Travel Diary

Vancouver (3rd Time 2-5th July)

So we got back into Vancouver around 7:30 and arranged to meet back around 8:30 in the lobby of my hostel (even though I was the only one staying there). Go to about 8:35 and no-one, saw Jimbo crossing the street, turns out that it was now 9. Then I just bumped into loads of people I already met on the moose run, first some Australian I was talking to on the houseboat, then Fabian and Stephanie, then Tammy and Clair. Anyway by the time Alex and Patrick actually turned up at 9:30 everyone was pretty knackered so we just got some dinner and then headed back to sleep.

The next morning, Jo, Alex and myself met up around 11 (Patrick was ill and Jimbo was off skydiving), then went to Sears and then off to get some brunch. Before I went out I also had the delight of reconfirming my next two flights with American Airlines who have a wonderful automated system that trys to recognise what you're saying and fails. Anyway I digress, we all then went off shopping and arranged to meet up later to go to Stanley Park (on the corner of Granville and Georgia but alas no free concert this time). Patrick was feeling a little better so we walked up there, even saw a massive seal swim right up to the shore to catch a fish (unfortunately my camera was too slow turning on to capture this). We took the free bus around Stanley park and got off at one spot to get some food and spot racoons. We were going to play Pitch and Putt but it was 18 hole and the course looked big so we just sat by the beach for a while before heading back to get some dinner at a nice restaurant called Clippers, which was very cheap (as always round here). Then we just trotted back down Robson Street popping into the odd shop before heading back to our hostels.

Racoon in Stanley Park

On friday I just spent the day updating this travel log, doing a back log of washing and packing my bags for the plane down to St Louis. I had a quick walk around the town again in the afternoon and checked out the free Fox concert on Granville and Georgia but it wasn't as good as last weeks.

So that's Canada, what can I say a lovely country, if you haven't been here yet you should do.

Bigfoot Tour of Vancouver Island (29 June-2 July)

The bigfoot tour is run by the same company that does the moose but just in a smaller bus and generally shorter trips. We had a really great group, Patrick and Alex from Southampton, James from somewhere up north and Jo from London representing the English. Then Anna from Australia, Ai from Japan and a couple of Swiss girls. We also had a lad from Quebec who was possibly the rudest person we'd ever met. And just to confuse matters our driver was also called Patrick. The first day consisted of getting the ferry over to Vancouver Island before Lunch. We then headed to a place called Coombes for lunch, then up to Sprott Lake where they had some ancient petroglyphs and some of us went for a swim (by some of us I mean all the English members of the tour). We then visited Long Beach, where some of us had a beer (again some of us refers to English members of the tour). We then got to Tofino, but on the way saw a couple of bear cubs and their mother. We stopped to take some pictures at which point a car flys past in the other direction. Patrick (driver) motions for him to slow down. The car stops and starts turning round, at which point Pat asks if the gentlemen in the bus are up for it, should things kick off. They don't but the guy in the car was an idiot and doing about double the parks speed limit. So we arrive in Tofino and the BBQ gets fired up, the hostel I should add was lovely. Then some of us decide to take care of the alcohol for the evening by visiting the liquor store (some of us this time refers to English and Australian). After the BBQ we headed out to another part of the beach to have a camp fire and toast some marshmallows. We got about an hour before the rain absolutely lashed down so then we just headed back to the hostel and some more drinking (again English, Australian parties involved and Patrick the Driver).

Day 2

This was a free day in Tofino, in the morning we headed out to Tofino Park for a little walk around. We then got on a boat to take us whale watching and to some hot springs. We did see whales (both Orcas and Humpback) which was nice as well as seals and some other wildlife.

An Orca (if you look very closely!)

We then had about 3 hours at the hot springs, although there was about a 40 minute walk either way from the boat. They were exceptionally hot as well, so we sat in there for a while and then being typically English had a few beers that we'd come prepared with for the walk back to the boat. I should add that I foolishly decided to stay sitting at the front of the boat on the way back which results in much pain. Also the captain of the boat looked like Pete Townsend.

The Hot Springs

We got back to the hostel around 8:30 and Patrick fired up the BBQ with some Crab, Salmon, Shrimp, Scallop and Corn. We got half a crab each, a skewer kebab of scallop and shrimp and a piece of a very large salmon, all excellently cooked (Patrick the Driver used to be a chef as well). In total both nights BBQ meals came to $23.50 each which is around 10 pounds, which for that amount of fresh fish is an absolute bargain.

