Tag Archives: Photography

Sea to Sky Gathering – Vancouver.

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Sea to Sky, Vancoucer, Canada

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Many of you know that I am a member of a world wide women’s group.  Each year we have get togethers, or “gatherings” in different parts of the world. This year I was fortunate enough to attend one of these gatherings in Vancouver, Canada.

What a party!!

There were 25 of us from 10 different countries, plus of course the local ladies from Vancouver, travelling from Sea to Sky and seeing and loving it all. The YWCA in downtown Vancouver was a perfect location and hotel for us to stay in as it had such a homely welcoming feel.  We had fantastic welcome and good bye parties where we had the best fun including one evening with a delightful Royal Mounted Canadian Police lady.

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Caplilano Suspension Bridge

We walked across suspension bridges and enjoyed several gondola rides; we visited huge waterfalls and glorious gardens.  And spent time in a mine museum, toured Vancouver city, went on boat rides around the magnificent harbour, and learned about their First National people and their cultures and enjoyed a picnic lunch of their traditional food in Stanley Park.

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Stanley Park

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Mt Habrich

We had a night and day in Whistler Mountain where we had the most fabulous night, walking to 6 different restaurants for a progressive dinner.

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Whistler Mountain

We had dinner in Stanley Park and then enjoyed Theatre of the Stars performance of “Mama Mia”.  We had a fantastic night at Nat Bailey Stadium where we watched a real baseball game and enjoyed traditional ball game bbq for dinner which was followed by fireworks which were far beyond our expectations.

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Theatre Under the Stars- Mama Mia

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Nat Bailey Stadim

Judy Lam, a local historian gave us a great Tour of Chinatown followed by a dim sum lunch. We were invited into little back rooms behind “secret doors” where the locals meet up and play mahjong

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Grouse Mountain

We explored Granville Island Public Markets which hands down was one of my favourite places in Vancouver.

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Granville Island

Our grand finale night was “Celebration of Light” Dinner Cruise which included a buffet dinner, an amazing fireworks show on the harbour and lots of dancing. It was very apparent that the rest of the cruise guests who were sitting and watching the 5W ladies up dancing, laughing and loving life, were wishing that they were a 5W member.

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All of this was thanks to the local ladies who live in Vancouver who worked for at least a year to put on this most fabulous gathering.    

I had the time of my life.

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Put Goats on the Roof and They Will Come

11 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Country Markets, Coombs, Vancouver Island

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But wait, there is more.

 

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Only about an hour from Nanaimo is the small community of Coombs where you will find the Old Country Markets. Coombs is synonymously known as “Goats on the Roof”.

On my recent trip to Nanaimo, we stopped in to the country markets and I couldn’t believe how cool it was. Not only are the goats pretty neat, this quirky shopping and eating experience, is nothing like anything I had ever seen before. It sure made me smile. But, it is not just quirky; it is seriously good quality with very unusual merchandise, displayed with a buzzing imagination.

The Old Country Market started as a roadside fruit stand in 1973, providing fresh produce to travellers heading to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Over the years it has evolved into a landmark of Coombs, with a mixture of shops and eateries for locals and visitors alike.

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The original market was created by a family who emigrated to Vancouver Island from Norway in the 1950’s. Inspired by the many Norwegian homes and farm structures that are built directly into the hillside, they decided to design the market with a sod roof. When the grass grew too tall they put goats on the roof to “mow” the grass which then became an attraction.  And so, this market with goats on the roof is now a popular draw card for the area.

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As if having goats on the roof isn’t enough, this incredible market has lots to offer inside.  A butcher, deli, fruit and vegetables, pastries and a coffee shop;  we saw fancy chopsticks and beautiful rice bowls, masks, garden statues, a wide assortment of twinkly lights, home wares, toys, a wonderful offering of gifts, fancy condiments from almost every continent and, of course, souvenir t-shirts, magnets and mugs.  “Off the Wall” neat stuff to browse through all the way to the check out which could take hours if you have the time to spend looking at the incredible range of products available.

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The deli has a huge offering as well as the varieties in the meat and fish sections.  There are cheeses galore with a vast variety and lots of different food items from around the world.

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It has a general store feel to it that is welcoming and cozy with a very hippy vibe about the entire complex and of course….goats on the roof .

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Afterwards, we made our way over to the ice cream shop for a delicious gelato.

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This place is a must stop if you are in the area. There is something for everyone.

