Mon 9/10 - Niagara Falls

We were hoping today would be one of the highlights of our trip and it didn't disappoint. But it was a bit of a slow start to be honest. We got picked up by one coach, dropped off at another hotel, then had to wait for our 'real' coach and that in turn picked up at a number of other hotels before we were finally underway.

Toronto is on the north-western edge of Lake Ontario and it was a fairly long drive through Mississuaga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton and Lincoln before we reached the Niagara Falls area on the South-Western edge. Our first stop however was Niagara Teaching College where we visited the winery. Incidentally, the Niagara escarpment combined with the lake makes for a micro-climate suitable for vines and makes this an important wine growing area. So, mid-morning and a few glasses of wine later, we were headed for Niagara Falls itself.

We had a short stop to allow us to view the falls from the shoreline then headed to a nearby restaurant where we had lunch overlooking the falls. Fed and watered, our coach driver took us to the ticket booth where he collected and distributed our tickets. Then a Hornblower Cruise rep took over and led us to the boat, collecting our waterproof ponchos on the way. The cruise to the foot of the falls itsel was excellent - just as you imagine it might be and then some more. One thing I don't think any of us were quite ready for was the amount of wind and spray that blows over the boat. I was wearing my waterproof coat under my poncho and I'm glad I had come prepared. I was also glad I had my waterproof GoPro with me to take some footage of the cruise - I hate to think what all that spray might have done to my phone or a normal camera.

After the Hornblower cruise the coach driver collected us and drove us downriver to an area where the Niagara River turns a corner and as a result there are whirlpools and rapids. Then it was on to Niagara-On-The-Lake where we were able to wander around and stretch our legs before we headed back to the coach for the long drive back to Toronto.

Here is a view of the American Falls ..

Here's a view of one of the cruise boats ..

And finally, here's view of the whirlpool and rapids where the Niagara River turns a corner ..

Sun 8/10 - Banff to Toronto via Calgary

There were no sightseeing opportunities today because we were travelling to Toronto for the last leg of our trip. We checked out of the Elk & Avenue Hotel and I was expecting there to be a phone charge on the bill because I'd had to re-confirm some reservations with Brewster Travel. However, the hotel had no record of the phone call - so it seemed to be a toll-free number I had been told to use - excellent!

The coach picked us up on time and after a trip around Banff at other hotel pickup locations and a short stop at Brewster's main office, we headed off to Calgary. There were fabulous views of the Rockies to begin with but after a while the terrain changed to endless plains and freeways. It was sunny to begin with but then the weather deteriorated and it began to snow. However, by the time we reached Calgary Airport the sun was shining again.

Check-in was trouble-free and this time the self-service check-in machine printed our boarding passes and luggage tags as expected (no delays queueing again to see someone) and we sailed through security as well. The flight was uneventful apart from some turbulence. We'd bought some lunch at the airport (our tickets said snacks only on the flight) so we were a bit surprised when a steward arrived telling us he had meals for us. Needless to say we didn't bother as we were already full.

At baggage reclaim I was irritated to find  the side handle of my suitcase was broken. Normally I would be thinking of putting in a compensation claim. But as I've had the case for at least 20years, I figured it doesn't owe me anything and has seen better days anyway - so I'll treat myself to some new luggage before our next trip.

Our taxi from the airport to the hotel was quick and efficient. A bit too quick if I'm honest as the driver was obviously in a hurry to get the journey over and done with and get his next passengers. The fare was $56 and I handed him $60 and started to look for a few more dollars to give him a bit more of a tip. I was obviously too slow for him - after a few seconds he gave up waiting, jumped into his car and sped off without a word.

Our first impressions of Toronto were not good. Lots of homeless people on street corners and hanging around - I even saw one man taking a dump on the pavement - yuk! Once we'd put our luggage in the room we went for a meal at the hotel bistro then headed back to the room to shower, charge everything and get ready for the following day.

Sat 7/10 - Mountains, Lakes & Waterfalls

Today's tour (starting and finishing in Banff) promised mountains, lakes & waterfalls and it didn't disappoint. Our first stop was at Lake Louise (which we had visited the previous day) but the weather was much improved and I got some better photos this time ..

Our next stop was the Spiral Tunnels in Kicking Horse Pass. The coach driver had said if we were lucky a freight train would be using the tunnels .. and we were. The tunnels are the way that trains make their way up and down Kicking Horse Pass because of the large difference in height. Early attempts to drive straight down the pass met with derailments. The solution (built by Swiss engineers) was a pair of spiral tunnels that allow the train to gain or lose height in a safe manner. The photos below show a diagram of how the tunnels work and (because we were lucky that a train arrived while we were stopped), the front of the train emerging while the back is still entering the tunnel (I did mention these freight trains are very long trains didn't I?) ..

After the Spiral Tunnels we made our way to Takkakaw Falls. The road to the falls includes two hairpin bends and the driver explained (and then proceeded to demonstrate) how coaches navigate these bends by approaching the 1st one then reversing up to the 2nd one before moving forwards again. Here's a photo the falls ..

We visited a natural bridge on our way to Emerald Lake in Yoho national park where we had lunch. The first non-indigenous person to see this lake was a Canadian guide called Tom Wilson and he named the lake because of the vivid turquoise colour of the water caused by glacial sediment aka. rock flour. Tom had discovered another lake the previous year which he had given the same name to - but once he had found this lake, the original lake was quickly renamed to Lake Louise.

After lunch we walked to where the driver had suggested was the best spot to take a photo. The resulting photo is below and from this viewpoint you can see the area where the Burgess Shales are found (a world-famous site where many early fossils have been found) ..

Our last port of call was Moraine Lake. By now the weather had deteriorated with snow beginning to fall. We had a very quick walk along the lakeside path before returning to the coach and being taken back to Banff.

Later, back at the hotel, I decided to treat myself to a red Banff hoodie which will come in useful in the coming months (if its good enough for Canada ..)