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Canada and Alaska
  • Connie van Kollenburg
  • Maris Sloan
  • Lachlan de Haan

Canada and Alaska

Making the dream a reality Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 30, 2019
    Canada and Alaska

    4 weeks :)

    August 2, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    It’s only 4 weeks until we’re off on our trip.
    Thinking about what else needs to be done and what needs to packed.
    The excitement levels are high and now to test the Blog... fingers crossed we have success ;)Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    3 weeks to go

    August 9, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Only 3 more weeks and we’ll be off on the adventure of a life time. 3 generations retracing some travel destinations that Don Sloan (my dad) did in 1977.
    42 years in the making and we’re nearly there. Just a little excited 😁 (can you tell?)Read more

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    2 Weeks now.

    August 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    It’s a bitter sweet day today, we’re two weeks out from an adventure of a life time and it would have been dad’s 89th Birthday. So mum & I spent the day together while poor Lachlan was at school. Did some final shopping, mum got the all clear from the cardiologist. I got the all clear from the dentist & Lachlan’s exam was postponed- win win today.
    Mum then rummaged through her treasures and located the posters that dad bought home in 1977. They’re a little faded and the framing needs some TLC but are reminders of what has taken us 42 years to accomplish.
    I don’t see us jumping on a trampoline made of hide but I’m sure our experience of Canada & Alaska will be just as exhilarating.    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    1 Week to go

    August 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    For those playing along at home we’ll give you a quick run down on what our itinerary looks like.
    We depart Melbourne & head to Auckland, we’ll hang out for a couple of hours then back on a plane to Vancouver Canada. Sightsee for a couple of days then jump onboard the Rockie Mountaineer (train) and see all this fabulous wilderness has to offer. Overnight in Kamloops, back on the train very early destination Banff - more sightseeing. Next day off to the magnificent Lake Louise where we’ll celebrate mum’s birthday. More sightseeing Columbia Icefields then staying in Jasper. More glaciers and wildlife on our way to Sun Peaks. The next day we’re off to Whistler (2010 winter Olympic Games hosts).
    Then we’re heading back towards Vancouver Island to stay in Victoria for a couple of days.
    The last leg of our tour is an 8 day cruise through Alaska. Inside passage, Juneau, Skagway & Ketchikan before sailing back to Vancouver.
    We spend our last day in Vancouver before hopping a flight back to Melbourne via Auckland.
    In 21 days we’ll experience these beautiful countries but also be in many places that Don was in 1977.
    3 generations experiencing this trip is something we never dreamed would happen..... Not long now 😁    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    1 day to go <3

    August 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Well there’s one more sleep until we’re off, bags are packed, final errands are happening and the excitement level is through the roof. As part of our tour we’ll get picked up and driven to the airport. Bliss, no long term parking and lugging bags on the bus... yippee.
    But one item that I haven’t packed yet & may change my mind on is “Oscar the Grouch”. He made the trip from Canada to Australia in 1977 and has been my trusty sidekick for all that time. So the million dollar question is.... does Oscar come on the trip????
    Or do we take an array of new friends???
    The struggle is real 😂    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    Today's the day

    August 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    And the journey begins.
    And with every big event the obligatory photo taken out the front and of mum’s home. 🥰
    Apart from a brisk start we’re ready and raring to go.... big smiles all round 😊

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    Auckland

    August 30, 2019 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    First hop done.... Auckland here we are. Transit for a few minutes then on to the next leg 😊

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    Vancouver International

    August 30, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Well we' ve made it. And guess which brand of toilet they have???

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    Fairmont Vancouver - downtown.

