Photos from Stanley Park Vancouver and some from Seattle

More pictures from the return to Vancouver

Jasper back to Vancouver

We havd finished with Moose tours now, it was a really good way of getting around. The guides were great and the people on the tour (for the most part) fun.

We managed to get a free upgrade to a private room at the hostel in Vancouver so we instantly turned it into a wash room getting my 4 pairs of pants clean. I've found the ice breaker pants the best as they dry quickest, and can be worn for upto 3 days without feeling too uncomfortable/ kate noticing, which I'm sure your glad to know.

We splashed out on Sushi for our last night in Vancouver, there was loads of food, massive lumps of salmon and tuna, really tasty. We then headed off yesterday on the grey hound to cross the border, it seemed to take ages at the security crossing (1hour) during which we had our fingers scanned and pictures taken. To be honest I'm not happen with that level of personal data being taken, I'm sure its all in the name of national security, but it makes me nervous.

The hostel we are in is amazing, last night they fed us free taco's and chilli, and it was eat as much as you like, so I did, and then finished kate's portion. We got chatting to some noce boys and girls and headed to a bar for quarter dollar beers. It was a goth bar and I handn't changed out of my shorts so I got a few strange looks.

Kates out enjoying the Dead Guy tour, which I'm sure she will have loads to report on.

Missing you all, Tim

Jasper to Banff

Moraine Lake


Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake again

Outside Jasper Athabasca Falls

Inside Jasper Athabasca Falls

Back from the Wilderness

We're back from the wilderness with a bit of a bumper update. We left Vancouver on Thursday for Shuswap, this was a long journey and only had a few stops including some water falls, lunch from Hope and a view of a bridge used in the Rambow film First Blood (Slow day).

We then head on to Banff via the following attractions including:

The Natural Bridge

The Emerald Lake

Kayaking, Kate and I elected not to kayak as I don't need a lesson and it was more fun to watch others.

When we got to Banff Kate and I hopped off the bus and stayed an extra night. On our free day we climbed to the top of Sulphur mountain, a major tourist trap but worth it for the views.

Banff from Sulphur Mountain


Mount Rundel and Banff

Back of Mount Sulphur

The river that runs through Banff

Then we left Banff on the Sunday for Jasper, heading for a Wilderness hostel. It sounds very wild but it was a very pleasent place with vinyl records, a well, wooden shacks in the tree's and a camp fiire. Again Kate and I stayed an extra night to relax and soak up the atmosphere. It was a great place and some lovely people.

On the way we saw:

A clearing which was a soft spot for First nation people to jump the white traders as it is one of the few routes through the Rockies.

A pretty water fall


Bow lake

Lake Louise (a major tourist spot named after Victoria's children)

A glacier, which again was a tourist trap as they bused tourists on to the ice to walk around for $40.

The view from part of the columbia ice field.

Whistler, High mountains and drunk brazillian's

Trail top on Wedgemount trail


Trail top on Wedgemount trail


Tree tops on the way up Wedgemount

Across the ski slopes of Whistler

Whislter has been an excellent part of the trip, we arrived on Sunday night and began to party with our new bunch of moose travellers. Kate and I decided to push the boat out and buy some beers, which combined with the more relaxed atmosphere of the Chalet accommodation was excellent fun, particular fun was the hot tub which Kate and I used. Unfortunately we couldn't tempt anyone.

Yesterday we enjoyed a gondala ride up to the top of Whislter mountain, we walked a number of trails, climbing about 800m at around 2100m in altitude. It was fun but the weather was a little cloudy. There was snow at the tops and a few birds but no bears.

Our guide Phil recommended a walk up Wedgemount Trail, just outside of whistler which we did today and which was amazing. Walking through the wood shouting 'Hello Bear' left us tired not too mention the fact we hiked 1200m in height to get the the Glacier. I was attacked by a swarm of bees and we didn't encounter bears, probably because we were shouting so much but that was the intention.

The place we are staying in Whistler is all we could find, its a studio apartment with washing facilities, kitchen and free wifi, all a growing boy and girl need, back to slumbing tomorrow.

Tim and Kate

Victoria and on route to Whistler

Victoria bay




Today we travelled to Whistler and we'll be staying here for a few days until Wednesday. The weather has turned abit but more than likely we have just been lucky. Victoria was an amazing place, really lovely. Vancouver wasn't a good as we we're expecting but we suspect it was due to us being on the wrong side of town.

We have high plans for whistler, We'd like to do some high altitude walking, but we'll see on the weather. No bears sighted yet.

I've finished my first book and we have purchased our first beer today.

Tofino and Victoria

We travelled to Tofino on Vancouver Island on wednesday on the moose bus driven by a guy called spanky. Seen a million trees some very big, some very old. Wild life so far has included about 15 eagles, 4 dear, one seal and a small mouse. The group on the bus are nice, kate and I haven't been out with them much as we're saving the pennies. So far, other than the G&T on the plane over I've not had a drop. Today we had a huge steak that cost less than $4, bargin.

Notes for friends...

Jim Crawford, I've seen lots of frosted lofts, they seem to frost everything other than the logs. We also saw a heron been taken off by an eagle.

Helen, yes tofino is an amazing place, no bears yet.

Tofino

Vancouver China town and markets

Today we have been mostly looking round the markets, visiting the drug den that is china town and eating very tasty deep fried cauliflower. Tomorrow we head to Tofino, Vancouver island. Kate thinks my comment on the drug den is uncalled for but I'm not deleting it. Nice garden though!

We're off!

You'll be pleased to know that we have got to Vancouver safely and have eaten well! Sleep time now.