Chromatic Outlook (Post#39) : Pale San Vitores Road
Pale San Vitores Road is the main road where the Tumon Tourism center is located. It’s nice to have a walk along here to enjoy the urbanity of Tumon. Majority of the hotels are located along the road, malls, restaurants, cafe, bars and even some tourist spots like Underwater World, parks and beaches. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.
In The Middle Of Somewhere (Post#4) : Khao San (Khaosan) Road
The photos were showcasing the typical scenario in a public market. These photos were shot while being lost in Khao San (Khaosan) Road in Bangkok Thailand during the backpacking adventure that we had last March 2011. The said road is famous to all backpackers that visited Bangkok which is a capital and most populous city of Thailand. The road is the center of cheap markets were surrounded as well by affordable accommodations that suits all types of backpackers. We had fun time walking around the road.
After watching sumo tournament in Ryogoku Kokugikan, we spent some time in Akihabara to check what things can be seen in the famous place. From Ryogoku Station we took Chuo Line to Akihabara Station.
Near in Akihabara Station
My thoughts about Akihabara is a place of manga and anime. Where all the famous anime or cartoons from Japan can be seen. There are lots of stores selling anime character products such as posters, cards, video games, electronics and others. There are lots of computer game shops in the surrounding areas where not only accommodating for young but adult fanatics too, since it was evening when we arrived in Akihabara, we just had a limited time to stroll around the place. We went inside of one of the electronics mall named – Yodobashi-Akiba.
Along Chuo-dori
The mall has 9 floors and just spending time inside this mall will consume mostly of our time. We found a lot of electronic stuff inside the mall. As we entered the mall, the first things we saw are mobile phones, tablets and computers. Next, we continued to the 2nd floor where mostly are PC accessories and printers. We stop a bit in 3rd floor as I saw a lot of digital cameras, I was looking for different lenses for my Canon DSLR and wanting to buy one but I did not. We climbed again to the next floor which is 4th floor where we saw mostly music related products such as head phones, the last floor we visited was the 5th floor, even though there still up to 9th floor. At 5th floor, we saw a lot of household products. We’re almost wanted to buy things but we stop the idea as we knew the customs in my country where you will be tax heavily for the products bought outside the country. We just enjoyed looking at difference products displayed in the mall.
We felt hungry and decided to leave the mall and find a place to have our dinner. After our dinner, we decided to go home as it’s getting late and we concluded our day.
Before ending our first day in Japan, my sister and I decided to walk a bit in areas near the hotel leaving our parents behind and let them have enough rest. Our accommodation was located strategically in Central Tokyo, as it is accessible via metro subway train. While walking we got a chance to see some part of Tokyo at night. It was Friday night, we left the hotel for a walk around 8PM in the evening. We walked along Eitai Dori, then we turned left and continued the walk along Chuo Dori. Here, we saw line of buildings where most of the ground level are stores and restaurants. Some buildings are malls. Along Chuo Dori, I already enjoyed the lined-up of buildings in it. Though we only did a quick walk, the impression I had while passing the buildings, I felt the relaxing ambiance of the surroundings even though it’s an urban place, though I’m not sure if the feeling is the same case during the day.
We walked at Chuo Dori because it leads us to Ginza where one of the popular shopping district in Tokyo can be found. As the peak hours had passed, we haven’t seen too many people in the road. Probably some just began having good time with their Friday night or majority of them gone home, leaving the downtown for the weekend for a while. During the walk, my sister and I observed that people we passed by looks like they came from work as both Japanese men and women were in their professional dress code. One thing to note, the fashion style we noticed specially for Japanese women from hotel to Ginza area were wearing modern and yet conservative clothing because most of the dress or skirt length they wear were up to knee-length. Honestly, I like the way they dress because it shows their character and values of simplicity.
Our walk that night, made me amazed because in simple thing that I witnessed, the discipline that Japanese has in crossing the road. Even the road is like an alley and even no vehicle is passing through, if its red light they really stopped and waited for green sign to cross the road. At the back of my head, I myself practice it as well even in my country but sometimes I myself neglected following traffic rules and being impatient, some of my country men doesn’t do it, specially if the vehicle are on park mode while waiting for green light, even it was stop sign, people are crossing to almost all kinds of roads, which shows of people being impatient in waiting or let’s say people with no discipline at all even in small thing such as road crossing.
