Michey_b’s travelling around

Got on to the bus at 9am in Banff and sat back to relax knowing i was on here until 9pm tonight and in my 5th timezone change. Now eight hours behind the UK. The ride was interesting actually and for greyhound and everything i had heard was pretty comfortable. I have to commend the driver here as it had started snowing and some of the roads looked really bad, as we got into the mountains we found roads covered with fresh snow and no grit so i was impressed – there was no way i could have driven a huge bus. We stopped a couple of times in Golden, Salmon Arm and at Kamloops for long stops and a couple of others too which i dont remember.

At Kamloops the bus became full and then wasnt so comfortable and still had several hours to go. The driver – the third one of the trip put on a movie which kept me entertained and i had pretty much read my book on and off through the journey. By 7pm i was itching to get off the bus and thankfully the last couple of hours passed quickly. I will never complain about a 2 hour journey on national express again – that will be a walk in the park after this except with crappy motorway scenery!

Caught a taxi to the hostel as the station is in a bit of a dodgy area and it was evening. The hostel is on Granville street in the heart of the very busy entertainment district. Chilled out for a bit and then went to sleep. Woke up to rain – joy! It pretty much rained the whole time i was here.

Headed out to the famous Stanley Park and wandered around and thankfully rain held off so was able to wander around this piece of tranquility set in the heart of a very busy and cosmopolitan city. Paid a very expensive amount of money to go into the Aquarium which was looking to not be worth it until i found the sea otters which are so cute.

My remaining days in Vancouver – i did a very touristy thing and got onto a hop on hop off tourist bus which i dont normally do but hey it was worth it as i toured round some cool parts of the city. I saw the devastation that storms last year had done to Stanley Park, went past the Hollow Tree (was 1100 years old), past English Bay, through the heart of Downtown, Chinatown, a very dodgy street between there and Gastown, and couple of other spots. Unfortunately Vancouver didnt hit me as a great place and while it is great city i had hit my first travellers block and wasnt really in the mood to sightsee. It also was signalling the end of my time in Canada which didnt help. The one thing that got me through was that i would be in Portland for the Bootsnall party and would get to meet some cool people.

The one saving grace here in Vancouver was meeting up with Anne who took me out to a very cool area and i got to try Ethiopian food which was good! we had a good catchup and strolled down Commercial Drive which was an eclectic mix of cultures. Thanks Anne!!!

On my last night here in Vancouver met up with Pam who was going to be my travel buddy down to Portland. We went out to the Cambie Hostel to meet one of her friends and actually it was a very cool little bar and packed out. However it was near to one very dodgy area and so although great to visit – there is no way i would have stayed here – maybe im a snob but safety and location is always the top thing on my list when i look at hostels. This is especially more so travelling as a single female.

Well I left Pam and Cardston today and caught the lovely Greyhound to Banff via Calgary. It was a fairly boring drive until i got closer to the mountains and the bus pulled into Canmore and then i could think of nothing except gaze in awe at the beauty of the surroundings. Canmore itself looked like a cute little town and I was hoping that Banff was going to be as picturesque. Well i wasnt disappointed in the slightest. The hostel is up Tunnel Mountain Road and is a pretty little place and well equiped with a bar which always helps.

Got sorted and headed to find my bed and then i was in love – i had a double bed – couldnt express anything else but joy, haing spent several weeks in beds that ranged from insanely narrow to this gorgeous thing i was fully prepared to sleep in and just sleep in the star fish position. Sorry maybe too much information but when you get the chance of luxury you grab it greedily.

Anyhow enough about that and more about my time in Banff. Its blue skies all around and snow and ice on the ground creating a lovely view and making me extra careful on my treading – i actually managed to not make an idiot of myself by going arse over tit which was good.

Spent my couple of days wandering around – its very touristy here and mostly caters to the skiers and snowboarders but i wandered around and appreciated the view. There are numerous tourist shops and restaurants and bars to amuse you and i even found an English pub here called the Pump and Tap which showed the England game. Wish i had never bothered but oh well should have expected it really – although did think at one point we were succeeding. Ok enough about soccer!!

