Our Honeymoon in Canada - British Columbia
After we left Jasper we started making our way to Clearwater, a overnight stop to break-up the long drive to Vancouver. To prove that we relied on our Sat Nav too much (you'd think we'd have learned after our experience in Niagara) we followed it without question to Clearwater, stopped for some fuel and then continued in the direction of our hotel, which was apparently still 2hrs away!
Figuring that the river was impassable, we followed the set route until we came across a bridge and then began the long back-track to our hotel; the Alpine Meadows Lodge. We passed through some lovely countryside and quaint farmlands but after a while started to get concerned as civilisation seemed to disappear and the lodge was still no-where in sight. Road blocks were caused by a group of loose cows and the only onlookers to our route were some horses and further down the road a grizzly bear. The lovely tarmacked roads soon gave way to gravel paths which didn't feel particularly promising either. We started to tease each other as the journey started to feel like a scene out of The Shining! After another hour, there was still no sign of Alpine Meadows and so of course there was more horror movie banter but deep down I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever find the place and if we did what it would be like and whether or not we'd be on the menu!
Of course once we actually got there, the place was beautiful and the people were lovely. It turns out, had we ignored the Sat Nav and followed the road signs right outside the petrol station we would have found a little river crossing service and the hotel was only a 15 minute drive after away from there. We had a lovely meal at the lodge's restaurant and rested up in order to continue our journey (by going the right way back into town) the next day. Then it was onwards to Vancouver.
Once we arrived in the city, we said a fond farewell to the tank (after getting lost in Chinatown) and went for a walk to find our hotel, the Fairmont Waterfront. The location of the hotel was fantastic and the waterfront area was beautiful. We visited Granville Market and Vancouver Aquarium and even had a photo op with the Canadian Mounted Police on patrol near Stanley Park! There were a myriad of places to stop for a bite to eat along the waterfront but we found a lovely little place right on the edge of the harbour so we could see the seaplanes coming and going. Sadly there wasn't enough time to hop on a whale watching tour but it gives us a great excuse to go back!
After a few days in the city, it was time to head to Knight's Inlet. Knight's Inlet was such a highlight I have written a separate blog all about it. Check out 'Truly Wild' in my blogs for all the details.
After returning from the lodge, we spent one more night at the Fairmont Waterfront and had a lovely meal (and cocktails) at their restaurant ARC before sadly having to head home. I surprised my husband with an upgrade to Premium Economy for the flight back (which on Air Canada was very spacious) but it was still difficult for us both to board that plane! We could have easily stayed as there was so much more to see but that in itself is a testament to this beautiful country, it's wonderful people and the incredible experiences we had during our time here.
Thank you Canada - We hope to be back soon!