Journey to Jasper, in style!

The hotel shuttle delivered me to the Central Pacific station a little early and there appeared to be a few people already waiting. However I checked in my luggage and was directed to priority check in, just the first of many treats of being in Prestige class. Í chose my dining sitting when they asked if I was willing to join a group of three.  What an interesting group they turned out to be.
I then waited in the priority lounge until we were taken personally to our berths on the train and given a conducted tour of the facilities. Neat and perfectly formed is how I would describe it, with a pull down double bed, which was organised for me, an ensuite complete with hairdryer and toiletries and a TV which appeared not to work as there was no signal on our journey! I think I was supposed to have stuff on my devices and partner it up!

Despite the comparative luxury none of us slept that well as the carriages tended to rock and roll and creak and there were some stops for other trains and a scheduled stop at Kamloops around midnight. Once we had boarded we were taken to the lounge and panoramic car and plied with champagne and canapes. The fully stocked bar and a range of snacks was at our disposal. However given the adequacy of our meals, I'm not sure much will go.   I had a salad, trout and cheesecake with raspberries or dinner and for breakfast pecan and banana pancakes, and there were three which came with bacon and fruit.

I'd better tell Patrick to plan long walks and no food after my three day trip next week! Finding my way along the corridor was fun, like one of those films where people are chasing one another, except you can't actually get outside to run along the roof!

Talking of breakfast I made a boo boo. We moved into Alberta overnight and hence into a new time zone.   I clearly didn't listen last night, and having fallen asleep just after 8pm, when I woke up I just added on the hour. So I arrived at breakfast at 5.30, we were supposed to leave our watches till after breakfast!

Mind you if I walk up and down the length of the train it would be about a mile and a half, so that could be my exercise.  I think there are three prestige coaches, some with little cabins and then the curtsained booths with bunks, a huge dining car and some activity cars where there is music.

The journey out of Vancouver was damp but we soon moved into more mountainous and forested terrain. By this morning it was much more remote and the weather was better. There were very occasional trading posts and a lot of trees.

The train staff anounced the significant landmarks. And to my surprise we arrived in Jasper an hour early.  

I will miss my travelling companions, Gwen 89, Don 92 and their son Brian 69.  They lived in a rural area but had lived in the Yukon. They had been a gold and gem mining family and had run a jewellery business. They gave a piece of jade, and Brian will be in touch. He was interested in my project.  Had described himself as an explorer and adventurer amongst other things.

In Jasper,  I was greeted off the train by a little shuttle, even if they were looking for Mr and Mrs Biggs! I was delivered to the station entrance, luggage collected and the hotel shuttle summoned to collect me, plus instructions for next week's boarding was explained.

At 10 am my room wasn't ready, so I checked my notes, decanted things to my day pack and headed for the skytram with the hotels's instructions.

Although Jasper was comfortable, it was quite chilly at the top, but I had a lovely time perusing the peaks and having lunch in the restaurant at the top.

After my return it was a swim and soak in the Jacuzzi, then a trip to shop for tea, a refreshing change to have something simple.

My evening glass of wine was free, as I stood patiently waiting and the restaurant manager felt suitably embarrassed to recompense me! So far Jasper's fine, a little town surrounded by mountains.