Chuo Dori
As we approached Ginza area, the bustling lights coming from different stores along Chuo Dori were imminent. Because the lights are quite intoxicating we took photos of ourselves with the stores, we took selfie photos, and we took some photos with the road.
Ginza Wako
It’s almost 9PM in the evening and we were looking for western food chain like Mc Donald’s or KFC as we were hungry (we’re not really type of people who adventures local food but we’re open to taste it). From Chuo Dori road we turned right at Harumi Dori towards Tokyo Expressway then turned right again at Sotobori Dori and walked for a short distance until we found KFC. That night, we found out that food are quite pricey in Japan, compared to other countries we had visited. After dinner, we had some takeaway food for our parents. We took Metro Subway to return to the hotel, from Ginza Station to Kayabacho Station.
Sotobori Dori
My impression to Ginza area, I think a lot of people will enjoy the place as there is lot to see specially if preferences of the visitors is into shopping. The area is a place of combined shopping centres, dining places and entertainments.
Interior (Post#2) : The Block Arcade – Elizabeth St Interior Walkway
One of the things that I really enjoyed in Australia while strolling around in its different cities are its century old arcades and one of them is “The Block Arcade” or simply “The Block”. The said arcade is located almost at the center of Melbourne CBD. When I got a chance to enter in this European touched arcade I was really amazed. Looking at its interior design, you will really feel the building’s history and culture. Photo captured last July 2013 while walking around the city.
It was my second and last tour in South Australia, I knew that one of the hardest thing to decide when traveling is choosing which tour or adventure to select and which one is to give up. When I’m planning my holiday in this state, I wished that I had a longer days of holiday but I don’t have. After spending some thoughts about it, I chose Grand Adelaide and Kangaroo Island tour. I already published the stories happened to me on my first day in Adelaide in my previous posts and this time I am focused in my Kangaroo Island experience.
Every time I travel, I tried my best to see the national park around the area or nearby area because I have this thoughts that there is something special in such kind of place, something considered as natural treasure that humanity must protect. Kangaroo Island has Flinders Chase National Park and conservation parks wherein Seal Bay Conservation Park is one of them. The name of the Kangaroo Island was made because the early explorer of the island was came from the group of Matthew Flinders and at that time they haven’t eaten meat for so long until they saw small Kangaroo which the group hunted. That kind of story behind the names of places sometimes quite fascinating to learn.
— Kangaroo Island Sealink Ferry Terminal – Cape Jervis Port
— Kangaroo Island from Kangaroo Island Sealink Ferry Terminal – Cape Jervis Port
From my hotel, the tour bus picked me up and we traveled to Cape Jervis for more than 1.5 hours where the Kangaroo Island Sealink ferry terminal is located. We jumped off the bus and transferred to the ferry that will bring us to the island which gave us a chance to cruise Backstairs Passage. In less than an hour we arrived at Penneshaw which is the ferry terminal of Sealink in Kangaroo Island. We left the ferry and transferred to the tour bus that’s waiting for us.
— Kangaroo Island Penneshaw Port – Bay Terrace
From Penneshaw, we took Bay Terrace and North Terrace. We turned left to Thomas Wilson St to Howard Drive, then straight to Hog Bay Road. I enjoyed the ride as my eyes wandering in sceneries that I saw in the island such as Penneshaw Hotel near the port and Sea Dragon Lodge where a yacht station for island residences and visitors. The island is said to be the third largest island in Australia which means that one day may not enough to see all of the island. While inside the bus, one of my self entertainment was capturing photos as much as I can to remember all the places that I had been.
— Some window view snapshots from the bus along North Terrace road.
