Our first adventure day started with a 20km drive to the well known, beautiful scenery called Banff. The previous days had plenty of smoke from the Forrest fires near by, but today the winds had changed and we were allowed a full view of the mountains. The magnificent mountains are like no other, all the lines and layers tell a different story of years gone by.
Through the mountain landscape and tall trees galore, we had reached Banff. The first word that comes to mind to describe it is - Happy. Everyone was smiling, not a care in the world (although this did make the walking pace of others very slow). The first part that made my heart sparkle was the fact that all the streets were named after animals. We took a left down Squirrel street, and a right on Bear street to find the local farmers market. Pumpkins of all colours and shapes, watermelons with yellow inners, organic ice cream and any type of healthy food you could want. I had to restrain myself to not get a pretty feather in my hair, I knew I would immediately regret that decision.
We wandered the pricey shops, perused the art galleries and purchased at the souvenir shops. My favourite souvenir shop is 'As Cool as a Moose', it has funky things, at reasonable prices and none of the naff things that all the others have. Another fantastic shop is a Jewel and a stone store called 'Rock, Paper, Silver'. Here they have fossils, gems or any stone you would like. I found a stunning stone called Ammolite, which has been nicknamed the Aurora stone, because it really seems like an aurora has been magically captured inside it.
When our tummies grumbled, it was time for lunch. The best place for fresh and organic food is Nourish. We had burritos, nachos and a super grain salad. All the fillings were a mixture of fruit, beans, flavouring and cheese, topped with an edible flower on top. Perfect place for instagramming your meal!
Down by the river was the best view in the town. The ice blue water was a mirror for the highs and lows of the mountains. The trees seemed to huddle together so their branches could hold hands. The river weaved and waved, rushing the water to a fro. What made the scene picture perfect were the tall purple flowers towering over the tiny violet daisies. Some of the smoke had stared to roll in and made the landscape look like an Art Deco painting.
Next to the river is a Trading Post, where the Native Canadians would buy and sell their wears. Of course it now sells moccasins that were not really made by the locals and the dream catchers are made from Fluro and sparkly string, but you do get the general idea of what it would have been like. I warn you now, if you are an animal lover and and you do not wish to see their heads attached to a wall, I would stay away from this place.
Feeling toasty, we decided to make our way to Lake Minnewannka. When this word is pronounced in a Kiwi accent, it may come across and bit rude, but it should be pronounced as Lake Minni-won-Ka. There were tourists a-plenty, all making friends with the Chipmunks. These chipmunks have no fear when it comes to humans, they think of humans only as a food source (not that people should be feeding them). They also seem to know exactly what to do with a camera, posing perfectly with every click, showing their best sides. On the way to the lake, a swim was in the cards. When we arrived, it was swiftly off the cards as quickly as the wind was blowing. The waves were splashing against the rocks, so just a lovely view for us. Again the scenery seemed too good to be true. This landscape seemed to be in a snowy globe, sans snow. We were in a postcard perfect globe, mountains looming, trees standing staunchly, and rocks jutting out over the water as natural jetties - and perfect photo opportunities!
For dinner, we were in for a fancy treat. Drinks and a meal at the Fairmont hotel, the one in Banff being the most photographed hotel in the world. The outside looks string and welcoming, the inside themed as Scottish Highlands. The history of the Fairmont hotels is that they were built as the railways were being constructed throughout Canada, they found a natural hot Spring near Banff and decided that it would be the perfect place to place a hotel. Good luck trying to get in to the pools see days, unless you are a VIP guest or you arrive at the crack of dawn, you may be waiting for hours. Back when the hotel was new, visitors would be picked up from the station on a double decker horse wagon. In the 20's, guests would arrive with a $15,000 check and an expectation to stay for months on end. The best part about the whole hotel is the view. The veranda at the back of the hotel looks over the whole valley, mountains lining the sides with a Forrest (and golf course) through the middle, The river swaying at its own pace.
Being with the while Quickfall gang, we dressed as nicely as could be and played fancy guests for the evening. First cocktails with the magnificent view, then on to our fine dining. Inside the restaurant the Scottish them continued, tables fitted with Scottish animals and tartan prints. The menu fed us with many choices: Lars went for the steak, cooked to perfection, I chose the Mac and Cheese with prawns and sockeye salmon. I can still taste the meal, and forever it shall be in my dreams. Everything that was placed on our table was mouthwatering and well worth it's money. The best part being when the waitress was pouring my rose and realised that there wasn't much left so she just gave me the rest of the bottle.
