Botanical Gardens

We caught the bus this morning to the VanDusen Botanical Garden. We spent several hours here as it covers 55 acres. It's probably the best botanical gardens we've ever visited. 

Malcolm for scale.

Next stop, the nearby Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. It's a dome full of tropical plants and birds.

A view from the park looking down to the city and across to the mountains.

 

Arty things

Back in Vancouver we have been out and about - in this arty cafe we got smoothies - in these massive cups! :-)

The area was Little Italy, where there were lots of murals...

The art gallery had an exhibition of works by the Iranian artist Tanavoli....

...and some amazing wearable art.

 

Last day in the Rockies

On our way back to Vancouver we stopped to visit Spahats Falls, a nice walk through the forest.

...then it was a long drive. We had a group lunch at Kamloops then on again, arriving back in Vancouver after 8.00pm. An amazing trip.

 

In the Rockies - day 3

This is Bow Falls

and nearby was Bow Lake...

Again, a picturesque area. Next stop was Peyto Lake...

Then it was along the Columbia Icefields where we had a trip onto a glacier.

In Jasper we had dinner and a quick look around

...before stopping to view Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. 

 

Rocky Mountains day 2

A day of lakes and mountains - first stop (after picking up sandwiches etc in Kicking Horse)was Emerald Lake, where we had a picnic lunch.

Then it was on the road again to Lake Louise.

Next stop - Morraine Lake.

We kept seeing these cute chipmunks.

When we got to Banff we took the gondola up Sulphur Mountain

There were great views from there, also some wildlife.