Dibbo's and Trotty Trips

FTC

We have had a few poor attempts at guessing the acronym for FTC and what FTC is! So we will need to give out a few clues.

C is for = companion

FTC is in several photos on the blog site, including this installment.

Idiot: please keep trying, your getting warmer (you fool), try to get help from some of the other intelligent men’s 5th players.

Tuesday 13/6

Another sleep in - Great - me up at 9 and down to send the last email and Blog spot (some good photos - check it out). It looks like Dibbo has somehow lost a week of photos - lucky I took much the same shots. Today on the road to Quebec (highway 401 - Lynne driving). Good road at least 2lanes each way - trucks everywhere. Stopped at Kingston for a look around and lunch - I got a haircut for $10 - a number 2. Then back on the road -we are driving beside the St Lawrence River (seaway) and the Thousand Islands Parkway. We kept going past Montreal (we are now in the heart of the French area of Canada - enough said - well not really, France would be one place I probably wouldn't go back to - even if the Tour De France was on Al), and stopped at St Hyacinthe and found a motel just off the highway -not bad $80 a night and has free internet/PC in the room. Off next door to pool hall/bar for a few and then to Tim Hutton’s (a chain take away like MacDonalds - except its more coffee/sandwiches) for dinner - we had Wraps and BLTs. Back to room and watched TV - everyone is speaking French - but the people have been very friendly and helpful (must be the Canadian blood coming through). Early night.

Wednesday 14/6

Lynne and Dibbo up before me and next door for the $3.29 breakfast -apparently good value and big feed - eggs, toast, jam, beans and hash browns. I slept in and then got on the internet and found that the 2ndState of Origin (Rugby League) in Queensland was still being played - we got a progressive score of 20-0 and then the final of 30-6 - go the Maroons. On the road just after 9.30 and to Quebec City about 2 hours later. We are staying east of the city at Beaumont - we got maps, etc from an Info centre. Got our accommodation and then got a taxi back into the city centre - a $15taxi fare. We spent the rest of the day in the city walking around looking at the sights. We went to the Notre Dame Cathedral, did a tour of the Citadel and the old city fortifications - both very good and gave a good history of the town and area. The town started as French, then British(they did a deal with them whereby they could keep their French culture but still be part of the British Empire - the Americans weren't impressed as the British didn't offer them the same deal) and finally part of Canada(although they have tried to change this a few times). We did lunch at an Irish Bar (which is what you do when you are French Canada) and a few beers to replenish the batteries. We then walked around the lower town and battlements - the lower town is full of the typical tourist shops - still a nice area. Got a taxi back to our motel around 6pm and off in car to the waterfall just down the road - its claim to fame (besides being quite a nice spot) is that its higher than Niagara. Did the photo thing and Dibbo went close to falls and got the spray thing happening. Back to the motel - via a grog shop - which was actually just a corner store that sold everything. I got 3 x 1.2 liters of beer for $4 each. Dibbo asked for a bag of ice - the lady had no idea what the word Ice was - eventually with a bit of pointing and actually getting the bag - she understood. We then did a drive around (me driving) looking for a pub or somewhere to have dinner. Eventually found a place called St Hubert's - another chain store thing - they specialise in chicken dishes. Lynne ordered a vodka lemonade and got some type of red/orange juice drink - later she ordered a Sangria and got margarita - we all had small meals as we had had lunch at 3pm - the service here was shit - we left a very small tip (nothing in fact). Back to the motel and caught game 5 of the Ice Hockey Stanley Cup - Oilers eventually won4-3 in overtime - this now makes the series 3-2 to the Hurricanes. All in bed by midnight - another great day - the weather was hot and sunny -probably close to high 20 C's.

