Canada | Travel Gracefully

Early motorcoach transfer from our Vancouver hotel whereby all luggage is taken care of and loaded onto the train.

As the Rocky Mountaineer Station is separate to the Pacific Central Station where we arrived at from Seattle, this is the train’s departure point from Vancouver.

Light refreshments are served with a pianist playing a number of favourites for the passengers whilst waiting to board at 7:30 am.

This would have to be one of the most photographed and well-documented luxury trains in the world.

A Scottish Bagpiper gives us a hearty welcome.

The face of lovely Enzina tells us she’s ready for the whistle to blow and let’s be on our way.

Here with Steve Farrelly, our National Sales Manager for Rocky Mountaineer. This is the second day of our Coastal Passage journey and it’s definitely worth the long-haul trip from Australia.

Just a starter for breakfast …

Bye Vancouver, was fantastic and enjoyed every minute of being there, but we’ve some more sightseeing to do and a train ride to enjoy.

Still early in the day and the scenery is stunning.

As there is a vestibule at the end of the Gold Leaf carriage, photographs are uninterrupted with a clear outlook and no glass reflections to worry about.

At Cisco Crossing, CP and CN tracks swap sides of the river. The CN line crosses first on an distinctive arched orange-painted girder bridge, the CP tracks then crossing in the opposite direction on a squared-off black steel bridge lower down on the right.

Sit back and enjoy the views.

We’re starting to climb now and before our eyes, the landscape is changing dramatically.

We’ll also follow a number of rivers over the duration of the day.

We’re not even in the last carriage for us to be able to watch the front engine going through a myriad of tunnels.

On the other side of the river, often seen are freight trains and it feels like we’re in a race!

This legendary route along the Canadian Pacific track is famous for uniting the country and connecting British Columbia to Canada over 125 years ago.

We’re just on the outskirts of Kamloops now where we’ll have an overnight stay.

Buses are already waiting to take all passengers to their respective hotels with rooms already pre-assigned and keys given prior to check in.

Ok so it’s raining in Vancouver today, but what’s unusual is they’ve not had rain for a while? We’re heading for the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for a rainforest experience.

Our group is gathered here today for a Rainforest Walk. And, we’re not disappointed …

Oh, you want me to cross the Suspension Bridge? Ok, righto … Just a minute while I think about it.

On our way. The bridge is 140 metres (460 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) above the river and draws over 800,000 visitors a year.

Just one quick glimpse down.

Easy to see why it’s one of Vancouver’s best attractions for visitors near and far.

Granville Island Public Market, fun part of the city and a massive drawcard – even for locals every weekend.

My friends with pooches would certainly not leave this place empty handed.

For a take home item, some might like a broom stick! You know who they are …

Love hats, should be more millinery stores about for customisation and better fittings.

And just when you thought time stood still, you can venture to one of the back street areas under the bridge.

At the Aquabus ferry wharf whereby you can take a ride up or down the river to other popular areas within the city.

OSGEMEOS, which literally means “the twins” is the Brazilian twin brothers Gustavo and Otávio Pandolfo who are known for their public art, transforming buildings and walls into colourful spray-painted characters. The Granville Island Silos is their best work so far.