Weekend in Edmonton
*English is not my first language (even not a second one) therefore I apologize for any grammatical mistakes made and appreciate any corrections.*
Our first visit to Edmonton was almost three years ago when we went straight to the largest shopping destination in North America "West Edmonton Mall". That day we also had some time for a historical tour of the Alberta Legislature Building. Once again we visited Edmonton for the last long weekend. This time we chose Zoo and Botanical garden.
1. The City of Edmonton was founded a little bit more than 200 years ago as a fort and now it's one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with population of almost a million. It takes approx. three hours to get there driving north from Calgary. Though last week's forecast promised warm weather at about +20C, however it was about +5C and heavily raining when we left Calgary. We were going to start considering some alternative options, for ex. Royal Alberta museum. Luckily the rain stopped and the nice and sunny weather settled for the whole weekend when we just reached Edmonton.
2. The heart of Alberta's political life - the Legislature Building is surrounded by park, there is a huge fountain and a couple of wading pools, where you can refresh yourself when it is hot. Despite of +10С a few short sleeved Polar Bears were wading there. Well, I would not say it is unusual for albertans, eh.
3. We did not go inside this time, so here I post an old photo. There are free tours whole year round except for three days - Christmas, New Year and Good Friday.
4. There is a monument on the square marking the fact of the first ukrainian settlers contribution to the start of Alberta's province.
5. On the opposite site there is a monument to honour Alberta's Catholic sisters.
6. The Little Red Riding Hood's one Turner's house we've seen while promenading.
7. On the Sir Winston Churchill square we've found another ukrainian monument named "Madonna of the wheat" and a small tree house nearby.
8. The City Hall looks like a modern pyramid. There is a fountain in the front of it and Edmonton's Public Library on the opposite site of the square.
9. There is a Gallery of Arts just nearby and another nice statue - this time it is a worker Joe enjoying his "Lunchbreak".
10. Just like Joe we also were enjoying our home made lunch outdoors. As I've mentioned in the beginning one of our journey's main destinations was the Edmonton Zoo. First of all it appeared to be half as small as the one in Calgary. Despite this fact, I liked it, because there are some animals Calgary doesn't have - wallabies, tamarines, white fox, capybaras, seals, the night world inhabitants. In general Edmonton Zoo doesnt' look as made up as Calgary's. However there are lots of open spaces and enclosures are available to inspect from the all sides.
11. An elephant of course! How can the Zoo not to have an elephant? Honestly I don't understand the point of exchanging little elephants to rhino in Calgary. There is a 40 years old girl named Lucy living in Edmonton Zoo. Every single day she goes for a walk across the Zoo accompanied by two employees. We didn't find Lucy neither in her house, nor in her outdoor area and asked Zoo workers about her. They brought us to the staff parking, so we could feast our eyes and take a few photos.
12. There is a kids barnyard full of lambs, hens, rabbits and other farm animals you can pet and wash your hands before and after. The Zoo also offers the paddle boat service, free train and corousel rides for the little ones.
13. It so happened that the first animal we saw in the Zoo was an otter. That is why I've purchased a magnet with this cute creater for my collection.
14. For the end of the day we went to the Fairmont MacDonald restaurant's patio having an awesome green view. There are four pyramids of Muttart's Conservatory in another shore of the river.
15. French onion soup.
16. Next morning we were enjoying a tasty eauropean breakfast at our hotel - oats, muesli, hot egg and sausage dishes, different pastry, dry and fresh fruits. Everybody knows it is better to go shopping when you aren't hungry. That's why just after breakfast we drove to the "Duchess Bake Shop". We came there not by an accident as it was listed by BuzzFeed as one 23 best bakeries in the world (video). So there was a long line going out to the street and awaiting to have an audience with Edmonton's "Duchess".
17. The bakery's owners attend masters classes in France regularly and use only natural ingredients. You'll be treated with a good service here for sure.
