My 6-months pregnant self and A. travelled around Canada during a summer holiday.  We thought we’d do a last “couple only” travel before the baby came.  We chose Canada as neither of us had ever been and we also figured it would be cooler than Hong Kong in the summer (not exactly true) and we’d be in good hands if anything went wrong with me & the baby (luckily nothing did go wrong!).  It turned out that we know lots of Canadians and we met up with nearly all of them along the way which was fun.  We also saw some stunning natural scenery. Canada is easy to travel around, though a bit expensive.  We had wanted to take a train across, but it was more expensive than flying and was also fully booked.  There are of course parts we didn’t see and I would like to go back to (mainly the northern parts) at some point.  That said, in 5 weeks we spent time in 7 different provinces which is pretty good going I reckon.

When: July 2010 (5 weeks)

Where: Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia: Louisberb & Halifax, Ottowa, Toronto, Calgary, Banff & Jasper National Parks, Windermere

View Canada in a larger map
Who: with A, stayed with friends along the way

How: We flew in and out from Hong Kong to Vancouver with Air Canada.  We did internal flights: Vancouver to Montreal, Toronto to Calgary and Calgary to Vancouver.  We hired a car in Montreal and drove through Quebec, to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and back to Montreal.  We took buses from Montreal to Ottawa and Ottawa to Torronto.  We hired a car in Calgary and drove to Banff and Jasper and Windermere from there.

Weather: Changeable!  Vancouver was chilly for me and I definitely needed my jumper and jacket.  In contrast when were in Quebec there was a massive heatwave (36 degrees +) which was very difficult as very places had air-con and I had to buy some summer beach dresses to cope with the heat.  On the east coast and in Banf it was sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast and sometimes rainy.  Jeans, T-shirts, jumpers and the odd jacket were needed.

Food: plentiful and filling!  standard western food, though we got some good Chinese in Chinatown.  Poutine (chips, gravy & cheese), We ate very well.  Most important: Cows Ice-cream!!

Sights & Activities:  Vancouver: the outstanding Museum of Anthropology, clothing optional beach, Montreal: Montreal Jazz Festival, Quebec City (lovely French architecture), Festival d’Ete, Prince Edward Island – beaches and ice-cream, Nova Scotia: Peggy’s Cove lighthouse, Louisberg (18th century fort), Ottowa: National Gallery of Canada, food market (soooo yummy) and the balanced rock sculptures, Torronto and surrounds: Museum of Inuit Art, Art Gallery of Onatario, the multi-culturalism, The Beaches International Jazz Festival, day trip to the Niagra Falls, Banf & Jasper National Parks – gorgeous, beautiful lakes and drives – the highlight for me!

Tips: tax is not included on the price tag of anything – prepare to pay more at the check-out.  Prepare for all weather in the summer – from sun to rain.

What made this an epic journey: 6 months pregnant and 7 provinces in 5 weeks!