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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:00 am Post subject: A trip close to home: Canadian Rockies |
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Our short, precious summer came and gone. I couldn’t venture out anywhere as I was busy adding a floor to our home. Winnipegers have only two seasons, winter & construction; for this year I left the real travelling for winter time. When it was all over (after $$ budget overrun and stressful interactions with contractors), I was desperate to go somewhere! Beginning of September is still not bad weather-wise; especially if I could head towards west.
A conference was coming up in Kelowna, BC so I thought why don’t I make it a wholesome trip? I needed to unwind (thoughts of numerous cheques that I handed over to my greedy contractor was still haunting me!) so I decided that I will take a train ride, slow and easy! In Canada, trains run really slow (even Indian suburban trains run way faster) and very few ride train unless you are old & retired and you are ready to see this vast country’s breathtaking landscape. Though I am not in that category (not yet), I wanted a train ride.
Courtsey: Via Rail website (Red route is what "Canadian" covers)
My Trip Courtsey: GC Mapper
The “Canadian” train of via Rail Company connects east coast (Toronto) with the west coast (Vancouver) similar to “Empire Builder” of the US. Passengers who pay $$ (in sleeper classes) are pampered with great service and gourmet food! My family is travelling with me so I am travelling economy class .
My Itinerary:
Winnipeg- Jasper (Alberta): Via Rail
Jasper- Kelowna (British Columbia): by Road
Kelowna- Vancouver: by Road
YVR- YWG: WS 458
Date: Sep 5th 2013
Winnipeg- Jasper: Via Rail
Train leaves Winnipeg at 11.45 and reaches Jasper next day at 1pm covering a distance of 921 miles in about 26 hours. Boarding was airlines-like; first the sleeper classes then passengers who came back from a quick city tour (utilising the hour when train changes engine in Winnipeg) and then economy class! The seats are comfortable with generous recline and foot rest. The skyline car (offering great view all around) has a mini pantry section that offered great food at a reasonable price. From time to time there were friendly announcements over PA giving information about the area we are passing by or inviting whoever interested to enjoy live music (with travelling musicians) in Dining car. Grab your beer and relax. After all you need to kill good 3.5 days if you are doing the whole length (Toronto- Vancouver). I met two such guys (did you say nuts?).
So our journey starts:
endless prairie fields; bread basket of Canada
We are passing thru Saskatchewan, Potash capital...those are Potash Mountain at far
Skyline Car. This one is for economy class only
A small station in Sask.
Our train is making it's way in to Alberta
Around 6 in the morning we arrived in Edmonton
Edmonton Municipal airport
We finally reached Jasper station. Jasper is surrounded by Canadian Rockies and the town bustles with tourist from all over the world. Between Banff and Jasper, Canadian Rockies offer some of the best mountain cliffs and pristine lakes and plenty of wildlife. We spent great 3 days hiking and resting in Jasper. Some Pictures.
Jasper station, quite busy during train hours
Posters inside train station: from bygone era when Canada was inviting immigrants from England
During mating season don't try to get closer..
Jasper Bus station
On our way to Columbia ice field
Coffee break
We were told these icepacks are million years old but scientists now predicting that they will not last long due to.. what else, global warming!
Date: Sept 9th 2013
Next stop: Kelowna, a picturesque city that is situated in the midway of beautiful Okanagan Lake. About 70% of the population are retirees (I met some of them who worked all their working life in cold places (like Winnipeg) and are now fulfilling their lifelong dream about retiring in warmer British Columbia). I will do one day or at least that’s what I say to myself to justify my base at YWG I spent 3 busy days attending seminars, family roamed around at leisure.
People who live here are definitely not missing Mexico like rest of us do in winter months!
Date: Sept 13 2013
Next stop: Vancouver. Arguably the best city in Canada and one of the top five in the world to live, work and play! I am here to meet my daughter and spend a day at leisure.
Downtown Vancouver and harbour front
A quick tour to Stanley Park & Capilano suspension bridge and the day is over!
Chairman Mao on display here at a Downtown store
Daughter insisted that we visit her University campus.
Nice residences on campus
Found this one in the hallway,near the lift door. Hmmm, time to update my vocabulary! On a serious note, how students from conservative countries (forget hard core Middle East, take liberal Malaysia, Indonesia for argument sake) will react this this kind of openness..
Quite a few of them are from Indian subcontinent
Date: Sep 15 2013
YVR- YWG
Airline: Westjet
Flight #: WS 458
Aircraft: B737-700
Departure: 7.00pm
Arrive: 23.38pm
Finally I am taking a flight (that qualifies this TR to be posted in an Aviation Forum ). We had late lunch in downtown area and nonchalantly headed towards YVR. Canada Line (Vancouver’s LRT) is an efficient and green way to reach airport.
WestJet guys are really fun loving!
Check in was super easy at Westjet counter as always. We still had enough time to kill so we wandered around.
Some lesser known Regional Carriers
Biggies dominating the scene
Our aircraft at the gate
The flight was uneventful and for a late flight on a Sunday, the load was pretty decent.