18. Though there is an opportunity to have a seat (except for sweet treats they offer soups, sandwiches and quiche), all tables were occupied during our visit. In the next room there is a shop offering pastry appliances, food ingredients and books.
19. It so happend my husband and I haven't tried macarons before. You can have a gift pack for 17 dollars, but we decided just to give a try - lemon, rose, salted caramel and organge. Everything is handmade daily and just melting in your mouth - what a delight!
20. The river in Edmonton separates downtown and historical part just as in many cities across the world. We drove along the Old Strathcona historic district's main street named Whyte Avenue. It resembles Calgary's 17 Avenue, but in my opinion Whyte is greener and cosier. There is an Old Strathcona farmers market nearby opened on Saturdays whole year round. They where closed as we came on Sunday, but there was a plants sale inside. By the way you can ride to here by a hundreed years old streetcar, that goes from the Government building to Strathcona and back.
21. After saying goodbye to Edmonton we headed to the south west for our trip's second and last destination - the Devonian botanic garden. The Garden was opened in 1959 and is quite huge - almost 1000 km2. The best time to visit is the middle of June, because they plant most of blooming annuals. There is an outdoor cafeteria offering fast food, so my advise would be to eat somewhere before coming or to bring along your own food.
22. First of all you can feast your eyes in tropical, temperate and arid showhouses.
23. Afterwards take a walk in the Kurimoto Japanese garden. There is a traditional japanese bell without a tongue that you can clam with a hanging log. Japanese use the bells to know the time of the day and believe this sound gives freedom from the humans vices on New Year's Eve.
24. For those who doesn't have much time I advise to take a tour by 8-seat golf cart they call tram here for some reason. A short trip allowes for less than an hour to go through the whole area (except for Japanese garden) and learn all the general information on seasonal plants.
25. Here I've bought a magnet picturing wild roses - Alberta's symbol that you recognise from all local car plates as "Wild rose country". The picture is a handmade craft on silk by a local artist from Red Deer.
26. On our sweet way home. :)
Our first visit to Edmonton was almost three years ago when we went straight to the largest shopping destination in North America "West Edmonton Mall". That day we also had some time for a historical tour of the Alberta Legislature Building. Once again we visited Edmonton for the last long weekend. This time we chose Zoo and Botanical garden.
1. The City of Edmonton was founded a little bit more than 200 years ago as a fort and now it's one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with population of almost a million. It takes approx. three hours to get there driving north from Calgary. Though last week's forecast promised warm weather at about +20C, however it was about +5C and heavily raining when we left Calgary. We were going to start considering some alternative options, for ex. Royal Alberta museum. Luckily the rain stopped and the nice and sunny weather settled for the whole weekend when we just reached Edmonton.
2. The heart of Alberta's political life - the Legislature Building is surrounded by park, there is a huge fountain and a couple of wading pools, where you can refresh yourself when it is hot. Despite of +10С a few short sleeved Polar Bears were wading there. Well, I would not say it is unusual for albertans, eh.
3. We did not go inside this time, so here I post an old photo. There are free tours whole year round except for three days - Christmas, New Year and Good Friday.
4. There is a monument on the square marking the fact of the first ukrainian settlers contribution to the start of Alberta's province.
5. On the opposite site there is a monument to honour Alberta's Catholic sisters.
6. The Little Red Riding Hood's one Turner's house we've seen while promenading.
7. On the Sir Winston Churchill square we've found another ukrainian monument named "Madonna of the wheat" and a small tree house nearby.
8. The City Hall looks like a modern pyramid. There is a fountain in the front of it and Edmonton's Public Library on the opposite site of the square.
9. There is a Gallery of Arts just nearby and another nice statue - this time it is a worker Joe enjoying his "Lunchbreak".
