 |
|
|
Because Canada is such a spacious country with sizeable distances between destinations, it’s a good idea to rent a car upon arrival. Canada Olympic Park (COP) is situated 15 minutes from downtown Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Built in 1986 before the Olympics, ten of thousands of visitors from all over the globe have visited the Park. Tours are available, which include the Olympic Bobsleigh/Luge Track (the only one in Canada), the Olympic Cauldron in the Flags of Nations concourse and a chairlift up to the COP Ski Jump Complex. Visible from quite a distance as you approach the Park, the 90 meter Ski Jump Tower is the highest point in Calgary. But there’s much more to do than just look at what COP has to offer – this is where you can jump in and get your feet wet (or snowy to be slightly more accurate). COP offers an assortment of sports programs – from skiing and snowboarding for both adults and children at a variety of levels, to activities designed for those a little more adventurous at heart. For a real adrenalin rush you can take a ride in an authentic four man bobsleigh. With a professional driver and brakemen to guide the sleigh, you only need to sit back, relax, and enjoy the swift ride! Bobsleighs can reach up to 120 km per hour. Rides cost $120 per person and this program starts on November 13. For those of you who wish to be in control of your own ride (or less in control, depending on how you look at it) the Discover Skeleton program might interest you. As you plunge head first down the Olympic Track on your Skeleton (a small sled with runners) you can reach speeds of up to 65 km per hour. But there are no brakes or steering mechanisms – your body’s movements controls the Skeleton. Rides cost $35 per person and the Discover Skeleton program commences on November 6. Discover Luge
allows for beginners to try out this exciting sport. For $50 you’ll get
a three hour session and up to 6 slides, if you master the techniques demonstrated
by your instructor. Discover Luge starts November 20.
During the
1998 Winter Olympics, a flame burned at the top of the tower, turning it
into the World’s Largest Olympic Torch. A half a million tourists visit
the tower each year, taking the elevator up to the Observation Terrace.
From here, you’re standing 160 meters above the ground and 1228.2 meters
above sea level. Admission is $9.95 for adults.
With the approach of Halloween, all minds turn to the scary and unknown. Why not check out the Creatures of the Night exhibit? Bats, owls, and other nocturnal creatures will delight your eyes - once they’ve adjusted to the dark setting. Boo at the Zoo, a special Halloween themed visit, runs from October 22- October 30. Try the Simulator Thrill Ride or take the older kids through the Haunted House. Younger children will enjoy walking through “Belly of the Beast” and every child 12 and under receives a special treat. Other exhibits at the Calgary Zoo include Destination Africa – the only place in Canada you feel like you’re on safari. In the zoo’s newest exhibit, giraffes crane their long necks to chew at leaves on the tallest trees, lowland gorillas lounge lazily on the grass, and hippos snort in the mud. The Canadian Wilds exhibit provides a hike through the Rocky Mountains without having to leave the city. Powerful Grizzlies sleep curled up against each other, rendering them cute rather than scary. Huge moose wander a mini woodland and wolves dart silently behind trees. Bighorn Sheep, one of Canada’s most majestic animals, munch tranquilly on grass, the male’s massive horns spiraling backwards. Eurasia’s animals include commanding Siberian Tigers and beautiful snow leopards. Small red pandas, looking more like a typical raccoon than an exotic animal, sleep high on the branches of a tree, their long tails swishing indifferently. My favorite
section is always the Primates. The monkey’s antics never fail to have
visitors dwelling a little longer than usual at each display. The Pygmy
Marmosets caused more than a few double takes. The smallest primate in
the world, the mini monkeys are only about five inches long. Their tails
can be up to eight inches long. A Pygmy Marmoset would easily fit in the
palm of a child’s hand.
