A few years ago, I was a travel agent. Turns out I hated it. I just didn’t click with the job.
I would arrange holidays to destinations like Fiji, England, USA and Thailand. And I would often hand out brochures on the Canadian Rockies. And although the photos were quite striking, I never really envisioned myself visiting these places. I don’t know why but I never felt a strong pull to the Americas. I was always interested in travelling to Europe and Asia.
So when Ben & I decided to pack up shop and move to Canada, it came as quite a surprise to everyone, including myself.
I’ll never forget it. Ben came home after a bender one Sunday afternoon. I was getting out of the shower and he walked in. I blurted out..."Let's move to Canada". And Bens response was,"I was just talking about doing that! OK!”
And so we did.
I had done a working holiday in London ten years earlier so I guess I was getting itchy feet again. And Ben had a friend already living in British Columbia who had been raving about how awesome it is there.
Anyway, the reason I write this is because Canada is now one of my most favourite places on Earth. More specifically, the Canadian Rockies. I’m sure it’s a pretty common reaction to feel connected to a place, but I physically feel different when I'm there.
Spine tingling different.
So what makes this place so special to me? It’s everything really. It’s the mountains, the lakes, the rivers, the wildlife, the forests. It’s living, breathing love. And to think I never wanted to come here!
Here are some of my favourite places to visit:
Moraine Lake
Hot tip: Get here early!
Lake Louise
Hot tip: Get here early!
Peyto Lake
Hot tip: Get here early!
Yeah Banff National Park gets BUSY! It’s a bit of a shame but I can’t complain. I’m one of the millions that flock to this place each year. I often wonder what all the animals think of us crazies.
Grassi Lakes
Hot tip: Take the more difficult hike. It offers great views and isn't difficult.
Vermilion Lakes
Hot tip: At 5am, watch out for grizzlies that want to watch the sunrise with you.
And then there’s Jasper National Park. She’s a beauty. Jasper looks a little more baron than Banff but that’s part of her charm. I love how the mountains look up there. Here are some of my favourite spots in Jasper National Park:
Pyramid Lake
Hot Tip: Make friends with the chipmunks on Pyramid Island.
Snaring River
Hot Tip: Bring bug spray, lots of it!
Maligne Lake
Hot tip: Don’t try to walk to Spirit Island like I did. It's a long way!
I am looking forward to getting back to the Rockies this Summer. And I'm also keen to explore more of the mountain ranges in the USA. Glacier National Park and The Tetons are definitely on the list. Any other must dos?