— Snapshots along Howard Drive
— Snapshots from Hog Bay Road
After passing Howard Drive, we stayed in Hog Bay Road in a while. Along the road, we saw American River which looks like a lake at first while inside the bus just to realised it is a river where it ends in Easter Cove of the island. Next thing happened that I noticed, we turned left on the way to Seal Bay Conservation Park. I can’t remember which road we took but one thing that I remembered, we passed the nearby island airport. We reached the Seal Bay Conservation Park. The park is located in the nearby coastal area or beach area called as Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve which is the access to many seals towards the bay. The park has boardwalk where visitors can walk through without disturbing the seals around the park. During our visits, most of the seals that I saw were sleeping or lets say they were resting. When I saw the seals, it actually confused me because they look like a sea-lion to me. But I noticed there’s difference between Seal and sea-lion. I found out that seal has small flipper, wriggle on their bellies on land and lack visible ear flaps while sea-lion has large flipper, walk on land using flipper and have visible ear flaps.
— American River from Hog Bay Rd
— Seal Bay Visitor Information Centre
— Seal Bay Conservation Park
— Sleepyhead Seals
I enjoyed my walk around the Seal Bay, with the help of our tour guide, we got a chance to walk in the nearby seashore area where we saw other seals in the sand, some were just came from the sea and some were sleepyhead seals. While looking and watching the seals, I can say they are one of the cutest sea-lion family that I saw. Seal Bay is in the southern part of the island where I experienced cold wind from the south because I visited the place during the end of month of Autumn season.
— Sleepyhead Seals with some group of birds flocked together
— Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve
After enjoying Seals, we move to one of the wild life park in the island called Kangaroo Island Wild Park. Before it was called as Parndana Wildlife Park. Here we got a chance to see other animals aside from seals wherein the park collaborates with the island as they also protects and takes care of the animal being by providing conducive environment for them. After the wild life park, next area of the island we visited was Remarkable Rocks. Before we reached the magnificent rock formation, we stopped at the Remarkable Lookout to see the rock formation from a distance.
— Some animals at Kangaroo Island Wild Park (Parndana Wildlife Park)
— Kangaroo Island Wild Park (Parndana Wildlife Park)
Flinders Chase National Park
— At Boxer Drive near Remarkable Rocks Lookout
Along Boxer Drive we appreciated exquisite sceneries along the edges of the island or the coastline. The bay is what they call Great Australian Bight. Within the area, where ever I turned my eyes into, I saw calmness and beauty of the place admiring the island and felt good knowing it is being protected as many generations will be able to visit the place.
— At Remarkable Rocks (Surrounding Area)
— Remarkable Rocks
Remarkable Rocks is one of the popular tourist site in the island. When I saw the rocks, I was surprised because of its unique shapes and the location where the rocks stands. Because the rocks standout, it is noticeable whether you are in the island or you are in the sea. The name remarkable is probably appropriate as the name of the rocks because it is distinguishable among other rocks known to the world.
Next thing happened was were driving to Cape Du Couedic Road where we saw Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse. The area is part of Flinders Chase National Park, like the Remarkable Rocks, the place has amazing sceneries to enjoy. Based on history, the coastline off Flinders Chase became the final resting place of 14 ships which came to grief on the rocky shores which led to push the building of the tower in the area though even there some contingency lights used before.
It is the same place where to find the Admirals Arch and the New Zealand sea-lion fur. Before we end our tour in the island, we had a short visit in Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre.
— At Cape Du Couedic Road on the way to Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse looking towards Great Australian Bight
— Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse
— Admirals Arch
— At Admirals Arch Boardwalk looking towards Great Australian Bight with Casuarina Islets
— At Admirals Arch Boardwalk looking towards Great Australian Bight
When I was following the boardwalk in placed in the area, I never expected another tourist spot, I was actually looking for seal or sea-lion when I found out the Admirals Arch. It was a unique landmark because of it was made naturally by nature with time passed by.
The final place we went into before leaving the island park was Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre where more information displayed about the island, souvenir stores and cafe to indulge with.
Within the tourist group I had, there were visitors who need to go the island airport, because they were in a hurry to fly back to their country. I forgot which country it was, these travellers can afford to see places in short period of time while they can still able to catch their international flight, well I honestly admired them for taking chances to see more as much with a little time left.
— Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre
After Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, we drove to Glenelg. Glenelg is suburb not really far away from the city centre of Adelaide. Around half an hour or less drive, anyone can immediately reach the suburb with different transporation options available. Aside from driving, there is a tram from the city centre straight to Glenelg that’s why the beach side suburb is very accessible to all.
