Brisbane, QLD


Saturday, September 11, 2010

SWINGING FROM PEAK TO PEAK

Yippee, we had a sleep in this morning. After another delicious breakfast it was Free Choice Activity time. We chose the Peak2Peak Gondola ride. The gondola swings from Blackburn Mountain to Whistler Mountain but first we must get to the top of the mountain on a chairlift.
I was a little apprehensive but I was so excited to be here, that I didn't care anymore and just looked out for bears and the beautiful scenery.

There was a fabulous 360* view at the top of Blackcomb peak, however the pink haze in the sky was to haunt us for the next few days. It was smoke from numerous forest fires in BC.

My stomach did a flip when I saw how far down the Gondola falls before it rises again to Whistler peak. There are no more pylons after this one until the other side of the ravine. Bill relaxed when he saw that it was made in Switzerland.

There was a glass floor just to give you a bit more of an adrenalin rush. It was very hard to get shots of the magic view due to the reflections on the windows, but I managed this one. We stopped at the top for a coffee on the terrace. Bill's foot was sore so he stayed there with a friend while I and a two others walked to another chairlift which took us even higher to the summit.

This one really took your breath away. It felt like we were going to splat into this wall of rock.

Now we were really on top of the world with this Inukshuk. Originally these  symbols were created by the Inuit people to show 'someone has been here' or 'you are on the right path'. However it can have a variety of meanings today. It was the logo for the Winter Olympics meaning 'welcome'.

This fellow was trying a one legged meditation pose for a photographer. He kept losing his balance. I expected him to topple over the edge at any minute and take a short cut down the mountain.

Then it was time to take the chairlift down to pick up Bill and then swing in the gondola back to the other peak and then down, down, down again in two more chairlifts to Whistler, which you can see at the bottom here. Look at that smoke blowing in and starting to hide the mountains. We had the afternoon to ourselves, I explored the village while Bill checked out the doctor's surgery and then the pharmacy. A few hundred dollars later he had some antibiotic tablets. Thank goodness for travel insurance.

18 comments:

  1. I would find this both thrilling and terrifying. Lovely views though.

    About your comment, LOL, not he is not broken, but he can be really quite temperamental at times and on the photo day he was actually doing the dishes at the time.

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  2. Fantastic Diane - what an experience. You are to be so much applauded for showing people what other places are like. Congratulations.
    Colin (HB)
    ps: Can hardly wait for Banff and "The Chateau at Lake Louise" - green, I will turn.

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  3. Whoa!! Not so sure I would enjoy that experience. My stomach would come out my ears, I feel certain.

    However ... the photos are nice ... and and and ... I feel sure that BB probably woulda needed me to help him get his meds ... back me on this one BB ... !!!

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  4. I love going up on those things but if the chair moves one iota, I find it a bit terrigying. But the view up there...So worth the ride!

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  5. This is way to scary for me to indulge in ... the scenery is to die for but I wouldn't want to die seeing it.

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  6. What an adventure; I am just so fearful of ski lifts and such, but I believe the anticipation of the sights to behold would stomp the fear and I could do this ride up! You did a great job with the pics, and thanks again for sharing.

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  7. Oh Diane, You are adventuresome like ME... I would love both the gondola and the chair lift..... HOW super!!!! I'd love to go there... There's just too much to see --and none of us can do it ALL... You got in a big chunk though on this trip, didn't you???? How NEAT.

    BREATHTAKING...
    Hugs,
    Betsy
    What happened to Bill's foot?

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  8. Hi Diana! I’m also back!! One week off, one week to deal with the mess created by the absence, a birthday almost no one noticed and a weekend to rest a little bit...

    Fabulous posts of your trip!! British Columbia is stunning!!

    Meanwhile Blogtrotter Two is enjoying a fabulous hotel: the Cala di Volpe in Costa Smeralda!! Enjoy, comment and have a great weekend!

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  9. I can't even begin to imagine how breathtaking this was for you. Due to motion sickness I can't go on roller coasters and fast rides but I am fine on cable cars. Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to do this. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Not for the faint-hearted. Glad you made it to the top. How exhilarating for you! I don't think I could take photos under those circumstances. Thank you Diane. Bill, you found the coffee shop - how marvellous!!
    Mary Bear

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  11. Knowing I could not do this due to my fear of heights Diane, this is the next best thing. Only a matter of time and you will be bringing your travels to us in 3D.

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  12. Forgot to tell you that I love your new header. Di you stay at the Chateau Lake Louise ? It's gorgeous!!

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  13. Wonderful, a trip of a lifetime. You've captured some beautiful views and memories with your photos.

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  14. Wonderful photos, Diane. I like the Inukshuk - it remidns me of a film called "The Wickerman". Lovely as the scenery is, I don't think I'd be game to ride in one of those things with my feet a-dangling!

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  15. What a beautiful landscape ! In a gondola I could go up but never in a lift. I get quickly dizzy and don't feel well. When it is a closed room I could go up even 4000 m !

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  16. Did you have an early night last night? Where's me post???? Talk about withdrawal symptoms!!

    Have you see Foxy-loxy since your return? When are you coming to Sydney next? I am thinking about another get-together ... youse two MUST be included ... I will cast the net wider this time too ...

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  17. Forgot to add, I am spending NYE at O'Reillys in the Lamington NP, but not getting as far as Brissie. Shall do up your way during 2011 though, so shall consult when you might be in residence.

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  18. Magnificent views of the mountains. The gondola and chair lift both look like fun.

    Sorry to hear Bill was having problems with his toe. I hope the antibiotics helped.

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