We spent the rest of the evening drinking.

Day 3 Tofino -> Victoria (also Canada Day)

On the way down to Victoria we visited all the places we missed on the way up. We stopped for lunch at Little Qualicum Falls, which is where we learnt what a great liar Patrick the Driver was. The next group was coming up and he told their driver first of all that as a group we'd caught all the seafood for our BBQ the night before. Oh right says the other driver, did you charter a boat? Oh no says Pat, I met this guy Brian in the pub and just gave him petrol money. He then went on to tell the other driver how we saw so many whales, and that we were heading off to a shooting range that afternoon.

Next we got to Cathedral Grove where parts of Return of the Jedi were filmed and some of the oldest tallest trees exist. We also stopped in some small town called Chemainus where they have lots of murals and some shopkeeper thought Jimbo was Prince William, so him and Pat fed her a line about William being anorexic and some other rubbish.

Group Photo Cathedral Grove

Completely forgot to add in about the Bungy Zone place. Can't remember the height of the bridge think it was about 240 ft, but I did the ultimate swing which was to be honest well tame. It was basically a giant swing from another wire suspended parallel to the bridge. You sit on the bridge and then just get pulled off apparently getting up to 100km/h or something like that but after skydiving it was dull (and just like skydiving a little bit chafing on the upper thighs). Jimbo somehow got talked into doing an actual bungy, he didn't talk for about 4 hours after about it!

Bridge Swing == Tame

We got into Victoria and took a little drive around before checking into the hostel, then we headed down to the harbour to check out the fireworks, but they weren't happening until 10:15 so we got a bit of dinner at the Pita Pit, then hit Big Bad Johns, the greatest bar in the existence of the world. Basically a right little red neck dive but cheap beer and a great atmosphere. Everyone else cleared off to watch the fireworks, me, Pat (southampton) and Jimbo had another round, then headed down there as well and then quickly dashed back to get some drinks in before the crowds surged in. The hardcore of the group stayed to 2am (that is all the English, Australia and Pat the driver) and by this point locals were buying us rounds, it was great. We then headed back to the hostel, and even though I've not really mentioned it, Quebecci had by now wound everyone right up (including the driver) and especially the girls on the trip. So Patrick the driver insisted on showing everyone the wonderful little ice cubes in the freezer in our room, repeatedly! We then headed back out to find a subway so that I could do a redneck impersonation and get a sub that was swimming, but it was closed, so some went up to 7-11, at this point a few of us were sat down. Then one of the locals from the bar appeared and Patrick the driver complimented him sarcastically on his shirt, so he gave it to him. Now whilst one of the party was now amusingly wrecked, it would be rude of me to mention it here. Eventually got to bed around 4am.

Greatest Bar on Earth, Big Bad Johns

Day 4

Everyone got up ridiculously early and we headed out to a Juice Smoothy bar that Patrick the Driver had recommended. Foolishly me and the other Patrick also decided to try the shot of wheatgrass. It didn't taste that bad but the taste of grass juice repeating all morning is unpleasant. We then headed down and got a old style photo done (first time a groups actually wanted to do it as well). We pretty much got the best of the group in, with the exception of Jimbo. Still we've now all got as nice momento of Jo, Anna and Alex as madames, me and Patrick as Cowboys and Patrick the Driver as a mountie. We then headed off to a mall for lunch and then onto the Empress hotel where the Queen stays when she visits. Me, Patrick and Jimbo decided that the lounge was quite pleasant so stayed for a beer, we didn't look too out of place! Then the three of us made our way back to the bus asking people when the fireworks for Canada Day were going to start to much bemusement from people (er it was yesterday!)

The Empress Hotel

We then headed back to the Ferry and back to Vancouver.

Vancouver (2nd visit 26-29th June)

I didn't really do much when I got back from the Moose Run apart from watching some TV and sleeping. On the friday I got up early, so I could organise a few things for the rest of my trip as well as some tickets to see Dave Lee Roth that night at the Orpheum Theatre. I then decided to take a little walk around town and in the afternoon thought I'd go and see if I could find Granville Island Brewery as they do tours and tastings. Anyway I ended up walking a couple of miles up Granville Street after going over the Granville St Bridge, turns out that Granville Island is pretty much below the bridge. So I decided I'd pop back there the next day as there wasn't a conveniently timed tour. I headed up to the Orpheum to collect my ticket for the show, but was told the time I'd previously been told was too early, so I wandered about and watched a free rock concert on the corner of Granville and Georgia, I have no idea who the band were, but they were quite good. After a quite detour by a bar I headed down to the concert. Beer and Cider were the same price, but as I discovered Cider is sometimes a little different over here, i.e. pink and fizzy. After talking to a local I found out that Cider is what they call a Wine Cooler. Anyway enough of the moaning, the support act were the Flairs who were reminiscent of Veruca Salt but they clearly hadn't been allowed a decent sound check. So onto Diamond Dave, the man's still got his showman flair even if he is looking a little past it, the show was billed as playing all the old favourites - this translates to play mostly Van Halen, three solo songs, the rest covers and completely forget about the DLR Band ever existing. The set list was:

Hot For Teacher
Mean Streets
Just Like Paradise
Running With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
Ad Lib + Jam
You Really Got Me Reprise
California Girls
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
The Cradle Will Rock
Just A Gigolo/Ain't Got Nobody
Unchained
Jam
Unchained Reprise
Crazy From The Heat
Shh Bop (New but still a cover)
Theme From Shaft
Panama
Dance the Night Away
????? May have been another song here
Yankee Rose

Encore 1
Ice Cream Man
Everybody Wants Some
Aint Talkin Bout Love

Encore 2
Jump

So all in all it was a pretty good show.

On saturday I didn't do much except go to the Brewery for the tour (not worth it) and the tasting (well worth it). I then watched the rugby before grabbing some dinner and some sleep before the Bigfoot Run started the next morning.

The Moose Run (17th-26th June)

Day 1: Vancouver to Whistler

So after the heavy monday night, I managed to get up early enough to pack and have a shower. I couldn't remember whether I was supposed to be in the lobby at 8 or 9am, so I got down there for 8. It actually turns out it should have been 9, then at 9 I got a message to say the bus wouldn't turn up until about 10, at about 10:45 it finally turned up. There weren't many on the Bus at all, which made it easy to get to know each other: another English lad, Gary, two English girls, Claire and Tammy and two Swiss sisters, Fabian and Stephanie. We first of all headed up to Squamish and stopped at a little mining museum place as Matt (our driver) had said there was some filming going on, turns out it was for Scooby Two or rather it had been as they'd finished the week before, still looks from the props like there's going to be a runaway mine cart scene.

Mining Museum where Scooby 2 was filmed

Next we headed up to Shannon Falls where we had lunch and then went for a little walk, after that we continued onto some more Falls (Brandywine this time). Then before we went to our accomodation, we visited the Whistler Bungee jump site, only Fabian had a go, it was to be honest a little pricy for such a small fall. We got to the Chalet Alta Vista where we were staying in the late afternoon and then headed down to Alta Lake for a bit of a swim before dinner, then out into town and ended up in some overpriced club called the Savage Beagle. On the walk home we saw the Northern Lights, although most of the people walking home couldn't remember them the next day.

Day 2: Whistler

The original plan for the free day had been to hire some rollerblades, so Gary and I headed down into Town only to find nowhere rents them but you can buy them for as little as $99! Instead Matt, Claire, Tammy and I hired some Mountain Bikes from the Chalet and went around the various trails that Whistler offers taking in a couple of lakes and nice scenery. For the evening meal we headed out to some park to have a group BBQ, but Matts firelighting skills weren't too good so we ended up getting food by about 9pm! After being set upon by mosquitoes we headed back to the Chalet and a couple of us availed ourselves of the Hot Tub before heading off to bed. I should at this point also mention that Chalet Alta Vista in Blueberry hill where we stayed was without doubt the most luxurious place I've stayed on my travels so far (and great value at $25CAN a night)

The lovely chalet we stayed in at Whistler

Day 3: Whistler to Kamloops

We gained a few more people on our bus today, a couple of Australian girls, a Dutch girl and another English girl. We saw quite a lot of things as well, the Nairan Falls, Joffree Lake and the Matier Glacier, Duffy Lake, Seton Lake and Lillouet Lake where we had lunch.

Group photo by Joffree Lake (I think)

And talking about lunch, whilst I was in subway ordering mine, the chap in front made me absolutely crease up, he was a bit of a redneck and had a mullet as well, so you can add the accent yourself, he was buying a couple of footlong sub rolls for him and 'his woman'. They were already filled with three different meats cheese and just about every salad item on offer, when the question of sauce came up:

What sauce would you like Sir?
You got any Dijon Mustard?
Yes sir? (Proceeds to put what I'd consider plenty of sauce on the sub) Is that enough sir?
No, put on a little more, a little more, a little more, make it swim baby (Turns to his woman) Ooh eee, I tell you this is going to taste fine.
Is that all Sir?
Have you got any Caesar dressing?
Yes Sir
Well I'll have that as well

and so it went on the subs literally had the same volume of sauce as they did meat and salad. But it just made me laugh especially the line Make it swim baby.