As I looked into the information about Glenelg, I learned that the suburb is considered as the oldest European settlement in mainland of South Australia.
I always excited every time I am on my way to another place as part of the tour because I always anticipate that there are new things to see and new things to either discover or learn to the places that I am visiting. From South Terrace where we came from, we took Anzac Highway. Well Anzac name is quite famous around Australia, because it has a great part of history in the country. Similar name has been used such Anzac Bridge and Anzac War Memorial.
–At N Esplanade
–At King Street overlooking at Patawalonga Lake
–At Anzac Highway in Glenelg
As we approach the suburb, from Anzac Highway we turned right to Adelphi Terrace, until we reached King Street and as we continued, we drove along N Esplanade where we witness great scenery along the road as it is a coastal road. We return to the King St and cross the bridge where we saw a scenic Patawalonga Lake and back to Adelphi Terrace and then Anzac Highway. Our bus continued its journey until we drove to the same road where the tram track from the city centre was laid out which named as Jetty Road. We passed Moseley Square and parked our bus along Colley Terrace. From Colley Terrace we started our own journey in Glenelg.
–At Jetty Road
After jumping off the bus, I tried to capture photos as much as I can because I only have more than an hour to explore and appreciate the place. Though it was a quick one I enjoyed my walk in the area. From Colley Terrace, I passed Glenelg Community Centre, some familiar hotel accommodations, the famous Jetty Road where the Glenelg Tram track from Adelaide City Centre, Moseley Square where Glenelg Town Hall and Pioneer Memorial are located.
— Glenelg Jetty Hotel at Jetty Road near Moseley Square Tram Stop station
After enjoying some time in Moseley Square, I continued my walk in the area as I saw Glenelg Beach, Glenelg Jetty and Jimmy Melrose Park. I as wander the place, I saw Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Beach House and a nearby Ferris Wheel. I had a great time during my quick stroll in Glenelg because I got a chance to glimpse this famous beach side suburb in Adelaide.
— Jimmy Melrose Park near Moseley Square
— Glenelg Beach
–Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club Near Brian Nadilo Reserve
–Beach House and Ferris Wheel at the back of Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club
— Anzac Highway towards the city centre from Glenelg
Transportation (Post#1) : Hong Kong – Double Decker Tram
Every time I travel, I used to take photos of anything to remember all the places that I visited. The snapshots were always random, whatever my camera caught. The photo above was one of the double-decker tram available as public transportation in Hong Kong and the one above was a flavour of a popular brand of chocolate which captured during our Chinese season visit last January 2012.
Life In The Metro (Post#1) : Somewhere In Phra Nakhon
The photo above is around about where five roads meet. The five roads are: Rambuttri Alley/Rd, Thanon Tanao, Sip Sam Hang Rd, Bowon Niwet Rd and Tani Rd where all located in Phra Nakhon, central district in Bangkok. This was the nearby area where we found our accommodation for the night in Bangkok Thailand during our Backpacking Adventure last March 2011. It is near in Khaosan Road, a street famous to travellers and where most of the backpackers found their niche to start their adventure in one of the popular city in South East Asia.
Since the season in Australia is switching from spring to summer, it is the same period to enjoy harvesting season. And when that season happened while I was in Melbourne therefore it is common to be invited by my friend to go somewhere and enjoy fruit picking.
This time I was invited to join the strawberry and cherry picking. Back home I already experienced strawberry picking but not the cherry. Since I was curious what was it like I accepted the invitation.
It was beautiful Saturday that day and my friends picked me up in my hotel. From St Kilda Road going to the City we took left to Kingsway. Then we left the city by taking Western Gate Freeway, we turned right to West Ring Road then to Western Freeway, then we took Bacchus Marsh Road where the farm we were targeting is located.
–Western Freeway before turning to Bacchus Marsh Road
We arrived in Naturipe Farm, almost lunch time. Instead of going straight to the farm, we decided to have lunch first. Different families came one by one and all of us met at the table area in the farm. And the exciting part was when the foods were being prepared and all were Filipino menus which I really love. When food were ready I jumped into the table and helped myself in grabbing one by one, because it’s too many, I was confused which one to eat first, but in the end I got full. It was a great lunch as I felt again to be part of a huge family in Melbourne.
