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.