Sunday, 11 October 2015
South Pacific Cruise
Today 12 of October 2015 three days before we sail for our holiday in the South pacific
Love
Len and Val
Sunday, 7 June 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Thursday 4th June 2015
Day 24
Fairbanks to Melbourne
This morning the alarm went off at 03 30 for the short bus ride to the airport Princess Cruses in there best land organisation sent one bus with seating for 48 to pick up 70 passengers so after a 20 minute wait the bus returned for the rest of us.
Everything at the airport went smooth and left on time for the four hour flight to Seattle, where some of us had a three and a half others four and a half and a six and a half wait for our flight to Vancouver.
There we all meet up again for our 15 and a half hour flight to Sydney with Air Canada, the first time Val and I have been on a plane flight where hot towels were not handed out and when it came to breakfast and they had run out of pancakes we where told that's all we have sweetheart.
But the trip got better when we got to Sydney we asked the QANTAS staff if there was a chance of a earlier flight before the 12 00 o'clock one they got us on the 10 00 Scotty was there to pick us up.
No matter haw long or how short your holiday is it is still good to be back and called Australia Home.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Wednesday 3rd June 2015
Day 23
Denali to Fairbanks
Today our last day on the road started at 08 15 still heading north our first stop after lunch was at North Pole and Santa's Place where Val got to sit on Santa's knee.
Then into Fairbanks and a ride on an authentic sternwheeler boat the Discovery 111 on the Chena River.
Tonight was the farewell dinner at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge where we said our goodbyes some we will keep in contact with and see again and some we willnever hear from again but they have been good follow travelers and made the trip easy and fun to get along with.
Len and Val
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Tuesday 2nd June 2015
Day 22
Denali
Alarm went off at 04 10 for breakfast at 05 00 so we could embark on a Tundra Wilderness tour deep into the 600 million acre Alaskan national park.
It was a nine hour bus ride in witch we saw Mouse, Mountain sheep, Ground squirrel, Bold Eagle, Golden Eagle and Grizzly Bear, as well as getting as close as 30 miles from the foot hill of Mt McKinley or as Alaskans call it Mt Denali.
After a short walk around town when we got back Ron, Ann, Neville, Nick Val and I went for a couple of drinks before Sandra and Rhhonda joined as for dinner for the best Pizza we have ever had.
Len and Val
Monday, 1 June 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Monday 1st June 2015
Day 21
Mt McKinley to Denali
On the road at 10 45 by road couch to catch the Midnight Sun Express to Denali with a full car dome.
This we had a local musical show and dinner at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Len and Val
Monday 1st June 2015
Day 21
Mt McKinley to Denali
On the road at 10 45 by road couch to catch the Midnight Sun Express to Denali with a full car dome.
This we had a local musical show and dinner at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Sunday 31st May 2015
Day 20
Anchorage to Mt McKinley
Today was a 08 00 start with our first stop at Wasilla where we had a ride in a dog sled then a little further down the road we visited the home of Martin Buser a four time winner of the Iditarod, dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome.
Lunch was had at the small town of Talkeetna, then on to Mt McKinley where we stayed at the Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Len and Val
Sunday 31st May 2015
Day 20
Anchorage to Mt McKinley
Today was a 08 00 start with our first stop at Wasilla where we had a ride in a dog sled then a little further down the road we visited the home of Martin Buser a four time winner of the Iditarod, dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome.
Lunch was had at the small town of Talkeetna, then on to Mt McKinley where we stayed at the Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Len and Val
Saturday, 30 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Saturday 30th May 2015
Day 19
Whittler to Anchorage
Our bags had to be pack and outside the door by 21 00 last night as today we disembark and go by road via the Anton Anderson Tunnel which is a 2.5 mile one way tunnel share by road traffic and trains.
Our first spot was at the Alaska Wildlife Refuge for a hour, then we where dropped off at the farmers market in Anchorage where Val and I had Reindeer sausages for lunch.
Hour and a quarter we were back on the bus and taken to our hotel.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Friday 29th May 2015
Day 18
College Fjord Prince William Sound to Whittier
We sailed over night on next morning we where in College Fjord within Prince William Sound and its collection of Glaciers some reaching forty stories high above sea level even dwarfing these large ships. That evening we sailed into Whittier at 23 15 that night.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Thursday 28th May 2015
Day 17
Glacier Bay
We woke up this morning sailing into Glacier Bay to sights you could not believe even after all the time we have spent in the Rockies and when we thought we had seen the best it just got better.
