge. Bhavni wanted to try the Marine drive, so after missing it, I managed to get back to it…. well it was not that great as the views were obscured by trees mostly, never mind. We soon enough joined the 99 going along the fiord to Squamish. Our next stop was to see Shannon Falls, the third largest in BC. Quite cool, we also went to the alternate viewpoint, where we tried to take a selfie on the SLR. Bhavni found she could not jump to sit onto the ledge.
We had to carry on to get to our destination, and as we got further the mountains got more rugged and snow covered. Amazing. Soon we arrived at Nita Lodge in Whistler and checked in. Lovely room. We freshened up and took the free minibus to Whistler village. We were meant to pick up out ticket for the peak to peak gondola from the Zip tours, but annoyingly they gave us a refund and asked us to get the ticket from the main Blackcomb desk. Luckily there was not too much of a queue and we we soon going up. It was amusing when the gondola up entered the Olympic station, I thought we must be there, but a sign showed that we were only a third of the way up. The view out kept on getting better. After a while we emerged onto the top of whistler mountain.
Having a look around the top, we took the time to take some photos of the scenery, before going about half way up the only open trail on the mountain (to the summit). It was nice walking past snow banks and seeing the frozen scenery. After returning to the lodge at the top, we then boarded the peak to peak gondola, which went over the valley to Blakcombe mountain (we did not wait for the glass bottom gondola as the queue was quite massive).
On the Blackcombe side was a smaller lodge, but it seemed to have more trails there (but closed as well). We got talking to one of the volunteer guides on the top, having a talk about when everything opens and our upcoming trip. After we had a look around we took the peak to peak back to Whistler, where we got our photo on the Olympic stand and had some fries, which were actually pretty good and crispy. We then took the peak to peak for the last time back to Blackcombe and then took the open lift down. Bhavni managed to get a massive head cold, whilst I enjoyed the fresh air. We saw 2 black bears just under us whilst on the lifts down.
It was a bit of a walk to the whistler village from where we came down. Making our way to the information centre we caught the minibus to Nita lodge (with our neighbours), where we had time to freshen up (Bhavni slept). For dinner we went to the Mongoli grill in town catching the bus, where we had a nice stir fry, before going back to the lodge and having a coffee before retiring.
27th June
Another early start, we had checked out and loaded the bags into the car (in the parking garage) by 7.45am, after which we asked the front desk for a minibus ride into town. We made our way to Zip Trek and checked in at the desk. We were really early, so we had to wait at the meeting point for about 20 minutes. We were then met (along with the rest of the group) by the guides. We were taken to a side and put on our zip line harnesses loosely before getting into a small minibus to go up Whistler mountain, a little higher than the Olympic station.
We were on the eagle trek which had 5 different zip lines, each quite different. The first one was a duel line, so two could zip at the same time. Bhavni and I (when our turn came) walked with trepidation and let go simultaneously. I let go of the line, just supported by the cable – amazing, I even managed to not go backwards until nearly the end. Other zip lines went through trees and over rivers. The rain even managed to hold off for the whole of it. The last one was slightly different in that we all went upside down off the zip line, demonstrated by one of our guides (a girl who used to live in London).
After the zipping and returning the gear, we walked through the town (getting a coffee from starbucks, which I regret as it was very bland and Bhavni managed to get an unhappy worker, who was not happy about the mistake of cream on the coffee). We caught the bus to Nita lodge, and after a brief look at Nita lake, we got in the car and underway to out next destination – Kamloops.
We travelled north, slowly getting out of the really big mountains with lovely views all the way. There were lots of small towns that we passed and the area slowly became more arid until we joined highway 1, then it started getting slightly greener again. We saw some deer on the side of the road grazing and found some good places to take photos, before arriving in Kamloops and checking into Hampton Inn. The room was fine and we cooled down a bit before Bhavni wanted to go to the shops she could see from the windows. The shops actually required us walking a distance as the main highway ran in the middle. Most of the shops were big furniture shops or similar, but we went into a big bookshop. Apart from Bhavni buying books there, I read a little on the walks in the national parks, so we were there for over an hour.
After getting back to the hotel, we took the car to downtown, where we went to a Mexican restaurant. The veg choice was not that great but ok. I could not decide whether the waitress was not in a great mood or just distant. After we had a walk around the town before heading back to the hotel and calling it a night.
28th June
We started the day with breakfast at hotel. The breakfast was continental style, I made a fresh waffle and we gorged ourselves. After I loaded up the car and Bhavni went to checkout at around 10.15. Soon we were on the road going north and east with the scenery slowly getting greener as we were following a valley north. Bhavni again enjoyed becoming a train spotter.
