View of the sky

We had the warmest day so far this year and it is such a beautiful day. Nice blue clear sky.

View from my BGP UoN room

Canada Trip Day 20: Flying to Calgary

2 July 2010 - Today marked the end of our backpacking trip as we were flying to Calgary to catch the Peaks and Parks Tours organised by Brewster Tours. We checked out from HI-Montreal and went across Boulevard René-Lévesque and waited at the bus stop adjacent to Bishop Street for Express Bus 747. Bus 747 took us to  Montréal-Trudeau airport, costing CAN$7.


Me and mum waiting for the bus. Thank God they had benches for us. Our bags were so heavy and we were far from finishing our trip.

The buses that run at this stop

747 Express Bus running from Boulevard René-Lévesque to  Montréal-Trudeau airport

At  Montréal-Trudeau airport

By now, we are familiar with the self-check-in kiosk

We had Subway before we entered the departure gate

Was happy there were power points and Wi-Fi access at the waiting terminal

Me reading The Next 100 Years by George Friedman. An interesting book which brings new thoughts and some maybe crazy to the reader about the future from current world situations including some sci-fi stuff that may really happen.

This time around, my sister had apples instead of chocolates for her dessert in the plane.

I had carrot sticks instead.

Food trolley stowed in compartments at the back of the plane

Beautiful clouds

Two layers of clouds

View of farm lands from the plane

Built up of frost around a small air vent

Sun rays filtering through thick, grey clouds

At YYC Calgary International Airport at the belt waiting for our bags

Decorations showing places of interest in the middle of the belt

The Bow office tower under construction and to be completed in 2011

Calgary Tower

Canada Trip Day 8: Vancouver Intl Airport to Toronto Pearson Intl Airport

21 June 2010 - We were going on a trip about two weeks long to Ontario, Quebec and Alberta before returning back to Surrey. You know, I never thought Canada would be that big until I was booking a domestic flight from Vancouver to Toronto. The flight took 5 hours! We left Vancouver at 12:30 and arrived in Toronto at 19:53. The time difference between the two cities is 3 hours. I actually looked at train schedules for the two cities and it takes days to get from one city to the other! If I remember correctly, it takes about 4 days.

Taking domestic flights in Canada is extremely convenient. There is almost no queuing involved except for the scanning of hand carry items. For the first time in my life, I used the check-in kiosk. Upon typing in our booking number and confirming the seats and number of check-in baggage, the machine issues our check-in slips and bag tags. After tagging our bags, we let the airport staff verify our check-in slips with our ids before dropping our check-in baggage at the conveyor belt. Everything took about 10 minutes or less. If you have problems with the self-check-in, there is always an airport staff member to help you out. And another great thing is, you never have to wait for the gate number to appear on the information screen. No matter how early you get to the airport, you can check in any time and the gate number is always printed on your check-in slip. So, there's no waiting of counters to open or gate numbers to be issued. After about 10 minutes to settle your bags, you are ready to go have coffee and do shopping. I like this airport experience. It's efficient and hassle-free.


Self check-in kiosks


Verification of check-in slips with ids is done here


Baggage drop-off


Inuit Art Exhibit at gate area for domestic flights in Vancouver Intl Airport


Pizzas are served during our flight. My first pizza while flying!


View of agricultural area in Ontario


View of buildings in Toronto


Canada's Wonderland (official website) with Behemoth, a hyper coaster that is the tallest and fastest in Canada and Splash Works

Highway networks in an X, somewhere along Highway 407


White smoke of asterisk left by plane


At Toronto Pearson Intl Airport

Canada Trip Day 2: Peace Arch Provincial Park

14 June 2010 - Our last stop of the day was the Peach Arch Provincial Park, where the arch stands as a landmark of peace between Canada and USA. Dating back to the 1800s, this area might have been a war zone between Britain and USA until the Treaty of Ghent was signed.

I was pretty amazed at myself for not getting sick of parks and gardens since we were spending the whole day at either of the two sorts. Instead, I felt a sense of freedom, watching the flowers, fountains and oceans of lawn! Not having to worry about what is to be done next, of the emails that was piling in my inbox or about job security is a bliss to be had for a while.

There was an Indian couple in their traditional attire having their wedding pictures by a hired photographer. The beautiful weather (though still cold) and the summer flowers in full bloom would have accentuate the romance in the photos. Here I am thinking of that song "Love is in the air".

A board detailing the history of Peace Arch


A map of Peace Arch Provincial Park, showing it being shared between Canada and US


Peace Arch Park signboard

Coniferous cedar and other trees


Uncle, aunt and mum walking towards the arch


Peach Arch with the inscription "Brethen. Dwelling. Together. In. Unity". The Canada flag is hoisted on the Canadian side of the border while the US flag on the other side.


Floral arrangement of the flag of Canada on this side of the park and on the other side, the flag of USA


My sister attempting a jump shot


Under the arch, about to step into Washington, US


We are now in US. A board stating that the highway is a Blue Star Memorial Highway, a tribute to the Armed Forces that defended USA


Peace Arch beside Semiahmoo Bay


The arch looked as though it is being sheltered by the two tall trees


Portable washrooms


Fiery-coloured like firecrackers, Kniphofia (Tritoma, Red hot poker, Torch lily, Poker plant)


Red Salvia


Wild Lilac


Statue of standing dogs in blue robes that symbolise guardians


Sun rays penetrating through the clouds onto Semiahmoo Bay


Weeping Atlas Cedar


Garden in the park


Tree trunk of weeping cedar


Weeping cedar tree


Cars in queue at the Canada Custom and Immigration

Interesting car license plate


I love watching this. It's a pretty scene which makes me feel hopeful and corny as it may sound, I get these imagination of angels descending with the rays, a result of too much TV!


We had aunt's home cooking to enjoy for dinner and this! Raspberry Icecream cake! So very yummy!


Me and Leo. I now know a cat and a dog named Leo!