YEG

Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, scenic area in some parts. Some of the many things to see depending on your time and interest:

Shopping Malls:

West Edmonton Mall, Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, Commerce Place, Edmonton City Centre, Kingsway Garden Mall, Londonderry Mall, Manulife Place, Northgate Centre, Southgate Centre, St. Albert Centre, Westmount Centre.

Museums:

Alberta Aviation Museum, Alberta Railway Museum, C & E Railway Museum, Children's Educational Wildlife Museum, Imax Theatre, Muttart Conservatory, Odyssium, Provincial Museum of Alberta, Ukranian Canadian Archives & Museum of Alberta,
Telephone Historical Centre, Zipp's Tattooing & Museum.

Other activities:

Alberta Legislature Building, Rutherford House Friends Society & Arbour Restaurant, Valley Zoo, Edmonton Queen, Whyte Avenue, Jasper Avenue, Chinatown, Devonian Botanic Garden, Citadel Theatre, City Hall, Francis Winspear Centre for Music, High Level Bridge Streetcar, University of Alberta.

Quick Tips:

Bring a light jacket as it gets hot with the sun and cool when the sun is covered.

Edmonton isn't good during the winter, as the weather is bitterly cold.

Best Way To Get Around:

Their barbeque baked pork bun is big, fluffy and makes me think of a pillow, it's so fluffy. Their pork spareribs has some added spice, making it a little spicy hot, which I didn't care for. The best were these barbequed pork rolls, three per plate order. Biting into one of these is such a wonderful feeling. The pastry crust is so flaky, light, airy as a crust should be.

Best to be there when they open or before they are packed for dim sum during the early part of their hours. Free delivery for orders over CA$18 within 6km radius. Ten percent discount for pickup orders over CA$18.

Delivery for banquets, parties, business or social gatherings. They have dim sum and regular Chinese food, fully licensed.

Monday-Friday 11am-midnight, Saturday-Sunday-holiday 10am-midnight.

First course is a soup, very good and filling. Deep fried tofu with Chinese mushrooms was very good. The skin of the tofu was quite soft, supple, and tender even though deep fried. This was very nice in comparison to what it usually would taste like. The deep-fried fish fillet pieces with corn sauce was very tasty also. A deep fried pork dish was mildly spicy and tasty as well. Then a chicken dish came that I didn't really care for, the chicken was overcooked and dry. A sweet liquid dessert with tapioca was served warm in a rice bowl, a nice touch to finish off the meal.

Monday-Wednesday 6:30am-11-30pm, Thursday 6:30am-Sunday 11:30pm

Tim Horton's is a Canadian-based chain coffee shop all over Canada acquired by Wendy's serving sandwiches, pastries, drinks.

I like their iced cappuccino.

One dessert item displayed was a mango cake for CA$24.99 with slices of mango on the outside of the cake.

Phone: (780) 483-6638

There's one internet station which is constantly in use, TV lounge, steam room, whirlpool, showers, two X-rated TV areas. A motorcycle is parked in the hallway for those into fantasizing that scene.

There were people there, and after walking around several times, I settled in the TV lounge and channel hopped till I found a sci-fi channel playing "Andromeda Strain" but constantly full of commercials.

They have a complimentary white courtesy phone, which we used to call our friend/host to pick us up afterwards. A courtesy taxi phone line also available.

Phone 780/482-7960

Phone: (780) 488-6557

A friendly, but cautious black cat appeared looking for affection. The bartender said it was one of three, the two others are more wild. Found them on the rooftop and feeding them.

Phone: (780) 423-5014

There's live pink flamingos, a very large water play area, submarine rides, a diving show we were just in time for. Cinemas showing movies.

This place is very huge and okay if you're into shopping. It's a draw for crowds of people.

Phone: (800) 661-8890, (780) 444-5200

email tourism@westedmontonmall.com

The drink is tasty and a nice treat. You may drink it on the premises or take it to go. There are some tables and chairs.

Phone: (780) 930-2033

There's a thought-provoking display about ethical issues on DNA research and privacy.

Gift shop and cafe available. We had lunch at their cafe which very extremely inefficient taking our orders even though the person is very nice. The chicken wrap is recommended, cream of leek soup on the watery side but good, mixed greens with raspberry sauce is a must try.

Saturday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-9pm

Phone: (780) 453-9100

Monday-Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm, $5 adult, $4 senior, $3 youth (13-17), child $2 (6-12), free under 6, $15 family.

Phone: (780) 451-1175

The Body Fantastic in the Allard Family Gallery appealed to me. We watched the IMAX presentation of "Forces of Nature," while informative was alright but I wouldn't want to do it again. I much enjoyed the Climate Change Show with an animated talking sheep multi-media presentation better than the IMAX. There's a cafe and gift shop on site.

Exhibit 10am-9pm, try to go when they first open as it becomes more crowded with lots of children and increasingly so when we left after 1pm.

Phone: (780) 451-3344

One of the pyramids with a pagoda also has a species of small light brown colored birds living there. The exhibits are seeded throughout with artwork for sale.

Weekdays 9am-5:30pm, Weekends and Holidays 11am-5:30pm Adults $7, Seniors/Youth $6, Children $5, Family $22

Phone: (780) 496-8755

Email muttartquestions@edmonton.ca

They actually have someone at the projection booth to correct focus, which isn't done hardly at the chain cinemas. This is great as most of the chain movie houses are just slightly out of focus and apparently no one complains to correct the focus. A big plus for this place for that.

Phone: (780) 433-0728

All shows $3.50

Phone: (780) 444-1829

Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, weekends and University holiday opening is optional

Phone: (780) 492-2241

Credit cards accepted. Office Hours 9am-7pm

Phone: (780) 424-2628 Fax: (780) 466-0433 Email: info@edmontonqueen.com

Phone: (780) 451-7574

email secondcupmec@shaw.ca

Phone: (780) 433-1967

Phone: (780) 429-3838, fax: (780) 421-1895

Phone: (780) 488-6636

Membership card is required with your photo ID. Choose either a locker or a room. The person who greeted us was very friendly. You're issued a towel, lubricant, condom. There's two entrances to the steam room, a unique string of shower stalls very nicely done but no towel hanger hooks. Open 24 hours.

Phone: (780) 451-5554

Hours Monday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 9am-5:30pm, Sunday and Holiday 11am-5pm

Phone: (780) 477-5756

Saturday 8am-3pm, cash accepted.
Phone: (780) 439-1844

Hours are Monday-Friday 5:29am-1:26am, Saturday 5:41am-1:26am, Sunday/Holiday 5:30am-12:26am, ten minute interval midday, 15 minute interval early morning/evening.

Transit info:(780) 496-1611.

It was interesting going through immigration, being asked "why are you here, and what's the purpose of your visit?". I asked myself that, as well as my partner, prior to coming here. What is there to see and do here? Things tourists do: sightsee, take photos, spend money, explore, experience, enjoy.

Ground transportation includes taxis, limousines, sky shuttles, hotel shuttles and car rentals.

While I was waiting for my partner to get through customs, I observed a reunion of another family. The little girl was so cute and didn't remember one of the family members when asked if she remembered her.