DAY 6 ~ Thursday 27th August, 2015

Up early (5.30am) to pack our bags and get ready to head to the airport for our journey to Canada.

First leg, Beijing to Seoul – Korea. Flying Korean Airlines. Awesome plane – heaps of space both in legroom and also cabin size. 2 hour trip and we were sad to see it end.

3.5hrs lay over at Seoul, gave us enough time to make our way from Gimpo International Airport, to Incheon International via the train link. We saw some sights of Korea and couldn't believe the amount of water ways there is there. It is very hilly and the towns and suburbs seem to be built around these tiny little mountains, leaving lots of green space.

Incheon Airport lived up to its name of being one of the largest international airports in the world. The place is enormous and we walked from one end to the other to check in and then back again to get to our gate!

Alas our next Korean Air flight to Vancouver was not the same plane as from Beijing...this was a typical flight – all crammed in and tiny seats and no leg room. At least this trip was only 14 hours!

They came around to serve the meals and I opted for the “Korean” meal – seemed alright at the time. Steve ate no such thing and was happy eating a small bread roll with cheese and ham. Was all good until 6 hours later when my Korean meal was wanting a return – not in a good way.

Anyway – food poisoning had set in and it was not a fun journey to Vancouver.

Poor Steve didn't sleep on the flight that much, so by the time we hit Canada we had been up for close to 30 hours, and me being as sick as I was, was no help in trying to navigate our way out of the airport to the hire car. Steve was awesome driving on the other side of the road and without a GPS or any sort of mobile device, somehow managed to make it within 1km of our B&B.

We settled into our accommodation at Roger & Sally via Air BnB. Lovely home and they made us feel very welcome.

Here are our hosts, with Monty their dog...

Hardly being able to string 2 words together, we made our way up to our room, and we were both sound asleep by 6pm and didn't wake until 9am.

Squirrel Count: 0

Day 7 ~ Friday 28th August, 2015

We woke the sound of rain, which was lovely until Steve remembered that he might have left the sunroof open on the hire car. YEP he sure did! So our new hire car was wet – VERY WET inside. Steve had to rush around to find plastic bags to put over everything!

Food poisoning and the flu had taken a hold big time, so Steve rushed me down to the local Dr's surgery, where I discovered that being sick when you are out of your own country will hurt the hip pocket. CA $120 Consultation Fee and then CA$65 for 8 Antibiotic tablets – OUCH! Never-mind – the way I was feeling I would have paid a thousand dollars to feel better.

Steve took me back to the B&B where I went back to sleep and didn't wake until the following day.

Roger and Sally took pity on poor Steve and took him out on a sigh seeing journey of Vancouver Harbour to see the Friday Markets and to have a “pint” of local craft beer. Then they all went out for a walk with Monty the dog, to the local Dam and along some of the local forest paths.

This is Roger & Sally & Monty out on the walk with Steve to the local Dam.

 This is the view from North Vancouver looking back to Vancouver.

Oh and of course they had a Squirrel run across the road as they were heading back – so Steve's got to see one before me!

Steve stayed up late to organise the next day's accommodation as we had to leave Roger & Sally as they were booked up & had to kick us out!  The accommodation was great here - the room was well appointed and spotlessly clean.  The bed was SO comfortable and the pillows - devine!   It made being sick easy - glad I got to make the most of the comfort!  (AUD $110)

Squirrel Count Vicki: 0

Squirrel Count Steve: 1

Day 8 ~ Saturday 29th August, 2015

Feeling only moderately better, we packed up our things and said our good-byes and headed east towards a little town on the side of a river called Salmon Arm. Approximately 465kms from Vancouver.

Was a very pretty drive coming out of Vancouver – the hills and landscape are truly breathtaking – so green and lush and the spruces are magnificent. We headed up higher and higher into the clouds, then out the other side where the sun came out and the landscape changed to one of being very dry and devoid of the spruces that were everywhere before.

Steve found the most picturesque B&B at Salmon Arm, which sits on a huge lake with a large mountain range behind. So our bedroom window looks out onto the Lake and the mountain. Our host Toby is HILARIOUS – I want to take her home, she is Italian Canadian!

