Vancouver to Jasper
4.40 and I'm finally checked in and have my boarding pass
ready for the train trip up to Vancouver. I actually arrived at the
station at 4.15 but Mack was overweight, big surprise - not. Mini
Mack was well under weight so it's time to do some rearranging. Mini
Mack really doesn't have a lot of room in it, it doesn't expand like his
big brother but on checking, I found I could use the laptop on the train
so I remove the it and cables from MM creating a little more space helping
Mack lose some weight, oh if it was only so easy for humans hey.
Boarding time is 5pm and as it's getting dark there won't be much for me to see on the journey. I am in my room or cubicle more like, it would have to be the smallest "hotel" room on the planet as you can see by these photo's. Once we were all settled in our "room" an attendant came along inviting us all up to the lounge car for a welcome champagne. What a life. Champagne and canapes (hor's deuvres) and a very warm welcome from the staff that would be taking care of us on our journey. We were also asked if we would mind being part of a travel documentary that a Japanese film crew were doing, the presenter being one of their own ex Olympian short track speed skaters Ikue Teshigawara. Dinner was done in 2 shifts, 6pm and 7.30pm, I opted for the late shift where I sat with a young Aussie couple and a young English guy named Richard. I don't know what the couple's name's were, bit silly really but they didn't seem to want to get too friendly. The food was absolutely beautiful, better than airline food for sure.
Had a chat with a few of the passengers before heading to the bar for a beer with some more fellow Aussies, 2 couples from Victoria, there were quite a few of us on the trip along with some Poms and some Canadians travelling to other parts of the country visiting, or on their way home. There were other passengers that we saw briefly on passing but none that joined us in the dining car or lounge.
10pm and I'm in my bed wondering how close to Jasper we will be before daylight makes its appearance. I don't want to miss anything on the way through, especially the snow. Although the bed was very comfortable, I didn't sleep much at all, the movement of the train, the noises, the stopping and starting all played a part in keeping me from the land of nod, but once I could detect snow glistening in the moonlight I was quite happy not to sleep. Breakfast is on a first come first served basis, and because I wasn't sleeping much, I had my shower and was first in the dining car dead on 6.30 followed by an English couple, Mandy and Graham, and Richard.
There isn't really much else to tell about the train trip except it was an awesome experience, I had my own personal tour guide, a Canadian guy Pete, who is a tour guide and was on is way back home to Winnipeg. If you are interested in seeing lots of pic's of snow then here are the ones I took from 7.30am till we arrived in Jasper at 2.15pm.
Boarding time is 5pm and as it's getting dark there won't be much for me to see on the journey. I am in my room or cubicle more like, it would have to be the smallest "hotel" room on the planet as you can see by these photo's. Once we were all settled in our "room" an attendant came along inviting us all up to the lounge car for a welcome champagne. What a life. Champagne and canapes (hor's deuvres) and a very warm welcome from the staff that would be taking care of us on our journey. We were also asked if we would mind being part of a travel documentary that a Japanese film crew were doing, the presenter being one of their own ex Olympian short track speed skaters Ikue Teshigawara. Dinner was done in 2 shifts, 6pm and 7.30pm, I opted for the late shift where I sat with a young Aussie couple and a young English guy named Richard. I don't know what the couple's name's were, bit silly really but they didn't seem to want to get too friendly. The food was absolutely beautiful, better than airline food for sure.
Had a chat with a few of the passengers before heading to the bar for a beer with some more fellow Aussies, 2 couples from Victoria, there were quite a few of us on the trip along with some Poms and some Canadians travelling to other parts of the country visiting, or on their way home. There were other passengers that we saw briefly on passing but none that joined us in the dining car or lounge.
10pm and I'm in my bed wondering how close to Jasper we will be before daylight makes its appearance. I don't want to miss anything on the way through, especially the snow. Although the bed was very comfortable, I didn't sleep much at all, the movement of the train, the noises, the stopping and starting all played a part in keeping me from the land of nod, but once I could detect snow glistening in the moonlight I was quite happy not to sleep. Breakfast is on a first come first served basis, and because I wasn't sleeping much, I had my shower and was first in the dining car dead on 6.30 followed by an English couple, Mandy and Graham, and Richard.
There isn't really much else to tell about the train trip except it was an awesome experience, I had my own personal tour guide, a Canadian guy Pete, who is a tour guide and was on is way back home to Winnipeg. If you are interested in seeing lots of pic's of snow then here are the ones I took from 7.30am till we arrived in Jasper at 2.15pm.