Rocky Mountain High - Banff

My morning was spent gazing at the sky waiting to see if the clouds would break making a trip to the summit of Sulphur Mountain worthwhile. Patches of blue started to shine through and tempting glimpses of mountains surrounding Banff briefly showed themselves. I hopped on the towns Roam bus up to the Banff Gondola Station only to be frustrated by the two bus loads of Australian tourists who arrived at the same time and hopped on the line to go up ahead of me. 

The view from the summit was spectacular. Late spring snowfalls had coated the branches of the spruce and aspen trees creating a forrest of Christmas trees. The gleaming snow sparkled as though sprinkled with diamonds. My timing was perfect. The clouds cleared enough to see for miles across the Rocky Mountains. Banff, so far below, was clear and the Bow River could be seen winding through the valley with its blue/green waters tinted by the rock flour. My timing was also lucky as 40 minutes later the summit was engulfed by mist. 

Just across from the base of the Gondola Station is the Upper Hot Springs where I soaked my aches in its thermal waters. At 39 C the waters, including a mixture of sulphite, magnesium, and calcium, flow 2000m from the depths of the earth. It was the thermal springs that have brought travellers to Banff for over a century. I lay in the pool as a light snow fell as I looked up at the surrounding mountains. Beautiful.

Travel tips: 

-try to get on the gondola queue before the tour busses.

-watch the clouds while wandering around the town to get the best chance of clearing skies when you go to the summit.

-there is a cafeteria and restaurant at the summit where I had my first ever poutine. Chips, gravy and cheese curd, a national dish. 

-I had my bathers with me, but you can hire swim suits at the hot springs. You can also hire a towel.

-there are hair driers available in the change room so you don't need to worry about heading out into the cold with wet hair.

-there is also a small spin dryer for your bathers.

-take a bottle of water with you by the pool. I didn't and wandered why I was so thirsty later.

Seeing London from the 72nd floor.

View from the Shard

I had been looking forward to visiting the View from the Shard since receiving a gift certificate from my daughter Alix for Christmas. My last visit to London two years ago the Shard was almost finished already dominating the skyline on the south side of the Thames. 

This time I was fortunate to have three weeks to choose the ideal day to go up and hope for the best viewing conditions. The first week the sky was steely grey. Dust storms off the Sahara Desert were blown across Europe to combine with industrial pollution to dramatically reduce visibility. The Government was issuing health warnings. As the winds turned and the sky cleared the next challenge was to choose a day ahead of time to redeem the gift certificate. Thankfully the sky remained blue on the day of my visit. 

Houses of Parliament

Buckingham Palace and the London Eye

The Tower of London

In the mean time I had the opportunity to walk around London; visited the Tate Modern, admired Big Ben, listened in awe to the choir sing Evensong in Westminster Cathedral, drank at a Gin Palace near the Old Bailey, voted at Australia House, walked along Southbank, ate a duck wrap and nibbled on tasting treats on offer at the Borough Market, and caught a train to St Albans to visit an old colleague going past Wembley Stadium and so much more. London has so much to offer.  Looking down from the 72nd floor of the Shard all these pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle came together as I could trace my wonderings from above.

Borough Market below the train line under the shadow of the Shard

The sky was indeed clear. All the great monuments and sights could be seen including many I had visited on past visits to this great city; the Tower of London, Greenwich Village, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. The meandering Thames demonstrated that it is an essential transport hub as water busses, tour boats, and barges carrying containers moved along its waterways looking like children's bath toys from above. 

The Millennium Bridge

The view was spectacular. Looking down on the City of London and its surrounds I am reminded that after three visits I still have many more places I wish to see down there.

Floor 69

The Olympic Stadium and Orbit Tower

Battersea Power Station

The Gherkin

Greenwich

St Paul's Cathedral

Thames Barrier

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As a final note I was surprised to see new buildings that have developed in the past two years. 30 more have been approved. The "Walkie Talkie"concave shaped building in the middle of this picture has needed to have its windows changed as it melted cars when the sun's rays were focused during summers heat. Do have a look at this article for an architectural laugh.

Carnival in Hal Ghaxaq, Malta

One night we heard the beat of music coming from the street in the little village we were staying in. When we opened the door we were greeted by goblins and ghouls, Casanovas and centaurs. It was carnival night and the parade of costumes was well underway to the booming music coming from the back of a truck parked in the square. Everyone was out to be seen, make a statement or just have fun. A touch of Halloween, but for adults with no trick or treat. 

As we wondered down the street amused by each character we encountered we found ourselves in the middle of the parade embarrassed by our lack of costume. It didn't seem to bother anyone, perhaps being the visitors from Aus in the Big House was costume enough.

Carnival has been a part of Maltese culture for over 500 years. There is the major event in the capital of Valetta, but villages around the country hold their own celebration. We were lucky enough to find this one on our doorstep.

To see the community out having a night of laughter, joy and celebration was a privilege. I doubt many tourists get to see this party in Hal Ghaxaq. We were struck by the difference in how such a night would happen back home. It wouldn't be long before alcohol got the better of people and fights broke out. But here everyone was just having fun. There was alcohol a plenty but good humour won out.