DAY 12 - CANADA

VANCOUVER - Day 12  

Something different for breakfast……we assemble in the hotel Pinnacle foyer at 7;00am and are split into 3 equal groups of 15. We need our wet weather gear as it is raining steadily for the past few hours.  Three guides from a foodies tour group then take us on a tour of the food places of the City.  We have a bubbly young Joyce who takes us firstly to a unique coffee shop that brews its own many coffee brands.  From there we head to one of the upmarket supermarket stores of very select lines for Egg benedict.   The store has upmarket fresh produce at reasonably high prices.   There are a number of these stores in town.   In addition to the Eggs Benedict we sample salmon pate, a Dutch award winning cheese and chocolate.

From there we walk to another outlet to have a fresh “cold” croissant.  We say farewell to Joyce our Guide, and then it is back on the bus to visit Stanley Park’s totem section and their gift shop.

Back on the bus to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the rain-forest.  Two first nation guides explain the history of the park development and the meaning of the totems plus the plants in the plants in the park.  Geronimo conducted the plants in the park tour.  It predominantly relates to the trees in the park, and was only partaken once we had crossed a very large suspension bridge, some 21+metres above the valley floor, which had many people crossing in both directions at the same time.  This caused it to sway substantially, which was not good for Dot’s knees.

We saw the giant Western red Cedars and Douglas Fir, the latter having a unique survival factor in exploding resin to clear surrounding trees via fire to ensure space for new seedlings.  Fallen trees become nursery logs for new growth.    After Geronimo’s tour we get the opportunity to do a tree tops walk some 20+ metres in the tree to gain a squirrel’s eye view.  It is then back to negotiate the suspension bridge return with the volumes of Tourists coming in.  We spend over 2 hours at this special place and then back to Stanley Park for a different view of Vancouver and surrounding bayside areas.

It is back on the bus to visit Granville Island, an old industrialised area which has been revitalised with food markets via a boating harbour.   We all head off to buy lunch….too many choices across the range of stalls.  Each couple settles on a Clam Chowder in a pastry topped pot to share; then we go searching for a sweet pastry for dessert……very difficult as so many choices.   Helen goes to the fresh fruit market and gets a mixed punnet of luscious strawberries, raspberries, cherries and blueberries.   We also take the opportunity to pick up some “bubbles” to take onto the ship tomorrow.

We do some more touring around the City on the bus before returning to our Hotel around 3:45pm.

Dot, Helen and Michael visit the Imax theatre for a thrilling and breath taking “Fly over Canada” film, which Ian chooses to sit out.   From there we do a quick walk circuit of the city looking for some gifts as well as some drugs to fight off our coughing / sneezing.

We join the others on the top floor – (20^TH) for a farewell to Canada dinner and receive instructions on the Cruise ship which we will be commencing tomorrow.  Spectacular harbour views of the setting sun were seen.

DAY 11 - CANADA

CANADA – DAY 11           KAMLOOPS TO VANCOUVER

We assemble at 7:00am in the lobby of Hotel 540 for transfer back to the Rocky Mountaineer for the remainder of the journey to Vancouver.  The train is much longer today as overnight a section from Jasper has joined our train from yesterday.

We receive the same pomp and flair as yesterday as we are welcomed back on board.  Today we are the first shift to breakfast (omelette with chorizo/potatoes for Michael and eggs benedict for the other three).  Lunch is Beef Spare ribs for Ian, Helen & Dot, whilst Michael has seared Tuna  -  all very nice.   Dot & Helen collect the menus as souvenirs.

  We feel more comfortable today, as we have missed out on a muffin breakfast at the hotel, scone pre breakfast and wine & cheese pre lunch.

We are lucky today in that the thick smoke haze has reduced overnight.  The geography and terrain of yesterday is very different to today.  Instead of mountainous terrain, we start off in a dry semi desert environment with either large grassy or rocky hills.  We then move into canyon areas where rivers flowing by the track have cut deep, followed by large lakes.   Beside these waterways we see ospreys and their large nests on man made structures.  We even see long horn sheep and a lone coyote.

We are often required to stop because other trains require to pass us.   This maybe up to 10 – 15 minutes.  In the distance we can see the track of an alternate railroad company, and see many trains throughout the day…. All being very long.

We pass a number of other canyon systems, some of which are known for their avalanches as the hillsides consist of loose scree.   Warning systems are in place to report likely incidents back to a control centre, who will then send a team out to investigate and clear the tracks where required.  In this section they have “rock sheds” which we drive through to enable any slides to go over the track & trains.