We got to a place called Clear Water, and after seeing the information centre as we went past, we decided to go back to it – could do with a break. It was a small information center, but Bhavni got talking to one of the staff members asking what there was to do on the journey – not that much apart from the views en-route. Then Bhavni noticed some pictures and asked where the waterfall portrayed in it was. Well it turned out that there were some waterfalls within relatively easy reach (the furthest being 48km away) in Wells Grey national park, but to do it all would take probably 2.30h.
Whilst leaving, we both thought that since the first waterfall is only 10km up the road, we could visit that, and then carry on – thats only an extra 30-40 minutes. So off we set into the state park. We could not really figure out where the actual park gate was, as at the 5km mark there was just a golf club marked. But soon enough we turned into the parking. It was a short walk to the fall area – we could hear a roar but could not see it. Well it turned out we were above the impressive waterfall, which came out half way up the canyon walls (volcanic and glacier formed). We took some pictures and after looking at each other – decided we just had to do the rest of the waterfalls.
We drove to the furthest waterfall next – described at the information center as being one of the most beautiful in Canada. Well they were right, we were nearly at the top of this one and it looked like something out of a fantasy film – a fall in a nearly spherical hollow. After some impressive views, we headed back to the last waterfall – the Niagra of the park, which was quite nice, but not as good as the previous one.
Getting back on track (after the 2.15h detour and seeing some bears crossing) we carried on to Valemont, passing through some quite heavy showers. We stopped at a swiss bakery which was on the other side of town across the rail tracks. They were nearly closing, so did not have much, but we had some tea and split a muffin. We were in a clear spell so it was nice to admire the scenery.
From just north we joined highway 16, through Mt Robson park to the Alberta border. The rain and clouds were back so we could not see Mt Robson. At the border we entered Jasper national park and payed the park entry entry fee at the ranger stop
It was still a while to Jasper but with the scenery we enjoyed the drive. Getting into town (seeing the Rocky Mountaineer train as well), we found the Moose Haven Suite and let our selves in – we were left instructions on how. We unloaded the car. Noticing the time on the clocks and then on our phone we released it was 7pm (1 hour later than BC). So quickly freshening up and reading a little about food we headed out and went to dinner in Cassios. I had the Aglio oli and Bhavni had a Premavera. The waiter was quite talkative (though he did not give us our free bread – found out later).
Getting back to the suite, we met the owners briefly and planned some of our possible walks for the next few days before retiring for the night.
29th June
We were up early and had breakfast, before we ventured into town. We walked to the I-Site, but it was still closed, so we went to the supermarket and got a bit of food. Back at the I site, they just opened up after we arrived and we asked about some of the walks. The ranger told basically confirmed what we had thought about the walks and which ones to do. Just that he recommended the Sulpher Skyline today and the Bald Hills tomorrow.
We went to the Bear Claw bakery, which now had a queue. Getting a olive and something loaf we went back to the apartment and made our selves some sandwiches and packed our lunch with our equipments (gloves for Bhavni) into our ruck sacks. Soon enough we got into our car and were on our way to the Mette hotprings area. On the way (before Japer lake) there were a lot of cars parking on the side of the road, so we also parked and investigated. They were photographing an elk (I think). Getting to the skyline parking, just at the hot springs we got our selves ready and looked at the sign – 700m climb. We started up on the walk up the path which wound through trees for a while, before they started thinning as we got higher. It was quite a cloudy day, but not raining luckily.
About 2 hours later we got to a plateau just before the peak we were trying to get to. We sat down and had a cereal bar before the final push to the top. The final bit was extra steep for the beginning, so plenty of breaks. Getting to the top, it was a bit exposed, but was a nice place to take some photos with amazing views. An old couple (who we had overtaken) came to the top and the guy got a picture of himself doing a hand stand at the top.
Getting back to the plateau we had our lunch on one of the benches overlooking a nice view, before going back down. It was not very long going back down, and soon we were in the car park.
Out plan was to go to the hot springs after the walk, annoyingly the queue was quite massive and out the door. I stood in the queue whilst Bhavni returned the items to the car – we had to go just to say we had done it.
It was a bit of a disappointment as the pools were really crowded, and children were splashing away as well as none of the pools were really really hot, so we left in half and hour and headed back to town. On the way back we saw some wild life; some mountaian goats near rocks, a familly of three deer of some type on the side of the road and back on the main road, with lots of people stopping to take photos a caribou or elk.
In town, back at the apartment we chilled for a while before going up the road to get the laundry done. Back for some tv before going to a pizza parlour.