So back to the trip, in the afternoon we stopped off at Cash Creek for some Ice Cream and then got into Kamloops in the early evening where it was Fajitas for dinner, although one of the Australian girls had a strange idea of what went in one, so after much arguing, I produced a separate filling of Chicken, onions, and peppers (apparently this was completely wrong, but then what do I know?) and there was also a bowl of ridiculous size produced containing such delights as Broccoli, Carrots and other things that I doubt ever go into a Fajita.

After dinner, we headed up to an indoor climbing centre and got to climb for a couple of hours before the big surprise which was basically a giant swing. Some people complained about Kamloops hostel, but it had so much character. It was an old court house that had been converted into a hostel, and they'd kept all the old wood panelling in the dining room which used to be the courtroom itself.

Me climbing

And the swing

Day 4: Kamloops to Valemount

The stop today was Spaht Falls (in the Wells Grey national park). We got to the hostel around 1:30pm as we had to give our bus to the next group. The hostel was excellent. We were put up in a giant log cabin, with a massive lounge, 50" rear projection TV, satellite TV, pool/snooker table and so on. The town of Valemount was literally 1 street and was really the sort of place I'd been looking forward to seeing since coming to Canada. After doing some grocery/alcohol shopping we paid a visit to the Swiss bakery, which provided some amusement for the Swiss girls (and the rest of the group) as they were telling Matt (the driver) things to say to the baker.

In the evening we had a BBQ and then a few of us played some evil swiss drinking games.

Day 5: Valemount -> Jasper

Before leaving Valemount (we had to wait for the next groups bus), we went for a little walk around the wetlands which was very nice, although no moose to be seen. We then headed off to Jasper, visiting Mount Terry Fox and the Mount Robson visitor centre. We then took a walk around the Maligne Canyon before heading into Jasper town. Ironically it was exactly a week since I'd been there on the train as well! We were told there wasn't much to do around the hostel, so instead went for a Pizza in town before heading up to the hostel, which gets my sordid little grief hole award for the trip. Still we had a little campfire in the rain and toasted some marshmallows. By the time we got back inside all the lights in the blokes dorm had gone out so after struggling to find my bunk and almost tipping it over trying to get onto the top I managed to get a bit of sleep. It was an early start the next morning but guess what the lights don't come back on until around 9am, about 30 minutes after we left, which was nice.

Day 6 Jasper -> Banff

Picked up a few more people on the bus and stopped off at Athabasca falls. We then had a group photo at Tanglie falls, before hitting the Columbia Ice Fields which were still covered in snow and for those of us who managed to walk to the top it was actually still snowing up there. We then went to the visitor centre before having some lunch. Next stop was Lake Pedo or as Matt calls it F*ck My Dog lake as when he first took a group up there last year, he was announcing where they were and had just said Lake when someone outside the bus shouted said nickname. Interesting fact: the nickname in swiss german is Feck Mi Hund so now you know. After that we visited Lake Louise where the challenge was laid down to get a picture of the Lake from a hotel room (by whatever means), the higher the floor deciding the winner. In the end Claire, Tammy and Naomi won by asking a maid on the 8th Floor if they could get a picture (as they couldn't see the lake from the room they were in!). However Gary had the best tactic, he told Guest Services that he wanted to book up a room for his parents wedding anniversary and that money wasn't a question, this last statement did however mean he only got let into a 7th floor room (as this was the Gold floor).

Columbia Ice Fields

Lake Pedo (or Feck Mi Hund)

After that we got into the Banff hostel which was very nice and also the most expensive of the whole trip at $27. It ended up being only the original group of 6 staying there as well as everyone else opted to stay at the Global Village hostel. So we had dinner in the hostel restaurant and I made the early mistake of having a whole pitcher to myself. We then went out to the Pumping Tap in town for Karaoke, I managed to be the first to sing with I'm Just a Gigolo/I ain't got nobody by Dave Lee Roth (something I've always wanted to sing on Karaoke I'll admit). I ended up singing 4 other songs, Lola (sorry Mum) which seemed to have slightly different lyrics for the Canadian market. More than Words by Extreme with a couple of lads off another Moose Bus and Tammy. Then finally Hey Jude and Wonderful Tonight with a german lad off another Moose Bus. The star of the night though was Tammy (turned down from Pop Idol, it's all a sham apparently) who scooped first prize $50 worth of free drinks! A mention should also be made of the compere of the karaoke night, a real redneck with a full on mullet and good knee slapping action whilst singing. Can't really remember getting home as Carling had been only $3 a pint and Vodka and Cokes only $1.75. However I am told that I was berating a Canadian at the vending machine in the hostel about the quality of his countries chocolate (it's very bad if you didn't already know).

