Heights and heat in Banff

The town of Banff has many activities to do and some of the best aren't too far from town. An easy afternoon was spent around Sulphur Mountain. The walk there from town took longer than expected as the tourist map is far from to scale. If you look closely you will see little lines cutting through a few of the roads on the map indicating that it is in fact no to scale. Not that the walk is too difficult, just that I thought I was taking a shorter route which I believe ended up being much longer, though nice through the tall pines. Anyway at the Banff Gondola wasn’t sure now whether to ride it up instead of the hike. After a quick rest and some sustenance the decision was clearer, particularly seeing the long cue for the Gondola!

Radium Hot Springs

Though I had planned for an early start I just didn’t get going, and as it turned out didn’t really matter as still achieved all I had planned for walks and hot spring! After breakfast walked down the road into Radium town and along the Sinclair River. A lovely walk across small bridges and path that weaves its way to and from the river. Then back up past the Hostel to the start of the Kootenay National Park and the trail down into the Sinclair Canyon. The walk crosses the river and you get a glimpse of a waterfall between narrow and high rock cliffs. Always conscious of potential wildlife sightings particularly as I made my way up out of the canyon high above the road below. Though luckily, or unfortunately, I didn’t see more than a squirrel.

Granville Island

Granville Island, the arts, crafts and market area, is a great trip for the day. Can walk across the Granville Bridge, though with no direct walkway down to the island itself you end up doubling back a few blocks, or can take the ferry across and even continue further around the False Creek circuit for city views from the water. The island is connected to the Seawall walkway, which goes around the entire False Creek inlet, if interested in a longer walk.

Many little shops with some great art work., glass, pottery, wood, fabric, some of which is made onsite.

Davie Street and Eco-friendly sustainable community focus

Walking around this area you wouldn’t know that you are in the city area. Davie Street has many single storey and locally owned shops. Close to the water, and a little community garden situated in the midst of the busy streets which gives an eco-friendly feel to the area.

There have been a few places that I have travelled that have these types of gardens, particularly in city areas where backyards don’t exist. It would be great to see more of this occur and a turn back to the natural and sustainable lifestyle, even in the midst of the hectic and chaotic city, which is all too easy to get caught up in; fast paced city life, pre-packaged and full of preservatives.

Granville and Robson Streets

Vancouver’s Granville Street does run for miles, though the main downtown section is certainly set up for the night life with flashing bright lights sprawled down the length. With cinema, theatres, shops, pubs and clubs. The cues for clubs can be a long wait in the cold and wet, with many wearing very little (completely unappealing to my sensibility, though I’m sure I did this at some point in the past!) I usually opt for a pub where I can walk straight in, or maybe only a 5minute wait.

The street is undergoing huge amount of construction to upgrade the road and pathways for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics.

Stanley Park

At the tip of Vancouver’s Downtown/West End location is the huge Stanley Park with houses, gardens, pool, aquarium and many other attractions and of course walks. It offers locals with place to run, walk, bike, blade or method of choice along the many tracks around the lakes. Also tourists flock to enjoy the natural landscape and features within.

The walk or ride around the perimeter is lovely giving many different views of the city. Whilst flat it is a good 9km, more or less depending on where you start and finish on the Seawall track.

Pender Island

Got to go to Pender Island, one of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, with a friend. Was great to have someone familiar with the island to show me around. During winter especially, if you don’t have a car it isn’t easy to get around the sites. However in summer the population doubles and regular ‘car stop’ points makes hitching rides easier.

We stayed at the Poets Cove Resort which had fabulous views and sitting outside in the hot tub watching the sun set is a great way to conclude a day.

New Year Treat

With the new decade pending, soon to be here, my wish for you is -

For all your apples will be deliciously sweet, with sumptuous chocolate and colourful treats. Whatever the shape, style or with fabulous flair take hold of the joys that are sure to be there!

Whilst the exterior is elegant, zany, or vibrant do remember that the true natural wonder lies buried within.

So this decade focus on the entire you and allow the inside to be vibrant too!

Holiday Season in Victoria, BC

With the New Year pending, the lights of the season are full and bright in Victoria,  BC. So enjoyed wandering the streets after dusk, just as mush as through the day.

Victoria, BC

Between Christmas and New Year I decided needed a break from Vancouver and headed across to Vancouver Island and down to the BC capital, Victoria. From here everything else in Canada is North!

The moment I arrived I loved the place.

Boxing Day Mahem!

