Onto Saskatchewan
Once in Vancouver, we’ll rest for a day and take a look around this beautiful city that should leave anyone speechless. But soon we’ll need to head for Macklin to take part in the Bunnock games. 1416klm can be done easy in two days from Vancouver to Macklin via Calgary in a car, but we have other options, such as coach or train. So much to see and so much to do. Take a good long hard look at this map, because in a BLINK of an eye, we'll be there. In no time this webpage will become history as we sit in a hire car, train or bus on this very journey as TEAM AUSTRALIA. Time’ll fly and soon we'll be on Air Canada from Brisbane to Vancouver in an instant. (or Air Malaysia because their flights are super cheap now)
Vancouver1
This is just one of millions of photos of the City of Vancouver. In Aug 2016, the weather will be slightly cold, but nothing that we can't handle, after all, we’re Australian!
Vancouver2
We'll be landing into Vancouver in the early hours from the flights I looked at ( but that could change, but if we got there for the evening, look how beautiful this city is..
Vancouver3
Yeah don't ask me, I've no idea what they're doing either. But they're doing it in Vancouver.
Bus
Ok so to cover the first 1000klm to Calgary we'll need wheels. A no hassle option is by coach. The upside is, we don't need to worry about driving in a new environment right after a long flight. We can catch up on sleep. We get to meet some locals and play "Musical Chairs" as we swap seats with local folk and ask them things like " are there Elephants in Canada?" or " What Language do you they speak in this country? I can see I'll be getting kicked off during this part of the Adventure. Now the cost to Calgary is $70 per passenger ONE WAY. if there’s 4 of us, then this is not economical. A serious downer is, the lack of freedom to just pull over and see things.. We might want to have lunch at a river, or stop to buy food from a tiny country store.. So a hire car might be a better option.
Train
I love the idea of going by train. We can relax and drink in the bar located in one of the cars, or retire to a sleeper if we wish to get some rest. Perhaps the safest way of all, to travel. However there is one huge downer with this option. It might travel at night, and that means missing all those beautiful things to see.
Car
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a GREAT option for our trip from the research I've done. For 2 WEEKS, the total cost is $1440. Thats $355 per person before insurance. It seats 8 people, that means lots of room for our luggage and food and drink. “But why 2 weeks”? I hear you ask in a really nagging tone…. Simple! I wanna see ALASKA! but shhh, lets not get ahead of ourselves just yet. FOCUS! FOCUS! CAR!!! CAR!!!..
Car2
Lots of room to get things packed in this Canadian version of our Tarago. We'll need the room as we drive to Alaska! I MEAN MACKLIN! FOCUS! We are going to Macklin!
Car3
Oh man, this car is HUGE!.. We can leave the back seat for sleeping.. Every Driver gets to rest a little after a drive.
Hope Map
Our first Day we'll leave the beautiful City of Vancouver and head for the tiny town of “Hope” in British Columbia. It has a population of 6500 people and from 2000-2006 the town recorded a ZERO growth in population. Yet this little town is very famous. In the movie RAMBO the first in the series starring Sylvester Stallone, it is in this tiny town he walks into on the opening scene. The distance is 151klm and we should do that in no time. Nice place to stop and have something to eat.
Hope Forest
This photo is taken as you drive into the Hope township. It appears we'll be seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable.
Kamloops
In the city of Kamloops where the population is 85,000 and a further 200klm drive from Hope, We’ll stop and have a coffee and stretch our legs. Why not I say? this is OUR adventure and we can do what ever we want. This place was first settled by “First Nation” people under the command of a Chief called Yawassannay. They Came, and they settled because the land was good. I’ll be interested to find out what happened to the people of the land once Europeans came and settled. Did they co-exist? or did the same thing happen to them, as our natives in Australia?
Kamloops Pic
Revelstoke
With Kamloops behind us, its 212klm to the little town of Revelstoke where the population is just 7000. The town was founded by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Its original name was “ Second Crossing”.. then it was named Farwell after a wealthy landowner and surveyor. The motto of the City to Revelstoke is “ Work hard, Play hard”.. I love it.
Revelstoke
Another beautiful image. How can you not be in love with Canada so far?
Calgary Map
408 klm onwards and we hit the City that became famous for its 1988 Winter Olympics. What a wonderful year it was too! I had just joined the RAAF. After 1000klm in the car, lets celebrate in this beautiful town that is known for its amazing night life. Lets go out and drink to our first amazing day seeing Canada like the true adventurers we are.
Calgary1
Just a beautiful winter city.
Calgary2
Here you go, this image backs up my statement! they Do have a great nightlife in Canada.
Hotel Calgary
Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre does these rooms for $120 a night. I am sure we can do cheaper.. but this is 3 stars.. There will be plenty of camping under the stars in days to follow, so enjoy this last night of rest in a hotel.
Macklin Map
446 klm to the tiny town of Macklin, What can I say? this is the place where we'll be making life long friends and calling home for a few days as we play Bunnock.. its a weekend of awesome fun, with live music, parades, games, presentations, and a gala ball at the end to allow us to dance with all the other people who lost the 2016 games to Team Australia! Lets do a repeat of the “America’s Cup” and take their trophy!.. Remember OUR motto “ WORK HARD, CHEAT HARDER”
Macklin1
This is Summer in Macklin, and exactly what waits for us when we get there. How awesome is this?
training
Once we've got into the town, it serious business with everyone training for the big game, and they train hard.
Training2
There are some teams who have come from Europe to take part in this event, and its our duty to our nation to try and beat them at this game. We might want to study the rules before we leave Vancouver so we don't look like complete idiots.
Training3
This is Jill. She's from Canada, and she does one on one coaching to help with your skill level. I “personally” will need lots and lots of hours with her in “training”. Lots of hours… late at night even… perhaps over night,, you know, THIS is a sign of how committed i am to training! THIS IS WHAT I DO FOR OUR NATION!.. what will YOU do? because its not about what your nation can do for you, but what YOU can do for your nation! I Can't wait to train!..