We first went to John Hopkins Glacier one of the few that have grown in the last forty years.
We then went up Tarr Inlet to Margerie Glacier where we spent a hour to sights that are unbelievable it was then a relaxing day at sea.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Wednesday 27th May 2015
Day 16
Skagway
We docked sometime in the night and as we had a train ride booked for 12 25 To White pass and the Yukon route there was a good time to have a lay in.
Went down at around 11 30 meat Ron and Ann and stood in line so we could get a good seat but it was the biggest balls up you ever saw the train wasn't ready till nearly 13 00 then when it was time to board the train they said to walk around this marker then down the train, then they undid the web barrier and let everyone just go for the train.
That is when Val spat the dunny the train was delay for another 10 minutes until the conductor said we could have the rear carriage that was empty to our selves.
Problem fixed the train then departed.
It was a very good ride the views were spectacular past water falls and snow covered mountain peaks the round trip took 3.5 hours.
When we got back to the boat we went for a walk into town with its wood slatted side walks, then back to the boat where we departed at 19 00.
Len and Val
Nort to Alaska
North to Alaska
Tuesday 26th May 2015
Day 15
Juneau
Today we again docked at 06 00 in the capital of Alaska Juneau we left the boat at 10 00 for a thirty minute ride to the Mendenhall Glacier then our next stop was at the salmon hatchery and the lunch at a salmon bake off it was the best feed of fish you could have.
On the way back to the boat some of us got off the centre town where Ron Nick and myself went to the Red Dog Saloon with saw dust on the floor and just like it was in the gold rush days.
Back to the boat and departed at 17 00.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Monday 25th May 2015
Day 14
At Sea
We sailed all night and docked at Ketchikan at 06 00. In the 1800s it was a logging and gold mining
town but today it relies on tourism we had to be back on the boat by 13 30 for a 1600 departure.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Sunday 24th May 2015
Day 13
Vancouver
Today was a lay in for we did not have to leave our hotel till 10 00 as we where not booked to board our ship the Grand Princess till 12 00all went smooth thru U.S Customs and emigration on to the boat cabins ready after the safety drill we departed on time at 16 00.
Len and Val
Friday, 22 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Saturday 23rd May 2015
Day 12
Vancouver
Today started with a walking Breakfast tour. Starting off with a stop at a restaurant where we had a croissant, then half a block for a coffee, then another block for eggs benedict and chocolate. We were not that impressed.
It was then back on to the bus where we went to Stanley Park to see the totem poles. Then to Grandville Island, what used to be a industrial site, but now a market and a trendy residential area for lunch.
Then back to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon was our own.
At 19 00 dinner at the hotel again we were not impressed have had a lot better meal and had to pay for our drinks Evergreen have not given us one drink.
Len and Val
Saturday 23rd May 2015
Day 12
Vancouver
Today started with a walking Breakfast tour. Starting off with a stop at a restaurant where we had a croissant, then half a block for a coffee, then another block for eggs benedict and chocolate. We were not that impressed.
It was then back on to the bus where we went to Stanley Park to see the totem poles. Then to Grandville Island, what used to be a industrial site, but now a market and a trendy residential area for lunch.
Then back to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon was our own.
At 19 00 dinner at the hotel again we were not impressed have had a lot better meal and had to pay for our drinks Evergreen have not given us one drink.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Friday 21st May 2015
Day 11
Kamloops to Vancouver
We departed Kamloops at 07 50 leaving the Canadian Rockies behind and also the Canadian Pacific Railways and travelled on the Pacific National rail lines. On the Rocky Mountaineer following the Thompson River and through the Fraser Valley arriving in Vancouver at 17 15
Len and Val
Friday 21st May 2015
Day 11
Kamloops to Vancouver
We departed Kamloops at 07 50 leaving the Canadian Rockies behind and also the Canadian Pacific Railways and travelled on the Pacific National rail lines. On the Rocky Mountaineer following the Thompson River and through the Fraser Valley arriving in Vancouver at 17 15
Len and Val
north to Alaska
North to Alaska
20th of may 2015
Day 10
Banff to Kamloops
Today was the first of our two day train ride. We departed at 08 00 on time, we were in the gold leaf carriage the service and food where second to none.