We landed in Winnipeg on time after a well deserved break. _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports
Last edited by PAL@YWG on Mon Jan 27, 2014 2:06 am; edited 2 times in total |
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sumantra Member
Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi
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Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 10:25 am Post subject: |
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What a magnificent way to start off a Sunday morning for me!
A TR by Mr. Pal, after a very long pre-winter hibernation on the forum
You pictures, notes and descriptions (and the wit and humour too!)are things to look forward to.
The train journey would have been absolutely magnificent, thank you for taking us through this, and also including pictures of the trekking around. I liked the warning under the deer-in-the-mating-season's picture, this gives the term `horniness' a completely new meaning/feeling. Being Al Gore'd by those horns isn't something one would look forward to. Your pictures of Vancouver (YVR, the Gaslight District and Stanley Park, and a bit of UBC as well) brought back memories of a 2001 trip to the city, where I was able to verify that Vancouver was indeed a province in the undivided Punjab.
Mr. Pal, with less than a month to go for yet another adventure, this time, with India being a part of the itinerary, we look forward to more gems from you! You travel to exotic places on exotic routings: I really wish I could do that, and describe them as well as you do.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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ameya Member
Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 3671 Location: Pune,Maharashtra
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Amazing set of pictures Sir. A completely different part of the world, not discussed much any where |
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sabya99 Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 1399 Location: New Jersey/CCU
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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A very nice trip report. I really enjoyed the pictures. You really don’t need to fly to write a trip report! _________________ Sabya99 |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:18 am Post subject: |
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sumantra wrote: | I liked the warning under the deer-in-the-mating-season's picture, this gives the term `horniness' a completely new meaning/feeling. Being Al Gore'd by those horns isn't something one would look forward to. Cheers, Sumantra. |
Haha....Thanks for the kind words Sumantra! _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:28 am Post subject: |
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Ameya, Sabya99,
Very happy to know that you liked the TR.
Besides flying, I really enjoy train rides. Next in my wishlist is a ride on Amtrak's "Empire Builder" that covers the distance from Chicago to Seattle. Some day I will... _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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jbalonso777 Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2012 Posts: 1501 Location: Never, never land
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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A brilliant TR!
What a wonderful insight into Canada, from every aspect!
The train ride - surely there aren't any sleeper berths like our brilliant railway system. How comfortable was the journey, being up for 26 hours as you mentioned?
Pictures were really nice too
Canada looks like a really nice place to visit or stay and importantly, study. Worth a visit there, surely!
Regards
Jish _________________ http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777 |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:30 am Post subject: |
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jbalonso777 wrote: | A brilliant TR!
What a wonderful insight into Canada, from every aspect!
The train ride - surely there aren't any sleeper berths like our brilliant railway system. How comfortable was the journey, being up for 26 hours as you mentioned?
Pictures were really nice too
Canada looks like a really nice place to visit or stay and importantly, study. Worth a visit there, surely!
Regards
Jish |
Thanks Jish! I would surely encourage you to explore possibilities to attend university here.
Being the second largest country on this planet and with only 33 million souls, everyone has to deal with a lot of space. Of course I am not talking about big cities like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal.
Train ride just needs a different mindset I guess , I switched off my phone as soon as I boarded my train. With no Wi-Fi, the Tablet was useless. How can you now like your train journey anymore
Thanks again! _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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jbalonso777 Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2012 Posts: 1501 Location: Never, never land
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Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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PAL@YWG wrote: |
Thanks Jish! I would surely encourage you to explore possibilities to attend university here.
Being the second largest country on this planet and with only 33 million souls, everyone has to deal with a lot of space. Of course I am not talking about big cities like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. |
While I haven't started with the university processes yet (which should be finished by this time next year! ), I certainly have added Canada (and Winnipeg, as you've mentioned) to the rather long shortlist of places to study in. Whatever it is, that will be announced here with time.
Regards
Jish _________________ http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777 |
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Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Wow - magnificent pictures and commentary. Sounds like a real fun and relaxing trip. Do you have any pictures of the seats on board the train? How comfortable were they for the sleep at night? _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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sri_bom Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore
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Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting a great train report. It is always a best way to see a country by taking a train journey as it brings out the best in sight and visual.
I was reading an article about future of business travel in the next 30 years and the predictions are:
- Most of Europes domestic air traffic will vanish, as most cities will be connected by High Speed Rail
- In Asia similar story is being predicted with High Speed Rail to take over most short distance flights across countries (Except India)
- Middle East and Africa will be connected with High Speed Rail as well. ( I wont be surprised if they build one under the sea between Dubai and Bombay which most likely will be run by Emirates)
So Rail is making a big time comback thanks to its low carbon footprint, and ease of travel. |
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stealthpilot Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Wow amazing train journey- definitely on my list of things to do!