The mullet who ran the Karaoke

Day 7 Banff

I didn't really do much on the free day in Banff, it was raining anyway. Played some cards in the afternoon then headed into town for a group meal at the Rose and Crown pub before heading down to the nightclub of $0.25 beers, they were only 1/4 to 1/3 pints but still that makes a pint only $0.75 to $1 which is very good value. The club itself was pretty dire, claimed to be a rock night, but after an hour of variable quality rock, switched to dance and general rubbish.

Day 8 Banff -> Revelstoke

Leaving Banff I was the only person staying on the bus, but a couple of Australian lasses got on, a scottish couple and about 5 from the far east. First stop was Johnstone Canyon, then Moraine Lake (whilst we were there an avalanche started up the top of the mountain opposite - sounded like a thunderstorm - very strange really). We then got stopped by the Police for a routine vehicle inspection, the funny part being that Matt couldn't remember if he was allowed to be wearing flip flops or not, so ended up borrowing my trainers! Apparently the police do this every year to check up on commercial vehicles. We then went to Emerald Lake, and then stopped along the Kicking Horse river to see the natural bridge that had been caused by erosion of the rocks.

The Moose

Then we also saw a giant moose cross the road (which is very rare - still only managed to get a shot of its backside though). We stopped in a little town called Golden for lunch. Then in the afternoon visited the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre (or Roadkill Museum as it's been nicknamed due to where all stuffed displays come from). Once we got to Revelstoke we then headed out to do some Kayaking. Being the only one in the group bar Matt who'd Kayaked before I got free rein to just do my own thing. All the kayaks were hand built by the chap who was running the activity and they were beauties. Mine was a 17ft wooden sea kayak which really kept it's speed well and the scenery around the lake we were in was (as with most of Canada) spectacular. The evening meal was a BBQ laid on by the hostel.

Day 9: Revelstoke -> Kewlowna

This was the day of Bug Bingo (that is a window at the front of the bus had a grid taped on, everyone put in a dollar and picked a square, the one with the most bugs at the end of the day wins the money).

We got a few more people on the bus today as well, mainly english and australian. First stop was go karts (or something claiming to be them). They really were the worst karts I've ever been in, but the owners didn't seem to mind some playful ramming so it didn't matter that much. We didn't stop off anywhere of interest apart from a flea market as we had to get into Kewlowna early to get on the houseboat. This was a rip off, $30 for 3 hours on a boat and lunch. The lunch was 1 burger. However the sun was out and we could go swimming, jump off the boat and drink beer so we didn't overly mind at the time.

Then in the evening it turned out that I'd drawn the bug bingo with 2 others so it came down to scissor paper stones play offs. It went like this, first challenger

Drew
Won
Won

Then the next

Won
Won

so $17 was mine.

Apart from that headed out with a few others and Matt to a pub for a cheap wings night.

Day 10: Kewlowna -> Vancouver

Quite an empty bus again today as most people stayed in Kewlowna. The only activity of today was sky diving, which at $200CAN was a bargain (thats around 90 pounds sterling). When I was signing my life away, the chap behind the desk asks where I'm from, England I say, where abouts he asks, Guildford. Do you know the Star Pub he says as I was manager there last year. Small world isn't it. Anyway got all suited up, had a very short lesson on what to do etc. Then I got weighed as they didn't understand stone and they were looking at me quite warily. 232 lbs I came out at, which was fine for my tandem instructor Igor. However I was warned to expect thigh pain! Still at least I was going to be first out the plane. We were all pretty crammed in and I was chatting to some guy going for his 540th or so jump, I think he was trying to freak me out, but it didn't work. Then the moment came at 9000 feet we freefalled for about 30 seconds and all this time the other chap who'd done 540 jumps was somersaulting in front of me and waving. Then the parachute opened and the pain in my thighs started. Still the scenery was amazing and I managed to get a couple of pictures of myself and Igor coming down (you were allowed to take cameras up with you which was nice) and the spot I was landing in. The landing was great, just came to a perfect stop. I'd definitely do it again but I'd probably lose some weight first as my thighs were bruised to high heaven. Then after a few other people had jumped we headed back to Vancouver. Anyway here are some pictures of myself and Crazy Igor (apologies if the last two are a little bad, it's quite hard to take pictures when you're descending and the straps are chafing!):