Thursday 15/6

All slept in until 8.30 and off thru Quebec province to New Brunswick - we stopped just over the border at the Info centre - a good one with plenty of info and friendly staff. We stopped at the Grand Falls - not bad and had lunch overlooking a river - Burger King today. Then to Hartland with the world’s longest covered bridge - over 300 meters long - very interesting I hear you think - well there are plenty more in the areas we are going for the next week - stay tuned for more. Then onto Fredrickson (Glenn driving)and a quick look at the historic centre of town - most things closed now as its late in the day - this is all an old English area. Found a motel across the river - not bad - $80. Had a quick drink or 2 in the room and off back down the road a few Kms to the Crossed Cannon pub. Huge meals - I had fish and chips - OK for $10, Glenn got Mussels (must have got 30 or 40 of them) for $8 and Lynne had a Scottish pie (which there were 2 of) for $8. A lot of people taking home doggie bags - not us we ate the lot. Back to the motel and watched a bit of TV and a few more drinks - all asleep by 11.30.

Friday 16/6

Up and away at 8 (Lynne driving). Another great day - sun shinning and a max of 20 - 25C. Apparently it has been raining in this area for 3/4 weeks solid and only cleared up yesterday - they have more than 6 times their June average in the first 2 weeks of June. Still driving East - thru Moncton and into Nova Scotia - stopped at the border at another good Info centre - then off down highway 104 and across to Cape Breton Island - you go over a manmade causeway that has a canal built into it for ships to go thru. Most of the ships near here look like they are loading dirt and gravel???. We found a supermarket and grog shop near here and got supplies and to a park near the causeway for lunch. The grog shop is the best so far - a huge range of wines and a really big walk in beer area. Then a nice 80km drive to our cabin for the next 2 nights - about 8km outside of Baddeck. This is not too far from the Cape Breton NP which we do tomorrow. Great accommodation -Dibbo has done good again - a log cabin in the forest - I'm on a comfy pullout sofa - the others in their own room - poor buggers have me sleep next to them most nights - although I do sleep heavily. Went into Baddeck and had a look around and then off to the Alexander Graham Bell's museum - he used to live here and did a lot of inventing and practical work in the area - good museum - he was an amazing man - his passion was helping/teaching deaf children and adults - inventing was second. He also had an amazing wife -who herself was deaf. He actually invented the first hydrofoil which he tested successfully here at Baddeck. Back thru town and got supplies for dinner tonight - we are having roast pork, corn, spuds, cauliflower and broc- cooked in/on the BBQ on our patio. Great feed - Dibbo has done it again. We washed this down with a few reds and other refreshing drinks before retiring by midnight.

Saturday 17/6

Up and away to Cape Breton NP (me driving) - another brilliant day - the sun, blue sky thing. There are heaps of motorcyclists on the road today (and also in the next 4/5 days to follow - probably due to the great weather). More great scenery - especially on the east coast - hidden bays and coves with little villages and homes. The West coast is starker with cliffs. There are Lobster pots/boats everywhere - in one small area there could be as many as 200/300 pots - guess what we are having for dinner tonight? For the last 3 days we have seen about 1000 beware of Moose signs- well still no sign of the real thing - if there even a fraction of the number of real thing we would be happy. On the way back to the cabin we stopped to get food for tonight - as I said a lobster, scallops, oysters and a big piece of Halibut - cost about $40 all up - not bad. We called back to the cabin and had a quick lunch and dropped off the seafood and then on the road to Fortress of Louisbourg (about 110km away). This was a vital port as it was at the entrance to the St Lawrence Seaway - it was French - then British, then French again and finally British. They recommend you spend almost a whole day here - we got there at 3.30pm and it closed at 5 - we did most things and its not a bad place. It has been fully restored to the original - with heaps of people in period dress who explain the different village/fort life. They do a cannon firing about 4.45 - which was bloody loud - back to car and drive back to Baddeck (with a few beers to speed the trip). Had to get some more supplies and back to the cabin to devour our dinner. Oysters on the BBQ (to open them up) first course, followed by the scallops in a garlic/lemon sauce, then the main of lobster and then the fish. Bloody hell we are really slumming it over here - can't wait to get back home and have baked beans on toast - NOT. We then settled down with a few drinks and some more Red wine to watch Game 6 of the Stanley Cup -Oilers win 4-0 to 3-3 in the series - GO OILERS. In bed by midnight.