Thanks for the TR + pics, not much for me to say _________________ eP007 |
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airindia787 Member
Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 770 Location: DAB & ZTF
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:13 am Post subject: |
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Quite Possibly one of the most unique and interesting TRs I have ever read. Especially loved the train and mountain pictures. Looks like a great 360 degrees view from the upper deck of that train. _________________ http://openflights.org/user/akumanduri |
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Theairplaneguy4ever Member
Joined: 26 Sep 2012 Posts: 191 Location: Kochi, Kerala, India
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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What an amazing TR there, sir! With some incredible pictures as well. Lovely!
Canada has so much to see and do it seems. I guess its time to pack those bags once again for me!
Aren't the trains in the Americas running into losses though with their high prices?
Anyway, the view outside more than compensates for the uncomfortable ride in my opinion.
Now, to the flight, I've heard a lot about WestJet being a great LCC. How was your flight?
Neat stuff. Looking forward to the next one!
Adi,
Theairplaneguy4ever _________________ India's first HD Video Trip Report Channel : www.youtube.com/Theairplaneguy4ever |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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sri_bom wrote: | Thanks for posting a great train report. It is always a best way to see a country by taking a train journey as it brings out the best in sight and visual. |
Thanks sri_bom! Thanks for taking out time on a working day and organize that quick lunch. Next time I visit SIN, I will try to spend more time together.
Yes, I love train rides, it is relaxing if not anything else. On my way back to Canada, I had to do KUL- SIN hop, I finally took Tigerair but after visiting KL central railways station, I regret the decision. A train ride would have been more satisfying. _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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Stealthpilot & airindia787,
Thanks for your comments. For many Canada is not high on list as a tourist destination (partly because of long cold winters, BTW we are having minus 30 degree C for last few weeks here), but for nature lovers it has lot to offer especially during warmer months.
Please visit. _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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Theairplaneguy4ever wrote: | What an amazing TR there, sir! With some incredible pictures as well. Lovely!
Canada has so much to see and do it seems. I guess its time to pack those bags once again for me!
Aren't the trains in the Americas running into losses though with their high prices?
Anyway, the view outside more than compensates for the uncomfortable ride in my opinion.
Now, to the flight, I've heard a lot about WestJet being a great LCC. How was your flight?
Neat stuff. Looking forward to the next one!
Adi,
Theairplaneguy4ever |
Adi, thanks for the kind words. As I said in my TR, except for the busy corridors (like Toronto- Montreal), train journeys are mainly limited to Tourists both international and domestic. Viarail being a crown corporation (like PSU in India), making profit is the last thing in their mind
WestJet is not a LCC in true sense. Between AC and them it's a duopoly in Canada. Fares are exactly the same on a given day for a given route, WestJet is more humane. That's the only difference. _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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sri_bom Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:31 am Post subject: |
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PAL@YWG wrote: | sri_bom wrote: | Thanks for posting a great train report. It is always a best way to see a country by taking a train journey as it brings out the best in sight and visual. |
Thanks sri_bom! Thanks for taking out time on a working day and organize that quick lunch. Next time I visit SIN, I will try to spend more time together.
Yes, I love train rides, it is relaxing if not anything else. On my way back to Canada, I had to do KUL- SIN hop, I finally took Tigerair but after visiting KL central railways station, I regret the decision. A train ride would have been more satisfying. |
It was great meeting you as well and I wish that next time you can spend more time so that I can take you around other foodie delights in Singapore. Sorry to note you could not do your KUL-SIN train ride as you were planning this for quite some time.
Sri_Bom |
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jbalonso777 Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2012 Posts: 1501 Location: Never, never land
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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....and quite incidentally, UBC came in to our school this morning to give us a presentation. And I must say, this is probably the only university that I like, just by reading the brochures and seeing the presentation! But there is lot more than just that! Of course, Canada wasn't really on my list of places, but with UBC now in my head, I'm confused all over again, just a few days after I felt I had sorted my places out!
I must say that I was quite amazed by the Vancouver campus: the sea on 3 sides, the forests, the sheer size etc - bliss for a photography nut like me!
Kelowna Campus, obviously, is much smaller, but since its the same University, it should be equally amazing!
Regards
Jish |
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PAL@YWG Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 438 Location: YWG, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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jbalonso777 wrote: | ....and quite incidentally, UBC came in to our school this morning to give us a presentation. And I must say, this is probably the only university that I like, just by reading the brochures and seeing the presentation! But there is lot more than just that! Of course, Canada wasn't really on my list of places, but with UBC now in my head, I'm confused all over again, just a few days after I felt I had sorted my places out!
I must say that I was quite amazed by the Vancouver campus: the sea on 3 sides, the forests, the sheer size etc - bliss for a photography nut like me!
Kelowna Campus, obviously, is much smaller, but since its the same University, it should be equally amazing!
Regards
Jish |
Glad that you are considering UBC. The Vancouver Campus is really breathtaking on a clear sunny day. You can get some idea about Kelowna campus from this TR.
Keep us posted.. _________________ Tally Sheet:
41 Countries ||55 Aircraft types ||60 Airlines ||75 Airports |
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