Pam drove up to meet me on thurs and we drove up to Lake Louise which always attracts the tourists for its beautiful scenery and colour of the lake. Coming in winter is a whole other experience. Everything was white and glistening like a perfect postcard advertisement for a winter scene. The snow under foot was not like what i had experienced at home but was dry snow – light and fluffy and soft – cant make a snowball out of this stuff. Lake Louise itself was frozen solid and some of the more brave were out on the ice but that was one risk i wasnt gonna take – its -20 degress outside – i shudder to think about the temperature of the water. Took the picture and then wandered into the famous fairmont hotel here which is exquisite and everything i have come to expect from the chain. One day when i have lots of money and can afford to stay in one then here is a good place.

It is might cold here which i guess should be expected as its november although it hasnt yet snowed whilst i have been here which has been a problem for the more active but a blessing for me so i can walk around and attempt to try to feel the warmth of the sun.

Two major things to do here if you are a tourist are the gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and a trip to the hot springs both of which i did on my second to last day here (thats friday!) Caught the bus up to the base of the gondola and paid a pretty expensive price for a ticket to the top ($25Can) but i have to say i had a little car to myself and it had heated seats – so good!! I sat looking down towards earth feeling a little queasy and everytime i looked behind me to see how far to go it just seemed endless like i was ascending to the clouds. I have no concept of how long it took me to get up there but i sat back in wonderment of the view.

At last i got to the top and out of my little carriage and then wow and double wow – the views from up here are – well i have no words just had a feeling of pure contentment. I have only had this feeling a couple of times – once was in Venice staring at the Basilica San Marco and the other at a campsite in Lautebrunnen in Switzerland. I wandered around and just drank it in – i took a lot of photos as well which i will add when i get to a computer that lets me. Just wow, having then froze my fingers off i went inside to mail a postcard home from the top of the world – well what felt like it and then headed back down the mountain in my trusty little vehicle.

Back on low ground i wandered down to the Banff hot springs which is actually a pool thats 38 degrees. Having got into my costume and locked my stuff away – slightly panicked at the amount of signs that said that lockers get broken into – i grabbed my towel wondering how i get into the pool from the changing room without getting pnuemonia. Not a small deal when the temp outside is -7!! My fears were alleviated when i headed down the corridor and saw that it sloped down at the doorway and was full of water. What a great idea you open the door and walk into the pool which is about the size of standard swimming pool. Man this water is hot too – it takes a minute or two to adjust and then its pure heaven. Seriously as all my tension and feelings just drifted away i sank into bliss. They reccomend apparantly you should only stay in there for 20 mins – but buger that i stayed an hour and a half – every once in a while sitting up on the side to cool off. The drastic difference between the temperatures only adds to the experience and with a view of snow capped mountains was like being in a dream.

Ok enough talk about that – got chatting to the girl sat next to me who was from Manchester and staying at the hostel. We chatted and grabbed a coffee and headed back to the hostel together and decided to check out the bar in the hostel which was having a karaoke night. Fairly reasonable drinks we sat and chatted and then the guys put on a video of Pearl Jam in concert in NY – seriously i think this was the perfect day!

Having consumed a few too many jack and cokes i wandered off to bed and spent my last day in Banff on saturday taking a wander around the town which was packed for a xmas parade. That night i packed up all my stuff and prepared myself for a 13 hour greyhound experience to Vancouver tomorrow.

Well here goes - my first experience with Greyhound. I am getting the bus from Edmonton to Calgary its only a short bus ride so how bad can it be right!! Having spoken to many wise people i am of ... [Continue reading this entry]

Having said goodbye to Kelly having indulged in Tim Hortons i headed back to the hostel to check in and go on the internet.  Two days with no internet access and i was having withdrawal symptoms having not been on ... [Continue reading this entry]

Got myself to Toronto train station at a very early hour and waited to board what would be my home for the next 50 hours - oh man it seems as crazy to be on a train that long. It was ... [Continue reading this entry]

Oops so havent updated here for a while so best get typing really - cant deprive anyone reading this blog!! hmmm So my definite definite last night in Niagara Falls - ... [Continue reading this entry]

Arrived here on monday from Toronto and luckily the HI hostel is right around the corner from the train station which is always a great bonus. Couldnt check in til 4pm so dumped my bags and went for a ... [Continue reading this entry]

There are some parts of travelling that are annoying and having to get up at 4.30am to catch a train is one of them.  Struggled out of bed and trying to do everything possible not to make too much noise ... [Continue reading this entry]