So don’t often frequent boxing day sales, even in Australia, as I don’t like the crowds and the blind sighted need to buy because of another few percent off. Maybe deals for some larger items it pays off to venture out, though for smaller things not sure it really makes a big difference considering what you have to go through to obtain the item. So today, out of interest and possible insanity, I went out to one of Vancouver’s largest Malls, Metropolis; 900 stores and lost count of how many thousand people.

Christmas Time (Part 2)

Whilst here alone, I can certainly say I’m not alone.

After breakfast I helped a friend make Gluhwein (German warm, spiced red wine) something we were going to share on the beach at sunset.

Christmas Time (Part 1)

So this is Christmas and time for family, friends, frivolity!

Christmas Eve started with thoughts of family and friends in Australia about to celebrate Christmas Day. A weird feeling doing things nearly a full day behind. So a relaxed start and with beautiful weather walked around the city streets with last minute bargains and shoppers completing their final tasks. Wandering around admiring the mayhem that I wasn’t apart of this year was interesting. Well obviously a part of as I was out with the hoards, though had sent my presents home a while ago, so now relaxed and able to enjoy the season. The cathedral had a choral concert which was lovely to hear so many voices as the sound reverberated around the hall.

Christmas around Vancouver

T'was the night before Christmas and not a creature was stirring not even a ...

gingerbread person!

Another day of Snow!

A beautifully white and bright day with sleigh rides, Santa, hot chocolate and other wintry delights. OK so it wasn't in Vancouver per say, though extremely near by in the mountains. Grouse Mountain to be exact.

Winter Solstice

Well the 21st December brought the Winter Solstice to town. So that means the daylight hours will start increasing and getting warmer?! A day maybe not always celebrated, though I had festivity galore here in Vancouver, Canada. There were different venues around town hosting an evening of visual delight.


The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Yaletown was one site for the 16th Annual Lantern Festival. You could have dropped in through the week prior to help create lanterns which were then paraded at 6pm to finish at one of the venues and thus start the evenings activities.
Once inside the area was buzzing. Each room was thematically driven with lanterns, decorations, musicians, dancers and crowds just to catch a glimpse of the wonders that went into making this a special occasion.

Christmas Street Parade

So what would any celebration be like without the community coming together to celebrate in unison. The more people, the bigger the event, the larger the celebration, more enjoyment to be had. So what better place to see than Vancouver's community come to watch a street parade and share the joy of Christmas. From community services, to local groups, larger corporations and of course the olympic spirit all combining to give and share their excitement for the season. Many floats, numerous horses and even more walkers, the streets were closed to traffic, though why complain when the event brings so many together. Collect your cup of hot chocolate, find a gap and enjoy the view!

So with flags galore,

Help-portrait photos complete

Spent time handing photos back to the people who came on Saturday. On the whole happy and smiley faces, positive about the results of their photos. Excited to hang the photo on wall, give to girlfriend, send to mother, or just to have an image of themselves. Some of the results were amazing. The difference between how they entered the room, to what the photographer brought out in them, to the final black and white image was fabulous.

It is disappointing that you can’t please everyone all of the time. What would life be without problems and looking for what is wrong, or going to go wrong, or who will rip me off / use me today? Though some people just wanted to hear you say they looked great, not something that is said enough. Complements, gratitude not always given.

So a conclusion to a fabulous event, and as have said before would definitely love to be involved again. Thankyou and congratulations to all that gave their skills to an event somewhere in the world. And to those who came and had a photo taken, hope you enjoy the memory.

Let it Snow!

Now Vancouver is known for rain in the winter, not really for snow. So when it came this weekend I was rather excited. It started just rather light with the flecks disappearing soon after landing, though as the day progressed ground cover was actually achieved. So for two days there was white across the city and then the rain came and all over… till next time? Yes, I’m still holding out that it will occur again come Christmas. The two winter Christmas’ I’ve had has included snow, so would like it to be a trifecta!

Help-Portrait (East Vancouver) Shoot Day

Help-Portrait is a new initiative that has captured the world in a relatively short time. It seeks to be an annual event on 12 December. The concept is relatively easy ... find someone, take their photo, get it printed and give it to them! It involves photographers donating their time and skills to take photos/portraits of people who would normally be unable to afford the opportunity.

There were three venues in Vancouver alone where photographers had jumped on board and organised an event. I will certainly be finding other locations around the world, depending on where I am, so that I can be involved again, even to assist with people coming in the door.