3/27/2013
Considered one of the most epic and
scenic train journeys in the world, the Great Canadian train is
supposed to rival the India Pacific train in Australia and even the Trans-Siberian Express.
Although not as strenuously long as the trans-Siberian and with far
less working class, vodka marinated Russians... well so far there
have been none... the journey across Canada should prove interesting
enough.
I was initially forced to rethink how
to get back across Canada due to a rideshare issue. I was able to
pick up a seat saver train ticket for about a quarter of the regular
price. So I said, “why not?, I'm planning on doing some other train
journeys, might as-well do Canadas epic journey”.
At three and a half days and 4,466km from
Vancouver to Toronto some would see this as a strenuous marathon, or
a boring and cramped mode of transport, but I saw it as an opportunity to see something different, relax and travel stress free.
It gives me time to think, write and certainly reflect on the past 6
months in Vancouver and the future of my travels.
I caught the train at Vancouver’s
Pacific Central Station at 20:30 and it was smooth sailing to hop on
the train and find a seat. Seats were first come first serve, and
seeing as the train at the moment (Just past Kamloops) is only about
1/3 capacity, I took the liberty of finding myself a cozy window seat
for the journey.
Since the Canadian leaves three
times a week eastward bound and in the evening, you miss out on the Pacific Coastal mountains and wake up dozily in the dry rolling hills
of the Kamloops area. I slept through the stop at Kamloops, but from
my last time there as a kid I really don’t think I missed much.
From Kamloops it is a landscape of dry,
brown grass and burnt forests(a large portion of the forests were
burnt last summer) and the train slowly works its way along the
Thompson River. The mountains start to take on a more peak-ly,
Rockies form, snow starts to appear along the tracks and it is no
longer quite as dry as Kamloops.
It is about 8:30 in the morning and we
are in this mountain transformation zone as I earlier
described... Landscape is changing and the weather is beautiful.
Forgive me but for the interests of the reader, I am going to flash
some photos. I think I am sitting on the wrong side(right hand side
of the train).
10:15
Well Breakfast is all wrapped up here,
and now I am just sitting and writing in the bubble viewing platform
which is very neat. The mountains are starting to take on a more
rugged and erosion defined look, the river valley is starting to
narrow and snow is all around us. Snowy peaks can be seen off to the
East as the train winds along the valley floor.
I am not sure what side of the train I
should sit on for the best views rolling into Jasper, but I will try
and stay on the same side that the river is on. The reason for this
is that the best views are the ones where the tree cover gives way to
excellent views across the valleys.
I woke up this morning and decided to
venture to the dining car for some breakfast. Half expecting over
priced fare with a distinct airplane food taste I was pleasantly
surprised to find that not only was the quality great, but the prices
weren't as bad as I thought. It is certainly no Bonn's off Broadway
but this is a VIA train, not East Van.
With the menu small they are able to
carve out a pretty nice fare. Of course there is your standard
breakfast special aptly named “The Trans-Continental” (12$),
what I decided to go with to play it safe. As well on the menu you
will find the Chefs Omelet, this morning filled with tomatos and feta
cheese (12$), French Toast (12$) baked with a berry sauce and fruit
on the side, and for the meager breakfast diner there is a
Continental Breakfast(9$) that is essentially oatmeal, bagel and I
think some yogurt.
I will skip lunch as I am on a tight
budget but I will see what dinner has to offer. The below image is the viewing car aboard 'The Canadian'
20:30
Its night and we have entered into the
the less than exiting part of he journey, the rolling hills of
central Alberta. It was a great day all in all with what I think will
be the climax of the journey, a 45 minute segment of spectacular
views east of Jasper. There are some really special and epic views
that I really hope my photography does justice.
I've unfortunately forgotten my camera
charger back in Vancouver and to buy a new one in Jasper would have
cost me $70.00. So the rest of my journey after my battery dies will
be pictures taken on my iPhone.
The train stopped in Jasper which was nice and we were able to grab some food at the grocery store and some beer at the liquor store. On the topic of alcoholic beverages on VIA Rail, I might point out for future travelers that Booze is NOT allowed on the train... I was about 2 and a half beers in when one of the stewards confiscated my beer and a new friends beer(still get it back in Toronto but its still a pain in the ass).
The train stopped in Jasper which was nice and we were able to grab some food at the grocery store and some beer at the liquor store. On the topic of alcoholic beverages on VIA Rail, I might point out for future travelers that Booze is NOT allowed on the train... I was about 2 and a half beers in when one of the stewards confiscated my beer and a new friends beer(still get it back in Toronto but its still a pain in the ass).
It is strange though because we were
convincingly informed by some of our fellow travelers that departed
the train at Jasper that we could drink beer aboard. As well I tried
to check on the internet to find some sort of policy, but I could not
find anything aside from 'No Smoking' rules.
I have met a few cool friends aboard
the train now and all of them are 4:20 friendly... as I discovered on
the stop in Jasper. No regrets that we did so before the best 45
minuted of the journey.
I have decided not to eat dinner at the
restaurant tonight, but possibly tomorrow night I will.
This will likely be my last
correspondence today, good night from about 2 hours west of Edmonton.W
