We are off to Edmonton Alberta by Greyhound Bus and then ViaRail to Toronto, Niagara Falls and Quebec City.
Cranbrook to Edmonton
Edmonton was a great surprise with the largest shopping mall we have ever been in. It had a Casino, Beach and water park, Ice skating rink, Putt Putt Golf, a large cinema and hundreds of shops. We spent the day at the Mall and caught the train to cross Canada at midnight.
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Edmonton Alberta to Toronto Ontario
The 3 day Via Rail train trip accross Canada was so much fun. The train travelled at a slow pace most of the time and sat off to the side to allow the passing of other trains that share the track so it was a very leisurely trip. We had a package deal of sleeper for 2 that included all meals. The meals were excellent with good variety, the staff were very helpful. There was a beer tasting hour held on the 1st day and entertainment on 2 of the afternoons.
We decided to train across Canada and not fly as we wanted to take in the landscape as we went, once you get past the Rocky Mountains (Edmonton is just East of the Rockies) you travel through the Prairies so the landscape is flat all the way and being winter it was all covered in snow.
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TorontoWe spent the day in Toronto and found a great food market
Toronto Tower
Ice Hocky Museum
Ken and 'the team'
Toronto to 'the mighty' Niagara Falls
We changed trains at Toronto to travel to Niagara Falls for 3 nights. Viewed the falls and caught up with old friends
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Behind Niagara Falls
Miniature Village Niagara Falls
Marie and Pete in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Ken at Niagara
Kris at Niagara
Bridge from Canada to America
View from our hotel window
Our hotel is the Tower in the centre of this photo taken from the falls
Toronto to Quebec City
We left Niagara Falls and travelled by train to Toronto to catch the train to Montreal where we changed trains from Montreal to Quebec City
Quebec City is fantastic. We were there during the winter carnaval that is held every year so it was an exciting time. Kids games areas, Snow sculptures, Ice sculptures, Sleigh rides
The hotel The Chateau Laurier Quebec is located close to the old city and the carnaval grounds so all was within walking distance.
The hotel staff spoke both French and English and happy to do either (even offered that we could try our French on them if we wanted to- ah not a good idea!!) The people there that did not speak english made every effort to communicate in a friendly welcoming manner.
There is a restaurant, bar and take-away food area attached to the hotel which made having meals very easy for us. The rooms are small but adequate.
The old city is a wonderful place to walk around in, it is steeped with history and interesting little shops. You are able to stay in the old city as most of the buildings there have been converted to small hotels or B&B's.
We took a 2 hour bus tour that took us to the old city of Quebec, Lower Quebec and the Battle fields where the French and English fought - it is now a park that is used for cross country skiing and other recreational activities.
The Winter Carnaval is held every year and attracts visitors from all over the world you can see information on the winter carnival on the link below
http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en
The city and people will be a lifelong memory for us and always be in our hearts
Please note-I have used the traditional Quebec english version of spelling 'Carnaval'
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Carnaval Puppet
Kids are strapped to the poles and have to work together to kick the soccerball - a human version of our table soccer game
Ice-race - Kids reel in the rope on the wheel and race to end
Winter Carnaval-snow slipperydip
Ken on the Ice throne at the front of Chateau Laurier
Kris at Ice Castle where Bonholme lives
Snow sculpture
Snow sculpture
Snow sculture
Snow sculpture
Kris and Ken on Sleigh ride
Sleigh ride at the Winter Carnaval
Ice sculpture
Lower Quebec
Lower Quebec
Lower Quebec
Lower Quebec
Lower Quebec
Bonholme Mascot of the Winter Carnaval
Au revoir Quebec we will miss you!