We see the merger of the Thompson River ( dark green water) and the milky glacial fed Fraser River and follow this very large Fraser River to Vancouver.   In the river, on its edges in many places are log pens for storing cut timber logs before processing.  The landscape has now flattened out to a river plain, where we see diverse agriculture, towns and industry.  We can still see very large snow capped mountains in the distance.

We finally hit the outskirts of Vancouver and crawl through rail yards, over large bridges crossing the very wide Frasier River and arriving at the Railway station around 6:30pm.   During this latter time, tourist passengers recited self written poetry re the trip or the staff.  Michael did one on Brandon. Hazel & Colin took out the award and were given a special pen and a unique handshake only to be used by all previous award winners when they greet one another…all a bit of fun.

 The crew of the Rocky Mountaineer provide us with a fond farewell.

We are met by the bus, and our tour group reassembles with those that travelled in silver and red class.  We are taken to the Marriott Pinnacle for the next 2 nights.

Another walk down to the impressive harbourside and then a walk around the City’s quarters.   We finish up in the Gas Section, an old part of town and have a light meal.   Walking on past this place we find a huge range of eating & nightlife places.

Back to the Hotel around 10:30pm for sleep.   Dot is having trouble with her breathing and coughing during her sleep.   I am up typing this by the light of the screen

DAY 10 - CANADA

CANADA  - DAY 10  BANFF TO KAMLOOPS

Up early this morning, with bags out at 5:45am, then a very light breakfast – muffin & coffee.

Then depart to the station circa 7:50am to wait for our train.    Very impressive watching it come in, with 3 large diesel engines to pull and power the train. The ladies in the group site a couple of male Aussie TV stars….Bondi Vet and another who is a chef on one of the lifestyle shows.  He comes onto the bus to say hello to all.   The Group splits with some in the Red Car, Silver Car and Gold Car.   Those in the Gold Class walked across a laid down red carpet, with surrounding flag and staff guard of honour.    

We were on the second dining shift in the Gold Car, so we receive cinnamon scones and coffee before breakfast.  Then down to the dining car for breakfast……..fruit, croissants, eggs benedict, oatmeal, omellete etc.

Back up to the viewing section and we are offered drinks as the bar is now open.  We choose a local drink called a “Caesar”….tomato juice, clam juice, tabasco, vodka, worcestor sauce, lime, and salt encrusted rim……very enjoyable and refreshing but definitely had the mouth and lips tingling.

Then when first shift went to lunch, we had wine & cheese supplied.   We went to lunch circa  2:00pm  .... for a choice of soup or salad, a number of delightful mains, wines, then apple & rhubarb crumble and ice cream.  We finish lunch around 3:45pm and all are wandering what else is to come before we finish today any time between 7:00pm – 9:00pm.     The bar is open most of the journey, with ales, wines, and spirits on offer. Evening meal is going to very minimal for all.

The view from the train is great however the mountain peaks are shrouded in smoke.  We have the Rocky Mountaineer staff announce places of interest as we come to these locations….very informative.  We go through the spiral tunnels which we viewed from the upper roadside a couple of days ago…. A great engineering feat when they joined each tunnel was only 2” out.

Dot sleeps quite a bit during the afternoon, as she has picked up a nasty head and chest cold that is going through the tour party

We pass a lake, which is the Houseboat capital of Canada……..it has a shoreline is in excess of 1000 klms.

We arrive in Kamloops around 6:45pm and are taken by bus to Hotel 540.  A quick wash and off to explore the town.  We find the local park on the shore of the Thompson River, which at Kamloops sees the merger of the Thompson North and Thompson South Rivers.   In the park there is a Rotary provided BANDSHELL STAGE and there is a small rock band belting out their own songs.  This is part of a City Council sponsored free music program.   The venue is well supported with large family groups watching on whilst their children played.

In the background we hear quite a bit of shunting of train carriages in the nearby railway yards.  On our heading back into the City proper, we have to cross over the railway tracks via a large footbridge, as 2 goods/container trains are passing through the crossing, which takes in excess of 10 minutes.   Both trains are heading in the same direction on side by side tracks. These trains can be between 1 and 2 klms long.

Around 9:00pm we decide we had better eat something, as our tablets are required to be taken with food, so we eventually manage to find a pizza shop still open……most food places are closing up.  Pizza and a drink then back to the Hotel 540 for tablets and bed.