Vancouver - Toronto 4 nights

Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
We are off again this time exploring Eastern Canada, principally Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia and then 4 days in London and then 4 days in Gouda (Netherlands) to stay with Alex and Willem before returning to Australia on the 9th September
Here is a map of where we are going.
We stayed the first night at Rydges International since the plane took off at 9:20am next morning. We decided to leave the hotel around 6:00 am without breakfast since we could get something in the lounge - one perk of travelling business. It was about a 10 minutes walk not under cover to the Departure Checkin bays we came in at Bay A then had to walk another 200m to Bay J for Air Canada.
There was no real holdup going through ticketing and security so two to three hours check in time is fine. 
We flew in a Dreamliner (Boeing 387) which left at least 45mins late due amongst other things to late arriving luggage. Good flight over, however a little bumpy 4 to 5 hrs in.
Saw The Worst Person in the World which was shown at SFF. Quite good in fact

Arrived Vancouver about 9 am Saturday ie sometime before we took off.! No problem getting a taxi CA$38 fixed fare he accepted CA$40.
We are booked into Vancouver Fairmont ( in fact we are staying in five of them throughout the trip)
We had a full day (Sunday) in Vancouver so Owen had organised a bus tour of the city which covered amongst other things  a trip up via the cablecar to  Mt Grouse where we spent three hours looking at various events including  a Lumbejack event as well as a drive through Stanley Park Totem Poles etc
Next we joined the VIA train The Canadian to Toronto.
 Left 3:00pm lovely sunny day, we were travelling Prestige Class (like Platinum in the Ghan) since we were in the ordinary Sleeper class last time we were in Canada.
We have four nights on the train. here are some notes I took

The cabin layout was such that with bed down there was no room on one side and at foot of bed however the bed was at right angles to the large window which was excellent.. (In Platinum there is room both sides and at the foot however you were parallel to to the window) Some space between other side of bed and the smallest bathroom. 
Toilet and a well designed shower at each end with a very small and narrow basin in the middle. 
Good breakfast we share the dinning room with the other class, we had a couple from California who had been to Australia on a wine tour. 
 Arrived late into Jasper due to signal failure but had about 30 minutes to get off train and have a short wonder. We are at the end of the train so luckily had a people mover to take us up to the station building. 
Every meal have different couple sitting with us. An American couple never been to Australia who wanted to know where to  go Difficulty in answering!
 We passed some freight trains which were  (210+) wagons long but at the moment we on double tracks,
Arrived Edson 35 mins late after 24 hrs! as per the Public Announcement
Sunny afternoon 30% cloud Arrived at Edmonton about 6:45pm which delayed our second sitting! We have to be careful since drinks are free. (however not much choice)
Day 3 Onto the plains lots of canola in various stages of flowering. 
Quite cloudy which cleared away by about 9:00am.  We had a croissant and coffee in the Park Car Breakfast is more food and besides we are a bit later this morning.
The train policy is for masks to be worn at all (briefly removed for eating and drinking ) except in our cabins.  As usual all train announcements were in English an French. 
 Spent morning in Park Car Had to wait 10 minutes or so for a freight train.  plus a second one about 10:30 
When passing through a couple of towns I had four pips but no emails were coming through on the Mail App  (I had activated the Telstra $10 a day Roaming App)
Perhaps because Telstra didn’t have an arrangement with the carrier. 
No that is not the answer.
 I fired up the laptop connected to the mobile hotspot and I could see the missing emails on the laptop.
Very mysterious however most inconvenient since I can carry the mobile in my pocket.  I have now been looking at Settings/Mail/Accounts/Fetch new Data but of course have no pips to check if adjusting Fetch New Data can fix the problem. Ah keeps the brain active. 
The  landscape is made that much more attractive due to the lack of fences and overhead wiring over the rail tracks. We see the occasional high voltage power lines a number of grain containers plus the odd farm house.   
Got to Winnipeg about 10:00pm for an hour or so. Also a crew change.  This means tipping the Park Car staff as well the table staff.   We had to ask at the hotel in Vancouver for change into small notes. 
Day 4 Sunny day 50% cloud
Woke to forests with the odd lake
Breakfast again in the Park Car this time a warmed up muffin and a insipid cafe latte 
Another time change this morning to Toronto time (we get there tomorrow afternoon) 
The Canadians do it differently. 
First call for lunch is for the First sitting, second call for lunch is for second sitting. Not the second call for the first sitting! 
Our sleeping cabin (E) is just one cabin from the dining car but ten cabins from the Park Car (6 cabins to a carriage) where we can get drinks (free) and nibbles. 
We share the dining car with the sleeper plus They have to pay for their drinks.
Spent the afternoon in our cabin Leith doing her sashiko and me looking at the scenery, reading ebooks (I have about three on the go) or writing this. 
Day 5 to TorontoSunny clear day
The lunch service changes to brunch which finishes at 1230
All change Brunch finished about 11:30 as we arrive an hour early. 
Going on single track through green trees the train looks like a sinuous silver snake. The track has lots of curves so we are moving rather slowly. 
11:35 stopped in the middle of the forest. 
Waited for two freight trains while Ten minutes out of Toronto 
Finally arrived at station 10 minutes early. Lovely sunny afternoon walk across the street to another even grander Fairmont Hotel 
Dinner was nibbles and wine
Day 6 Around Toronto

