My Last Day at Office

Today was my last day at office .Tried to complete most of the work and was then going around all my collagues before leaving .It was Chriss birthday so we went out for the lunch and I had a good time with all the gang .
Leaving all was very emotional and i felt very sad t oleave all the friends with whom i had been working for the past months .And had become very close to them .That was the most difficult part .

I was to fly yto Toronto at 5 pm to my sister.SO left office at 4:00 .Checked in the Airport and was going around till I boarded.The flight was long and terribly boring .But made it and finally

Heritage Park - Calgary

HERITAGE PARK is the placw where all the WESTERN OLD Canada is set up .Over there all the place has been set as if in the early 20th century.
All the old buildings have been set up from where they once stood .And they have been rebuild over here .On one side there is the Glemore Resorvorir which was completely frozen and i litreally walked on the frozen place .
Going around was gr8 fun with having a full Canadian Breakfast .Was there for almost 4 hrs till 1 pm.
Then headed to the CALGARY TOWER one of the key features of Calgary .Seeingthe whole place where i have been living for the last 6 monts from teh top was amazing view.The ROCKIES were magnificent view with the clear skies and bright sun .
In all a gr8 and busy day .My last weekend at Calgary was good and i enjoyted it a lot.

Saturday the 11th

Today had to do some ank work so had to get up early and headed directly to the bank.After that roamed around the CHINOOK MALL for some time .Happen to see the movie OCEANS 12.Its a gr8 movie .That was nice and to be true its not OCEANS 12 its OCEANS 13 with the star apperance of none other than who guess ........... BRUCE WILLS ..After the movie went around the mall.
In late evening me and Rajat ( one of my colleague ) went to see the CALGARY ZOO LIGHTS .They were fantastic .The whole ZOO was decorated with the different light structures and it was a sight to see .We had a nice time along with the chiily breeze going around .
Then went to have dinner at a place called THE SAMOSA GRILL an East India Restaurant .

The Christmas Party

The Canadian love Christmas and the start having fun long before the actual day .While moving around the town happen to see a lot of decorations and lights all over .Its same like we have for DIWALI.
Today in office too we have a complete festive mood .All over the day there were different programs going on .Then after lunch there came 4 carolites (the ones who sing christmas carols ) and they sang through all the cubicles its was gr8 .They were singing all the carols in good chorous and I happen to know a few of them learnt at the Jr.KG and Sr.KG class .......
Then at the end of the day had a grand party where all the us gathered together .With lots of things to eat and drink.Then there was carols again with full band (they being all the company ppl for all the depts )
Also had Santa Claus( Neil one of my Project Manager) coming to distribute the gifts to all of them.In all a gr8 time meeting all and having lots and loads of fun .
The only thing I missed today was forgot to get my digi cam .I fogot it at home I though of getting it but then in the chase to get the train on time left back ...........................

Chilly Day in Calgary

Today at Calgary faced the coldest day ever .When came to office the temperature was 24 deg below zero taking the Wind Chill factor into consideration .
Was dressed as if on a big Himalayan Expedition but then thats how all is done .This was the first time ever in my life I faced such cryogenic weather conditions hahahahaa.
Still not well versed to these conditions yet but surely be in the coming days .

The temperatue on the actual winter days goes well below the range 0f 35 and 40 deg below zero .

Moving around Banff

Got up late at 7.00 am.Help Andrew my room mate to pack his luggage as he was to leave for Brisbane .Andrew is an Electrician and has his own business back in Brisbane.But for the last 6 months has been in England and Europe for going around .
After he left met Nick,Sam,Jane and Adam .We togther had a good lunch of LENTIL and GREEN PEAS Curry I made .They loved it a lot .
After Lunch talked for some time in the lounge and then headed to downtown for going around .I took all my luggage with me as I was to leave back to Calgary by 5.00 pm Greyhound .
Just freaked out for some time .Nick and Adam did some grocery shopping and went back to the hostel .It was gr8 meeting these friends .They were really nice and I had a very good time with them .When they left really missed them .
Then passed some time at the STARBUKCS having some hot choclate and cake till it was time for the bus.
The journey from Banff to Calgary is almost 1 1/2 hrs and as usual napped for the 90% of the time .
Was back home really tired and ready for the Monday work .

Sulphur Mountain in Snow

Left early in the morning for the Sulphur Mountain.Was given lift by a group of bagpackers till the downtown area .
Reached the base of the Sulphur Mountain at around 10:00 .It was like there is some free service available by a hotel but i was not able to sneak in for that and so after some time took taxi till the base for the lack of time .
Though during my previous visit i had been to the Sulphur Mountain but then this time it was completely different as the whole trail and the surroundings were covered in the snow .It took around 1 1/2 hr to reach on the top .
This time the view from the top was completely different of the Canadian Rockies around as most of them were coverered in snow .And the formations made by the clouds around the mountains was breathtaking.
It was really tough to go around in the snow .Though the actaul Obervatory site on the Mountain was closed due to safety reason .
Took a different trail this time and jsut wandered around the other side of the mountain through the snow .It was gr8 but then was getting cold at the feet since I was just wearing the normal sports shoes.
And once the feet start getting cold its diffidult to walk and the whole body starts to behave in different manner.Thats probably mental cause they litrally freeeeeeeeeeeez.
Came down again on the same trail.On the way back many fellow climbers on their way up to the top .
At the base of the mountain they have a Sulphur Mountain Pool where in you can stay in the water .
That was a very soothing epxerince as from the climb and cold i was tired so went directly in the pool and was in there for almost and hour.
Then again had to walk back till downtown as no other means was available .In all had a good walk of almost 15 kms..........................

