Maclean Pond

Maclean Pond in Kananaskis area is just a short 40-hour drive from Calgary, not a popular picnic destination compare to nearby Elbow Falls but a good alternative when you don't want a big crowd. It may not be appealing to some as there are mud puddles everywhere, and the color of water is not as clear as the other ponds in the area but a nice place to go for fishing too. 

There are a number picnic tables and fire pits which you can use and there are also ample parking with toilets nearby. As I went around the pond, I realized it is not as bad as it look initially but little by little you'll still appreciate it's beauty and that brought me back to my senses to take some shots of the area and capture it's unique beauty.

(Click to view larger image)

Moraine Lake - Enchanting, Captivating, Fascinating

It was three months ago when a good friend from the Philippines sent me a message that he and his wife were planning to visit Canada, their main purpose was to attend the World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver (his wife is a derma practitioner in Quezon Province). He was hesitant at first to make a side trip to Calgary as they had a very tight schedule, but good thing they were able to squeeze it in their itinerary. 

They were so amazed how beautiful the whole Banff National Park is. They couldn't believe its real, it was like looking at a postcard or a painting. I have been living in Calgary for a little over a decade now and I, myself have never got tired looking at the enchanting lake of Lake Louise and the majestic rocky mountains. 

A short drive from Lake Louise is Moraine Lake, another glacially-fed lake with a distinct blue/green colour caused by the rock flour deposited in the lake. The first time I saw this lake, I was mesmerized with it's beauty, so enchanting that you wouldn't want to take your eyes off the whole scenery. 

Moraine lake, view from the rock pile 

Rock pile beside the lake 

Me on the top of the rock pile

Lake Louise

Another view of Lake Louise

My friends along the bank of the Lake Louise

Visiting Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Iconic Tokyo Station

Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and is situated in a vast garden in the ward of Chiyoda. It is surrounded by moats and walls and guard towers in almost every corners. The inner grounds of the palace are open to the public twice a year on January 2nd and on the Emperor's birthday which is on December 23rd. 

Bonsai like trees around the palace

Nijubashi Bridge

The intricate details of the railings on both side of the bridge leading to the palace

Sakura in the palace grounds

Main gate of the Imperial Palace

With moats and walls surrounding the Imperial palace

Guard Tower 

High Rise office buildings in the Marunouchi area

Great fountains and nice art sculpture, Marunouchi

The Iconic Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, a walking distance from the Imperial Palace and close to the Ginza commercial district. It is Tokyo's main intercity rail terminal and the second largest railway station in the city after Shinjuku Station.

Tokyo Station opened in 1914 while the hotel opened a year after.

The iconic Tokyo Station and Hotel in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda

Details of the dome in the Marunouchi south exit

My nephew in the middle right under the dome

Ginza, the Model of Modernization in Tokyo

My host family took me to Ginza not to shop but just to see the place, it is an upscale shopping area in Tokyo where you can find well known brands and boutiques. It is Tokyo's premier shopping, dining and entertaining area. You can indulge in a $10 cup of coffee in one of the cafes here if you like.

The central Chuo Dori Street is closed to traffic on weekends from 12-5pm making it pleasant to walk around and enjoy the sight. Ginza area is pretty much like New York City's 5th Ave.

With no dime to spend, this is all I can do, pose with the brand

Me in the middle of Chuo Dori Street, no vehicles on weekends

Tokyo Imperial Hotel overlooks Ginza area and the Imperial Palace