 

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Life on the Edge – Ucluelet

05 Saturday Oct 2019

Posted by in Ucluelet, Vancouver Island

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Just 10 minutes up the road from Tofino is the town of Ucluelet.  If you are having trouble pronouncing it, you are not alone. This may help.  Slowly say, You Clue Let, but if it is easier, just say Ukee like the locals.  Ucluelet means “people of the safe harbour”.

Ucluelet is situated on the edge of the Wild Pacific Ocean. The town  offers beaches, restaurants, unique shops and galleries, a mini aquarium and a range of accommodation choices. The motto of Ucluelet is “Living on the Edge” due in part to its location on a peninsula surrounded by water.

Our accommodation was in Ucluelet where we stayed for 4 days overlooking the marina. It was so convenient to everywhere in the area.

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Not far from our accommodation was the Lighthouse Loop, which is one of the top Ucluelet hikes. This loop is part of the nine-kilometre Wild Pacific Trail. The Lighthouse Loop (2.5km) offers dramatic views of Barkley Sound and the Amphitrite Lighthouse.

On a very foggy morning (known as marine fog) we visited the photogenic Amphitrite Point Lighthouse  which is an active lighthouse perched high on the rocks. From here we walked the Lighthouse Loop portion of the Wild Pacific Trail and were enraptured by all the many gorgeous viewpoints, most of which have sturdy benches for resting and studying the ocean, watching for birds and mammals.

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The trail is incredibly well-made, well-maintained, and well-signposted. The whole area is filled with information about the sights and sounds of this magnificent rain forest route. The ocean vistas are second-to-none, providing a perfect glimpse of the awesome power of the Pacific, while demonstrating the stoic survival of coastal tree lines

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We made a point of taking in all the viewpoints which were only a few seconds off the main trail.  These viewpoints provided a rustic theme as they used driftwood / natural materials and there were benches to sit on and reflect.  Although the loop can be completed in 45-60 minutes we allowed plenty of time, giving us the opportunity to take lots of photos and generally enjoy the entire experience.

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The combination of rain forest and rugged coastline kept it really interesting, the stunning scenery and the graveled trail to walk along and follow made it an easy walk. The trail was accessible to all ages and abilities.

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We experienced Mother Nature at her most magnificent on this Wild Pacific Trail.

 

 

 

Life on The Edge – Tofino

28 Saturday Sep 2019

Posted by in Tofino - Life on the Edge

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They call it the End of the Road, a final destination for west-bound nature lovers, ocean worshipers and adventure seekers.

The drive from Nanaimo to Tofino took us about 4 hours with multiple stops along the way to explore the rugged beauty, snap photos and simply reflect on this vast  place in this part of the world. This glorious road trip was not going to be rushed.

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Along the Way

We departed with a car packed to the gunnels with everything we could possibly need on our 4 day trip. Linda catered for every kind of weather, food for picnics, bbqs, and snacks to keep us sustained along the way.

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Our first stop on the west coast was Tofino the surf town. Tofino is one of the island’s most popular spots with its dramatic and mystical beaches.  It is a natural paradise in itself, with its ancient rainforests, rivers and a striking mountain.

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Just outside of Tofino is one of Canada’s most incredible beaches – Long Beach. It is breathtaking, unspoiled & unlike anywhere else. Few places can you go where the rain-forest meets the sea and sit on a giant log and be silent except for the sounds of the waves. I live in a country that is known for it’s beaches but Tofino beach is so very dramatic and unique and nothing like any other beach that I have experienced anywhere else in the world.

We walked forever along Long Beach and although it was summer we had plenty of beach to ourselves. This beach stretches for miles and is on the open Pacific Ocean between Tofino and Ucluelet. This very impressive beach lends itself to exotic wildlife walks and bird watching.

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We sat on the logs (driftwood washed up by the ocean)  people-watching and with the marine fog it was quite a mystical setting. There were also several very friendly dogs which were not bothering anyone and just having fun.

We took a break and we ate our picnic lunch which included Nanaimo Bars, at one of the many table and chairs that are situated close to the sand.

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This wild and remarkable beach is accessible through a number of entrances off the highway between Ucluelet and Tofino.

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 Yes it is the End of the Road, but when we arrived and stepped onto the beach, we realize it was just the beginning of a new journey into another ethereal world.

Long Beach is amazing with its beautiful clean sands and perfect surf.

 

 

 

Spectacular Spahats Creek Falls

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Spectacular Spahats Creek Falls

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It does not get much better than a picnic in this beautiful park and that is exactly what we did. Firstly, we stopped by a local super market and bought some snacks and foods to enjoy for our lunch here. We walked a few minutes from the car park and found some large rocks that we sat on to eat our picnic lunch. It was just so nice enjoying Mother nature and was by far so much better than dining in a restaurant

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Spahats Creek Falls, is a waterfall on Spahats Creek within Wells Gray Provincial Park of British Columbia, Canada and is only 10 km off Yellowhead Highway. Spahats is the First Nations term for bear and the stream was once known as Bear Creek.

