Sunday, September 24, 2023

Day 24 Trans Canadian a reverse trek east to west


They had us here so early got to see a sunrise 

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24

We are responsive to that alarm. No snooze buttons here - each jumps to their allocated morning tasks.  At 4:50 when the text message arrives "I'm here" from the taxi driver, @Mac was on his hands and knees doing the final check behind, under and around the bed in the second bedroom for anything we may have left behind. His final check ritual is always thorough and we left confident that everything was accounted for and had our fingers crossed that we were under the weight limit with the checked baggage.

As we crossed the bridge to #Dartmouth to reach the airport some 30 kms away, the traffic was quite heavy. Looked like we were not the only ones out this early to meet the checkin deadline. Was interested to learn that the taxi licence here is "region" specific. @Shobit could pick us up and deliver us to the airport - but his licence did not permit him to collect a fare at the airport for the return journey. 

We were very first customers to receive his newly printed and delivered business card

No problems at the airport at all. Wheeled our gear in to be greeted by extremely helpful #Westjet staff, bag was under the weight allowance (sigh of relief) and breezed through the security check with just the usual pat down associated with a knee replacement. @Shobit had dropped us at the door right on 5.30 a.m. and we were through and waiting at the gate by 5.50 a.m. When we asked the #Westjet staffer why we were required "so early" her response was that it gives them time to make adjustments if there are any issues with the flight and because it was such a busy airport, security was often delayed. 

Well, we had no such issues. Had plenty of time to have a snack and coffee and gather some snacks for the flight.

Rockin' the new red Nova Scotia shirt - got a pocket for travel essentials

That actually set the rhythm of the day. No problems at all. No complaints about the "budget" airline, we were relaxed and comfortable on the six-and-a-half-hour flight. The captain did a great job and we arrived in #Vancouver with an hour to spare to link up with our three-hour bus journey up the increasingly familiar #Sea to Sky Highway.

Welcome to #Vancouver and back on the bus up the mountain

Got grocery supplies at the local market in #Whistler and then hopped on a local bus to get us "home." It was just one last little luggage drag across the road, down the path, over the stile and onto the porch. We were home.

Had to add the groceries to the bag drag - driver lowered the bus so we could board 

Had left at the equivalent of 12:15 a.m. on the east coast and arrived home at 4:45 p.m. We had said that we wouldn't unpack - but couldn't help ourselves - had it all out and away in the first hour and finally thought about a little downtime.

Time for a little reflection on this Trans Canadian adventure. There are over 6 350 kilometres separating #Vancouver from #Halifax. This is the second largest country in world rankings by land area, it has the world's largest coastline and the most lakes of any country.  And for us to traverse #Canada, it was disparate experiences with #VIArail on #The Canadian (Vancouver to Toronto) and #The Ocean (Quebec City to Halifax) intermingled with some little hop-step-jump commuter rides to deliver us to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. We have managed to touch the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and travelled across 4 time zones and seen both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The lasting impression will be of mountains, prairies, agricultural crops, trees, flowers and gardens, water/water/water, small towns, modern cities, old towns and best of all the Saint Lawrence River. And, we'll always have THE TOWER.

Particularly enjoyed our plan to spend a few days in each of the cities to give us time to explore. Jagged great accommodation in each city (downtown and uptown) loved the challenge and convenience of the public transport networks and tucked into some very satisfying menu choices. Are foot and leg weary from so many locations that involved hills and steps but felt every step was worth it.

Can categorically say that other than one "obnoxious" passenger on a single train journey - we have not encountered any other person who wasn't smiling and accommodating. Language was never a real barrier - everyone was always doing their best to make sure you could understand and were willing to help. Each of the cities we visited had excellent tourist information facilities and provided resources to help you find your highlights and had loads of free support materials. Above all, wherever we went, day or night, we always felt safe.

Now all we have to do is settle back and when somewhere pops up in a movie that we recognise, we can enthusiastically cry out "We've been there!"


Meanwhile in Europe 🇪🇺 with @M&I

Glass was the highlight again with a visit to another workshop today and in their words saw some "crazy pieces." Discovered that #Venice was the original home of the #Bellini and confessed to paying some outrageous prices to sample this treat.

Trying some of the local Bellini

Venice by night




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