Lets back track a bit and I'll fill you in about our time in Vancouver. We got off the plane and made our way through customs and immigration which took a couple of hours due to stupid people... long story. In short non-english speaking individuals were the main hold up. We met some other Aussie's in the immigration line they got jobs through the same company as us but going to a different mountain, Sunshine, just outside Banff. We caught a train with a girl we met, Callie, she's only 18 and this is her first big adventure anywhere from home. The train took about 30 mins and took us through the outer suburbs of Vancouver. We met a guy who talked us through some of the scenery. One thing that we couldn't understand was these big tree logs in the rivers. They guy explained that logging companies keep the hardwood logs in the river to free up land space. We thought the wood would rot or get water logged but apparently not because its fresh water and this prevents rotting.
We arrived at our station and walked a few blocks to the Samesun hostel. We checked in, lugged our bags up 3 flights of stairs and settled in to our room consisting of 4 bunks and one pot smelling roommate. We headed out to the Beaver bar at the hostel for a bite to eat and a drink with everyone on our flight. Some great friendships were formed which I am sure we will keep. I became Mumma Bear and 6 amazing days in Vancouver followed. We shopped, we drank, we ate interesting food and we did some sight seeing. We went to a WHL (Western Hockey League) game, the U20's, which was awesome. Gave us a bit of an insight into the game before we see an NHL game, we hope to see a Vancouver Canucks hockey (not ice hockey FYI) game.
Vancouver is such a pretty city, just talking about it doesn't give it any justice. The only thing that I was surprised about was the homelessness. It's so in your face particularly the area the hostel was in. There is a law that prevents homeless people from harassing you for money. They can only ask you once for something and then they have to move on. Vancouver is apparently the warmest city so it brings the homeless in droves. Also apparently they have recently closed several mental health facilities with nowhere to place these patient's so they have ended up on the streets.
We spent one day sight seeing around Stanley Park which was so beautiful. Pity about the Fog. This park had so many amazing autumn colours and great views of the city. We peddled round on our hire bikes, stopped at a nice little restaurant for lunch and then continued to peddle around the park before heading back to the hostel. Even got to see a couple of black and grey squirrels.
We hope to get back to Vancouver and do some more touristy things, 6 days is not enough.
We packed up our new snow gear, our bags (again) and headed for the greyhound bus terminal and finally the Rocky Mountains and Whistler. After a dispute about our tickets with the bus driver we were finally on the road and heading up the mountains. The fog in Vancouver was really thick but as we headed out of Vancouver and up the mountains we broke through the fog and it was a blanket of white and we could now see the mountains.........Speechless.. Snow capped mountains with glistening lakes and tiny towns along the way before reaching our destination. WHISTLER....Breathtaking..
Too busy to take in the fantastic scenery at this point we headed to housing to organise our home for the next sixth months. We moved into our nifty little two bedroom unit overlooking rainbow mountain on the fourth floor of our housing building. With some re-arranging of mattresses and beds ready for sleep and unpacking our bags we then headed into the village to check it out and do some shopping.
We collected groceries strolled around and headed home to relax and prepare for exploring over the next five days before Maddie starts work on Monday the 28th.
Over the next five days we have explored Whistler and it's surroundings taking in the amazing and speechless scenery. The Mountains and hills continue long into the distance, the creeks have an amazing blue/grey glow to them, and as they say in the movie "The Castle"..... Ah the serenity. So quite currently before the winter hits, cause when it does, it's gonna get crazy.
During the week we spent the time to get to know how apartment building by taking part in a Turkey Dinner and pumpkin carving. Through this we met two Kiwi's Lucas and Lauren. The next day we watched our first Skeleton competition (crazy bastards) at the Whistler sliding centre and went walking around Lost Lake. We stopped at a local cafe to grab a hot chocolate when a tiny black bear strolled onto one of the paths (much to Andy's delight! thats all he's talked about since we arrived). Although, Andy may have ventured a little to close to this bear. We were informed that as this particular bear had been relocated once already and was becoming a little to familiar with humans. If the bears keep coming to close to the village after relocation they are sadly put to sleep. At least now we know....
So it's starting to get colder and hopefully the snow will fall soon. For us snow=work, so bring on the snow and an epic winter...
Love Maddie and Andy
We spent one day sight seeing around Stanley Park which was so beautiful. Pity about the Fog. This park had so many amazing autumn colours and great views of the city. We peddled round on our hire bikes, stopped at a nice little restaurant for lunch and then continued to peddle around the park before heading back to the hostel. Even got to see a couple of black and grey squirrels.
We hope to get back to Vancouver and do some more touristy things, 6 days is not enough.
We packed up our new snow gear, our bags (again) and headed for the greyhound bus terminal and finally the Rocky Mountains and Whistler. After a dispute about our tickets with the bus driver we were finally on the road and heading up the mountains. The fog in Vancouver was really thick but as we headed out of Vancouver and up the mountains we broke through the fog and it was a blanket of white and we could now see the mountains.........Speechless.. Snow capped mountains with glistening lakes and tiny towns along the way before reaching our destination. WHISTLER....Breathtaking..
Too busy to take in the fantastic scenery at this point we headed to housing to organise our home for the next sixth months. We moved into our nifty little two bedroom unit overlooking rainbow mountain on the fourth floor of our housing building. With some re-arranging of mattresses and beds ready for sleep and unpacking our bags we then headed into the village to check it out and do some shopping.
We collected groceries strolled around and headed home to relax and prepare for exploring over the next five days before Maddie starts work on Monday the 28th.
Over the next five days we have explored Whistler and it's surroundings taking in the amazing and speechless scenery. The Mountains and hills continue long into the distance, the creeks have an amazing blue/grey glow to them, and as they say in the movie "The Castle"..... Ah the serenity. So quite currently before the winter hits, cause when it does, it's gonna get crazy.
During the week we spent the time to get to know how apartment building by taking part in a Turkey Dinner and pumpkin carving. Through this we met two Kiwi's Lucas and Lauren. The next day we watched our first Skeleton competition (crazy bastards) at the Whistler sliding centre and went walking around Lost Lake. We stopped at a local cafe to grab a hot chocolate when a tiny black bear strolled onto one of the paths (much to Andy's delight! thats all he's talked about since we arrived). Although, Andy may have ventured a little to close to this bear. We were informed that as this particular bear had been relocated once already and was becoming a little to familiar with humans. If the bears keep coming to close to the village after relocation they are sadly put to sleep. At least now we know....
So it's starting to get colder and hopefully the snow will fall soon. For us snow=work, so bring on the snow and an epic winter...
Love Maddie and Andy
. We then fly home to Tassie for a quick goodbye. 7th-11th October in Launceston and 11th-15th in Hobart. We hope to as many people as we can please don’t be to sad if we don’t see you. But please if you have any time for a catch up in either places please get in touch! We will have a catch up dinner and drinks in both places so please come along.