From the Pacific to the Atlantic - Crossing Canada by Train
2 October - 5 November 2024

Canada 2024
2 October 2024: Day 1

Auckland to Vancouver

Introduction

Going east across the Pacific makes for a very long day. We left home mid-afternoon, flew to Auckland and then flew 13 hours to Vancouver. Took the train into the city and found our hotel, the St Regis, near the train station. It was STILL the 2nd of October.

We needed some exercise so walked the few blocks downhill to the old part of Vancouver, Gastown, where we re-acquainted ourselves with the Steam Clock. It was still puffing out steam, and it was still awful at keeping the time - but it does draw in the tourists. We then needed food and remembered that nearby is the aptly named but uninviting "Black Frog Pub". On the opposite corner is the Water St Cafe. It still looked a better prospect, as it did 8 years ago so in we went. The menu was the same. In fact I think the actual printed page was the same, just a bit more faded, worn and ripped. But don't be fooled, the food was as great as ever. And the waitess was from Halifax, so explained all the intricacies of the Canadian tax system - PST, HST, ALT, GST etc.