Exploring Calgary
My Banff Adventure: A 6-Day Journey Through Nature and Culture π Day 1: Ottawa to Calgary Flight: Arrived in Calgary late at night from Ottawa. The journey was smooth, and I was excited to start my adventure in the Canadian Rockies.πππ π Day 2: Arrival in Banff Car Rental: Picked up our Ford Escape Hybrid from the airport. It was fuel-efficient, which was perfect for our road trip. Provisions: Bought some water and bread from a nearby store (TNT) before hitting the road.ππ Drive to Banff: The drive to Banff took about an hour and a half. The scenery was breathtaking even in the early morning light. Sightseeing: First stop was Surprise Corner, then Bow Falls, and the Cascade of Time Garden. Each spot offered unique views of Banff's natural beauty. Lunch: Had delicious ramen at Ramen Arashi Banff. Highly recommend it!π€―π€―π€― Sulphur Mountain Gondola: Took the gondola up and down Sulphur Mountain. The views from the top were stunning, and the experience was exhilarating. Ice Cream: Treated myself to a coconut cream pie flavor ice cream from Cows. It was delightful.π€―π€―π€― Dinner: Enjoyed a fantastic 18oz Alberta Cowboy Steak at The Maple Leaf. π€―π€―The steak was cooked to perfection. π Day 3: Lake Day Transportation: Parked at Park and Ride and took the shuttle bus to the lakes. It's essential to book tickets two days in advance.π Lake Louise: The lake was beautiful, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Still, the scenery was picturesque. Moraine Lake: This lake was a standout with its varying shades of blue. It was incredibly stunning and worth the visit.π«¨π«¨ Lunch: Had a burger at the lodge by Moraine Lake, but it was a bit disappointing.ππ Yoho National Park: Visited Takakkaw Falls and the Natural Bridge. Both were impressive and added to the day's adventure. Emerald Lake: True to its name, the lake was a vibrant green. It was another highlight of the day. Dinner: Returned to Banff town and had dinner at Block Kitchen + Bar. The Asian fusion cuisine was delicious and a great way to end the day. π Day 4: Columbia Icefield Adventure Icefield Tour: Visited the Columbia Icefield and took the Ice Explorer tour up the glacier. ππThe sight of the shallow blue ice was mesmerizing. Lunch: Had a mediocre meal at the lodge. It wasn't the best, but the experience of being on the glacier made up for it.ππ Return to Calgary: Since Jasper was still closed due to forest fires, we headed back to Calgary. Sightseeing on the Way: Stopped at Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier. Both lakes were stunning, and the glacier was a sight to behold. Dinner: Tried Brazilian BBQ at Bolero in Calgary. The beef was excellent, but the rest of the meal was just average. π Day 5: Exploring Calgary Returning the Car: Dropped off the rental car and headed to explore the city.π¬π¬ Peace Bridge and Chinatown: Visited the Peace Bridge and Chinatownπ¬π¬. The rain was pouring, so we took shelter at the Duke Restaurant for an early brunch. It was a cozy spot to wait out the rain.π¬π¬ City Walk: Despite the rain, we continued our city walk and visited the Calgary Tower, Wonderland Sculpture, Central Library, and Platform Calgary. The weather made it a bit challenging, but we still enjoyed the sights. Lunch: Had a delicious ribeye steak at Caesar's Steak House. The beef from the prairies was outstanding. Shopping: Spent the afternoon shopping at CORE Shopping Center and Stephen Avenue Walk. We also checked out the Devonian Gardens inside the mall. Dinner: Enjoyed a delightful dinner at Rongcheng Hot Pot with colleagues. It was a fun and tasty way to end the day. Day 6: Return to Ottawa Airport Meal: Had a quick sub at the airport before boarding our flight back to Ottawa.π«¨π«¨ It was a simple but satisfying meal to fuel the journey home. Final Thoughts This trip was an incredible experience filled with natural wonders, delicious food, and memorable moments. Banff and the surrounding areas are truly stunning, and I can't wait to return and explore more of what the Canadian Rockies have to offer. The mix of outdoor adventures and city exploration made for a well-rounded trip that I'll cherish for years to come.π«¨π«¨ #CalgaryLife #CanadaTravel #BanffNationalPark