From the archives #66

(Canada- 2012)

During our stay in Banff (Alberta) we took the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to enjoy the majestic view on the Rocky Mountains.

And while tourists came and went, 2 men were busy working on the structure. Can you see one of them standing there? What a job they have!

Happy weekend 😀 

From the archives #64

Canada (2012)

This public artwork "(lying on top of a building,) the clouds looked no nearer than when i was lying on the street", are the words from U.K. artist Liam Gillick that we read across the facade of the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver (BC).
Back home in the Netherlands I googled the words and learned that the photo only shows the 2nd half of the sentence; we never saw what was around the corner. Oops.

Enjoy your weekend! :)

From the archives #61

Canada (2012)

During our trip through British Columbia and Alberta we passed the spot where in 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed. A monument was placed to remember this historical moment.

Nice to tell is that in the years 1923-1926 my grandfather was in Canada and actually made this journey by train. Hoping to be able to start a new life there, he travelled by train from the east all the way to the west coast and Vancouver Island in the end. Some of the letters that he wrote home have been kept until today, giving us a detailed insight of where he went and what he did, and how life was in the days of cowboys and Indians.

Have a nice weekend! :)

From the archives #56

Canada (2012)

Definitely one of the most amazing things we ever witnessed was the salmon jump at Bailey's Chute in Wells Gray Park (B.C.) in September 2012. We had actually parked our car here to take a walk and when we came near the Clearwater River wondered why it was so crowded. Well, we soon found out!

Chinook Salmon travel over 600 km through lakes, up heavy rapids, strongs currents, and against natural predators to their spawning ground, leaving the last bit of effort to spawn, and then to die. If you would like to read more about the Wells Gray Park and the journey of the salmon click HERE.

The only thing missing here was a bear.. fishing and eating.. ;)     Enjoy your weekend!

From the archives #51

Vancouver (BC) - Canada (2012)

A very nice thing to do if you are in downtown Vancouver, is to hop on a water taxi and pay a visit to Granville Island. This peninsula was once an industrial manufacturing area, but is now a popular shopping district and famous for its Public Market, where this photo was taken.

The Granville Island Public Market features a farmers' market, day vendors, and artists offering local Vancouver goods. There are 50 permanent retailers and over 100 day vendors in stalls throughout the market selling a variety of foods and handmade crafts.

From the archives #47

Victoria, Vancouver Island - Canada (2012)

On our last morning in Victoria (we would be taking the ferry back to the mainland that afternoon) we decided to visit the Royal BC Museum. And I'm so glad we did! I can really recommend a visit if you happen to be there or planning a trip to Victoria.
In a few words, the museum presents the history of the area; natural history, first peoples, and modern history. One of the exhibitions shows a selection of ancient artifacts found in British Columbia, monumental carvings, masks, clothing, and traditional housing.
This is a photo from the First Peoples Galleries. Impressive!

From the archives #45

Alberta, Canada (2012)

The Athabasca Glacier is located along the 230 km (140 miles) long 'Icefields Parkway', a beautiful scenic route through the Canadian Rocky Mountains that we drove from Banff to Jasper. A snow coach with giant wheels brought us from the Icefield Centre onto the glacier, where we got out to have a look around and take photographs. It's a very tourist-thing to do, but a nice experience!

From the archives #39

Vancouver Island, Canada (2012)

In the Inner Harbour of Victoria, on Vancouver Island (BC). It was a real joy to listen to this street artist!

From the archives #33

Vancouver, Canada (2012)

A very 'tourist-thing' to do, but one you shouldn't miss when you are visiting Vancouver, is seeing the Gastown steamclock in action. The clock was built in 1977 to solve the issue of a steam vent in a popular sidewalk in the Gastown district. Years ago the city replaced part of the system with 3 electric motors after parts wore out, but the clock continues to use steam to announce the quarter hours with a whistle chime that plays the Westminster Quarters.
On the photo you can see the steam rising!

From the archives #31

Alberta, Canada (2012)

I am continuing my weekly theme 'From the archives' with a photo from Lake Louise, a huge ski resort. On our way to Banff we made a stop here, and watched a bride and groom -with guests- getting ready for a photo shoot. 

From the archives #28

Canada (2012)

Staying in Tofino, along the west coast of Vancouver Island (BC).

From the archives #23

Vancouver Island - Canada (2012)

In colourful China Town, Victoria (BC)

L is for Leaving

Op het punt staan het vliegtuig te nemen naar huis na een vakantie is voor mij vaak een moment van reflectie: ik denk terug aan de dingen die we gezien hebben, de mensen die we ontmoet hebben. Etcetera. Op een bepaalde manier voelt het afscheid altijd definitief...   Deze foto is genomen op Vancouver International Airport, terwijl we zaten te wachten op onze KLM-vlucht naar Amsterdam.

Being ready to take a flight home after a holiday is often a moment of reflection for me: I think back of the things we saw, the people we met. Etcetera. Somehow it always feels like a final goodbye...    I took this picture on Vancouver International Airport while we were waiting to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam.

Linking to ABC Wednesday.