Le Tour D'Alberta and assorted other places.

[drron]

After a soak and getting dressed we went for another walk along the lakeside.looked different again-

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[drron]

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So Sunday morning and now time to checkout.I would certainly recommend staying here but definitely in a lake view room.If I were to come back I would consider the Lake Moraine lodge just to experience that lake when the day trippers have gone and before they arrive next morning.
now time to hit the Icefield parkway north to Jasper.

 

[Limewood]

Oh' drron, you bring back so many fond memories of a trip we did 30 odd years ago to Alberta, all those fabulous places like Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise and got me thinking to do it again next year. As luck hast we have 2 very good friends who live in lap of luxury in Calgary, stayed with us twice in Cairns and invited us to stay with them anytime.

 

[drron]

The Icefield Parkway definitely is a recommended drive.Lakes,mountains,snow and forest and all combinations.Added to which it was a beautiful fine day-

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[drron]

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[drron]

Bow lake was beautiful-

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Well it is a frequent flyer site!

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[drron]

We went up and over the mountains-

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[drron]

We were now approaching the largest glacier near the road-

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We hadn't eaten yet today so eating here was indicated.Very ordinary and overpriced food.There was a better(?) restaurant but it was reserved for the many busloads there that day.You could go onto the ice but again expensive and a long wait.The origin of this glacier is the Columbia Icefield.here are the tourists on the ice-

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[drron]

So the last pictures of our drive-

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[drron]

We arrived at the Fairmont at 1540.checkin was easy.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....iences-and-reviews/fairmont-jasper-54365.html
The setting is again lovely though not as spectacular as Lake Louise-

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The pimple you see on top of the mountain is actually the Jasper cablecar-

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[drron]

The next morning we were awoken by the serenading Canadian geese.Went into town for breakfast.Ate at Smittys.The serves coming out were enormous so we ordered senior's serves.Didn't even need to show ID.Those serves were still large.Some rather unusual items on the menu including a Guinness milkskake and peppered chocolate bacon with vanilla ice cream.
We went to the gondola but as it was September first they had gone to winter hours.No matter that it was a gorgeous day and a public holiday.So there was a 3 hour wait.So we decided to go for a drive to maligne lake.first a totem pole in jasper and then the lake-

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Driving back from the lake we came across this-

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Turned out just to be a bear enjoying afternoon tea-

 

[drron]

We then stopped at Maligne canyon.definitely worth a look and a pleasant walk-

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[Cool Cat Phil]

The day was overcast with scattered showers but didn't interfere with our enjoyment of the scenery as we continued along Tunnel mountain road.

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Banff is a wonderful part of Canada. I happened to spend quite a bit of time here when I used to live In Canada a few years ago.
Your wonderful pictures flood back the memories for me!

Your right in your observation, plenty of Aussies in Banff that's for sure.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Taking to long to do my other TR.So will separate off our Canadian trip and just add a few comments on our other stops on the way home.
So first our flight to Alberta.Our first flight on Westjet and our first and probably last trip to the Canadian Rockies.

West-Jet are a great Airline! Ive had some hilarious flight Attendants & Captains on many West-Jet Flights before. If you travel with them on April Fool's day like I did once, your in for Surprise or two that's for Sure.

I once was on a Flight From Calgary to Victoria (BC) & no joke, another passenger took their cat along in a Cat Kennel in the overhead locker. And yes it did meow once or twice inflight too! West Jet certainly have some Very unique baggage policies.

I Just wish they would join the One World Alliance!

 

[drron]

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But despite seeing lots of these-

The elk remained invisible.

 

[drron]

Well Phil you at least earn AA miles on Westjet now.
So some more reflections at Jasper-

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[drron]

Now to the food at Jasper.First my breakfast at Smittys-a seniors western skillet-fried egg,bacon,sausage and veggiies all in together-

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On our first night at the Fairmont we went to their two better restaurants-Cavells.Service slow-no Aussies this time.Noisy Aussie family though with several young children at the next table.Mrsdrron had the beef carpaccio and the salmon.both acceptable but not great.

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While I had bison sliders and the prime rib.This was ordered medium-rare and came medium-well done plus very fatty.

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With a bottle of SB-$220.
For the second night we just ate at the very casual Emerald lounge.Shared a coconut prawns.mrsd pulled pork sliders and I a bison burger all of which were fine.However withg a beer and a bottle of Oyster cove SB-$150.

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So really didn't feel the fairmonts were value for money.
That night though I woke~2am-the northern lights were putting on another show-though not nearly as good as on our cruise.
Next-the rest of Alberta.

 

[RB]

Getting a lot of value out of this drron. Brings back fond memories of our trip in 1998-some photos show how little life seems to have changed in the area. We were also lucky enough to see the Northern Lights in Jasper-we were there in May

 

[drron]

Thanks RB.I found out that Alberta is indeed worth a visit with literally something for everyone.Mrsdrron though found Canada a poor shopping destination.We even found that Identical brands of Canadian maple syrup were cheaper in Dallas than Alberta.
Tuesday morning and another beautiful fine day.so off we drove to Edmonton.Not long after leaving Jasper we saw this fellow beside the road-

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This was good as it made us look across the road.The view as ever was great-

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A short stop in hinton mainly because in the 70s and 80s I spent many years playing cricket for Hinton in the Hunter valley.
A light gourmet lunch at Taco belle and then on to the Four Points Edmonton.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....views/four-points-edmonton-gateway-54368.html

After checking in and unpacking it was time for an early dinner.There was a Keg restaurant nearby so that is where we ate.Their lobster special was no longer but mrsdrron had their regular dish of 2 lobster tails whilst I had the prime rib-

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This was way better than our Fairmont Jasper experience especially the prime rib.with a bottle of SB it was also much cheaper at $120.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Walmart and bought some fruit for dessert and brekkie but mrsdrron found some chocolate coated mangosteens which blew the health kick away!
Next-a day at the mall.

 

[drron]

So after our fruit breakfast it was off to Edmonton's Great mall.A bit OTT and really just another mall.Not a standout shopping experience.But for kids probably worth a visit.The day we went though it was Seniors day so when we arrived there were a couple of old country singers and when we left even older rockers-

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there are games areas,cinemas and nautical adventures-here Pirates Cove-

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Next to that are performing sea lions.we didn't stay around for the show but they obviously thought it was time for a feed-

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A great water park where you can even go surfing-

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We then had lunch at Tony Romas-

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Then a bit of a drive around finishing the day with a light dinner at Red lobster-they have a great bowl of Prince Edward Island mussels as an appetiser and we had one each which was enough for us.
Next a surprise as we head for Red deer.