Across Canada

Have just had the most awesome trip across Canada. Started at 10pm - baggage checked in & shown to carriage and our bunks ready for sleep. We heard that champagne was being served in the last carriage so we were off to check it & others out!

There was lots of chatting - quite a few Aussies - to introduce our selves & we finally turned in at 12:30am having said goodbye to the lights of Toronto. It was interesting sleeping & being on the top bunk there were a few moments when I felt that I might fall out but happily that didn't happen! Luckily when I had a shower the train was at a station so it was an easy operation. later showers were interesting as you were thrown from side to side.

To cut a long story short, and to let photos tell the tale, this was one of the best things we have done. The food was very good and you felt as if you had gone back in time - imagine the Orient Express. You were seated with new people for each meal so there was never a dull moment!

The views were spectacular and being in the Dome car was brilliant. The snow got deeper as we crossed the prairie but it was beautiful. It was hard to get your head around the frozen lakes & rivers.

Our travelling companions were interesting & there were times where we had sing songs where even the staff joined in.

The trip was varied with lots of stopping times for the freight trains to pass but other times, usually at night, the train rocked along & one night we all felt as if we'd been on a roller coaster.

Arrival in Vancouver was three hours late but that was fine for us. We are now in a hotel overlooking the bay. No snow here! Going to Vancouver Island tomorrow.