We arrived at a very scenic quaint picturesque Jasper train station and town. Jasper being in a valley is guarded by beautiful mountains and lush greenery. Being the celebs on the train, it took us several hours to say our goodbyes, exchange contacts and sign autographs (joking) with all the characters/friends we'd made along the way.

Before trying to get a shuttle bus to our home for the next couple of nights, Hostel International (HI), we went to the supermarket to get some food. We'd learnt from a local that HI is some distance away and has no transport after 5.15pm! At the checkout we asked the teller directions to the shuttle bus but an elderly gentleman (Dave) with an English accent, who was behind us in the line up (queue to us Brits), offered us a lift! He muttered and debated with himself, as to weather he even had his car with him! MURDERER!??!

He was older, and persistent, so we judged the threat to be low and we gracefully accepted the offer (ok, parents stop with the hyperventilating... We're alive to tell the tale)! Once in his car, he told us stories quite animatedly (on occasion veering his car into the middle of the road with no hands on the steering wheel - but again parents, we are alive and well). One story was of when he had been on a trek and had offered to show two American women a rare humming bird nest. To cut a long story short... as he took them further into the bush, he reached into his bag for his binoculars to show them the nest and one of them jumped on him thinking he was pulling out a gun! Can't say we blame her. Canadians have generally been a really friendly bunch, even if they were from the UK initially!

HI, a comfortable but packed hostel (felt like being on a school camping trip with bunks in a dorm, communal toilets and kitchen), surrounded by gorgeous nature, and a sign outside that reads 'do not leave food outside, bears around'. Or as a shuttle bus driver commented 'you have wall to wall real people living in the HI'. We made possibly one of the best pastas ever eaten at this hostel with simple ingredients and a dash of creativity. This was extended when we made Daddio a special super hero birthday card, out of limited resources. Truth be known it was so much fun to make and it turned a few backpackers heads.

The hike up Mount Whistler took us four hours, but the effort was WELL WORTH the views. Despite insect repellant and full sleeved clothing, the mossies took a shine particularly to K. Due to the threat of bears and other wildlife, S chatted & sang all the way up to scare them. We got the tram back down, without paying... we'd been told by someone that they rarely checked tickets so we just snuck in. Naughty naughty.

Traffic in Jasper only happens when tourists stop their hire cars by the side of the road to see & photograph the wildlife... elks were out for snapping when we drove past!

Had times been different we'd have gladly taken one of the many jobs that were advertised locally for the summer season. But we have places to be... starting with being picked up by the one and only Daddio and Mummio to embark upon the Jasper to Banff drive. The drive led us to the amazing Columbia Ice Fields, gorgeous Lake Louise and stunning Lake Moraine. We've mentioned traffic in Jasper, well we became culprits of this jam when we stopped to coo over a berry eating black bear.

Daddio and Mummio's craziness went up a gear on the drive to Banff and poor S was the butt of a few of the jokes... Like when she was left behind in a lay by whilst taking photos and the rest of the 'family' wet themselves laughing as they drove off and hid behind a camper van. Or, when we tried to pass them off as our biological parents at an Indian restaurant to confuse the waiters by getting Mummio to speak perfect (or not so perfect) Punjabi. Oh and not forgetting the genuine long heartfelt departing hug for K, and the ahem VERY short excuse of a hug for S. S is scarred for life, and still rocks back and forth... Randomly.