Lovely sunny day 
Had a bus organised for 0900hrs for 4  hr trip around Toronto city. We had a particularly good guide who took around various parts of the city University area, the posh houses, old council chambers and the 45 minutes at the Distillery area for a walk around
We finished at the CN Tower were booked in for a three course lunch in its revolving restaurant. 
Went around  one and half times as we had a passible lunch. Then a slow walk back to the hotel about 1.2 km

Comments

kevin fitzpatrick
2022-08-09

Thanks David and Leith, with you in spirit but not by rail as I travel the length and breadth of NSW, more north and south. Attended a funeral in Bega on Tuesday last, then a couple of days in Canberra before returning for the weekend. ON Monday off to Bangalow to stay with my nephew. A small party of the family attended my sisters 85th birthday in Alstonville.The weather has been kind. Enjoy you travels and stay safe. Kevin

Joseph and Wai Yoong
2022-08-10

Read your blog. Many thanks for the pictures and brief descriptions of what you have seen and experienced lately. I guess that the world is still adjusting to itself after the ongoing COVID-19 circumstances. Wai Yoong has been working four days a week while I have been a man of leisure since late 2018. Notwithstanding my left frozen shoulder, I have been following the local ospreys along Speers Point on Lake Macquarie. On Thursday 04 August 2022, I even managed to take some photos of an osprey hunting in the rain after the sunset. After receiving helpful tips and solid intelligence from local walkers, I have been able to map out the hunting and travelling routes of the ospreys and do the stake-outs accordingly. Wai Yoong and I are not travelling overseas till 2024 or 2025. Have a SAFE and ENJOYABLE/FANTASTIC trip, Leith and David.

Margaret Mattingly
2022-08-10

Dear Leith and David Thanks for your blog, David, and your great photographs! I wish I was with you! I was surprised to see that you wear masks on the train (are you keeping a repectful distance too?). It's rare in Wallington, apart from being in medical/dental situations where you always wear one. I'm not sure what happens in London. When do you plan to be in London; I presume that you will stay at the Club? I'm looking forward to seeing you both and, in the meantime, continue to have a brilliant and safe time in Canada.

Stephanie Lee
2022-08-12

Excellent blog David. It looks and sounds like a great trip. I was momentarily discombobulated when you wrote "saw The Worst Person in the World" - I thought the person was on the plane! Thank goodness not so. Happy travels!

Louise Wilson
2022-08-13

Just caught up with this first instalment of your blog. What a marvellous trip. Enjoy every minute of it - even all the 'grappling with technology' issues. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm up to my ears in the chaos of a household with four teenagers. At least Ben and Archie won their soccer Semi-Final this morning, so they're in the Final and very happy about it. Smiles all round. And the sun's out here, as I write. Stay safe and keep well. Love, Louise.

Yiu Lam Kwan
2022-08-14

Thank you David for this most informative blog. Having only been to Vancouver before, I am fasincated to follow your train journey eastwards through Canada. Great description of life on the train! And funny how tech problems can pop up any time, especially when you want it to work most! Love to you and Leith, Kwan

Mark Rogerson
2022-08-15

Hi - looks great and sounds like you are enjoying it. Even the tech issues. I do especially like that 'selfie' of you both being COVID safe on the train. Everything fine back home. Still getting chilly in the mornings.

Pam Mason
2022-08-26

Hi David and Leith, Just catching up with you. Really interested in your trip. Have seen something of Canada. It is a BIG country like Australia. Keep well and enjoy every thing. Love from we three. xx

2025-02-10

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