Canada Trip Day 21: Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain

3 July 2010 - We were heading to the Banff Gondola after the visit to Bow Falls.We passed by snow covered mountains with spiky coniferous trees sticking out of them, which I thought was amazing. It was just an absolute delight just to watch how these giant trees look so tiny on the slopes of these monstrous and white mountains.

We had quite a bit of a wait for our gondola at the tourist-packed reception building. I was quite happy that the queue stretched out to the side of the building where we got to see an icefield automobile. Unfortunately, our tour did not include the Columbia Icefield and there was not enough time for us to visit it either.

Once in the gondola, my sister and I were laughing so hard at how scared mum was. It was hilarious. At one point, I did feel weak in the knees looking at how high we were. The view, without a doubt, was totally glorious. We could see the Bow River, the magnificent Fairmont Banff Spring, a golf course, and mountains around Banff. The gondola goes up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where we can kind of wander around the mountain as well as check out the amazing views of the Banff Valley. We could also see Tunnel  and Rundle mountains.


Snow-covered mountains with spiky coniferous sticking out

Rocky mountains with snow almost melted away

Waiting for our flight L

Banff Gondola going to the summit of Sulphur Mountain

Tunnel Mountain



The luxurious Fairmont Banff Spring

Beautiful Rockies and Bow Valley

Peak of Sulphur Mountain

Town of Banff

Golf course

Banff Town and we took a walk along Bow River

Another view from Sulphur Mountain

A boy looking through a pair of binoculars

Gondolas arriving and leaving Sulphur Mountain

Wooden stairs to get to the peak of Sulphur Mountain

While waiting for our turn to get on a gondola

Rundle Mountain

Brown coniferous tree, a result of pine beetle infestation

Canopy of conifers with a forest trail

Canada Trip Day 21: Bow Falls, Banff

3 July 2010 - The Bow Falls may not have been the usual high waterfalls you might have expected, but its rushing water did look formidable with the serene and scenic view of the coniferous forests of the Rockies. Around the area, there are several activities one can do as facilities for cycling, walking and rafting are made available.

When we arrived, there were just heap loads of tourist coaches and cars. Our coach driver had to make some narrow turns to find an appropriate waiting area. There are many tourists when we arrived and I think we made the place even more crowded! I actually had a good time at this visit, having opportunities to talk to some of the elderly couples in our group and helping them take pictures.



Bow Falls with many visitors trying to get a closer shot of the fall by standing at the edge of rocks on the left.

There were these little girls who were really thrilled and their mum was taking photos of Bow River and the surrounding mountains

The mountains near Bow Falls are Tunnel Mountain and Rundle Mountain

People rafting along Bow River, right after Bow Falls

Canada Trip Day 21: Seoul Restaurant, Banff

3 July 2010 - Located at Banff Avenue, somewhat hidden at one end of an alley is this amazing Korean restaurant. We never thought we'd had such a Korean feast in a place like Banff! We had the spicy seafood hot pot and stir-fried beef dish. Both were unimaginably marvelous, yet my sister was saying the one she had in Korea was better. The one in Korea will have to wait for now.

The spicy hotpot was ideal for the chilly mountain weather. It worked up a healthy sweat, which somehow added to a greater satisfaction of the meal.

Not only was the food tremendous, so was the service. Impressively, the service was not compromised even when the place was quickly filled up with customers. The staff members were courteous and helpful. We had our tea cups refilled, side dishes replenished and bill sorted efficiently.

[Photos by Sakana]


Walking along the alley, we saw the sign board of Seoul Restaurant, Banff

Here we are, with the staff members making preparations to receive a tour group. Luckily, there was a table for us.

Korean Masks

A couple enjoying Korean food

Spicy seafood hotpot (Haemul Jungol), YUM!!

This was the tough part, watching and waiting for this large wok of delicious-looking seafood in spicy soup to boil

Savoury stir-fried beef - Bulgogi

Canada Trip Day 21: Beautiful Bow River

3 July 2010 - My favourite thing-to-do in the town of Banff is walking along Bow River with Mount Rundle in the south and Mount Norquay in the north. Contrary to the busy and bustling town centre, the tarred pavement that meanders with the river can be quite deserted of people. There are many spots with benches provided at the banks of the river where we can claim some private space with nature. My sister and I took a long and slow stroll along the river, basking in the early evening summer sun, enjoying the majestic presence of the surrounding mountains and welcoming some chilly winds, the remnants of winter.

The Bow River has a long history with the natives, the First Nations as well as European settlers when they arrived. There was the great railway which helped trade bloomed in Canada. Personally, I felt bad for the First Nations from long ago. With the brand new civilization that came to Canada, I hope their future generations now are living better lives after having so much taken away from them.





A church with white spires

Busy Banff street

Walking along Banff Avenue

Some sort of concert going on in the park

Banff Avenue across the Bow River

Another deer grazing by the roadside.

Fairmont Banff Springs with Mount Rundle behind

Mount Rundle and Bow River

Horse carriage along Bow River

Many horses strolling along Bow River

Mount Norquay

The peaceful walk along Bow River

Mount Norquay  and Bow River. We sat on the grass to enjoy the scenery.

Early evening sun causing the turquoise green waters to shimmer

Bow River with Mount Norquay

Mount Royal Hotel Banff

Canada Trip Day 21: Banff National Park

3 July 2010 - After the helicopter ride at Kananaski, we were back in the coach heading towards Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway, which stretches from the west to the east of Canada. The Rocky mountain range that seems to stretch endlessly, accompanying us throughout our coach journey back to British Columbia in the days to come. We passed the Three Sisters, Mount Rundle and Grotto Mountain before reaching the town. While the scenery is wonderful in Banff, the town area and popular mountains, lakes and falls are crowded with tourists like ourselves.

I found myself making associations of these mountains with those in New Zealand, Switzerland and Tibet. I think what I found marvelous about this trip was that the mountains were constantly so close to us with the highway just built always right beside them. There is great vastness of coniferous trees covering the slopes of this monstrous giants, as though every mountain is wearing a green shirt with their summit exposed.

During winter, man-made avalanches are organised to prevent unexpected casualties in these mountains. The roads involved would be closed and traffic diversion organised. These organised man-made avalanches are based on long-term studies of weather patterns, geology and avalanche histories as well as careful predictions of avalanches at different locations.



Charity, one of the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters mountain with Faith, Hope and Charity, named for their three peaks.

The Three Sisters from a distance

Rocky mountains that stretch along west of Canada

Slopes of Rockies covered with coniferous trees

Snow melting with increasing summer temperatures in the Rockies. But, it is still cold here!

Cars queuing at the entrance of Banff National Park

The Trans-Canada Highway is rich with history of railways, coal mining and Canadian native-foreigner relationships.

Holidaying in a caravan

Banff town centre

The Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Snow-covered Rockies and coniferous trees

Trees

Camp site

Saw a deer grazing in the forest

Two Jack Lake

Some sort of a dam?

Palliser Range sign board

Going around the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive and now we see Lake Minnewanka

Mount Astley on the left and Lake Minnewanka

Leafless conifers

Divers at Lake Minnewanka

Mount Inglismaldie and Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka cruise