She has promised to share with us where I can find squirrels in the morning. Steve and I couldn't wait, so we jumped back in the car to quickly explore the area, and alas no squirrels, but upon our return at sunset, we did stop to see 2 baby deer and their mom just wandering around the estate! So that was lovely – so we can mark that off our “must see list” of animals.

We ate dinner at Boston Pizza. Steve's kinda place! He ate a chicken parma & chips!! Happy Days for Steve! I can see us eating at this establishment all over Canada. I ate a chicken salad – my tummy seems to be settling down, so fingers crossed I am out the other side of this crap now.

We came back to take a few quick sunset shots from the balcony of the B&B and settle in for the night.

Deer Count: 3

Squirrels: 0

Day 9 ~ Sunday 30th August, 2015

Sad to leave our gorgeous B&B behind, (what an awesome breakfast Toby made for us) we were still excited to be heading ever closer to the real Canadian Rockies.

Here's another photo from last night's sunset from our balcony!

BUT FIRST – we had to go out in search of squirrels! We drove to a little park down the road called Herald Park and we got our big bag of peanuts and we waited….and waited…. Until – Steve yelled out “SQUIRREL” !! There he was, just a little lone squirrel busy going about his businesses gathering all of the pine cones in readiness for winter! Tiny little thing he was.

Steve being the most patient man ever, was happy to sit and wait with the peanuts and the squirrel got closer when he knew we weren't going to hurt him. 1000 photos later, and the squirrel eventually came up onto the table where we were sitting, and he even took a peanut straight out of the bag!! But the highlight was when he ever so gently took a peanut out of my hand!!

HAPPY DAYS FOR VICKI!! :)

We then headed along the Trans Canada Highway East to a town called Golden. We did plan on staying at Revelstoke, but it was pouring with rain & was going to be for the next few days, and with the price of the cabins being what they were (expensive) we decided to push on and just get to the rockies.

We drove until we made it to Golden and past through another time chance in the process. We stayed in a very lush establishment (not) – but eh – had to laugh about it. We got in late and we just wanted a bed for the night, and for the look of the place, it certainly delivered above its promise – bed was very comfortable and the pillows are awesome.

Actually, we haven't had a bad pillow on the trip yet – Australian Hotels/Motels/B&B's could learn a thing or two about pillows! :)

SQUIRREL COUNT: 1

Day 10 ~ Monday 31st August, 2015

Left Golden early to find that snow had fallen on the very tops of the mountains overnight – very pretty but very cold. We headed to Yoho National Park where we bought the first of our National Parks Pass ($10 ea). Unfortunately it wasn't the best of days with the weather, it was cold and very wet and being up so high we were constantly in cloud.

First stop was “Natural Bridge” - gorgeous land formation where the river had pushed through the rock!

We then drove onto “Emerald Lake” - very pretty little lake with very emerald coloured water, surrounded by the beautiful forests! The forests here are just like in fairytales! So pretty. We took some lovely photos in between the rain and left just as the majority of the tourist buses arrived!! :)

Takakkaw Waterfall was next. OMG, the thing is enormous – coming off the side of the mountain up so high and with the amount of water falling, it was breathtaking. But of course the rain set in, so all that happened was our cameras got VERY wet and with no good images to show for it ` oh well, you get that!”

We pushed on through the rain and we were heading to the famous Lake Louise. Considering the day wasn't the best, she was still breathtaking. The colour of the lake is spectacular and the snow in the valley is awe-inspiring. The colour was very pretty light green – almost a light jade colour.

The wind had whipped up – now I know what they mean when they talk about wind chill – it was REALLY cold! White caps on the lake meant no canoeing was allowed.

We moved into the Fairmont Resort and had a look around and then Steve took his girl (me of course) out to lunch at the Fairmont with spectacular views across the Lake. We stayed there for a couple of hours enjoying the views and conversations with the locals!

But alas we weren't staying there the night, so we continued on. Next stop – Moraine Lake. The weather was still awful, so we left the camera's in the car! I know – but we'll be back here, so not to worry. WOW – now the colour in this lake is amazing. The mountains surrounding it are amazing. Did I mention amazing? The forest walk around the lakes edge are again those only found in fairytales. We weren't allowed to walk off into the woods due to bears. It is law that you can only travel in groups of 4 or more….so being we are only two, we weren't allowed – bugger.

