In my last post about Calgary I wrote about my favourite places downtown. Now I'm going to talk about places a bit further afield. I am no expert on Calgary plus I have to confess here that I am more of an Edmonton gal myself (Calgary and Edmonton have a sibling rivalry like a lot of cities in the same province/state do..) Fun fact: I lived in Edmonton for nearly a year in 1970/71 plus visited frequently as my sister and niece lived there for years and I have quite a fondness for the city. These were my favourite places when I was there taking care of a pooch in February/March of 2000. (my last trip before the pandemic hit as it turned out)
The Calgary Farmers Market
The market proved a little awkward to get to by public transit but I love a public transit challenge. I ended up going there twice. That's how good it was!!
Avenida Food Market
I don't have any pretty pictures to show you but trust me this place is "da bomb"!! It is a bustling foodie's paradise. You can buy food products, fantastic ready meals (I was kicking myself that I visited the day before my dogsit ended; especially as it was so close to where I was staying) and of course wonderful food kiosks offering everything from Mexican to sweet treats. I enjoyed a delicious fried chicken sandwich. The market is located in deepest SE Calgary close to the Canyon Meadows C train station.
Calgary Zoo
I had been to the zoo with a friend and her granddaughters almost twenty years ago and I knew it was a good one. What attracted me this time was the opportunity to see pandas as well as the "Penguin walk"
The second I got there (I was one of the first in) I scooted off to see the two pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao who were to be in Calgary for five years (due to Covid they have now been flown back to China). I was able to get some great shots but don't ask me which one is which!!!
Then it was time for the Penguin walk!!! The weather has to be perfect for this to take place - not too warm not too cold and not too windy. It is only done in the winter months as King Penguins do not appreciate warm weather. I was lucky on the day I visited as the weather was perfect - the day before it had been canceled. This is a free choice for the penguins - if they don't feel like going it is fine. On the day I visited all 23 King Penguins decided to go for the stroll. It was amazing!!!
Once the walk was over I went into the penguin enclosure to see the smaller Humboldt penguins.
I do love penguins!!! I visited other residents of the zoo but the penguins and pandas were the highlights. It is definitely a place worth visiting!!!
The Fairy Doors of Kensington
Those are the highlights of my time spent outside the city centre. Hope you enjoyed it!!!
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