VANCOUVER, ALASKA CRUISE & CALGARY STAMPEDE (2015)
In 2015 we had a wonderful holiday starting off in Vancouver then taking a cruise to Alaska and finally taking the Rockie Mountaineer train and finishing in Calgary for the Stampede.
I hope you enjoy these edited highlights!
I hope you enjoy these edited highlights!
VANCOUVER
We spent 2 days in Vancouver which is a beautiful city nestled below stunning mountainsides. The FIFA Women's World Cup was taking place at the time and our hotel was beside the stadium. We took a ferry over to Granville Island Market which serves both locals and tourists. The highlight was Stanley Park which houses an aquarium and a display of totem poles.
We spent 2 days in Vancouver which is a beautiful city nestled below stunning mountainsides. The FIFA Women's World Cup was taking place at the time and our hotel was beside the stadium. We took a ferry over to Granville Island Market which serves both locals and tourists. The highlight was Stanley Park which houses an aquarium and a display of totem poles.
VANCOUVER AQUARIUM
A great day out in Stanley Park.
A great day out in Stanley Park.
AT SEA
HUBBARD GLACIER
Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve in eastern Alaska and Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon, Canada, and named after Gardiner Hubbard a lawyer, financier and community leader
Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve in eastern Alaska and Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon, Canada, and named after Gardiner Hubbard a lawyer, financier and community leader
ICY STRAIGHT
Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. We did a whale watching trip followed by a walk into the woods to spot bears
Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. We did a whale watching trip followed by a walk into the woods to spot bears
JUNEAU
Long before Juneau was Juneau, it was Dzantik’i Héeni (“Base of the Flounder’s River), for literally thousands of years, a popular Native fishing ground.
Then, in 1880 two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, guided by Tlingit Chief Kowee, struck gold at the mouth of Gold Creek—the rush was on (and the town was built). During the next six decades, Juneau produced $150 million of gold. That’d be worth $7 billion today!
Government eventually replaced mining as the main industry followed by tourism. In fact, attracting visitors with its Native heritage, prospector history and incredible scenery, Juneau, capital of Alaska, has been a world-class travel destination since the early 1900s.
We walked through the woods to visit the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier
Long before Juneau was Juneau, it was Dzantik’i Héeni (“Base of the Flounder’s River), for literally thousands of years, a popular Native fishing ground.
Then, in 1880 two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, guided by Tlingit Chief Kowee, struck gold at the mouth of Gold Creek—the rush was on (and the town was built). During the next six decades, Juneau produced $150 million of gold. That’d be worth $7 billion today!
Government eventually replaced mining as the main industry followed by tourism. In fact, attracting visitors with its Native heritage, prospector history and incredible scenery, Juneau, capital of Alaska, has been a world-class travel destination since the early 1900s.
We walked through the woods to visit the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier
KETCHIKAN
Ketchikan is an Alaskan city facing the Inside Passage, a popular cruise route along the state's southeastern coast. It's known for its many Native American totem poles, on display throughout town. Nearby Misty Fiords National Monument is a glacier-carved wilderness featuring snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and salmon spawning streams. It's also home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles
We took the fantastic Crab Fisherman's Tour and the the privilege of watching many bald eagles flying in to get fish.
Ketchikan is an Alaskan city facing the Inside Passage, a popular cruise route along the state's southeastern coast. It's known for its many Native American totem poles, on display throughout town. Nearby Misty Fiords National Monument is a glacier-carved wilderness featuring snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and salmon spawning streams. It's also home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles
We took the fantastic Crab Fisherman's Tour and the the privilege of watching many bald eagles flying in to get fish.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER - DAY 1 Vancouver to Kamloops
Rocky Mountaineer is a Canadian rail-tour company based in Vancouver that operates luxury scenic trains on four rail routes in British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, and Utah. We took the trip from Vancouver to Kamloops winding through stunning scenery and wildlife.
Rocky Mountaineer is a Canadian rail-tour company based in Vancouver that operates luxury scenic trains on four rail routes in British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, and Utah. We took the trip from Vancouver to Kamloops winding through stunning scenery and wildlife.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER - DAY 2 Kamloops to Banff
The second day sees the train wind through spectacular mountain scenery to arrive at Banff. Banff is a resort town in the province of Alberta, located within Banff National Park. The peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains, dominate its skyline. On Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with château-style hotels and souvenir shops
The second day sees the train wind through spectacular mountain scenery to arrive at Banff. Banff is a resort town in the province of Alberta, located within Banff National Park. The peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains, dominate its skyline. On Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with château-style hotels and souvenir shops
CALGARY
Calgary is a city founded on the wealth of the Alberta oilfields. During the Stampede, the city is packed with tourists. There is square-dancing in the street and a big parade of the First Nations people.
Calgary is a city founded on the wealth of the Alberta oilfields. During the Stampede, the city is packed with tourists. There is square-dancing in the street and a big parade of the First Nations people.
CALGARY ZOO
The zoo contains both living animals and statues of dinosaurs. Alberta is a large source of prehistoric fossils buried in the shales.
The zoo contains both living animals and statues of dinosaurs. Alberta is a large source of prehistoric fossils buried in the shales.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
The Stampede is a combination of rodeo and funfair. Absolutely spectacular.
The Stampede is a combination of rodeo and funfair. Absolutely spectacular.