The Rockies: Beautiful Lake Louise

Sun. Aug. 5, 2007

I have to say that Lake Louise was one of the most scenic places I've seen on this trip. Nothing beats the glacial mountain tops and green (almost aqua looking) water. Absolutely gorgeous!

Banff National Park: Tunnel Mountain (Our campsite the previous night. The night we thought we heard a bear)






Lake Louise, AB: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous (and I'm not just talking about myself!)







This is the new Asian pose. Forget the side-ways peace sign, thats out. I saw the new Fobs off the Asian bus tours doing this. It's going to be hot!






The start of the Plain of the Six Glaciers hike which was 13.9km long and took us to an elevation of 2,400 metres! Took us almost 4 hours. Quite the trek!




The view of Chateau Lake Louise from a distance.









F.Do and myself modeling our hiking wear 2007:





We're moving on up...







These people took the easy way up by horse. Lazy Biatches! The horses also left behind some really nasty smelling presents for us... pleasant...







Approx. half-way up (5.5km away from Lake Louise and 2090 metres in elevation), there is this cute teahouse. I think everyone used this as a goal point on their hike and boy were the scones worth it! yum!









After filling our bellies with the delicious scones and tea, we continued on our hike.





Building an Inukshuk. Everywhere along our drive we saw Inukshuks that were built by people. If you've never seen one before they are little men made out of rocks. They are quite cute! If I know the story right, they were built by natives to show to their other tribesmen the direction they had travelled. The Inukshuk is also the symbol for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.







Our little Inukshuk looking towards Chateau Lake Louise.



The last part of our hike was rather difficult. There were times when we were so high and walking along a very narrow path. For someone like myself who is scared of heights, it definitely takes some deep breathing. At certain points, I wasn't able to look down and had to look straight ahead.



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WHOOO, we reached the top! It was pretty cool being so high and so close to the glaciers.





After enjoying the view and gathering up enough energy, we made our way back down.





The Plain of Six Glaciers Hike took quite a toll on us. We were exhausted. I don't believe we even did anything that evening because we were barely able to move our butts off our beds. However, well worth the pain. As I always say, "No Pain, No Gain!"

The Rockies: Canmore & Banff

Sat. Aug. 4, 2007

Though we didn't get to see much of Calgary, I thoroughly enjoyed my night there.

First, we stayed at the Westin. Sigh, such luxury after sleeping in an RV for a week. I know we weren't exactly slumming it since we were fortunate enough to have an RV with our own beds and not some flimsy tent, however, RV camping was slumming it enough for me!

Secondly, we were able to clean up, put on some heels & dresses, and the best part, I finally got to do my hair!! People who know me, know that the natural state of my hair is not something to brag about (Sharma, you know what I'm talking about).

Third, Calgary was a city of deals. Thanks to Mama Khow, we were able to get the room at half price. Then with F.Do's Platnium card we were upgraded to a room with free internet, long distance in north america and a plasma tv. Score! However, the best part was our breakfast the next morning. We were able to have an elaborate breakfast buffet for a total of only $30 (even though it was supposed to be $20 per person!). Well Done! So with our bodies relaxed and our bellies full, we were off northbound towards Banff!

Canada Olympic Park: '88 winter olympics



The view driving towards the Rockies is breathtaking! The mountains in the distance look surreal.









It's quite the scene when there are 3 crazians on the side of the road with their RV. I don't know what's crazier... the fact that we've stopped on the side of a major highway or that we're 3 asians with an RV...



Canmore, AB: a small town just outside of Banff. It was very cute!







We tend to have too much fun when we hit the toy stores...





Meet the Murphy's: Mur(mine), Murph (F.Do's) and Phy (Cathy's)



Mur, the Canmore Tour Guide





Banff, AB: Banff Upper Hot Springs (I don't know about anyone else but when I think of Hot Springs, I think of serene areas in the forests where water is bubbling out of the ground with water falls. Not an outdoor swimming pool filled with extremely hot water with mountains in the background)





Banff, AB





Banff, AB: they name their streets after animals. Quite amusing.



Not Captured, But Worth Mentioning: One constant reminder in the Rockies is the wild life. Moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, etc. In particular, the bears. Anyhow, I am scared just at the thought of bears milling about. It doesn't help that every sign you read is about how you can prevent bears from entering your campsite and what you should do when you come face to face with one. (apparantly one of the things you're supposed to do is shout at it. Though if I were to come face to face with a bear, the first thing I'm going to do is run the other way, never mind shouting at it in an aggressive tone!). Anyhow, that night Cathy startled me out of my sleep when she was creeping around at the windows saying that she heard a growl. Then after listening for a bit, I heard one too! Totally freaking out, I look out the window and I swear I see a shadow of a bear at our neighbour's campsite. Though after careful investigation, we realized it was the shadow of a tree. doh! However, to this day we still are not sure if what we heard was actually a bear or just our imagination playing with us (though present this question to Cathy and she will swear it was a bear... I guess we'll never know..)

Alberta, Here We Come!

Fri. Aug. 3, 2007

High Five, we finally made it across the Alberta border!



Saskatchewan had a more "welcoming" sign when you entered from the west. Coastal Discrimination!




Medicine Hat, AB: The world's largest teepee. Though does it count that it doesn't have a cover?



Drumheller, AB: The heart of the Canadian Badlands where the dinosaurs once lived.




Also home to the world's largest dinosaur statue (where you can climb up into its mouth!).








Drumheller, AB: World Famous Royal Tyrrell Museum (we received the VIP treatment to the museum entrance from the RV parking lot!)







Oops, guess we didn't see the sign...










Hoo-doos: They look like big, dried-up mushrooms!












Calgary, Alberta: Whoo, finally the city!



Saltik Restaurant: where we had large steak dinners! yummm, large pieces of meat...




Westin, Calgary: where we were able to clean up and be civilized again. (enlarge pic to read the sign)



All the FREEEEE from the hotel!! I love FREEEE!!