23rd February to 27th February / Vancouver

Saturday 23rd, slept in, did some washing and drove into the city to pick up our rail tickets for our Vancouver Island, Nanimo to Courtenay trip, Prince Rupert to Jasper trip and also booked a trip from Jasper to Kamloops. Another beautiful sunny day. We visited Granville Island and walked around the markets. Also stopped by a camping store and purchased a few more things for our trip.

Sunday 24th David and I borrowed John and Lorna's bikes and went for a ride along part of the trans Canada trail.

We later visited the Capilano suspension

bridge and the site where the 2010 winter Olympics Arials and Moguls will be run. We also went to an Ice hockey game. Vancouver Giants vs Kelowna Rockets. Rockets wone in a penalty shoot out.

Monday 25th we went to Victoria on the Ferry from Tsawwassen which is south of Vancouver. We had another fantastic day, sunny but still cold. We walked through the parliament building and the Empress hotel. We also walked through their china town. Had lunch by the water and fed some very fat harbour seals.We headed up over the Malahat mountains and caught the ferry back from Nanaimo to Horseshoe bay which is North of Vancouver.

Tuesday 26th February toured the city using public transport. We caught the sky train to New Westminster and over the Fraser river bridge then back over again and headed into the city. We caught the sea bus over to Lonsdale Quay, had lunch then back over to the city and into gas town to see and hear the steam clock chime 4 o'clock.
We took John and Lorna out to dinner at the Fish House in Stanley Park. Very nice dinner.

Wednesday 27th February, slow easy day today. We had brunch and headed off to Lynn Canyon to walk over another suspension bridge.

Today was our first rainy day but it did not stop us getting out and about. We then went to Deep Cove which is a small North Vancouver suburb like a little country town. Headed back to Lorna and John's for a coffee and cake and to dry off in front of the fire. Last nights dinner was finished off with chocolate fondue and champage. Excellent way to finish off a fantastic 2 weeks.

18th - 22nd February Whistler, Canada

On Monday we all skiied a full day at Whistler. The snow cover was fantastic. We had an excellent day under suny blue skies. We ended the day in Dublin Gate Irish pub and a few Guiness'
Another sunny day on Tuesday so we took the oportunity to ski on both Whistler and Blackcomb.

Again aswome skiing. I (Catriona) even managed to ski a black diamond run with John. It was great to have John and Lorna showing us around their mountain runs. (We also watched a few practice runs of the womens downhill as the world cup is being run here over the week.)
Had an easy day Wednesday sleeping in until 9am and walking around the Village shops and some snow trails. Caught the gondola up to the tube park at Balckcomb, 3 Aussie girls hopped on with us and 2 of them were so excited as they had just arrived to get some work and stay there for the next six months.

Thursday we headed up to watch some of the World Cup racing. The mens Super G was on and we cheered on Craig Branch (51st out of 67) with our Flag

and some cow bells we managed to be given from the sponsor. Chris called and could hear all the cow bells being rung in the background. It was very exciting and very loud. Did some more sight seeing in the afternoon and that night watched Cannucks beat Nashville 3-2.

Friday we went into the village and got some free Presidents Choice breakfast then went to watch the womens downhill. No Aussies in this race but we cheered and rang our bells for everyone. We headed back to Vancouver stopping off at Horseshoe bay for a look at the ferry we will be catching to Vancouver Island next week. John and Lorna then drove us around the exclusive properties around North Vancouver and we also stopped in at Mountain Equipment Co-op to buy a water filter and other outdoor equipment for our South American trip.

16th & 17th February Vancouver to Whistler

We woke up at 10am had breakfast and set off for a sightseeing drive around Vancouver. 1st crossed Second Narrows Bridge then along Trans Canada Hwy over Capilano River, then Lions Gate Bridge, around Stanley Park where we saw some Totem poles and views back to the city. We then drove through the city and around the Uni of BC and past many log booms in the river. Next we drove up to Steveston which is Canadas largest fishing port to have a lunch of fish & chips.
That night we watched the Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers. Vancouver won 4-2.

