Canada, Calgary Stampede & Alaska Cruise - July 2023 - Hostess Round Up - Kathy Lang

What a ride it has been!  We flew, then rode with a ‘yeehaw’  into Calgary, picked up our cowboy hats, and joined the throngs stampeding to view bucking broncos, horseback races, Chuckwagon races and the Bell Grandstand Show. The Calgary Stampede is the biggest of its kind, attracting visitors from all over the World. It was quite a spectacle.  We were then met by our trusty driver Gary, who took us on a joy-ride through the spectacular Rocky Mountains, stopping in beautiful Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. If that wasn’t enough we then hitched a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver, with one night in Kamloops. We weaved our way through this lush, unspoilt wilderness whilst being indulged in the local food and beverages. The Rocky Mountains spoils you with stunning scenery around every corner. We decided that this area is like the South Island of NZ, but on a much larger scale. For different perspectives we rode Tramways and Gondolas that soared through the mountains, cruised on Lake Maligne to Spirit Island, walked on Icefields, and braved the all too high Skywalk. We climbed hilltops to wonder at the size of the National Parks and also the power of the waterfalls and fast flowing blue/green rivers. We were always on the hunt for bears, elk, rabbits, squirrels, eagles, marmots,  so different to our Australian wildlife.  From Vancouver we cruised the Inside Passage to Alaska on the Celebrity Eclipse, stopping in Setka, Juneau and Ketchikan. On the different excursions we rode boats, husky sleds, a ‘Duck’, seaplane, & kayak. Some of us bear, seal, otter & whale-watched, lumberjack-ogled, bald eagle-searched, salmon-fished, and others were in awe on a cruise to the surreal Hubbard Glacier. For seven days the sisters were indulged on the ship, with the biggest decisions being which dish to choose off the menu, activity to join, or entertainment to attend. We returned to Vancouver, a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, situated on a beautiful inlet, and surrounded by mountains, forests and ocean. Greater Vancouver is an outdoor recreational playground, having easy access to Whistler, Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver Island & Butchart Gardens- all of which we were lucky enough to experience. This tour ticked all the boxes, show-casing all that this corner of the World has to offer. The Sisters took to it wth gusto and hopefully made very special friendships and long lasting memories.

 

Thank you CanCan Gals!