In the plane

Descending

Descending

Vancouver (1st Visit 15-17th June)

I eventually got to my hostel (HI-Central) around 2:30pm and decided to have a shower and grab some food. The hostel is superb although definitely on the cheaper blocks of Granville street - both pawn and porn shops abound, it's over the road from another Hostel (Global Village) and there's a bar downstairs as well.

As a note if you're ever in the Granville Street area head to the 2 Parrots pub, it's great, serves only local brewed beer from the Granville Island brewery (and Guiness) and does some mean steaks - you can get a 8oz Sirloin Steak sandwich for $9.

I didn't do much else on the Sunday, bar some washing and discovering another great Eatery - the Pita Pit which is possibly the greatest takeaway I've ever been to. Had a look in the Hostel pub but it was pretty dead, so got some early sleep.

Next day I just went out for a stroll around town and discovered there's a burger restaurant (Triple O's by White Spot) which has the option of a pint of beer in it's meal deals. Didn't really do much else that day but later went out to the Pub Night in the hostel bar, during which I won a t-shirt in the quiz for my knowledge of what Prince William had been up to. Then ended up going off with a Kiwi, an English lad from my dorm, an Irishman, a Belgian and a German and a couple of others to a dodgy little loft bar on Granville called the Sugar Refinery. We'd unfortunately missed the band of the evening (who'd been named c***) so instead just ordered some pitchers of generically named beer, but this place was so hip that they didn't give you glasses to drink from, oh no they gave you jam jars. Stumbled home about 2am and then managed to get up at about 7 to pack for the Moose Trip, but that's another story!

The Train Ride

I managed to somehow get up to leave the hostel at 7:30am, then trudged down to the train station with my bags. Got checked in fine, then noticed that the queue wasn't that large, perhaps economy would be the way to go I thought. I was right the carriage was empty, in fact I'm sure the majority were in Silver and Blue Class (i.e. they get a bed and free meals). So I got two seats to myself for the whole journey although I still didn't get a decent nights sleep, why do they make the armrests so hard?

I guess you need a brief overview of the journey, headed up out of Toronto and across Ontario, not the greatest of scenery but still very pleasant. Then came the delay, we stopped at this little town after Sudbury for 40 minutes, there really was nothing to see there except water, trees and dust tracks. Everyone gets back on the train and it moves forward a few yards, then stops for about 30 minutes. Eventually they announce that a freight train has de-railed on the track ahead, so what we're going to have to do is go back and try and get on another companies rails (CP as opposed to CN). I swear this train was being driven by Mussolini as it spent more time going backwards than forwards (actually that's not such a good gag as he did manage to get Italies trains to run on time, which is more than can be said for CN).

So I went to bed about 11pm as the train was going so slow and there was nothing to see, they did at least give us free juice and cookies as way of apology (I didn't really worry, as I wouldn't have been able to check into the hostel in Vancouver at 8am anyway). I should also say that it was around this point that the two old ladies at the front of my carriage started their repeated bickering which at times were completely contradictory. Examples:

Ooh, I don't like the bus trip, this train is so much more comfortable and you get to see so much more.
I don't like the train, I much prefer the bus, you see so much more.

I've just been up in the skycar, but I don't like it you can't see anything more up there compared to down here (hmm let me see now, the skycar is atop a train carriage and is all glass, you can therefore see all around and up into the sky, in the carriage you can see out the sides)

And quite frankly the best one:
Well I don't know why they just can't move the other train (because a derailed freight train in the middle of nowhere is probably real easy to get to and move isn't it now)

There were many other classics but I couldn't be bothered to keep track of them.

Continued:

The friday really didn't provide much else in the way of scenery bar more trees and water. However I did decide to go for a proper meal that night and got talking to a few English people (one old lady who now lives in Seattle and a young couple from somewhere down south). It was actually really good value and we got free wine due to the delays. Then before bed I decided to head up and watch the sunset from the skycar but we approached Winnipeg and all the lights came up so it was a little spoiled. Still after the hour or so stop in Winnipeg I headed back up to look up at an unspoilt night sky.