–At Naturipe Farm
After all were done for lunch, all the food were packed and the whole group went ahead to the farm. I was surprised to discovered that there were too many people dropped by to the farm, it seems the fruit picking activities has been a headline to the city as we need to line-up in a queue just to get inside the farm to pay the entrance in cherry picking, while the strawberry picking was free. Though the sun started to heat-up, we remain in the queue until we got our chance to enter to the farm. We paid the entrance fee and plastic boxes with the bucket.
–The queue
After we passed the long queue, we went straight to cherry picking area. We showed our receipt to person in charge at the entrance and directed us where was the picking area. As I saw the vines of cherries. I was excited and started looking at the cherries. I looked for dark red cherries as they were the cherries that’s really sweet. Our group even inside the cherry farm, did not stop in taking photos, everyone were posting their selves in different parts of cherry vines. All of us seems happy in picking the cherries and to be honest I myself enjoyed the activities as well.
We took hours in cherry farm before moving to Strawberry farm. Here my eyes become bigger as I saw huge strawberries and I felt that all of them were calling me to “Hey you!!! What are you waiting for? Pick me now!!!” I grab all the strawberries that huge and red. I even eat strawberries while picking it, the taste are sweet even it’s not red and I wonder how it happened? Well that secret I leave with the nature I just keep picking the fruits. When I felt that my bucket seems heavy enough I stopped and waited with others to go to the counter to pay all what we got.
–Fruits that I picked (I already ate a lot :))
After paying at the counter we met each other again and said our goodbyes for another great and wonderful experience with the people who I call family in Australia.
Chromatic Outlook (Post#16) : Shrine of Remembrance
I used to see this building on my back and forth travel from work and to the place where I live while I was in Melbourne. Coming from the city, this structure looks in the middle of St Kilda Road as it turned out that the road turns curve which is a good visual effect and become a charm in the area. Even this building is near and walkable from my place, I haven’t got a chance to see it immediately until I put some time to walk around Melbourne. Shrine of Remembrance was built to remember Victorian people who fought World War I and now it is shrine to all Australians who fought wars. After I visited Canberra, I just thought that it was like a branch of Australian Memorial as it showcase the bravery of people who for the peace we enjoy right now. Photo capture last July 2013.
Panoramic View (Post#3): The Twelve Apostles
The snapshot above is just the half side view of The Twelve Apostles. I am not really sure why it is called as The Twelve Apostles because currently there is just 8 limestone stack exist. This popular tourist spot are located along Great Ocean Road in Port Campbell National Park at Victoria state of Australia. I got a chance to see this place after joining Great Ocean Road tour last Feb 2013.
This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Skywatch Friday – February 19, 2016
Scenic Weekends – February 21, 2016
Blue Monday – Feb 22, 2016
Our World Tuesday – Feb 23, 2016
Travel Tuesday – Feb 23, 2016
Water World Wednesday – Feb 24, 2016
Watery Wednesday – Feb 24, 2016
Outdoor Wednesday – Feb 24, 2016
View At My Window (Post#3): Cairns Sea View and Grey Peaks National Park
When I traveled in Cairns with my close friend in Melbourne, I booked a hotel which is Comfort Hotel Acacia Court which located in The Esplanade in Cairns last October 2013. The photo above is just one of the views I captured while at the terrace of our room.
After Shannon Falls, we had an almost an hour in the road enjoying the sceneries along Sea To Sky Highway on our way back to Vancouver.
Scenic Views along Sea To Sky Highway after coming from Shannon Falls
I thought that Shannon Falls was the last stop for my Whistler tour on that day. And yet we had another stop which was the last stop for the tour. We ended at Cypress Mountain Provincial Park. At first I did not know what to expect until I saw beautiful sceneries in the area. I can call the place a great lookout for the main reason that it has amazing location to appreciate the skyline and surrounding area of Metropolitan of Vancouver. The area we stopped in the park has a picnic area to enjoy time and great views. The provincial park is part of Cypress Mountain itself and located in West Vancouver near at Howe Sound.
