2005 Alberta Trip [4/4]

Sept 26, 2005 Monday 11:00AM ==> Discovered that the batteries recovered a bit of life so I took the chance to take whatever shots I could. For example, I got this. It was the restaurant I went last night.

Checked out the U. of Lethbridge. Building-wise, it was not big, but it offered a pretty nice view of the Oldman River and parks from the University Hall. I don't know if it's because of what I previously read about the history of the place or what, but when I gazed at the hilly plains in that area, I could almost hear the calls of the Indians as they danced around the fire or chased buffaloes or confronted with the white settlers. Probably just too many movies plus my vivid imaginations.

Decided to leave at 5 instead of 6 as originally planned (only 33km driven in Leth). Stopped by Union Cemetary; my battery might've recovered enough for a couple of shots and I really wanted to take a shot near the pedestrian bridge on MacLeod Trail. My navigational skills lead me to the wrong spot within the cemetary so I had to hastily take any shot of the downtown core before the sun hides behind the mountain (ie: no more light on the buildings).

Back to the Airport to return the car. Waited for the #57. Then at Whitehorn, I took the CTrain and got off at 8th St. And then walked back to the Greyhound station.

Bus finally leaves at 23:36PM. It was already raining outside. But basically I was lucky to have experienced great weather for the whole trip. It was sunny in BC when I woke up in the morning. I decided to get off at the Coquitlam stop (behind IKEA) rather than Vancouver so that I could get home earlier.

 

** CHECK OUT PICTURES HERE **

 

 

2005 Alberta Trip [3/4]

Sept 25, 2005 Sunday 08:30AM ==> decided to go to the 10:30AM Mass rather than be late for the 08:15 Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral.

I had to call up the parish office becuz I couldn't find it the night before. Parked the car at the back of the Cathedral and went to downtown for some early morning pix. It was good to practice whatever little photo-taking abilities I might have. The camera that I had was a Konica KD-500Z and it was more or less a point-and-shoot camera. Nothing fancy; couldn't take some good night time shots becuz I would've needed an extra flash or something. There were so many views that I would've loved to take had not my batteries run out. Does previewing/deleting and on/off the camera really take up that much battery?? That camera wasn't mine but I know that when I do get my own, I am not going to buy one that requires original manufacturer supplies! I hate that sort of thing; what kind of business concept is that?? Future Shop, Battery Plus, Radio Shack, and the Source didn't carry that Konica Li-ion 3.7V battery that I need. Even London Drugs say they have to do a special order (it was a Sunday, mind you). Too bad I also didn't get to go to the natural parks and shoot some animals, that would've been nice. I mean, when do you get to spot beavers and moose in the Greater Vancouver area??

Sept 25, 2005 Sunday 16:40PM ==> turns out there was a London Drugs just one block from where I parked the car the previous night (ie: Mount Royal Village)! Urrgghh... choked me out!!


Headed down to Lethbridge. From MacLeod Trail & 34th in Calgary to Crowsnest in Lethbridge, the odometer read 208km. Driving at about 140km/h average instead of at the 110km limit, it took me nearly 1h45m. I decided to follow the sign that said "City Centre" before I go get a map and find out where my hotel is going to be. But I ended up spotting a Japanese restaurant and decided to check it out. It had a restaurant side and a lounge side. The restaurant also had a sushi bar and its waitresses wore some sort of kimono and slippers. I got a boat for about $21 plus tips. It was quite windy in Lethbridge but it was a lot warmer at this time than it was in Calgary. Headed back to the hotel and just watched tv.

2005 Alberta Trip [2/4]

Sept 24, 2005 Saturday 08:15AM ==> Greyhound station @ Calgary

It's pretty chilly... I would say it was about 2 degrees Celsius that morning.

Made my way to the 10th St CTrain station. Some dude on the Greyhound gave me one of his tickets. I believe he got off at Fort MacLeod. Took the CTrain all the way to Whitehorn Station. Took the #57 to the Airport Terminal.

Sept 24, 2005 Saturday 11:00AM ==> rented a Ford Focus ZX4

The street names totally confused the heck out of me. For example, 5th St NW and 5th St SW is the same street but there is also a 5th St NE/SE. Center Street divides them into East and West. And then there is, for example, 5th Av NW/NE which is different from 5th Av SW/SE and Kensington divides those between North and South. With poor navigation/direction skills that I already possess and poor short term memory (just ask anybody who's been in my car!), a lot of time was wasted trying to figure out where I am and where I'm going. But it was fun nonetheless because I got to get a good feel for the city. I actually missed it when I left!!

Sept 24, 2005 Saturday 11:00PM ==> checked out the University of Calgary.

The SUB was kind of like a mall with a food court. It also had a statue of the "Freedom Goddess" in memory of June 04, 1989 (ie: Tiananmen Square). UBC, and I'm sure many other universities around the world also have this statue.

Sept 24, 2005 Saturday 15:00PM ==> that Travelodge finally had its rooms ready for me :-S

Sept 24, 2005 Saturday 17:00PM ==> Canada Olympic Park

At about 8-9pm, there wasn't much life on that east section of 17th Ave SW where there were a number of clubs and pubs. Downtown had some people hanging around and I guess for a city this size, night life volume like this was okay. 8th Avenue had some people, especially near the TD Square where there were a bunch of higher end cars parked outside Earl's Grill (or was it Metropolitan Grill?). Upon returning to my car that was parked on 17th Av SW & 8th St SW, there were actually line-ups outside some of those clubs and lounges.

2005 Alberta Trip [1/4]

Sept 23, 2005 Friday 06:45AM ==> left Vancouver Terminal in a Greyhound bus

Sept 23, 2005 Friday 12:30PM ==> Kelowna for about 1h45m; visited my former AMCS "Anne" at HSBC Transit #10250 in Orchard Plaza.

Since I have classes on Tuesday evenings, I had to bring my txtbk along so I could get some h/w done on the bus. I managed to do 3/5 of the questions on the way to Calgary.

Sept 23, 2005 Friday 20:05PM ==> stopped by Save-On Foods @ Chahko Mika Mall, Nelson, BC

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kaiman-R

My buddy got married in September 17, 2005. Congrats!
I met him in September 1991 and it used to be that he would be my best man when I get married. Oh well. But I was happy and honored to be best man for him.