The saturday started off quite dull in scenery terms but picked up after Edmonton which we got to at 3pm (still way behind schedule). From then on we went into the Rockies which were absolutely spectacular. The big stop of the day was in Jasper at around 8pm, which meant I couldn't get a decent dinner like the night before (for some very boring details I won't go into). We picked up a few more passengers from Jasper and this meant some more great moaning (I should mention the old ladies got off on the Friday evening). I spent most of Saturday in the skycar, and we got all the way through to Mount Robson whilst it was still somewhat light. There was some other entertainment in the form of what can best be described as an Arthur Ridley-esque person with a Camcorder recording the entry into the Rockies with possibly the dullest voice over in history. The funniest moment came when he wasn't filming and quite authoratively told a couple of Americans that they used Kilometres in the US.

Night shot of the Rockies

The train finally pulled into Vancouver around 1pm on the Sunday afternoon, but there was still some wonderful scenery in the morning to be enjoyed from the skycar and they gave us free tea for the last three hours.

Bit More of Toronto

So after getting back to the hostel after visiting Toronto Islands I bumped into the other two English lads who I'd been out drinking with the night before, Keith and Tom in the lounge, we also met some lass from Portsmouth or Southampton who's a doctor over visiting friends. We ended up going to the Peel Pub (aka the drinking basement from Saturday night), alongwith my new room mate, Matt from North Yorkshire (the two canadians left today). There was a comedy night on, or rather an attempt at one, of the 10 or so stand ups we watched, 3 were funny and the rest just died. Again I wondered at the size of the 140oz (4 litre) beer pitcher for $26! and I also discovered the wonders of Poutine, chips, gravy and cheese, apparently a Canadian dish.

Wednesday morning, got up a little late, picked up my voucher to get on the train the next day and then ended up going out with everyone from Tuesday night to the Royal Ontario Museum, which was a pleasant use of the day, even if half of it is closed at the moment. Stayed there until about 5:30 and then headed down to the Skydome, well Matt and I did to get some tickets, the other boys already had theirs. What a bargain $2 plus tax each! Admittedly we were up in the heavens of the Skydome, but we met up with Tom outside and seeing as the place was so empty we just went down the very front of our section. Guess they made their money back on beer, as it was $8.25 a pint! The Blue Jays (Toronto) were playing the Philly Pirates and to be honest I still don't get the game of baseball whatsoever, it's so so so dull. No one hits the ball, 3 men get out, they change teams and so forth. A home run gets fireworks, and music and adverts appear at random to get the crowds interest, still not complaining for $2.75

Dullest Game in the World? Look at the busy, busy stands!

After that just went back to the hostel and packed for the train the next day, which left at 9 and required me to get there 1 hour earlier to get my ticket and check baggage, but more of that later.

More of Toronto

Didn't really do too much on Monday, got my train across to Vancouver booked up and the hostel there for a couple of nights and the West Pass Moose Tour, so I'm sorted for things to do for the next two weeks or so. After I got that all sorted I headed out into town and decided to go to the cinema and against better judgement saw 2 Fast 2 Furious, which is quite frankly a very very dire film. Still might go back there, they're showing the Matrix Reloaded on an Imax screen, apparently 4 times bigger and 10 times clearer than usual, very tempting, even if the first hour of the film is dull as anything.

Then last night went out with the two lads from my dorm and a load of other people to watch the hockey at an English pub. Quite a pleasant little pub and some entertainment provided by the most drunk woman I've ever seen who was sitting at the bar next to our couches.

Today I decided to head over to Torontos Islands, and had a long walk around all three of them (they're connected), very pleasant place. Thats about it, may well visit the Skydome tomorrow and possibly try to catch a baseball game as well.

More Of Toronto

Well it's been a couple of days since my last entry, done a few things since then. Firstly on Friday night I ended up going to the CN Tower again with Evan to see how it looks at night, then up early on Saturday for a walking tour which wasn't that bad but the guide really wasn't very good. Ended up having an alright lunch in chinatown which was tasty enough. Pretty much just sat around on Saturday afternoon before going out with a few people firstly to another hostel with a bar (Global Village), then onto a bar and another, which sold wonderful 4 litre pitchers of beer. This place also had a little dance floor and it was just like Pop Tarts (music wise), although apparently Rhythm is a Dancer by Snap is a B-Side over here, fancy that. After driving round in a taxi looking for a bar that was open even later than 2 we decided not to bother and just went home.

