A Day in Edmonton

We got a late start in Edmonton, probably owing to the fact that it was after midnight before we got settled, so we started with lunch (I think midday is probably a bit late to call it brunch).  We went to the Blue Plate Diner, which had very good reviews from Trip Advisor.  On our arrival at about 11.30, the place was mostly empty.  By the time our meal arrived at about midday, the place was packed and really buzzing.  Clearly the locals agree with Trip Advisor, and it was a nice lunch.  We both had a Bison & Elk burger because it sounded interesting.  They were very much into using local produce, and we’ve seen plenty of Elk but no Bison.  The burger patty wasn’t very big, but it was very dense.  Quite tasty too.

Next we wandered to the Edmonton Tourism Bureau.  The major problem seems to be the while this is the centre for Alberta’s tourism, Edmonton itself does not expect (or probably get) many tourists.  The other major issue is that while it is mid-April, winter is still hanging on – it was only 5°C outside after midday, despite sunshine.  Pockets of snow are still lingering, and a number of the tourist attractions that do exist don’t open for visitors until May.  Of course that made things a little harder, but the information desk attendant was very helpful and made notes on a local map for us to help out.

On our way to the Alberta Art Gallery (which I only wanted to see the outside of), we wandered into a big shopping mall/movie theatre and did a bit of browsing.  One of our favourite people in all the world has a birthday coming up so some shopping will be required.  We have also decided that a movie tomorrow evening will be a good way to wait for our 11pm train – if it is 5°C outside when the mid-afternoon sun is shining, I don’t want to be outside after dark!

From here we walked to the Muttart Conservatory via the Chinese Garden.  While the Chinese garden in Edmonton does not come close to the beauty and elegance of the one in Portland, it does have the advantage of being free.  On the way there we saw a very cool bird, about the size of a starling at home, black with white across its back and wings, and with a very long black tail.  A very pretty little bird, so we asked a group of women out on their cigarette break what it was.  We were told it was a magpie – it doesn’t look a lot like magpies at home, but the colouring is the same. 

The conservatory (which was not free) was really kind of cool.  It has four big glass pyramids, each of which has plants from different regions.  There is a Tropical pyramid, a Temperate pyramid and an Arid pyramid; the fourth one has a changeable exhibit and is unfortunately undergoing the process of change at present.  We were very chuffed to see a pohutakawa tree in the temperate one, although they have it labelled “New Zealand Christmas Tree”.  Here are some orchids from the Temperate Pyramid for Brian as an incentive to get better and get out of hospital soon!

Panorama of the Muttart Conservatory - "The Pyramids"

Our walk back to town and our motel was interesting – while trying to go the shortest route we found ourselves crossing roads that had pedestrian crossings, but no actual footpaths.  And the staircase we had to walk up from the river valley was long enough to rival many of Wellington’s best (although not a patch on the Orangi-Kaupapa steps). 

Note to self – work on fitness as soon as we get to the UK.

On our way back from dinner we saw a long queue of people lined up outside some very ordinary looking commercial buildings.  Grant’s curiosity got the better of him and he just has to ask the couple at the end of the queue what they were waiting for.  “The concert” was the laconic answer.  Not much the wiser, we returned to our room to Google who was playing in concert in Edmonton tonight.  The queue we saw was for ‘Our Lady Peace’, whatever that may be.  What really gets us is – Coldplay are playing tonight at Rexall Place here in Edmonton.  And there are no tickets left.  As Grant said, “Bummer.  That would have been something to do tonight.”