August 28, 2012

  • Mirror lakes and honey bees

    Last night I stayed at Fairmont at Lake Louise so the first thing mom and I did after we got up was go for a morning stroll around Lake Louise. Although the morning weather was quite cold at first, there were very few people so we got to listen to the silent sounds of water moving back and forth slowly as people paddled their canoes, as well as marvel at the natural beauty and perfect reflections of the mountains in the water. We headed for breakfast inside the hotel at a cafe called Deli, then we walked around the hotel gift shops until it was time to check out an eat our lunch at Lago restaurant. The lunch buffet they serve there is alright but I really enjoyed their smoked salmon as well as their maple syrup salmon.

    After lunch we headed for the moraine lake, also called the mirror lake, where I climbed for about 5 minutes uphill to the rocks to take a better glimpse of the lake. Apparently it was classified as one of the natural beautys of the world and was used as an image on old $20 Canadian bills. Although the walk itself only took me 5 min, but actually I was panting a little when I was going up because the air is much thinner compared to Vancouver. For all I know, the lake itself is already over 2000 feet above sea level.

    Back in the Okanagen we visited the Planet Bee to purchase some honey and cream. Yes honey can be made into body lotion, cream, etc and I think that the price they sell is really reasonable and cheap. For a large jar of honey that comes in a variety of flavors, including the multi-flower flavored that I chose, the price is only $6-$10. They also have really knowledgeable staff to help you and explain to you exactly what the differences are and their functions for their products.

    On the way to the hotel I noticed that land was selling as little as $350,000 for 100 acres of land in the middle of nowhere. But compare that with coquitlam and think in the perspective of retirement and investment then maybe it could be a good choice 50 years down the road.

    I was also reading the globe and mail on the bus ride and learned a bit more about Neil Armstrong. Now one of my favourite quotes is his: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Amidst all the economic crisis, civil war in Syria, hurricane in the states, and numerous other devastating disasters, Neil Armstrong's sudden death reminds us all that there was once a mission impossible accomplished so there is hope for all of us remaining to pursue and dream impossible things. Dream for world peace, strive for world peace, and arrive at world peace. :)

    The hotel we stayed at night was called Prestige Hotel at Vernon. To my surprise, their rooms are really big and my room in particular featured a second floor with a Victorian style staircase and a modern style bathroom. I like it very much...as much as the free wifi and continental breakfast they offer.

    Tomorrow I'll be returning home and that will be the end of my trip, but I know that I'll definitely remember the amazing scenery that I've witnessed on this trip.