My Saturday ends so great for me. I had an amazing time for all the places that I had been to. I was satisfied that I had seen so much for one day. And I was really thankful for the wonderful chance that I had because I know I may not be able to do the same tour again in the future as I’m allowed to enter Canada once. I wish I will be to come back in the future in this beautiful nature country such as Canada.
Whistler becomes a buzz word while I was in Canada because the next Winter Olympics which will be happening in 2010 will be held in Whistler. I was so happy that I will be able to visit Whistler because I knew that I will not be around during the Olympic season. Before I even arrived in Vancouver, I had been planning my tour since I had only two full day weekends, two nights and half-day (just almost 5 days) to travel around British Columbia and I don’t want to waste my time just being at the hotel.
I was booked for Whistler Mountain and Forest Tour via Whistler Glacier Dome train last June 14, 2008. I booked the tour with Vancouver Landsea Tours and Adventures. Because the location of my hotel (Ramada Hotel) was in Burnaby, the tour company told me that they will not be able to pick me up from the hotel that I was staying. I was advised to go to Hyatt Regency hotel at Burrard Street. Therefore, I woke up early and went to the said hotel to join the group tour. After meeting my group, I was dropped off at the Whistler train station since my tour includes Whistler train.
Inside the Glacier Dome of Whistler Mountaineer Train (quite blurred)
Lions Gate Bridge (From North Vancouver District)
Vancouver view from West Vancouver
Bowen Island view from West Vancouver
Whistler train station is in North Vancouver railway station, this was where the Whistler train left Vancouver. From the station, we passed Lions Gate Bridge a suspension bridge that connects Vancouver to North Shore of North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
The train route follows the coastline of North Vancouver to West Vancouver near Marine Drive, then the rest of the tracks is almost parallel to Sea to Sky Highway. The trail seemed designed for a great train ride. The panoramic views along the Strait of Georgia, sceneries together with Bowen and Gambier Island from Lions Bay, Furry Creek and Squamish were really amazing.
Falls view from Whistler train
Some photos while on our way to Whistler (along Sea To Sky Highway)
Scenic view near in Squamish
Riding in a train like that seems like a cruise because the dome train I took was more luxurious than the other carriage of the Whistler train. The travel was comfortable and enjoyable. I admired everything that I saw all the way from Vancouver to Whistler.
Almost at Whistler
Whistler Village
Finally, we arrived at Whistler Village. Because I booked Whistler tour via train, I was separated in my group tour on the way to Whistler, they came to Whistler via tourist bus. I met the whole group and the tourist guide again in the village. I remembered that our guide told us that while we’re in the village, we have free time to spend and try things that we like. The group agreed to come back at the meeting place in a specific time.
Whistler Train Station
Some snapshots in Whistler Village
While in Whistler, I grabbed the opportunity to walk within the village. I was able to reach lake called Green Lake and found out that it was the Whistler airport station. Yes, it is the airport because it’s not the same like common airport we used to, it is an airport for a sea float plane, where small plane flies but lands in water either in harbor or lakes.
Whistler Airport at Green Lake (and its surrounding area)
Since the area is being prepared for the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2010, there were constructions going on in different parts of the village, but the construction activities did not hinder the normal operations in the village and tourist keeps on coming.
Blackcomb Mountain
After walking for sometime around Whistler Village, I decided to ride gondolas to reach the mountain summit. I saw Blackcomb mountain booth. I bought the ticket and went on queue for gondola. The gondola that I saw in the area are open type gondola because it is the rides of people who does the skiing in the mountain during winter season and because the winter was over, the same gondola brings tourist like me to reach the top of the mountain.
During my ascent to the summit of the Blackcomb mountain, I was able to see the panoramic views of mountains around the area. If I saw Rocky Mountains in Banff from the ground, I was overwhelmed because I witness different angle of mountains from the top. And because it was Spring season I saw some parts of the Blackcomb mountain that still have snow and iced which a leftover by Winter season. I was lucky that I was wearing winter jacket at that time because I experience the cold wind from the ground up to the summit. I spent some time at the peak of the mountain by taking photos, by just looking around 360 degrees and by appreciating all the things that my eyes reached. I never experienced a mountain like that before where it felt like the other surrounding mountains were so close to me. It seems they were all reachable and I could just grab them with my bare hands with the blink of an eye. I told myself how beautiful and great the place where I was standing.