The ride to Kamloops was something to be remember from following the river low in the valley's one minute to going high around a mountain then back down through the spiral tunnels.
Arriving at Kamloops at 17 30.
20th of may 2015
Day 10
Banff to Kamloops
Today was the first of our two day train ride. We departed at 08 00 on time, we were in the gold leaf carriage the service and food where second to none.
The ride to Kamloops was something to be remember from following the river low in the valley's one minute to going high around a mountain then back down through the spiral tunnels.
Arriving at Kamloops at 17 30.
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 9
Banff
Today was a day of leisure with a lay-in until 09 00. Breakfast and then out for a helicopter ride over the Rockie Mountains and what a ride it was. Flying close to snow covered peaks and glaciers as high as 11000 feet. Down below there were sapphire blue lakes. This was the best 30 minute ride anyone could ever do.
Then it was back to town for a walk and shopping. Then we finished off with a few drinks with our fellow travellers.
Len and Val
Day 9
Banff
Today was a day of leisure with a lay-in until 09 00. Breakfast and then out for a helicopter ride over the Rockie Mountains and what a ride it was. Flying close to snow covered peaks and glaciers as high as 11000 feet. Down below there were sapphire blue lakes. This was the best 30 minute ride anyone could ever do.
Then it was back to town for a walk and shopping. Then we finished off with a few drinks with our fellow travellers.
Len and Val
Monday, 18 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 8
18th May 2015
Lake Louise to Bamff
On the road at 08 00 with our first stop at with our first stop 25 minutes down the road at Emerald Lake where we had a 30 minute before our second stop at the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park a rock formation over a small water fall.
It was then a hour drive into Bamff where we went to Sulphur Mountain for a 15 minute chair lift ride to the top for views of the Rocky Mountain that were unbelievable and the highest we get at 2451mts above sea level.
Then a short ride around town to see the sights before checking into our hotel at 16 15.
Len and Val
Day 8
18th May 2015
Lake Louise to Bamff
On the road at 08 00 with our first stop at with our first stop 25 minutes down the road at Emerald Lake where we had a 30 minute before our second stop at the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park a rock formation over a small water fall.
It was then a hour drive into Bamff where we went to Sulphur Mountain for a 15 minute chair lift ride to the top for views of the Rocky Mountain that were unbelievable and the highest we get at 2451mts above sea level.
Then a short ride around town to see the sights before checking into our hotel at 16 15.
Len and Val
Sunday, 17 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
17th May 2015
Day 7
Jasper to Lake Louise (via the Columbia Ice Fields)
Today's ride was nothing short of vision overload we left our hotel at 08 00 with the first stop at Maligne Canyon with a short walk around the canyon and a quick talk on how to identify some of the animals we may happen to see today.
Our next spot was only 20 minutes down the road to the Athabascas Falls, it was then a one hour to the Columbia Ice Fields North Americas largest sub-polar ice pack where we boarded a mighty Ice Explorer for a journey onto the 300 - metre thick Athabasca Glacier.
After a lunch break our last stop was at Bow lake which is still frozen over and the Bow Glacier.
It was then to our hotel for the night The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Canada's Diamond in the Wilderness a stunning and historic property.( when the computer starts talking to the camera I will be posting photos)
17th May 2015
Day 7
Jasper to Lake Louise (via the Columbia Ice Fields)
Today's ride was nothing short of vision overload we left our hotel at 08 00 with the first stop at Maligne Canyon with a short walk around the canyon and a quick talk on how to identify some of the animals we may happen to see today.
Our next spot was only 20 minutes down the road to the Athabascas Falls, it was then a one hour to the Columbia Ice Fields North Americas largest sub-polar ice pack where we boarded a mighty Ice Explorer for a journey onto the 300 - metre thick Athabasca Glacier.
After a lunch break our last stop was at Bow lake which is still frozen over and the Bow Glacier.
