The Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Banff
I had last visited in 1992 but apart from some newer buildings and a few extra activities, very little had changed and it was great to go back to Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge park which now hosts a Treetop walk as well as the world-famous suspension bridge, cruise past the Gastown Steam Clock, through Yaletown and China Town and to spend time exploring Granville Island with its craft shops and food market. I particularly liked the beers I tried in the Granville Island Brewery and FlyOver Canada, a simulated flight over the country from coast to coast.
All too soon it was time to head to the Rocky Mountaineer station to board the train. Even the station was fun with a pianist entertaining us before we were treated to the piper signalling it was time to board. We were greeted by our cabin crew and were soon settled in Gold Leaf for our first day on the rails. Gold Leaf is a bi-level glass-done coach with viewing on the top level, meals served in the lower level dining room from which there were still great views and a good-sized outdoor viewing platform. The crew were great keeping us well informed about the format for the day, stories and history about the places we passed as well as feeding and watering us on a regular basis. The scenery was wonderful even before we hit the Rockies.
The day sped by all too quickly despite the leisurely speed of the train and we were soon in Kamloops our stop for the night. The service was seamless and we were off the train and in our hotel in no time at all. We were hosted by the Kamloops Tourist Office and they laid on some traditional entertainment and provided us with information about the town which most people only get a small glimpse of passing through. The Travel Counsellors in the group also got to meet up with some of our Australian colleagues and it was great to catch up and swap stories of our adventures.
Next morning, it was another early start this time we experienced the Silver Leaf level of service. The coach is only on one level and the outside space could only accommodate a couple of people at a time but the windows are taller than those in Gold Leaf, the seats exactly the same and the food and service continued to be exceptional. The scenery is what made the day though as we made our way in to and though the Rocky Mountains to our final destination Banff where we bid a sad farewell to the train and our great crew.
Our home for the next two nights was the Caribou Lodge which is on the main road towards the edge of town but after all the great food on the train it was nice to have the 10/15 minute walk to the centre where there is a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants that cater for both the winter and summer visitors. The town is low rise and full of character being mindful of its national park location.
After a good night's sleep we were off and out the next day to visit a still frozen Lake Louise which really lives up to it reputation for being a stunning spot and I even got to walk on the lake. From here our journey took us north up the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper and more stunning scenery including more lakes and glaciers until we reach the point where we could board an Ice Explorer to take us out on to one of the glaciers to marvel further at the wonder that is nature before retracing our steps back to Banff.
Next morning it was a more leisurely start before taking the Gondola up Sulphur Mountain to marvel at the view over Banff and Lake Minnewanka and surrounding areas. Once back down on the ground we swung past the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Tunnel Mountain Drive and the Hoodoos (tower like natural structures/ rock needles composed of sedimentary rock) before leaving the Rockies behind us and heading to Calgary for our last night.
Calgary surprised me. It is a very clean city, high rise in the downtown area, as you would expect from a city that gets it wealth from oil and gas, but more traditional heading out towards the Stampede grounds. I really enjoyed the view from the Calgary Tower and the commentary supplied by the audio guide. Very compact it was an easy walk through wide streets and there were a good selection of shops, restaurants and interesting sculptures.
I was sad to leave and look forward to going back again soon. Thank you Rocky Mountaineer for a wonderful trip!