Intrepid Canada. Rocky Mountains!

Not for the faint hearted; this trip is full of long road expeditions and chores. We decided on this tour because we wanted to get back to nature and with the bear threat; thought that a guide might come in useful. (if for nothing else but a bear sacrifice). As it turned out, we sighted a total of 2 bears on the side of the road and we mainly camped in RV camps. We spent a maximum of 2 days in each camp, which meant putting the tent up and down many times. Not that we minded, but after a long day on the road, sightseeing and hiking; setting up camp and cooking dinner was the last thing we felt like doing. The division of chores was supposed to be evenly distributed but some fellow travellers did not pull their weight.

In hind sight, we would have been better off renting a van and making our own way round. It would have been lovely to spend more time in Jasper and Banff. After we hiked and visited the mountain tops, there was not much time left over to chill out and explore these towns. The last few days of the tour were a complete waste, the long bus journeys did not reward us with picturesque views but ordinary suburban town - Golden  and 'Tinaroo Dam gone wrong' Kamloops.

Still, we did have a wonderful time in the great out doors of the Canadian Rockies. Hiking, canoeing and zip lining as well as experiencing the spectacular scenery.

A big thanks to our beautiful guide Jen. A hardworking, gutsy girl who drove us safely around the spectacular countryside. Word up to our tour mates Beaver Anne, Bec the golden beach babe, Bagel man Tom, Energizer Claudio, All rounder Tay, Door bitch Tom, Cougar food mumma Shah, Headbutt Hannah, Hobnob Caroline, Early Bird Megs and Eloping Stef.
Cheers!

Circle of life!

Butterflies flutter,
just beyond grasp.
Counting moments,
not months.

Egg,
Larvae,
Chrysalis,
Of age!

The spark of life,
so fragile.
Graceful, fortitude
and love.

A winged blossom,
social and liberated.
A butterfly kiss.

Soaring with aspiration,
sunshine and song.
Swiftly dancing
where the heart
may freely lead.

Exquisite fairies,
The symbol of life.
Metamorphosis.

Traveling Canada! Handy hints!

When to go!
- Warmest weather - June/July
- For winter sports - November to April
- For Whale watching - May to September
- To see Aurora - January to March

Tipping rules!
-15-20% of bill to for waitstaff
- $1 a drink to bar staff
-$1-2 for porters
-$2-5 a day for tour guides
-10-15% of fare for taxi drivers
                                                             

Food to try!
Poutine, salmon, game meats, maple syrup, beaver tail, moose burger and Tim Horton's donuts.
                                                           




BASIC CANADIAN (English & French language)
Dollar coin - Looney
2 dollar coin - Tooney
Foolish person - Hoser
Kilometres - Clicks
Bathroom - Washroom
Soda - Pop
Bottle of Liquor -Mickey
Coffee with milk and 2 sugars - Double double

Wells Gray, Clearwater Lake challenge!

Like the great Viking masters, the oars caressed Njoror and Ran’s belly as we made our way across Clearwater Lake.  Mountains topography soared to the heavens and its mirror reflection was only scattered by the rhythmic slaps of our oars and raucous obscenities that erupted from our lungs as we failed to negotiated the draw and pry steering movements of our canoe.


After 4 hours of physical torture including thunder & lightening (very, very frightening... Gallileo); we arrived at our destination. -Stellers Bay. Pure isolation descended, here we were, 13 souls wrapped in Mother Nature’s embrace. No rest for the wicked though, first job... set up camp. It was also the "Golden Oldies" rota to produce dinner that night. So under the direction of the very cheerful but slightly intoxicated Master Chef Shah, we managed to throw together a very palatable pepper steak.  The medal must go to the clean up team, who had to battle not only the primitive kitchen facilities but also that fact that every dish and utensil was used. All chores were completed as the snow-capped peaks tangled with the fingers of a colourful sunset,  then we all settled down around the fireplace for a night of fun and frivolity courtesy of Canadian whiskey.

The sea

The Vagrant gypsy.

Vessel of energy,
laps the coastline.
Rhythmic pull
of the tide caress.
Magnetism of swirls;
toss, banter and vector.

Spectrum of colour,
reflect measure.
Deep, shallow or
intermediate.

Sweeping waves
and moving tides.
The beckoning,
horizon immense.

Raw, salt odour,
crisp but gritty,
cool and fresh.

Open to embrace,
soul and spirit.
Whimsical but tempest,
complex and cruel.

Unrestrained & brutal,
indefinitely wild,
Hypnotic & mysterious.
reassuring.
Many facets.

The heart of the ocean,
secret of the seas.
A vagrant gypsy,
certainly, ye be!

Waterfalls!

                                                       

Follow the torrent,
omnipotent in strength.
The velvet-moss path
winds amidst the lush forest.

Distance silences.
All powerful, white stream,
cascading with emotional influence.

Drawing near,
a pounding force,
brutal and terrifying.

Slippery rocks.
A deafening roar.
Vapours plume
with taunting momentum.

Adam's ale tumbles
over rocky outcrops,
tinkling with laughter
in a magical place.

Breathtaking, memorising,
enchanting  and mysterious.
Phenomenal cataract of nature!

Live and let live!

 A big word up to Canada for their stance on the Syrian refugee crisis. Since November 2015, the Canadian government has welcomed 29,000 refugees into their fray; with more people in need arriving every day. This really puts to shame our Aussie stance on the issue: with a total of 12,000 people.

On July 20, 2005; Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage with the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act. Where does Australia stand on this important issue?

Lift ya game Australia!