It was then to our hotel for the night The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Canada's Diamond in the Wilderness a stunning and historic property.( when the computer starts talking to the camera I will be posting photos)
Saturday, 16 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 6
Saturday 16th May 2015
Sun Peaks to Jasper
After yesterday ride Whistler to Sun Peaks it was another early start leaving our hotel at 08 00 with a two hour ride to our first stop at Dutch Lake picnic ground having morning tea and a comfort stop at the Painted Tortoise.
It was then we were rewarded with astounding views as we reach the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, weaving through thick forests and past meandering rivers high mountains and ice age glaciers.
With a photo stop at the beginning of Mount Robson National park and then a 20 minute ride to lunch and with our first time zone change it was into Alberta for a short ride into Jasper a walk around town booking into your hotel, and then dinner Val had rib eye stake while I had rainbow trout a good choice,
Day 6
Saturday 16th May 2015
Sun Peaks to Jasper
After yesterday ride Whistler to Sun Peaks it was another early start leaving our hotel at 08 00 with a two hour ride to our first stop at Dutch Lake picnic ground having morning tea and a comfort stop at the Painted Tortoise.
It was then we were rewarded with astounding views as we reach the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, weaving through thick forests and past meandering rivers high mountains and ice age glaciers.
With a photo stop at the beginning of Mount Robson National park and then a 20 minute ride to lunch and with our first time zone change it was into Alberta for a short ride into Jasper a walk around town booking into your hotel, and then dinner Val had rib eye stake while I had rainbow trout a good choice,
Friday, 15 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 5
Friday 16th May 2015
It was a 07 00 breakfast and on the bus at 08 00 leaving Whistler and heading for Sun Peaks along the scenic Duffy Lake road with thick forest and mountain views to the town of Lillooet it was lunch time and a Canadian version of and Aussie pie and sausage roll the sausage roll was close but the pie had peas and carrots.
After a one hour break our next stop was at Hat Creek Farm for a thirty minute stop then arriving at Sun Peaks ski resort at 16 00 and, a fur traders feast it was tranquil canoe paddle around Lake McKenzie.
Day 5
Friday 16th May 2015
It was a 07 00 breakfast and on the bus at 08 00 leaving Whistler and heading for Sun Peaks along the scenic Duffy Lake road with thick forest and mountain views to the town of Lillooet it was lunch time and a Canadian version of and Aussie pie and sausage roll the sausage roll was close but the pie had peas and carrots.
After a one hour break our next stop was at Hat Creek Farm for a thirty minute stop then arriving at Sun Peaks ski resort at 16 00 and, a fur traders feast it was tranquil canoe paddle around Lake McKenzie.
Thursday, 14 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 4
Thursday 14th May 2015
Vancouver to Whistler
Computer and the camera are still not talking, today was 05 45 start to the day on the bus at 08 00 for a 50 minute bus ride to the north of Vancouver Island for a ferry ride to Horseshoe bay on the mainland.
It was then a hour and a half ride to Shannon Falls for a photo shoot on the way to Whistler, another 50 minutes down the road, after checking into our hotel, Val and I and four others it was a four wheel drive to see some bears of cause in a Land Rover which we succeeded in seeing, then it was on to Alexander Falls not as high as Shannon falls only 43 Mts but a lot more water.
Getting back to our hotel The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa for dinner at 19 00.
Day 4
Thursday 14th May 2015
Vancouver to Whistler
Computer and the camera are still not talking, today was 05 45 start to the day on the bus at 08 00 for a 50 minute bus ride to the north of Vancouver Island for a ferry ride to Horseshoe bay on the mainland.
It was then a hour and a half ride to Shannon Falls for a photo shoot on the way to Whistler, another 50 minutes down the road, after checking into our hotel, Val and I and four others it was a four wheel drive to see some bears of cause in a Land Rover which we succeeded in seeing, then it was on to Alexander Falls not as high as Shannon falls only 43 Mts but a lot more water.
Getting back to our hotel The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa for dinner at 19 00.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 3
Wednesday 13 of May 2015
Today was a 07 30 rise breakfast and on the coach at 09 00 for the ride to Butchart Gardens 30 minutes north of Victoria witch used to be a old lime stone quarry of 53 ha and when the stone ran out in 1908 Jennie Butchart the wife of Robert Pim Butchart had the idea to beautify the area by making it a garden with the skilful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs trees and flowers collectedby the Butcharts during their extensive world travels, continually expanded over the years to become world famous.
