Day 8 - Monday 21 May 2012

BANFF, CANADA - Day 2
　Weather: Overcast, slightly cold in the morning but a bit warmer by 2pm.
　
I slept in today. I forgot to set my clock on my phone forward an hour (as we are now on Mountain time) so when I set my alarm last night, it was the wrong time!
　
I still managed to make it to breakfast at 6:30am. Some of us had an early start as we were going on a helicopter ride through the Rockies. The others could sleep in.
　
On the way to the heliport, we saw a small black bear grazing along the highway fence. So cute!! No doubt mum was around somewhere keeping an eye out.
　

We arrived at the heliport at 8:45am and I started to get really nervous. I had a motion sickness tablet before going but wasn't too sure I wouldn't be sick. But, I had to do it as it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

And am I glad I did it. There was only seve of us so we had one group of four and another group of three for two helicopters. Marilyn and I shared our chopper with a gentlemen called Richard from New Zealand. His wife Anne came with him but she didn't go up as she hates to fly.


View from helicopter

 　
The flight was spectacular! As it was overcast and there were clouds forming on the peaks, it got a bit rough just before the end of the ride where I did feel a little bit sick but I held it together.
　
After we landed, then I felt really sick. When we arrived back at the hotel at 10am, I went to my room and had a little nap to try and feel better as we were off on the bus at 11am.
　
Our first stop was at Tunnel Mountain to see the "hoodoos" which is a natural land formation on the side of the mountain.


The Hoodoos

 　
Next stop was at a small waterfall further up Tunnel Mountain. Then it was time for our gondola ride up and down Sulphur Mountain.
　
The gondola ride was smoother than previous ones I've been on. As there are 4 to a gondola, Marily and I shared ours with Steve and Dulcie - they are really great people and I really enjoy their company.
　
It takes only 8 minutes to go up to the top. And the view at the top is spectacular!! When you enter the gondola to make your way down again, they take your photo and you can buy a copy at the gift shop at the bottom.
　
I even go to see a family of chipmunks running around up there in the snow! They are very cute and very fast - hard to take a photo.
　
After the gondola ride, it was time to head into town again and back to the hotel. Marilyn and I went in search of something to eat as we hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
　

Bison burger at Wild Bill's

We ended up at a restaurant called "Wild Bill's" and had a bison burger with beer battered fries. Yummy!! The bison meat tastes like lean beef and is apparently really good for you as it has hardly any fat.
　
We then walked around and checked out some souvenir shops. We went to a souvenir shop that deals in The First Nation items. By the way, they don't call them Indians, they are known as the First Nation people. Didn't buy anything so ended up going back to the hotel and typing this blog.
　
It'll be early to bed tonight.
　
Tomorrow, we are off to Jasper and a ride up and on a glacier.