We left Kamloops after a tasty breakfast at the Comfort Hotel and headed to the mountains.
Barrie had found us a route to take with 2 short walks. Our first stop was a short distance from Kamloops by the lake where we stopped to admire the scenery in the beautiful weather. After taking in the stunning view we then drove a short distance further and stopped, as directed by the white post as outlined on the walk details. The walk was to go towards the “balancing rock” which we could not yet see. We headed in a downward direction and after about 20 minutes walking we turned a corner and there was the balancing rock. The rock was not that spectacular but the view of the lake, mountains and trees were lovely.
On each side of the lake there was a train track and from here we were able to see the extreamly long trains running up and down the Valley. I have never seen trains so long. In one directing they were taking coal in in the other goods in the other.
We continued our drive to Joffre lakes when we stopped for another walk. There are 3 lakes, the first one just a short 15 minute walk from the parking. Lake 2 and 3 were over two hours up many hills. We walked through the woods for about 45 minutes but as the hills got steeper and steeper we decided to stop and head back having enjoyed the walk so far we did not want it to become an arduous task.
The final hour of our drive took us to Whistler which we knew as a ski resort but it turned out that it is also well known for mountain biking. What a good idea to combine skiing with mountain biking. We checked in at the lovely hotel Adara, and we given an upgrade to a one bedroomed suite. The rooms were very spacious and well furnished. Our suite had a large sitting area with fireplace a small kitchen with microwave, a separate bedroom and bathroom.
The hotel had a heated out door pool and Hot tub, after a long day walking it was appealing to soak in the hot tub so we wandered down to explore. We were not the only mad people who sat outdoors in the hot tub, we were joined by 2 Americans who had done a 30km bike ride that day and were relaxing in the tub with a few beers. They recommended a Mongolian stir fry restaurant for dinner which we decided to try later. The restaurant operated a system where you picked your own raw ingredients in a pan and then took it to the grill to be cooked for you. The food was tasty and the atpmoshere enjoyable. After dinner we explored a little of the quaint tourist village and planned to come back the following day to explore more.
When we woke the next day it was pouring with rain and exploring or getting on the cable car up the mountain were suddenly not the plans for the day. We had a short walk round the cute touristy town in the rain. The winter ski cable car was replaced with a bike cart cable car. The rain drove us away and we decided it was better to head down the mountain towards the coast.
On route to Vancouver hInstead we drove back via.Squamish, a small town where a small climate rally was taking place to support the larger rallies on that day and then dorm on to Horseshoe bay where we had a lovely coastal walk. We then followed the coastal road, Marine drive into Vancouver arriving at around 4.30pm.
Hannah was waiting for us at the apartment, after attending the clime rally in Vancouver. when we finally sorted out how to get to the car park and to the beautiful apartment. We had found the apartment on Airbnb, it was very tastefully furnished with a large kitchen and glass tables and mirrors all over and a fabulous view of Downtown Vancouver. The only thing that was a little disappointing was the size of the bed, was only a standard double as we had been spoilt so far withmassive beds.
We had dinner out a Thai restaurant across the road, Sala Thai that Hannah had found which was beautifully decorated and very tasty food. After dinner Hannah was tired so she headed back to the university but we decided to have a little walk and headed towards the harbour where there was a cruise ship parked up. On our way back to the apartment we spotted some Racoons (or Trash Pandas) playing on the steps of a building clearly in town looking for a meal.