Sunday 30 September 2012

Rafting on the Athabasca river

Out the sea plane window Whistler

Another one out the window!

the litle plane I went on and no terrets!

Beautiful city of Victoria, Vancouver Is.

Victoria at night

Monday 17 September 2012

Hi all

Sorry  I havent posted for awhile but the internet has been very limited or keeps droppin out.
Well we had the two day train ride, very speccy scenery.   No bears or mounties to be sighted!
Arrived in Banff, what amazing hotel. toured around in the bus and had a lovelynature walk and picnic. no bears joined us though.

Sept 13  Had a Gondola ride up Sulphur mountain. Again the scenery was magnificant (I'm running out of words to describe how beautiful Canada is!)  Off to Lake Louise, it's just as yu see it in the travel brochures!  It was a bit hard to nget a photo in front of the famous arched window. had to beg one of the waitresses to let us in a take our photo!  Also saw a porcipine, squirrels and a piqu but no bears!!!

Sept 14  Left the lovely Lake Louise and head to the Athabasca Glacier, speccy but not as good as the ones down south!  From one extreme to another, we then went river rafting on the Athabasca River with a very handsome guide (not in a mountie uniform though) I got a thoroughly wet bottom, Di half a bottom! 
Coming around the bend we came across a buck elk and his harem, so gorgeous, a definite highlight.

Sept 16  heading for Whistler.  Finally some bears on the way but o nly a few on the bus saw them, unfortunately not Di and I!We certainly got out of  our comfort zones again today and went  for a float plane ride all over the mountains around Whistler and I didn't get terrets!  It was incredible, I was on such a high for the rest of the day!  Ranges and ranges of mountains covered in snow and glaciers AND who was the lucky girl who got to sit inthe front seat.  Whislter would have to be a favourite, I would love to be here in winter. 

Staying at the Fairmont Whistler, very spesh!!!!

Well that's all for now, I'll try and put a few piccies up before bed time.  Another early start, on the bus by 7:30!!!





Di outside our trian
 
 
Me outside the train
 
 

 
Beaver dam on our nature walk
 
 
Lake Louise 6:30 am




Lake Louise 7:30 am
 
 
Athabasca Glacier
 
 


Thursday 13 September 2012

Hey Mel one for you. Not quite the Magnolia Bakery, these are Toffee Apples!

8 Sept

Slept in!  Jet Lag !  Stayig at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel tonight very nice!
Wandered up to Robson Street for a bt of retail therapy and had lunch at "Milestone"
calamari and taro frites (sweet potato chips).  Met the group for drinkies , lot of nice people, mostly Aussies, a few americans and one Canadian couple (Ottowa).
Wandered up to Gastown lots of lovely shopping there and very pretty place.
Then dinner at a lovely restuarant called "Borbo Antico".

9 Sept

bus tour around the city today, Stanely Park, China Town (not to go there at night, big druggie area!)
Granville markets (amazing, going back there!) and Gastown.
When the bus dropped us back di and I headed to the museum for a bit of culture! They had a Matisse display,

sorry the pictures are sideways, program won't let me rotate them!





My own shop!
 Lights at Gastown


totem poles Stanley Park (couldn't get dam picture to rotate!)

 

Monday 10 September 2012

Still 7 September!

I tried to drive the taxi from the airport!  It'taking a bit of getting used to cars and road back the front!
Two very weary travellers arrived at the Green Brier Hotel, not flash but right on Robson street.
We hit the sack and even I didn't wake up til after nine!
we caught a taxi ( Di tried to drive this time)down to our flash hotel "The Faimont Water Front"
with water view! Had a quick wander around Canda Place upto Robson Street for lunch and a lovley lunch at "Milestone" and a bit of retail thereapy!
Michelle & Di Canada Place extremely jetlagged!


5 september

today we had a nice windy walk into the city centre. Di and I both had our nails done, they look so nice. Then lunch and catch up with the lovely Jac Wheadon! Some lovely things to buy here but I resisted or else I won'y be able to fit the baby polar bear in!

6 september

A sleep in and relaxing morning, then filling out heaps of online stuff to get on the cruise and re arranging the suit case. Di's hubby drove us to the Park RoyalAirport hotel (very nice!)this arvo.

We had some dinner, a nice drink in the bar (G&T of course) and have retired to our room to relax and have a cuppa. I of course will be praying to who ever for smooth flying tomorrow, no more of these gale force winds please!

Anyway time for a cuppa and a little choccy!

Sept 7

finally on the way, well after 3 hour delay at the airport, then a nightmare flight in and out of Sydney and yes I got a very severe case of teretts! People were throwing up! The rest of the flight was fairly smooth but neither Di or I got much sleep. At La we had to go through customs and get finger printed, then pick up our bags, go though immigration, then across the airport to Canadian airlines! Luckily that flight was late too or we would have to wait for another flight!

We were on a small plane to Vancouver but it was a beautiful flight. The scenery was spectacular, snow capped mountains , a volcano (Mt Helena) and lots of beautiful lakes.

Vancouver airport is beautiful as well, lots of timber and native art.

Saturday 8 September 2012

Nice smooth flight to Melbourne (no onset of terrets!).
Had a lovely time in Ballarat, caught up with old friends for lunches, had my nails done for the 1st time ever!
Still sitting here at the airport and the plane has been delayed an hour or so but we should still make it for our connection in LA.

cheers

Michelle  :-]