10. Just like Joe we also were enjoying our home made lunch outdoors. As I've mentioned in the beginning one of our journey's main destinations was the Edmonton Zoo. First of all it appeared to be half as small as the one in Calgary. Despite this fact, I liked it, because there are some animals Calgary doesn't have - wallabies, tamarines, white fox, capybaras, seals, the night world inhabitants. In general Edmonton Zoo doesnt' look as made up as Calgary's. However there are lots of open spaces and enclosures are available to inspect from the all sides.
11. An elephant of course! How can the Zoo not to have an elephant? Honestly I don't understand the point of exchanging little elephants to rhino in Calgary. There is a 40 years old girl named Lucy living in Edmonton Zoo. Every single day she goes for a walk across the Zoo accompanied by two employees. We didn't find Lucy neither in her house, nor in her outdoor area and asked Zoo workers about her. They brought us to the staff parking, so we could feast our eyes and take a few photos.
12. There is a kids barnyard full of lambs, hens, rabbits and other farm animals you can pet and wash your hands before and after. The Zoo also offers the paddle boat service, free train and corousel rides for the little ones.
13. It so happened that the first animal we saw in the Zoo was an otter. That is why I've purchased a magnet with this cute creater for my collection.
14. For the end of the day we went to the Fairmont MacDonald restaurant's patio having an awesome green view. There are four pyramids of Muttart's Conservatory in another shore of the river.
15. French onion soup.
16. Next morning we were enjoying a tasty eauropean breakfast at our hotel - oats, muesli, hot egg and sausage dishes, different pastry, dry and fresh fruits. Everybody knows it is better to go shopping when you aren't hungry. That's why just after breakfast we drove to the "Duchess Bake Shop". We came there not by an accident as it was listed by BuzzFeed as one 23 best bakeries in the world (video). So there was a long line going out to the street and awaiting to have an audience with Edmonton's "Duchess".
17. The bakery's owners attend masters classes in France regularly and use only natural ingredients. You'll be treated with a good service here for sure.
18. Though there is an opportunity to have a seat (except for sweet treats they offer soups, sandwiches and quiche), all tables were occupied during our visit. In the next room there is a shop offering pastry appliances, food ingredients and books.
19. It so happend my husband and I haven't tried macarons before. You can have a gift pack for 17 dollars, but we decided just to give a try - lemon, rose, salted caramel and organge. Everything is handmade daily and just melting in your mouth - what a delight!
20. The river in Edmonton separates downtown and historical part just as in many cities across the world. We drove along the Old Strathcona historic district's main street named Whyte Avenue. It resembles Calgary's 17 Avenue, but in my opinion Whyte is greener and cosier. There is an Old Strathcona farmers market nearby opened on Saturdays whole year round. They where closed as we came on Sunday, but there was a plants sale inside. By the way you can ride to here by a hundreed years old streetcar, that goes from the Government building to Strathcona and back.
21. After saying goodbye to Edmonton we headed to the south west for our trip's second and last destination - the Devonian botanic garden. The Garden was opened in 1959 and is quite huge - almost 1000 km2. The best time to visit is the middle of June, because they plant most of blooming annuals. There is an outdoor cafeteria offering fast food, so my advise would be to eat somewhere before coming or to bring along your own food.
22. First of all you can feast your eyes in tropical, temperate and arid showhouses.
23. Afterwards take a walk in the Kurimoto Japanese garden. There is a traditional japanese bell without a tongue that you can clam with a hanging log. Japanese use the bells to know the time of the day and believe this sound gives freedom from the humans vices on New Year's Eve.
24. For those who doesn't have much time I advise to take a tour by 8-seat golf cart they call tram here for some reason. A short trip allowes for less than an hour to go through the whole area (except for Japanese garden) and learn all the general information on seasonal plants.
25. Here I've bought a magnet picturing wild roses - Alberta's symbol that you recognise from all local car plates as "Wild rose country". The picture is a handmade craft on silk by a local artist from Red Deer.
26. On our sweet way home. :)