We left Sydney to its rain and squalls, glad to escape the grey of winter… for Canada. Hmmm!  British Columbia has turned on its best attempt to emulate, actually exceed, the wet of Sydney. Anyway, we are here, currently in the township of Vernon, a town important enough to have its own casino.

We have an early start today as we head for Banff. Being up early is unusual for me and as I beat the clock by an hour or so, thought maybe it presented an opportunity to have an update on our traveller blog.

Thinking back over the past 48 hours, I cannot escape the long journey from Sydney to San Francisco. We don’t like these long flights, and of course there was the onward journey to Vancouver. How good is First Class travel on Qantas! The big comfy bed, personal service makes the trip bearable. For those who can manage it I suppose. For us, we had to be happy with steerage at the bumpy back of the plane. I somehow managed to score a vacant seat in front of me, and thus did not have to put up with a seat in my face. Bad luck for Jen, but she does insist on an aisle seat!

So, why are we here?

Well, Canada has long been on our bucket list, and this time last year we responding to an enticing promotion from Tripadeal for a 19 day Canada and Alaska excursion. We had already done a Tripadeal holiday with Fiona, Don and Casper to China, and were impressed with their organisation and value for money. There are compromises of course, but pretty good thus far (Day Two!)

This year, 2017, gave me the amazing opportunity of turning 70, while Fiona and Don turn 40. It is also the year of their wedding and we all thought should take time out to celebrate these major achievements, and at the end of our Canada/USA holiday, we are all joining up at Turtle Bay, Oahu (Hawaii) for eight relaxing, celebratory days. We offered to pay for the digs if they could get there.

Back to Canada. Well, our experience is rather limited to a night at Vancouver, a quick trip through  the magnificent Stanley Park, then on through the rain to Vernon. Our guide is an American, and the driver is Canadian – who did not seem to know much about navigating Vancouver. But they are nice folks. We were joined by about 48 others, who look very much like ourselves – approaching middle age – and from many parts of Australia. They seem a friendly enough crowd.

The rain yesterday was persistent and to an extent spoiled the magnificent mountain scenery as we took to the Trans Canadian Highway. The rain had already swelled to mountain streams, and waterfalls and it looked very impressive.

Now we call these foothills “mountains” as they would be to Australians. We have yet to reach the real mountains, and that will be today and tomorrow.  The weather has not lent itself to photography, but I will post a couple of snaps.

I will check-in in a day or so, hopefully with better pics and a yarn or tow.

Below – Jen at Stanley Park with Vancouver downtown in background.

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