Steve found a sign that said “DO NOT FEED THE SQUIRRELS” - so that would lead you to assume there would be lots of the buggers around, and did we see any? NOPE – not one! Bloody weather must have seen them all hibernating! Lol Even at the gift shop they sell fridge magnets of the local resident Squirrels….and I still didn't get to see any!

But we did walk up the “rock pile” only to see the local PIKA's – these are a small rodent, from the rabbit family, they were busy gathering up food for the winter, running back n forth. Cute little critters! The view from the top was amazing and it will the “the shot” we take when we bring our camera's up here – praying for good weather!! On the way back down we came across a few chipmunks! One even came up to Steve and sat up on his back legs and begged!! HOW CUTE !!!

Once again we headed on the TCH towards Banff. Of course the weather was starting to clear the closer we got to Banff. Did we see any of the famous animals that are shown to be walking along the highways here – nope. Still not one animal – not even the highland sheep that are supposed to be everywhere. Never mind – maybe tomorrow?

So we arrived into Banf at 7pm and checked in to the YWCA as it was the cheapest place in town $149. Most hotels start at $300 and go up – right up. WOW, what a beautiful town. It is everything I had hoped it would be. I can't wait to get out and explore.

But we did venture out for a late dinner. This place goes off till late. Shops all open until 9 or 10pm. We ate dinner at a great place called Tony Roma's – famous for their Ribs. So I ate ribs for the first time and I loved them! Steve ate the Swiss Bacon Burger – meat, bacon & cheese – he was a happy boy! We ate in a huge booth and just relaxed.

I even got to try on a few Canada Goose down jackets that I've had my eye on for ages. The ones I tried on were rated to -20 degrees – way too warm for Australian conditions, but still, when the girl wants something…. The “Kensington” is the one I want….its beautiful, but its too damn warm. I was freezing to death and this jacket had me hot in minutes. Hmm… for the AUD$1,000 its going to cost me, I am not sure I should spend the money damn it…. Anyway, we are here in Canada for a few more weeks yet! I might have justified it by then! Ha ha ha

…. we do live in Kalorama and it gets very cold up there, so I might use the jacket (...do you see where I am going with this?) LOL

We did a lap around the town before coming back to bed – we were exhausted. Was a huge day and we saw heaps. We can finally say we are now in the Canadian Rockies and loving it! :)

SQUIRRELS: 0

CHIPMUNCKS: 2

PIKA: 3

BEARS: 0

MOOSE: 0

Day 11 ~ Tuesday 1st September - 1st Day of Fall

Well our night at the YWCA wasn't as bad as we thought – both got a good nights rest & slept in. We jumped in the car and headed up to the Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain to see the epic views. (CA$39)

The weather wasn't too bad – we had a bit of drizzle, but all in all, it was fine. I had been warned about being up at altitude with my asthma. Was fine until I had to cough – yeah I could tell the lack of oxygen just by coughing.

It wasn't the view Steven was hoping for – he got this Gondola mixed up with the one at Lake Louise. Never mind, we can hopefully nip back into Lake Louise for that soon. There are gondola rides everywhere – well, it makes sense – you don't want to the walking up these mountains (even though plenty hikers do!)

We walked out to a platform and a chipmunck showed his face and then scampered off. I had the wrong camera lens on, so no photo. We waited around hoping he would come back, but alas not.

After the gondola ride, we came back into Banff and walked the streets and had some lunch, then headed back to the YWCA to update our blog and edit some photos and to have a nanna-nap.

The big thing of the day was the present Steve bought me – a hair dryer!! Mine from Australia is the wrong voltage, so even with a convertor it isn't really working. So no hair dryer for days and I wasn't happy & Steve was sick of me whinging about it…. so I now have a pretty blue one that blasts my hair dry & straight – YAY!! Honestly – its the little things that make you happy! I look and feel normal again!! :)

Steve's cold seems to be getting worse, so a lazy day wasn't such a bad idea. Today was the first day for me since leaving China that I feel normal, bright and alert. A few extra lazy days won't hurt me either.