After dinner and dessert we made our way through the veins of the hotel, first to a creepy reception area with a marble staircase, then up to a formal ballroom that had not lights on; I could feel all the parties and balls that have been held in that room. Down the long corridor, with nature paintings lining the walls, to another ballroom where a wedding was being held. Through more corridors to where we entered what I could only guess as the old breakfast buffet room. The doors opened on to the front deck, where an alternative staircase leads you to the front.
The way home was full of droopy eyelids and content bellies.
Banff is a fantastic town, a slightly Disneyfied version of a Canadian town.
Lake Minnewannka is a great place, there are many other lakes that have less tourists, but it is a must visit.
The Fairmont hotel is an incredible place to visit, even if you don't go for food.
These are three places to put on your Wishlist for the future.
We wandered the pricey shops, perused the art galleries and purchased at the souvenir shops. My favourite souvenir shop is 'As Cool as a Moose', it has funky things, at reasonable prices and none of the naff things that all the others have. Another fantastic shop is a Jewel and a stone store called 'Rock, Paper, Silver'. Here they have fossils, gems or any stone you would like. I found a stunning stone called Ammolite, which has been nicknamed the Aurora stone, because it really seems like an aurora has been magically captured inside it.
Down by the river was the best view in the town. The ice blue water was a mirror for the highs and lows of the mountains. The trees seemed to huddle together so their branches could hold hands. The river weaved and waved, rushing the water to a fro. What made the scene picture perfect were the tall purple flowers towering over the tiny violet daisies. Some of the smoke had stared to roll in and made the landscape look like an Art Deco painting.
Next to the river is a Trading Post, where the Native Canadians would buy and sell their wears. Of course it now sells moccasins that were not really made by the locals and the dream catchers are made from Fluro and sparkly string, but you do get the general idea of what it would have been like. I warn you now, if you are an animal lover and and you do not wish to see their heads attached to a wall, I would stay away from this place.
For dinner, we were in for a fancy treat. Drinks and a meal at the Fairmont hotel, the one in Banff being the most photographed hotel in the world. The outside looks string and welcoming, the inside themed as Scottish Highlands. The history of the Fairmont hotels is that they were built as the railways were being constructed throughout Canada, they found a natural hot Spring near Banff and decided that it would be the perfect place to place a hotel. Good luck trying to get in to the pools see days, unless you are a VIP guest or you arrive at the crack of dawn, you may be waiting for hours. Back when the hotel was new, visitors would be picked up from the station on a double decker horse wagon. In the 20's, guests would arrive with a $15,000 check and an expectation to stay for months on end. The best part about the whole hotel is the view. The veranda at the back of the hotel looks over the whole valley, mountains lining the sides with a Forrest (and golf course) through the middle, The river swaying at its own pace.
Being with the while Quickfall gang, we dressed as nicely as could be and played fancy guests for the evening. First cocktails with the magnificent view, then on to our fine dining. Inside the restaurant the Scottish them continued, tables fitted with Scottish animals and tartan prints. The menu fed us with many choices: Lars went for the steak, cooked to perfection, I chose the Mac and Cheese with prawns and sockeye salmon. I can still taste the meal, and forever it shall be in my dreams. Everything that was placed on our table was mouthwatering and well worth it's money. The best part being when the waitress was pouring my rose and realised that there wasn't much left so she just gave me the rest of the bottle.
After dinner and dessert we made our way through the veins of the hotel, first to a creepy reception area with a marble staircase, then up to a formal ballroom that had not lights on; I could feel all the parties and balls that have been held in that room. Down the long corridor, with nature paintings lining the walls, to another ballroom where a wedding was being held. Through more corridors to where we entered what I could only guess as the old breakfast buffet room. The doors opened on to the front deck, where an alternative staircase leads you to the front.
The way home was full of droopy eyelids and content bellies.
Banff is a fantastic town, a slightly Disneyfied version of a Canadian town.
Lake Minnewannka is a great place, there are many other lakes that have less tourists, but it is a must visit.
The Fairmont hotel is an incredible place to visit, even if you don't go for food.
These are three places to put on your Wishlist for the future.