Panoramic Views at Blackcomb Mountain
I looked at my watch and decided to descend the mountain. I reached the ground of the mountain the same way that I reached the summit.
It was great to see a beautiful village surrounded by mountains. I was ecstatic and I never thought that a remote place like Whistler is a beautiful community covered by natures wonders. It was really a wonderful place for me. I really enjoyed my walk along the village and my rides in gondola. Discovering the place from the ground, from the sky and from summit made my experience memorable.
My group tour met together again. And in few minutes we left Whistler Village and we started driving back to Vancouver.
One of the astonishing and surprising place that I had a chance to visit in Canada is Banff. Banff is one of the municipality in Alberta which located within National Park. From my previous blog, I described my first day in Banff and introduced all the places that I had been. Right now, I am remembering my second day in Banff together with all the places I had a chance to see.While traveling around Banff National Park, I cannot deny that I love mountains around this park. Names of the mountain has its own reasons while they call them as that. For example, Castle Mountain, anyone will immediately understand after seeing this mountain and heard its name why it was called as Castle Mountain, the reason is, mountain looks like a castle.
There is Cascade Mountain which can be easily found along Banff Avenue. I thought at first that this mountain is located at the end of Banff Avenue but it is not. Its peak is really fantastic. Seeing this mountain and some snow on its top overwhelm me. The picture I have for Cascade mountain also portrayed that Banff Avenue seems to be busy during spring season and there were lots of tourist coming by to visit Banff.
First destination – the Bow Falls and the Bow River which located at the bottom of Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel. I both admired the Bow Falls and Bow River after we drove and stopped over at the River Avenue.
Bow Falls
Then, we ascended to Tunnel Mountain and stopped at lookout view-point in Buffalo Street, from there, we were able to glimpsed the famous Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel that looks like a castle in the middle of the valley.
Next, we turned around and followed the path of Tunnel Mountain Road where we found Hoodoos at the bottom of the road and above the Bow River. We had also got a chance to view Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain on a different angle from Tunnel Mountain Road and I cannot deny to myself that I am still surprised on the scenery that I saw. I also found out that Tunnel Mountain near in Banff town site is a mountain in the middle of the Bow Valley.
Mount Rundle
We paid visit to Cave and Basin, a historic place that is being preserve and now a tourist spot. Cave and Basin are famous of its stinky hot spring which located inside the cave. The reason it is stinky, because of the stinky smell of sulphur within the hot spring. Right now, no one is using the hot spring because there is an endangered species living in the hot spring, they call it as Banff Spring Snail, a snail that can be only found in Cave and Basin. Cave and Basin also displays historic stuff in a museum and it has a movie house that shows history or documentary films. We also found an empty pool – based on history, it was a swimming pool to heal sick people.
The Cave
Inside the Museum
Old Pool
After Cave and Basin, we went to Lake Minnewanka. I had to admit that the panoramic view of this lake really astounded me. I never expected a lake with its beautiful color. The water is so clear at the side of the lake and has a light blue color in the middle. My heart is really fulfilled with happiness after I saw this lake.
We also tried to visit another two lakes: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. While on our way to Moraine Lake, we thought that the lake was still closed but we were lucky that it was open and we were able to see Moraine Lake. Next, we stop over in Lake Louise. There were many people in the lake. Lake Louise is bigger than Lake Moraine and I cannot compare its beauty to Moraine Lake because the two lakes are well-known of its fascinating lake views. And I think whatever the season, they are both stunning. When I paid visit to the two lakes, both of them has still icy water due to winter just recently over but, I still found them as wonderful as it can be. Another note, Lake Louise was named after Princess Louise, one of the daughter of Queen Victoria.
Lake Louise
Last destination in my second day tour, we went up to Mount Norquay, one of the famous mountain that is popular in skiing activities. From Mount Norquay, we were able to see the Bow Valley as a whole. We saw Banff town site in another perspective, same with Tunnel Mountain, Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain.
I really feel like the nature is very close to me while I am at Banff.
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