    August 30, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    So our tour guide rounded us all up and packed everyone & there belongings on a coach, 45 minute drive from the airport to Downtown Vancouver. Apart from being on the wrong side of the road & the steering wheel on the wrong side of the coach the place looks similar to Melbourne. Oh, except for the electrified buses (they’re a cross between a tram & bus)

    We made it to Fairmont & after 3 attempts we’re finally checked in. First was a mix up in rooms, the 3 of we’re not got to fit in one double bed... well not comfortably anyway. Next room had 2 queens, not perfect but doable. It had a funky smell though - so instead of complaining we opened the windows - nope that didn’t work either . Building maintenance will need to sort that bathroom out. 🤢
    Last option- 2 bedroom suite. King & a sofa bed. A lot more room to stretch out and Lachlan’s pretty happy with his “own room & TV”.

    So after a long day travelling we’ve agreed on the upgrade to a suite, no extra charge. The staff are amazing here and have been more than accommodating.

    Dinner was at Urban Fare - think of an IGA supermarket that also had a self serve smorgasbord. Very different and the food was good. They charge by the weight of your food... then they add a couple of different taxes and hey presto that’s the price. We were too tired to care. On how they came to the cost, handed over the notes and got coins back.

    And what would a trip anywhere be without my mum cornering a police officer and asking for a uniform patch - she got a patch & a photo....

    Life’s to short, enjoy it, laugh lots and make memories.    Read more

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    Vancouver Sightseeing

    August 31, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Dare I say it, I think we all had a little jet lag, because waking up at 3am ready and raring to go is so wrong.
    We did make it to breakfast on time, buffet was yummy even the bacon was good. Cooked to perfection mum says. After breakfast we wandered across the road to see the Catholic Church, it was all locked up tight which is a shame but we did get to see the bells 🔔.
    First day of sightseeing and we’re on the bus heading north over the Lions Gate Bridge. First stop, Salmon Hatchery. Our tour guide Ed is very knowledgeable and can answer all the questions.
    Did you know that Salmon head back to their place of birth after 4 years, the females lay the eggs then die. But not before they’ve had to swim upstream, against the current.

    Next stop is the CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE. Not for the faint hearted and if your afraid of heights.... well I suggest you stay in the gift shop. It was very beautiful, fresh air, lots of trees and crystal clear water. Just lovely.

    GROUSE MOUNTAIN is our next stop, quick gondola ride to the top of the mountain, stunning views. The sun came out in time for us to watch the lumberjack show. Very cool. Followed by seeing two grizzly bears. Too far away for a picture but you could see the size of them - wow.

    Back to the hotel for a quick rest then a meet and greet with our tour guide for the rest of the trip.

    It’s Labour Day long weekend here in Vancouver so it’s busy, plus they have a festival on - we just may head down to have a look around.
    TaiwanFest.... could be interesting but noisey at the very least.    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    Pacifico

    August 31, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    So what better way to end the day but to have a meet & greet over a couple of cold beers - specifically brewed for the hotel.
    Then off to the local Italian restaurant for pizza & pasta. We’re heating to know the tour group s little better which really helps.
    Lachlan & I will need to keep an eye on this lot, I really don’t feel like paying bail money ,...... lol    Read more

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    City Sights Tour -Vancouver

    September 1, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Wow, what a busy morning. Slight mix ups with the times but we all made it on the coach. Driving through the streets of Vancouver having all the City buildings and places of interest pointed out, whilst interesting, was not really our cup of tea. Look left, look right and only slowing down enough to take a quick photo all felt a bit rushed. We did disembark at Stanley Park to see the totem poles and Vancouver Sky line then back on the coach to see Queen Elizabeth gardens. Gardens were beautiful but the ice cream whilst sitting in the shade was lovely. Back on the coach and we had the opportunity to be dropped at the Granville Public Market - YES PLEASE.
    Quick stroll around then we located a little burger place “Popina” .... converted shipping containers on the pier.
    The burgers were amazing, freshly brewed Ginger Ale and a view to die for - kinda reminded me of Brisbane. It was so nice to sit and watch the world go by. Cheers everybody.    Read more

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    Dinner

    September 1, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Beautiful dinner with the tour group this evening. Opportunity to get to know people a little better. It was lovely to hear from others how well mannered Lachlan is. Well of course he is, he’s a respectful young man. 😊

    The restaurant was sensational- GLOWBAL, located 3 blocks down from The Fairmont.... and they drove us there😂.
    Lachlan & I walked back, very balmy night & the Taiwan Fest was still on so lots of people & music.

