In a recent blog, I wrote along the lines of “It surely can’t get better than this!
Yesterday in Jasper, despite being somewhat tired from almost four days on The Canadian, I was so taken with the loveliness of the town, that I just had to explore, and, I’m so glad that I did.
Last night, I “slept for England” and was awake by 6am, fully refreshed for today’s adventures.
The Rocky Mountaineer is every bit the high-end travel experience. “Tourist train” is not an adequate description, although I would have to learn to cope with the abundance of on train announcements, commentary and the irritating encouragement of “passenger-participation.”
My seat is in one of the latest German built double-deck observation carriages, not a scuff mark in sight. Although allocated a window seat, it was one of those with an almost adjacent pillar, restricting an otherwise panoramic view. The nice train manager soon found me a perfect location for the rest of the two day journey. Marilynne, my “neighbour” was delighted to take my original window seat; and I, very happy with a place with the whole window in front of me. An open vestibule down stairs allows photography without the annoying reflections when taking pictures through glass.
As you will see from the images, the weather is perfect, and Mount Robson, the highest in the Canadian Rockies, fully visible, which I am informed is a rare occurrence. Surely, it can’t get better than this!
Although not previously arranged, I was permitted to take advantage of the pre-boarding arrangements other guests had as part of their packages. This included transportation in a large comfortable coach to the station, after my luggage had been picked up from outside my hotel room at 6.50 this morning. This will be delivered to my accommodation at Kamloops. All I now have with me is a canvas bag containing various phone and camera leads.
It wasn’t long before we had entered British Columbia from Alberta. These are all places I learned about during geography lessons at school. That meant just one more time change, and yet again, I forgot to alter the time on my camera accordingly. We are now eight hours behind G.M.T.
We set off from Jasper sometime before 9am, it is now 2.30/3.30(Jasper). The catering is as good as any at high-end eateries; and for once, I allowed myself a glass of white wine!
My choice to leave The Canadian at Jasper seems to have been a good one. I would not have enjoyed the same photo opportunities from the previous train, and the “extra time” in the Rockies, courtesy of some previous “late-running” (The Canadian).
Below are pictures which have appeared in random order. The snow-capped mountain is the “rarely visible” Mount Robson.
5.15pm We are now approaching Kamloops after one of the most astonishing train rides for a very long time. Amongst the numerous announcements and commentary/entertainment, much of which I could have done without, was the information that our train consisted of ten vehicles; at Kamloops, a Rocky Mountaineer from Banff attaches creating a 24 car set for the rest of the journey to Vancouver. The scenery remains remarkable but with fewer trees.
The on board crew do go out of their way to please, and being accompanied through to the far end vestibule (forbidden without authority) was greatly appreciated. I thus cannot complain about the excess of information! For most of the passengers, this was part of a round trip which included Banff, other places and Jasper. I have met one couple who like me will return to the U.K. by way of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. Tomorrow, The Rocky Mountaineer leaves Kamloops at 8am, and I need to be at Reception by 7.10. I am assured my bags will be collected from my room.
Many thanks for reading.
David.
David's Cruise 