We walked into town around 7pm and ate dinner at a little italian restaurant and of course Steve had Chicken parma!! He was happy.

Was a stunning night – hardly any wind and no rain. But the weather is due to change in the coming days and they are expecting snow here, so its going to get very ugly very quickly apparently! All the shop keepers are talking about it to the tourists, making sure we are all aware of the change thats coming. I almost bought a down jacket (Killertec – German brand) but the damn thing was too warm – but I might change my mind by the weekend and buy that AND a Canada Goose one too! lol

Tomorrow we are heading off to Canmore to stay for a couple of days before the OOAK trip starts. We are going to take it easy as the following 12 days are going to take it out of us and with us not being 100% healthy, we feel it is the priority. I might push my luck and go window shopping if I can get away with it!

SQUIRRELS: 0

CHIPMUNKS: 1

MOOSE: 0

BEARS: 0

Day 12 ~ Wednesday 2nd September, 2015

Well we checked out of the YWCA and we drove over to Canmore.

On our way out of town we decided we both wanted to try Waffles as we'd never had them. So we found a little shop and waffles we ate! Very nice – we could have had more than 1.

Canmore is a cute little town. We drove up and down all the streets and checked out the joint, then pulled over to use some free wifi, when a big storm came in – the skies went very black and it rained a lot. It looked like it had snowed on the mountain tops as we were sure they weren't white earlier.

We couldn't find any accommodation we liked – everything was right on the railway line and not to our liking, and any restaurants or shops were a drive in the car away…. So we decided to stay back in Banff. Its like only 14kms down the road. All the eateries and shops are in Banff and we love it there – so we went back to the YWCA and upgraded ourselves to a fancier 2 bed room! Bit more space and a slightly bigger bathroom – we are really living it up!! ha ha ha

On our way back to Banff we ducked in to Lake Winniwanka for a look. It was still dark and rainy, so we put on our rain gear and went for a walk – left all our camera gear in the car after the waterfall fiasco the other day – whats the point! The day time temperature is sitting at 10 degree's at the moment. Of course my thermal gear is all at home isn't it….30 degree's it'll be they said! LIARS! lol

WOW, its beautiful. The lake is a pretty turquoise blue and the mountains behind – well, it is the rockies and every corner is a postcard.

Just as the rain became a trickle, Steve spotted a Chipmunck!! YAY!! It was soooo tame, it came right up to Steve and begged! Of course it did – we didn't have a camera did we! ARGHHHH. We continued walking only to fine more chipmuncks – we had hit the “mother-load” of rodents!!

Of course you know what happened next…. Vicki & Steve headed back to the car at breakneck speed to grab our cameras!! lol

Steve instantly went to set up for his epic landscape lake shot, whilst I played in amongst the rocks with all the Chipmunks!! VERY HAPPY!! Got some really lovely shots of them.

So here you go - here's a few photos!!  (and I did cull some - promise!) LOL

I finally made my way down to the shore to take a few shots of the lake and mountains.

We met two lovely lads traveling from Holland – Ralph & Rene'. We talked about our experiences and gave them some suggestions on what to see. Silly me should have taken a group photo with them!  Hope we catch up with the boys again on our adventures!

On the way back to the car we found 2 squirrels. These could have been the plague infested ones from the USA side, as they weren't pretty – and looked like they had been beaten up – poor little buggers. But at the car there was a tiny young one – so I got a few images of him.

We made our way back to the YWCA and checked in and edited some photos then headed back into town for dinner – back to Tony Roma's – great food there!

A local at one of the shops said that for us to see Moose will be a rarity, so not to get hung up on them. This time of year they all disappear, so thats why there isn't anything around right now. Especially that the weather is about to turn – minus 1 overnight tonight it will be, with more storms and possible snow showers !! WHOOHOOO baby! Just in time for our OOAK trip and camping! (but now we know Two Jack is like 5mins out of Banff – we might decide not to camp and to check back into the YWCA !!) - shhhh don't tell anyone! :)

SQUIRRELS: 3

CHIPMUNCKS: 10+

MOOSE: 0

BEAR: 0