Sunday we headed off for Whistler along the Sea to Sky highway (amazing views along the way)as it was forcast to be a sunny day on Monday. We stopped off along the way to look at Shannons Falls, a view of the Tantalus ranges, the sight of the new 2010 winter olympics 70m and 90m ski jumps. We also visited a 2nd hand shop and picked up some bargain ski wear. David and I both got new ski jackets, polar fleece vests and a ski shirt for under $100.

Friday 15th February / Sydney to Vancouver

Exciting start to our trip we got to the check in counter to find I (Cat) was not booked on the the flight. (The computer said no) We managed to sort it out and 3 flights and 26 hours later we made it to Vancouver, Canada. We had no troubles at all through the US customs etc. at either L.A. or Dallas. Dallas is a huge airport with 5 Terminals and an electric sky train with no driver.

John and Lorna were at the airport to greet us. We went back to thier house for a late dinner and a couple of drinks before getting some sleep.

One More day to go

Well we are all packed. And ready to set off into the wild blue yonder.

The house is in hibernation and all being well Chris will manage to look after it.

For me the excitement only hit on Tuesday night after my final yoga class. David had been getting excited all week as work started to back off.

We have had a last minute flurry of people contacting us to say bon voyage which is nice.

Only one more sleep here at Mums and then it is off to the airport tomorrow at 8am for our 12pm flight.

Here is a rough itinery David put together.

Catriona and David's Round The World Tour
It all starts on Friday 15th February 2008.
Sydney to Vancouver via LA and Dallas Fort Worth arrive Friday, February 15, 2008 7:25 PM.
Staying with our friends John & Lorna. They plan to show us around Vancouver.

Skiing with John and Lorna at Whistler Blackcomb
At this stage plan to leave for Victoria on 28th February
Ferry Port Hardy to Prince Rupert over 1st - 2nd March
Train Prince Rupert to Jasper 5/6th March.
Travel through the Rockies
Skiing at Sun Peaks (near Kamloops), Lake Louise and Banff
Calgary to Las Vegas via Dallas Fort Worth. 17th March.
Accommodation - Casino Royale in the strip. Visit to all the large Casinos
Renew our wedding vows in chapel of love with Elvis on 18th March. (10 years in the planning!)
Las Vegas to Miami 20-21st March
Drive to Visit Key West, Everglades National Park, Kennedy Space Centre, St Augustine
Miami to Rio de Janeiro 28-29th March
GAP tour 31st March - 21st June
Start in Rio, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Equador
Quito to Easter Island via Santiago 23-24th June
Time out at Easter Island checking out the giant stone monoliths, known as Moai
Easter Island to Santiago 28th June
Stop over in Santiagi before connecting flight to Madrid the next day
Santiago to Madrid 29th June - 30 June
Stop over in Madrid, 5 days - sight see of the city, architecture, visit El Prado Museum, cafés and night life
Madrid to Dublin 4th July
8 day All Ireland rocker with Shamrocker
Visit Blarney Castle, Killarney, Blasket Islands, Galway, Westport, Derry, Belfast and Dublin
Drinking lots of Guinness
Dublin to London 14th July
Staying with our friends Robert & Elisabeth in London for a couple of days.

Then meeting Tim Court in London (who is kindly minding our new folding touring bikes - Dahon Speed TR)
Thames Valley cycle tour (Putney Bridge to Oxford) & part of Severn & Thames (Newbury to Gloucester)
London to Paris 26th July
Accommodation in Paris - Hotel Balladins Epinay. 3 days to see the main sights of the city
Watch end of "Le Tour dr France 2008"
Paris to London 29th July
Travelling by bike, through the Cotswolds then Wales, then up to the Lakes District.
Travel along Hadrians cycleway then up the Coast and Castles cycleway to Scotland.
Scotland 23rd - 27th August
5 day compass buster tour of Scotland with Haggis Tours
Travelling by bike, make our way bank down to London.
Meet up with friends in Brighton and Bournemouth
London to Bangkok 9th September
Stop over in Phi Phi, 4 days on island.
Bangkok to Sydney arrive Tuesday September 16, 2008 6:05 AM