    Up early tomorrow- Rocky Mountaineer Train trip starts.    Read more

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    Rocky Mountaineer

    September 2, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer, destination Kamloops.
    Oh my god, this train is amazing, and the all round views of the scenery is .... I can’t even find the words.
    We were in the Gold Leaf glass roof car number 8. Today’s train had 14 cars of people 25 cars in total- it was a site to see. 815 guests onboard, the largest group of the season. The staff are like a well oiled machine, military precision is in understatement. Moving & organising that amount of people so precisely is a credit to the company.

    There is always something to see, commentary when places of interest are coming up - allows people to get there cameras out... but nothing will ever take the place of simply watching the world unravel before your eyes. The food was 6 star and the hosts amazingly accommodating. Bar opens @ 10:31am so celebratory Baileys were the order of the day.... it was 12 noon somewhere in the world. 🥃🍸🍹🍻

    DepartIng Vancouver, lush rainforest environment & moving towards Kamloops which is dry almost desert like ... through mountains that have been touch by fires, through to mountains that constantly have mud slides. Following the Fraser River through calm waters & rapids, then being lucky enough to see two rivers meet with 2 very distinctive colours merging.

    One place I was desperate to capture an image of was “Hells Gate” this was a destination that dad took his tour group too 42 years ago. Back then it was a tour via coach not the beautiful Rocky Mountaineer. What an amazing display of mother nature’s artistic flare.

    Scones, Breakfast, cheese & fruit platters, lunch and drinks never stopped coming. Tonight to say we’re full as a goog is an understatement.

    We’ve disembarked and been bussed to our hotel - Delta, with full intention of going for a walk. (A better description would be waddle)... let’s see if this comes to fruition 🥴

    Day one done, roll on day 2 and on to Banff.

    No photo will ever show the truly amazing countryside in its pure form. But we’ll do our best.    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    Galley tour

    September 2, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    In my family there’s two sayings -

    DAD
    Wonder what the poor people are doing?
    Dad always instilled in us that you don’t need money to be rich, family, fun & laughter makes you richer.

    MUM
    What’s the worst thing they can say?... NO

    Well today on several occasions both Lachlan and I asked - wonder what the poor people are doing... travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer, then we’d laugh.

    Then mum, having more front than Myers, asked the train manager for her own copies of the menu and a tour of the “kitchen” to meet the staff.

    Well, within the hour the head chef shows up to our seats & presents mum with a copy of the menu then invites her to tour the galley after the lunch service....    Read more

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    Food & Drink

    September 2, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    How could I forget to mention the food and drink....... YUMMO

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    Rocky Miuntaineer - Day 2

    September 3, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    Up bright and early for our next (and final) exciting day on the gorgeous Rocky Mountaineer. Heading up through the wilderness and seeing amazing mountain ranges, lakes and river systems.

    The bridges and tunnel systems are an engineering feat. One tunnel system had us twisting as we climbed up the mountain- think of the letter “L” written in cursive. Thats how the train travelled. It’s said that the big freight train can be coming out the top of the tunnel and the end is still waiting to start coming through the tunnel.

    This was one story dad told mum when he returned from his tour in 1977. Obviously dad and his tour group we’re watching the freight trains from the highway. Yet another cross over of tours 42 years apart.    Read more

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    Gourmet Food

    September 3, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    What would the trip be without sensational food on the train.

    Lunch was a burger for Lachlan & Prawns for mum & I

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    Fairmont - Banff Springs

    September 3, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    So we checked into the beautiful resort, and the team had set up a little surprise for mum. Yes it’s a couple of days early but mum was thrilled.
    It’s the little surprises in life that count.