Upon arrival in the center of Drumheller, 138 km northeast of Calgary, mouths gaping at the strange land formations, we headed to the Visitor Information Center. It’s easy to find as it’s right next to the World’s Largest Dinosaur. After stacking up on brochures, we headed toward the World’s Largest Dinosaur entrance. Approximately 4.5 times bigger than a life size Tyrannosaurus Rex, we had to climb 106 stairs to reach the dinosaur’s mouth – 25 meters from the ground. Walking out onto the T-Rex’s lower jaw gives you an unbeatable view of the Canadian Badlands. Millions and millions of years ago, dinosaurs called the Badlands home. Their fossilized remains have made the area famous - the Badlands have one of the most abundant dinosaur fossil depositories in the world. The valley’s riverbeds were thick with sediment that covered the carcasses of deceased dinosaurs and preserved them. Considering that less than 1% of the dinosaur population was preserved, it’s a spectacular discovery. It’s no surprise then that The Royal Tyrrell Museum, the only Canadian institution devoted entirely to paleontology, is located in Drumheller. To get to the museum, follow Dinosaur Trail. Open year round, the Royal Tyrrell attracts 385,000 visitors from around the globe annually. One of the largest exhibits of dinosaurs in the world, the museum displays more than 35 dinosaur skeletons along with 10 full size models to help you imagine what they actually looked like. A walk through the museum is a fast forward journey through 3.5 billions years of life on Earth. You don’t have to be Ross Geller to appreciate the Royal Tyrrell’s exhibits – those who know nothing about the prehistoric creatures will enjoy the museum as much as dinosaur fanatics. It’s truly fascinating. A visit to the museum begins with a series of interactive educational activities that explain scientific topics such as earthquakes, reflexes and density. From here, it’s on to the fossils. To be considered a fossil, an object must be the remains of a living organism or traces of their activities (such as footprints or droppings), and must be at least 10,000 years old. Coprolites (dinosaur droppings) are considered important because they provide the scientist with information on the feeding habits of the dinosaur. An Albertosaur,
a small cousin of the T-Rex, with a strong but agile body, is one of the
first fossils that you’ll see. It’s still embedded in rock. His long neck
is curved up and bent over backwards, typical of many dinosaur skeletons
due to the drying and shortening of ligaments in the neck.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum goes beyond dinosaurs and touches on many aspects of prehistoric life. A re-creation of a 375 million year old Devonian underwater community illustrates what Alberta was like when it was covered in water. The final exhibit, the Ice Ages, displays skeletons of a giant mammoth and saber toothed cat. After seeing the type of creatures that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago, we returned to the present and visited Reptile World. Displaying over 150 reptiles and amphibians, Reptile World will delight visitors of all ages. I was surprised to learn that Alberta is home to a venomous snake – the Prairie Rattlesnake. A smaller snake that’s a light shade of brown, the rattlers would be easily camouflaged against the Badlands. The closest den has been discovered only 80 kilometers from Drumheller, but don’t worry: Prairie Rattlesnakes have one of the least toxic venoms, and their bites aren’t fatal. Also on display are Red Eyed Tree Frogs, Asian Fire Bellied Toads, Saltwater Crocodiles and Eastern Box Turtles. Canadian Snapping Turtles were also on display, and although quite docile in the water, they can become agitated on land. A variety of snakes coil behind thick glass – from boa constrictors, cobras and pythons to the deadly Black Mamba. If you’re really brave, you can meet Brittany up close. Brittany, a young boa constrictor, was born in captivity and is completely tame. Still, that didn’t calm my fluttering nerves as the keeper placed her around my neck. He held her head, and I stood still for a quick picture and promptly asked for her to be removed. Having owned snakes all his life, the keeper was completely comfortable with Brittany wrapped around his neck. Her tongue flicked in and out of his ear and she probed his hair with her head while he nonchalantly answered our endless questions. When my heart had returned to its normal pace, I asked to try it again. This time, I held her myself and realized how gentle and calm she really was. My own mini Fear Factor! Once we’d fully explored the museum, it was time to discover the Badlands. Two excellent hiking locations are only minutes away from Drumheller and The Royal Tyrrell Museum. About ten minutes farther along Dinosaur Trail lays Horse Thief Canyon. This is a great viewpoint for observing the valleys and rock formations of the Badlands. It’s a tough climb down so wear sturdy shoes. Horseshoe Canyon, 17 km Southwest of Drumheller, has an easier walking trail. Referred to as Canada’s Grand Canyon, the area is slightly flatter and makes for easier exploration. It’s not unusual to come across fossils on your hike, but be warned - Alberta law states that “all fossils in or on the ground are owned by the province” as they provide valuable information about ancient life. Before you leave, go east on Highway 10 until you get to the Hoodoos. Tall pillars of sandstone capped by large boulders, the Hoodoos resemble natural rock cigars. Just another of the area’s geological wonders. City Passports If you’re looking for deals, check out City Passports. The Calgary Attractions Passport contains coupons offering discounts and other deals such as or two for one offers. www.citypassports.com The Calgary Tower, The Zoo and COP are just some of the destinations covered in the Calgary edition. The following is a list of articles that Dawnelle has written for the magazine:
To contact
Dawnelle Click Here
|
Istanbul
- 