Whirlwinds and Whistler

It's been 5 days since I arrived in Canada, and I've finally had a moment I can sit down and collect my thoughts. It's been hard to keep track of so much going on, and I am only just getting off operating on NZ time. I'll try and summarise the highlights and bring you up to date, but no doubt I've forgotten things!

Day 1 - Time Travel

After a lovely afternoon with my Fiancee in Wellington and once again the weather was turned to stunning blue skies, my last meal (mince and cheese pie and cookie-time... I'm going to miss those!), and tearful goodbyes, I was struck with the sudden feeling that I will be travelling alone from here on out! Flying on the All Black A320 to Auckland was a breeze, and the blue skies provided a stunning view on the way past Mt Ruapehu.

Another stunning spring skiing day at Mt Ruapehu

Auckland airport was fairly unexciting, and with a quick burger I killed some time watching a World Touring Car Championship race. I thought I would need a book on the plane as well, and as I haven't read 'The Hobbit' yet, with the movie coming out I thought it was worth a shot. Soon it was on to the flight to Vancouver, and unfortunately I didn't get the 3 seats to myself I was hoping for. There's not much to say about the flight. Dinner and breakfast provided, with the expectation you will sleep most of the way over. The movie selection was good though.. and I managed to get a bit of sleep in, but it was mostly movies and eating to keep me entertained.. 12 and a half hours later, landing in Vancouver!

This is where the time travel kicks in.. after leaving at 8:30pm on the 31st, and flying for 12 hours I arrived in Vancouver at 1pm...  on the 31st. No troubles getting through to bags, and I met a few others who were heading to Whistler in the line for immigration. 30 minutes waiting to get through, and released into the Canadian world. I can certainly see why people think NZ is pretty strict on MAF controls. There wasn't even an X-Ray on exit.

Thankfully a couple that I met in the queue knew exactly where to go to get to the hostel. 20 minutes of un-attended train (completely automated) and I was carting 40kg+ of gear onwards, not too far which was pleasant to muscles that had been cooped up in a steel box for the better part of a day.

Welcome to the Samesun

Into the hostel it was exactly how I expected, very laid back, bar attached, 6 bunks to a room and debatable shared bathroom services. Thankfully there was free wireless available (although slow) and I was able to get in touch with home and let everyone know I had arrived safely.

Nice and easy to find

As it was Halloween, things were already getting pretty busy in the bar so I headed down to have some dinner and a much needed drink. $5 for a fish'n'chips meal and $4 for a pint and I met a couple of others who of course were travelling to the mountains. The night was a bit of a blur but somehow I managed to keep awake until 10:30, and bailed out when they decided to head for a club. Even though it was a loud night outside... I somehow managed to sleep soundly.

Day 2 - Vancouver

Morning didn't come until about 10am... I did have my alarm set for 8 so I could have breakfast, but when I woke up to the alarm that was quickly forgotten for more zzz's! Not knowing much of where to go, I took a direction (later to be found the wrong one) in search of brunch. After 20 minutes of not finding anything, subway was the only option I had found.

Back at the hostel I checked in with Jake and Julia from TWHC for my orientation, only to find that my planned casual few days were rather shortened. I had been booked on the Friday bus instead of the Saturday one, and thus only had the afternoon to sort out all my paperwork. With instructions in hand I headed off in vigour and managed to have a bank account, social insurance and cellphone all sorted within a few hours.

Back to the hostel once more, and dinner this time with the room-mate at the soon to become staple 'Warehouse' (more on this later). $4.95 for anything on the menu, you couldn't really find anything cheaper for a meal. Later at the hostel bar I met up with Chris and Kevin, 2 more rental techs and Kevin is going to be working with me at the Day Lodge. We didn't do too badly at quiz night, but didn't win anything either. All an all a very successful day.

Day 3 - Whistler here we come!

A quick hike over the Granville Street and I found myself a good deal on some North Face mid-boots to tackle the snow. I'm still debating if they are a bit too big.. but I haven't tried with thicker socks yet. Lunch once again at the Warehouse to kill some time with Kev, Chris and a couple of their room-mates and the bus was here. 

Canadian Mounted Police

Packing this bus was a unique game of tetris for which there was no way of winning, and the eventual stacking of many board and ski bags in the seats up the front of the bus. Thankfully although the morning bus was late, ours was on time and we were whisking away up the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler. I think I'm going to enjoy exploring Vancouver more... but it's going to wait for another day.

Right now is a good time to introduce you to the weather we have been having since I have arrived. You would think 'Rain' would suffice, but it really isn't the same like it is at home. There are no weather fronts that have large downpours followed by showers... here it just rains constantly for hours on end. In the drizzle you can happily walk around without a jacket, and its not an issue. Heavier downpours (like today) definitely require all the weather gear, with I think 40mm or so of rain falling today.

A stacked bus

The coast to Whistler reminded me a lot of the Milford Sounds, but without the high cliffs. I still haven't actually seen the mountain in all its glory, so it was mostly cloud with still waters and lots of pine trees. Once I have some footage together enough for a video I do have some quick clips of the trip up. 2 hours went by pretty quickly, and the Staff Housing advisers were waiting to quickly get us to our rooms.

I'm the first one to arrive for our 'apartment' which has 4 people total. One sharing a room with me, and a couple in the other. Rather than get stuck in to unpacking... I wanted to get orientated with the village so went for a walk. Meeting up with Chris we spotted what we knew.. and the Warehouse was for dinner once more! Finding some free wifi in the Village I checked in quickly with home, and then headed back. Still operating on NZ time (after managing not to get lost that much), I decided unpacking was in order and then to bed.

Days 3 - 5

Well, it's getting late and I have to be at work at 8:30 for my first day of training! Stay tuned for this update later in the week.. I promise I will get it all down on paper, and congratulations if you've managed to read to this point... it feels like a novel so far!