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    Banff

    September 4, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Yet another day of sightseeing, starting with breakfast then a wander around The Castle. On the coach and off to see Bow Falls, Tunnel Mountain & Surprise Corner. This is where the designer of The Castle meditated to get a sense of where The Castle should be built. What a magical place.
    Off to see the HOODOO’s. Once again another beautiful location.
    Police and Parks personnel were there, so mum got a picture with them. We didn’t know an old man was missing-poor thing had dementia. It wasn’t until we were leaving we were told I asked to look at a photo - Lachlan & I had walked passed him & his dog... what a nice feeling being able to give the location so a family could be reunited 💕

    We headed in to town and were dropped off - guess what for? To do the washing 🤣
    While that was happening we wandered around town, it’s very pretty and very touristy, with lots of photo opportunities (by the way mum got on the saddle all by herself 😂). Found the Mounted Police shop and mum picked up a couple of patches.
    More walking and beautiful sunshine, such a pleasant place.
    Washing’s all done so now we jumped on a local bus and headed out of town to find the Swiss Village Hotel. This was where dad stayed in 1977. The place is pretty tired but clean, yet another crossing of paths 42 years apart. We take a few photos and we hopped back on the bus and headed back into town. Feeling a bit peckish we let Lachlan pick the location for lunch.... Macca’s it is 😁
    The burgers taste the same but the drinks are quite floury. Back on the public bus and up the hill to the castle... time to relax a little..... or is something else on the cards?????

    Yet another fabulous day making memories    Read more

  • Canada and Alaska

    Surprise

    September 4, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Yet another surprise for mum. A guided tour through the Fairmont Banff Springs kitchen by head chef Alexandre LaFleur.
    He walked us through both front and back of house, his team are friendly and hard working. Alexandre and mum are exchanging war stories and Lachlan and I are taken along for this magical experience.

    We get to the end and at this point we thought we’d be escorted out but no, there’s a task mum needs to do, fill profiteroles.

    What an experience. This then turns into our afternoon tea, Alexandre then seats us at the best table in the house, tea & coffee arrives followed by a little present and another birthday card. Mum is almost bought to tears from shear joy.

    Now that’s how you make memories 💕    Read more

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    Castle to Chateau

    September 5, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C

    What a way to spend a Birthday, waking up in a Castle - the beautiful Banff Springs. We start the morning leisurely making our way from Banff to Lake Moraine. But not before everyone on the tour song happy Birthday 🥳.

    The surroundings are beautiful at the Lake so we sit and just take it all in. A few people are in canoes but we just sit on the bank in complete awe of Mother Nature - GORGEOUS

    Back on the coach and we head into the village of Bow River - and no, Ian Moss is not there singing.
    We take the time to get some lunch and wander through the handful of shops.

    Back on the coach and it’s the long 8 minute drive to Lake Louise. Beautiful surroundings and the Chateau is very grand. Standing in the foyer we see the lake through the window - WOW 😲

    We head outside and sit in the gardens to take it all in. Photos will never do justice to the magnificent place.

    Dinner is booked in the Fairview restaurant..... but before we’re able to relax and think about dinner we’re told there’s something organised for the Birthday girl.

    Executive Chef Jean-Francois gave mum (and Lachlan & I) the tour of his kitchens & banquet rooms. What a massive operation. Anywhere between 5,000 & 10,000 covers per day, plus 700 staff - now that’s a lot of mouths to feed.
    It’s an old Chateau which has fabulous old world charm. Magnificent

    What a day so far.... making memories.    Read more

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    Birthday Dinner

    September 5, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    What would a Birthday be without a dinner to remember.
    Lachlan suited up and escorted his Grandma to dinner. We were seated close to the window facing the Lake. Very little conversation initially as we were too busy staring at the view (after the sun moved).

    Food was lovely & a nice bottle of wine to match.

    Birthday cake went missing but we’re assured it will be delivered in the morning.
    Cake for breakfast anyone???

    More memories to treasure.    Read more

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