Spahats Creek rises from snowmelt and springs at a pass, it flows 15 km west before tumbling over Spahats Falls and entering the Clearwater River. This place is absolutely stunning. If you stop to think about how these formations are made, it really makes you appreciate the view so much more

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It was only a quick walk from the parking lot and there it was in all its glory, a beautiful canyon with a viewing area to see the waterfall. There were extensive views from along the footpath. There are steep cliffs around but the fences and viewing areas are very safe and offer amazing views

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The Water was plunging from a deep groove in the canyon into the very deep canyon valley below. The colourful walls of the canyon were covered with overhanging evergreen trees.

I enjoyed the short walk, with each view giving me a different angle of the falls and the colours of the rock cut.

Some of our group walked up further to see the length of the river and the panoramic view of the valley

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The lighting was perfect for taking photos and the view was breath-taking.

Walking on a Glacier

24 Saturday Aug 2019

Posted by in Columbia Glacier, Rocky Mountains, Canada, Uncategorized

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Yes, I walked on a Glacier.  A humbling experience that was awe inspiring. This moving river of compacted snow/ice is more than just a pretty picture, it signifies millions of years of our history. Scientists believe the Columbia Icefield predates the existence of man and when you see it, you can’t help but feel a sense of your own smallness. The glacial area extends between the summits of Mount Columbia (3,747 metres]) on the west and Mount Athabasca  (3,491 metres) on the east. The Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains. It covers some 230 sq km to a depth of 365 m and is 28 km long.  The glacier receives an average of 7 metres of new snowfall per year. Not all of that snow can melt in the short summers so it accumulates, turning to ice.

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We arrived at the Columbia Icefields glacier discovery centre and had a look around the gift shop which I thought had some great gifts and clothing items. We did not have to wait long before our shuttle was ready to take us to the giant ice explorer.  I found that all the staff  were really helpful.

Our tour guide, from Perth Australia was confident, full of knowledge and lots of fun  and told us so much about the massive Ice Explorer that we were on and also about the glaciers, the local ecosystem, and environmental changes.

With the steepness of one of the roads that we drove down I was a little uneasy but he assured us that we were very safe and in fact I felt comfortable.

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It was much easier to walk on the glacier than I expected  but I was still very careful as to where I put my feet. There were many little “rivulets” of streams. We spent quite some time up on the glacier. There were many international flags that many of us used in our dozen of photos. I drank the crisp, clear, cold water and filled my water bottle with what is known as the purest water on earth.

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This visit to the Columbia glacier was one of the highlights of my trip to the Rockies and despite the high cost I recommend it. It is such a unique experience that I cannot really compare to anything I have ever done.  It was definitely a very moving experience that I cherished every moment of.

 

 

Beautiful Banff and its Stunning Views

17 Saturday Aug 2019

Posted by in Beautiful Banff and its Stunning Views

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For many more years than I can remember I have dreamed about visiting Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, which was my main reason for my trip to the Rockies. I was surely not disappointed; with Banff being by far my favourite.

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Nestled high in Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff is located within the Banff National Park. Banff is a spirited place, alive with adventure and wonder. In all directions I was surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains. The streets of downtown are lined with top-class restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant range of art galleries and museums.

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We only had a night and day in Banff but I was able to see lots as it is only a small town.  We arrived late in the afternoon, checked in to our hotel and then headed directly up to the gondola. We took the four person enclosed car up  to the top of Sulphur Mountain in less than 10 minutes. Named for the thermal springs that emanate from its base, this peak is a perfect viewing point

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The views from the top are incredible. I could see the town of Banff, the Banff Springs chateau/hotel, part of Lake Minnewanka, the Bow river and a lot more. Even though you have to choose a time for the downward journey, no one monitors how much time you spend on top and can take any gondola down that is after the time on your ticket.

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Once at the top, there are a series of wooden ‘decks’ that you can walk on and climb . There were musicians, fire pits and sitting areas. We stopped for a cocktail while taking in the breathtaking views.

It was then time to take the gondola car back down to the bottom.

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I was up very early the next morning and explored this delightful town before most folks were up.  I loved Banff’s cosmopolitan edge knowing that at any part of the town I was only minutes away from the national park and its wildlife.   A resort town with boutique shops, nightclubs, museums and fancy restaurants.  But Banff is no ordinary town, it is the service town for the park that surrounds it.  Banff is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations attracting thousands of tourists every year.

