M'off - an inspection of the north american colonies

[Greg Masters]

The Jam Cafe is such a great breakfast venue, we decided to return there this morning.



I had a Charlie Bowl (ooh, err, Missus!) - shredded lardons and hash browns served with easy-over eggs.

It was too much!

Mrs M had something else with extra avo.

Having scoffed breakfast, we rented a couple of bikes...



...and headed towards Stanley Park.

We passed another marina behind which sea-plane movements were happening every minute.



The whole of Vancouver is very well organised for cycling. Most roads have discreet cycle lanes; Stanley Park has a cycle road right around its perimeter. The Western most tip of the park gives close-up views of shipping heading to the port.



We found a large chandelier hanging beneath a flyover. Maybe Sir Sadiq will hang one under the Westway...

Edit - it’s called The Spinning Chandelier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Chandelier



This afternoon we headed to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.



The main feature is the very wobbly bridge!





There are great tree-top walks through the rain-forest.







Worth a visit.

An early start tomorrow as we head towards the Rockies.

 

[Greg Masters]

This morning we embarked on one of the world's great railway journeys, The Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops.






Our seats are in a fabulous observation car ...



... with sumptuous meals in the dining car below.

Eggs Benedict for breakfast...




...as the train wormed its way out of Vancouver and along the Fraser River



The train has an outdoor observation area...



Hell's Gate was on the route...



I chose tuna for lunch...



Stunning scenery throughout...



The best will come tomorrow as we reboard the train to complete our journey to Banff.

 

[Doc]

Looks good that train trip.

 

[Greg Masters]

Looks good that train trip.

Best train trip I’ve ever been on - by a long way!

 

[Doc]

Best train trip I’ve ever been on - by a long way!

Are you sleeping on it ?

 

[Greg Masters]

Are you sleeping on it ?

No, they have bunked the 650 passengers in various hotels in Kamloops. We’re back on the train early tomorrow morning for the 320 miles to Banff.

 

[Doc]

No, they have bunked the 650 passengers in various hotels in Kamloops. We’re back on the train early tomorrow morning for the 320 miles to Banff.

Always like the look of train journeys. Like what Gerard does.

 

[Kitsilano]

I went to Vancouver Island in 2018. The trees are unbelievable - massively tall and die straight. Many were used in ship building. Did the Royal Navy have a shipyard on Vancouver Island? I can't remember...

Yes, Greg, it did (His Majesty still does, via Royal Canadian Navy):

Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

The trees from B.C. we're prized for use as masts.

 

[Greg Masters]

Another superb day on The Rocky Mountaineer riding from Kamloops to Banff. We had the same attentive crew in our carriage as yesterday and the scenery was even better!







Everybody waves at the train and everyone on the train waves back...







I forgot to photograph the breakfast options, but here are today's lunch choices...



I took the pork...




We passed Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was hammered home, joining all the provinces into a single nation.



Snacks and drinks were freely available - Mrs M downing several Margs and glasses of wine.



More stunning scenery after lunch...





We approach the famous spiral tunnels of Yoho...



As we exited the first tunnel, you can see the entry track below...

 

[Greg Masters]

The train snakes through the mountains...



... before we cross the Continental Divide and arrive at Lake Louise - where most passengers end their journeys.

We continue to Banff.

The Rocky Mountaineer isn't cheap, but it truly is one of the greatest railway experiences.

 

[Watty100]

Im reading this in Jasper, arrived here from Banff today by slightly less luxurious Kia Sorento.

Canada is amazing, well worth the effort to get on over to the west coast.

We've been to the Calgary Stampede, an amazing event that is unlike anything back home.

Enjoy the rest of your trip, certainly looking forward to our last 10 days here.

 

[LOLGEOFF]

View attachment 426939

That looks like a Bob Ross painting with the "happy" little trees and mountains.

 

[Posh Pete]

The maple leaf forever!

And a pic please ... A double double plus Timbits!

 

[Greg Masters]

The maple leaf forever!

And a pic please ... A double double plus Timbits!

A piper saw the train off from Vancouver.

I asked to see his licence...

 

[Greg Masters]

This morning we woke up in sunny Banff




A light pancake breakfast at Tooloulou's





A location for essential R&R identified...

 

[leadfarmer]

The first Tim Hortons of this trip appears on the horizon.

Not tempted (yet!)

How is that even humanly possible ?

Great trip report by the way

 

[Posh Pete]

A piper saw the train off from Vancouver.

I asked to see his licence...

As in 007?

Just for that ... https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19SXYuDpBX/

The RCMP pipe band in Holland for the 80th anniversary of their liberation. The pipe major is an in law of my Canuck niece

I take it the train no longer stops in Jasper as there ain't much left after last year's fires?

Don't forget... Double double and Timbits! Possibly preceded by a large helping of poutine!

 

[EVskiy]

Always like the look of train journeys. Like what Gerard does.

You really should get t’Jayne and yourself into a train journey somewhere in Europe.

 

[Big Si]

Great write up so far, looking forward to further posts.

 

[ShakeyGS]

The Craigellachie I know doesn't look anything like that.