Again in the evening met Nick and joined them for the chat after dinner .Had a gr8 time with the whole group and was there till almost 2 am .

Towards Banff

After office went home and took the Greyhound to Banff.Had planned going there since last week and all the reservations had been done in advance at the Banff Alpine Centre Hostelling International .
Reached at 8:30 in the evening and took the local transit to the Hostel .Met Cormac at the front desk .He knew mw from the last visit to the Hostel and we had a good chat .
During my time in the kitchen happen to meet Nick who is from Australia .He happen to taste the CHOLE i had made for dinner and liked the taste .He was quite thrilled by the curry made for the chole .
Was invited to join his group in the lounge and had a gr8 time meeting a lot of new friends .It was a very good experience with them.
Chatted almost past midnight and then went to sleep .

Drumheller ( The Dinosaur Lands )

Calgary is part of the ALBERTA PROVINCE which is well know for the rich oil and gas resources .
About two hrs drive from Calgary is a place called as DRUMHELLER famous for the dinosaur fossils found .This is one of the very few places all over the world where the fossils were found in very good shape .
Exactly at 8.00 am me along with my colleague at office Marius (he is from GE Abu Dhabi) left for Drumheller in his car .Along the road came across the country side of Canda which was amazingly vaste and complete covered with the praries type of grass lands .
The first stop was the HORSE SHOE CANYON .The forcast told it was good weather but actaully it was too cold to even get out of the car .The chilly winds blowing all over and snow flakes flying .
But the view around was amazing and happen to go down in the valley to have a closer look at the formations formed in the small hills .
On the way visited the largest man made DINOSAUR which stands 86 FEET tall.
In the actaual palce there are two trails specifically called the North and the South trail along which all the BAD LANDS as they are called are located .The name BAD LANDS is casue when the westerners first came here long back there was nothing they could do here like farming or fertile land etc hence the name .
But we only took the North trails and had a gr8 view of the valley overall as well as of the Bow river flowing below .
The next stop was at the famous TURREL MUSEUM where all the fossils are kept and it was fantastic going back in the DINOSAUR age .The fossils have been preserved and kept intact very well and its a treat to see them .Spent almost 4 hrs at the meuseum .
Since its winter time its getting dark very early so hurried to see the HOO DOOS .They are MUSHROOM like stone + sand structures formed due to the errosion over the years .

Then started our way back to Calgary .By almost 7.00 pm was back home .Had a gr8 day in all

Haloween Special

On Sunday 31st Oct Haloween was celebrated all over North America.This was the first time I ever happen to see Haloween.Since childhood had only read in the school books that it is realted to the ghosts and the witches .
But truely the people here have good time and have great fun .Days before the actuall Haloween many ppl wearing funny dresses were seen on the streets .And on Saturday when I happen to go out there was huge mob in all the possible costumes you can Imagine .That was fun seeing all the elders wearing the funny costumes .Actually it is meant for the small children but the elders have it before the actuall Haloween.

Around the City of Vancouver

Got up early and called up our family friend who came to pick me at the hostel .Spent the whole day at his house and around the city of Vancouer .He showed me all the places around and we had a good time .It was nice meeting all his family members they too were very happy .Actually he is from the same place from my home town and my father and Mr.Harry are very good friends .
In the evening he came to leave me at the TSAWWASSEN BAY almost 40kms from his palce .Its the port form where all the FERRIES leave for the different islands around Vancouver .
I was to catch the FERRY for VICTORIA ISLANDS .
My first look at the ferry was jaw dropping .Intially i thought it must be small boat and carrying a few passengers .But then it was 8 storey high carrying the buses,cars and almost 1000 ppl on board .
It was named the BC FERRY.
On entering the ferry was a different world all together .And the sight was amazing with the sun jsut setting on one side and the moon rising just opposite .And far away the lights of the Vancouver city.
Its said THE WORLD IS TOO SMALL and yes i experienced it on the ferry cause I happen to meet Sandeep ( orginally from Mumbai and now in Microsoft Seattle) and his wife .It was a big surprise to meet any one MARATHI on board .
We three had a gr8 time together and Sandeep gave me lift till the Victoria hostel in his car .

Voyage to Vancouver

Left office at 3:30 pm and Jeff came to leave me at the airport .I had a flight at 4:45pm to Vancouver (WESTJET AIRLINES).
The flight was delayed by some 45 min.
The flight was good .Reached Vancouver at 6.00 pm local time .(1 hr behind Calgary).By 7:30 was in the hostel .Actaully the airport is very far from the city .Its almost the other end of the town.Then happen to call one of family friends to confirm that I have reached .

my room mate in the Hostel were Andres ( Chile ) and Christian ( Germany ) .Me and Andres went out for shopping the cooking stuff and were back in the hostel .I had cooked the CHICK PEAS stuff and we had dinner together .