 

 

 

5 Splendid Lakes in the Rockies

05 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Lakes in the Rockies, Canada

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Unbelievably vibrant colours, utterly stunning surroundings, and with just a little taste of the beauty and immensity that Mother Nature has blessed the Canadian Rockies with, these lakes are the 5 lakes that I visited.

Moraine Lake is a glacier-fed lake nestled within the Banff National Park. The turquoise water is surrounded by rugged mountains and rock piles, and is about 14 km southeast of Lake Louise.

Located in Yoho National Park, this lake is the largest of the 61 lakes and ponds in the park. Though it is (technically) located in British Columbia, it’s just a 20-minute drive from Lake Louise. Emerald Lake and the surrounding areas are home to a number of bird species including eagles, loons, osprey, and more.


Peyto Lake took my breath away. It was about a 2 minute walk down from the car park to the view point overlooking this lake which has been referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. With its intoxicatingly blue hues and immensely beautiful viewpoint you can see why it has this reputation

Bow Lake is approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise, it is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. The entrance to this lake and the parking area are quite rustic plus there were far fewer tourists here giving a magical serene feel. It is a great place for a picnic or a short stroll.

My main reason for visiting the Rockies was to see Banff and also Lake Louise which can be described no other way than iconic. The lake is so wondrous it’s hard to believe it’s real.

From the bright colour pallet to the sprawling, mountainous surroundings, there’s no wondering why it was jam-packed with tourists even on this rainy day.

Travelling to the Rockies

26 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Travelling through the Rockies

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It was an early start leaving from Canada Place at the waterfront in Vancouver for our trip to the Rockies. Although it was raining we were all excited for our adventure.

Our first stop for coffee and wash rooms was the delightful little town of Hope. We quickly noticed the many chainsaw carvings proudly displayed around the town centre and learned that Hope has been appropriately tagged as the Chainsaw Carving Capital. The carvings often feature local wildlife such as eagles, mountain sheep, bears and cougars to name a few.

We drove for another few hours through magnificent countryside. Although it was very overcast and wet, everywhere was beautiful so I was very happy sitting back in my comfortable seat taking many photos.

We stopped for lunch at the very pretty lake town of Kelowna. Kelowna is a city in the south of Canada’s British Columbia province. It is in the Okanagan Valley, on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, surrounded by provincial parks, pine forest, vineyards, orchards and mountains. Its downtown area incorporates waterfront City Park and a lakeside cultural district.

After leaving Kelowna we travelled to Revelstoke.

Travelling through the Rockies felt like a dream as the beauty was endless

Old, Real, Beautiful, Matsumoto Castle

19 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan

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Matsumoto Castle, which is also known as “Crow Castle” due to its black exterior, is one of Japan’s premier historic castles. Unlike other castles, which are built on a mountain or hillside slopes; this flatland castle was built on a plain.

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Matsumoto Castle is blessed to be not only one of Japan’s twelve castles to have survived since the feudal era, but one of the largest and most distinctive-looking. Its six-storeyed keep is now a museum showcasing its military history, in particular weapons and Armour from centuries ago.

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It was a pleasure to walk around the surrounding grounds and the beautifully maintained gardens. While we were there Samurai warriors walked around and we had fun posing for photos with them.

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This castle has it all. From our arrival we were taken back in time to the ancient times. The interior is fantastic too see. Matsumoto Castle is the real thing. It is built of wood — you can see and feel the solid old timbers, smooth and shiny from over 400 years of use. Built for war — more precisely, for defense of a feudal lords headquarters — this building was never for anyone’s luxurious living. This may explain why the decoration is sparse compared to other Japanese castles. It may not be obvious from the outside, but every level of the castle is designed for archers to shoot from. Our tour of the inside of the castle revealed placements for cannons facing every direction.

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The grounds are free to visit, but to enter the castle there is a cost. We needed to take off our shoes to enter the castle and we were given plastic bags to put our shoes into which left some of us without 2 free hands to aid in the climbing. Some of the stairs inside are narrow and steep.

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From the highest floor, the views are wide and sweeping of the city and surrounding mountains. The stairs to the fifth floor are exceptionally steep. This is normal for Japanese castles, but even the regular stairs will be a problem for those with mobility needs. We were warned of the steep climb and of course descent but we still were not prepared enough. In our socked feet some of the floors were very slippery.

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No one lived here, but probably many samurai died here.

We really enjoyed our few hours here at Matsumoto Castle – I am so happy that we visited it.