The Butcharts christened their estate "Benvenuto"- Italian for "Welcome". By the 1920s more than fifty thousand people visited each year. Today The Gardens, still owned and operated by the family.
Then in the evening six of us Neville, Dawn, Bert, Lynn Val and I went out for dinner at Nautical Nellies.
Len and Val
Day 3
Wednesday 13 of May 2015
Today was a 07 30 rise breakfast and on the coach at 09 00 for the ride to Butchart Gardens 30 minutes north of Victoria witch used to be a old lime stone quarry of 53 ha and when the stone ran out in 1908 Jennie Butchart the wife of Robert Pim Butchart had the idea to beautify the area by making it a garden with the skilful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs trees and flowers collectedby the Butcharts during their extensive world travels, continually expanded over the years to become world famous.
The Butcharts christened their estate "Benvenuto"- Italian for "Welcome". By the 1920s more than fifty thousand people visited each year. Today The Gardens, still owned and operated by the family.
Then in the evening six of us Neville, Dawn, Bert, Lynn Val and I went out for dinner at Nautical Nellies.
Len and Val
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 2
Tuesday 12th of May 2015
Victoria Vancouver Island
Well my computer is suffering from jet lag and will not talk to the cameras so it looks like the only photos will be on Facebook
Today was a relaxing day we had to our selves so it was breakfast at 08 00 follow by a walk to fisherman's wharf meat Dawn and Neville who was feeding a seal when a sea gull took the fish out of Neville's hand just so happens I had the video going and got the lot.
We then got a water Taxi to down town after a walk around, we had a boat ride up the harbour to the gorge and back.
That evening it was a dinner where we meat all on the tour this is a big one there are 48 of us and all Australian.
And our tour guide is a American Kathy and she says she likes Aussie's time will tell she like Aussie humour.
Day 2
Tuesday 12th of May 2015
Victoria Vancouver Island
Well my computer is suffering from jet lag and will not talk to the cameras so it looks like the only photos will be on Facebook
Today was a relaxing day we had to our selves so it was breakfast at 08 00 follow by a walk to fisherman's wharf meat Dawn and Neville who was feeding a seal when a sea gull took the fish out of Neville's hand just so happens I had the video going and got the lot.
We then got a water Taxi to down town after a walk around, we had a boat ride up the harbour to the gorge and back.
That evening it was a dinner where we meat all on the tour this is a big one there are 48 of us and all Australian.
And our tour guide is a American Kathy and she says she likes Aussie's time will tell she like Aussie humour.
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
North to Alaska
North to Alaska
Day 1
Sydney Vancouver Victoria
It was a early start to the day the alarm sounded at 05 00 leaving Beverley and Ian's just after 06 00 the traffic was very light and Ian had us at the airport at 06 45 check in had some breakfast.
Then at 10 20 it was take off on tine for the 13 and a half hours to Vancouver with another Monday breakfast before we landed of pancakes and maple syrup landed at 07 25 local time.
It was another 3 hours forty minutes for the 20 minute flight to Victoria the capital of British Colombia.
When we arrived at our hotel Brian who we meat last year was there he gave us a 30 min drive around Victoria and showed us a some points of interest he then dropped us back at our hotel where we had a three hour sleep.
Brian and Delores Val and I went out for Dinner a short walk around town then back to our hotel for a well earn sleep.
Day 1
Sydney Vancouver Victoria
It was a early start to the day the alarm sounded at 05 00 leaving Beverley and Ian's just after 06 00 the traffic was very light and Ian had us at the airport at 06 45 check in had some breakfast.
Then at 10 20 it was take off on tine for the 13 and a half hours to Vancouver with another Monday breakfast before we landed of pancakes and maple syrup landed at 07 25 local time.
It was another 3 hours forty minutes for the 20 minute flight to Victoria the capital of British Colombia.
When we arrived at our hotel Brian who we meat last year was there he gave us a 30 min drive around Victoria and showed us a some points of interest he then dropped us back at our hotel where we had a three hour sleep.
Brian and Delores Val and I went out for Dinner a short walk around town then back to our hotel for a well earn sleep.
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