The best picture of a moose all trip, from the evening visit to the CN Tower

Then up even earlier on Sunday morning to get on the Magic Bus to Niagara Falls. Quite a funky bus, painted up all psychedaelic and a great driver telling stories etc about where we were going. First stop was a vineyard for a bit of wine tasting (well fruit wine, wasn't that bad but not really my cup of tea). Then we headed down to the falls and took the Maid of the Mist boat ride into the Canadian Falls and I don't think I've ever been in a downpour quite like it, it's just incredibly wet when you get close to it, so the pictures really don't do it justice. After the boat ride we had a little stroll round to get some more pictures, before meeting up with the rest of the bus in the Wild Mushroom, which if you're in Niagara is the best bar to go to (unless you like Blackpool type amusements!) After the bar we headed down to view the whirlpool and over the Canadian Dam, and finally saw the monument to the Canadians beating the Americans.

Inside the Canadian Falls (I'm behind the blob of water)

The Canadian Falls

Got back around 7:45 just in time for the hostel organised pub crawl, except the leader wasn't turning up, so me and 2 other lads (one from Sheffield, the other Irish) just decided to make our own little pub crawl. We ended up in some awful, awful club called Joes which looked just a little trendy, and was playing retro-80's, this should be translated as eighties music that you've never heard of and when you have heard of it, it was plain wrong because they'd stuck an awful beat over the top. Still there was a stage and some amusement in the form of this japanese lad who appeared to think he was teaching a tai chi class, rather than being in a club.

Not sure what I'm going to do today yet, may head down for a tour of the Skydome or take a ferry out to Central Island, both are supposed to be quite good.

Toronto

Well I've been here a day now and it's a great place. I forgot to mention that the flight was definitely the least busy I've ever been on, which did mean I managed to stretch out a bit. Unfortunately as it was a short haul AA flight there were only 'soft' beverages offered for free and no food whatsoever bar one mini bag of pretzels.

But I digress, I got into Toronto airport a little later than scheduled, baggage came out very quickly, just they haven't thought that some people don't have Canadian coinage (and neither provide exchange facilities nor accept notes) so you can't get a trolley to put your luggage on. Whilst waiting for my mobile to start working again, I noticed there was a free phone to my hostel, so I rung them up as foolishly I'd forgotten to make a note of directions from the airport. So I got a nice bus ride which was a lot cheaper than a miami taxi over a much further distance. The bus didn't itself stop outside the hostel, just a little more complicated. At the same time an Australian, Evan, got off the bus and we'd both been told different ways by the hostel to get from this drop off to it. Seeing as he had a map, we took his route, which involved the subway for all of one stop. We really shouldn't have taken this route as they had those massive barred exit turnstiles (like revolving doors) and my backpack got stuck. After about 2 minutes of contorting I managed to free everything and get out. Then it turns out there was more walking to be done and no street signs whatsoever, fortunately a local came to our assistance (Canadians now overtake American Waiting staff as my favourite people - as they're not being nice just to get a tip, they're just genuinely nice), and we eventually found the place. And given recent events it would appear they have special offers in the month of June, so my accomodation is even cheaper, and I now get into loads of places cheaper as they made me an HI member before I had to pay, bonza.

Didn't really do much last night except for checking out a pub with Evan, not sure how good $6 a pint is, but the place had no cover so it wasn't all bad. Then played a bit of pool in the hostel and talked to some of the other residents before getting a bit of kip.

Today I went to the CN tower which is well worth a visit, I decided to go for the ticket with extras, which really were a little naff (I forgotten how bad simulators were), but the first lift up to the first viewing area was amazing, you go up a glass sided lift which lets you see out as you're ascending. Then if you've paid the extra you can also go even further up to a much smaller viewing platform (still a way below the top) and an even better view, but no signs up there to tell you what anything equates to. You don't get to go in the rotating restaurant unless you're eating so I didn't. Also in my ticket was an extra to watch a film on the construction of the tower, however for some reason they sell this option but don't open the cinema until 3 in the afternoon. So I had a little wander around Downtown Toronto, and let me tell you, with a few other tall buildings about, it's very easy to lose sight of where the CN Tower is. I eventually went back about 4 to watch the film and was the only person in there, what made this even more amusing is before it starts a steward goes through this little speech with someone on the video.

Me in the skypod of the CN Tower

The CN Tower

Tomorrow I'm off on a walking tour of Toronto, then off to Niagara Falls on Sunday and a hostel organised Pub Crawl on Sunday night.