Sunday 18/6

Up early and a long drive (Glenn driving) to back into New Brunswick to the Fundy coast and the Fundy NP. I slept for the first 3 hours which was OK as we have had our first back luck with the weather - there is a sea mist/fog along the coast so we can't see the coastal scenery. We drove to Halifax and went to the Info centre to get directions. Off to the Citadel and another free entry and guided tour (we have the National sites/park passes) - good place- once again restored and people in period costume. It has a good museum. The weather has cleared to another bright sunny, warm day. This has been a vital port for almost 200 years - it has a natural deep harbour that is easily defended by a number of forts. It was used a lot by the British for all this time and was used heaps during WW1 and as a replenishing port and a starting off point for convoys across the Altantic to Britain. We then went to a cemetery where there are grave from the Titanic. A lot of bodies where brought here when they were found in the ocean - one of the biggest graves is for an Australian. Back on the road -we had left over roast pork for lunch and then onto Fundy. This area has these amazing tides - up to 14 meters change in the tide - 2 a day. It’s all due to the shape of the bay and the gradual decrease in the depth. We went to the Hopewell Rocks just before high tide. We are coming back tomorrow to see the low tide. Then off to Alma (on the edge of the Fundy NP) and to our cabin right on the golf course - its only 9 holes but a very scenic course and difficult if you can't drive straight - anyone knowing myself and Glenn will understand that this will pose some problems for us tomorrow when we play 18 holes. We have a deal where we get the accommodation, 18 holes of golf, a powered cart and a lobster dinner for $79 each - another great deal discovered by Dibbo. Our cabin is basic - but still OK. We drove into town and had local seafood for dinner - Fish and Chips, scallops and clams - good feed. Back to room and saw Geoff Olgive win the US Open golf - go the Aussies. Had a few drinks and watched a bit of TV and all in bed by 12.

Monday 19/6

Another good sleep in and off for a drive around the Fundy NP (still didn’t see a Moose - with a rack) - we did some short walks and saw another covered bridge. Most of the trails here are for hikers - not for us - they need more roads. A lot of the rivers/streams around here that were dammed for logging and sawmills built on the side of the banks. There were so many that the sawdust and the dams eventually killed off most of the fish - it’s only been in the last 30 years that they have started to recover. Then we made the 50km trip back to Hopewell Rocks to see the low tide - amazing. Back to the cabin and a quick lunch before we tackle the golf course at 2pm.Some of the tees and greens are 30 to 50 meters high - we bought 16 balls found about 10 and ended up with about 8 - Lynne didn't lose any. The fairways have streams running through them as well and there bunkers. Well Dibbo prior to this game had had 3 in a row straight drives - well that’s as far as he got - in fact we both did our best drives on the very last hole(even then Glenn managed to hit the only tree - all be it a small one - in the middle of the fairway). We had some good shots and plenty of bad. In the second 9 I had 2 straight pars followed by two 10's. Lynne on one hole was scared to go in the stream in front of her (as we were running out of balls) so decided to throw it over and take a drop - she missed timed the throw and it landed in the stream. On the second last hole (par 3) we played 2 balls each as we missed this hole on the first nine. Well I put both on the green and still got two 4's. Lynne hit her first just off the green and hit her second into the trees - with a least 2 solid hits that we heard - as me and Dibbo just said - "God you're in trouble" - her ball emerged on the green about 10 feet from the hole. Dibbo put one sort and the other in the bunker at the back. On the last hole with our 2 good tee shots we were poised to finish well. Well my second shot ended about 10meters short but about 5 meters below the green - dibbos ended up in the rough just at the back of the green. 3 times I chipped and 3 times the ball just failed to get to the green and rolled back down to my feet - everyone laughing - I eventually got it on and finished with a 7. Dibbo chipped his and guess what - it went over the green and back down that same hill I had trouble with - OH what a great game golf is. Back to the room and cleaned up ready for our Lobster dinner at the restuarant. Dibbo and I had the lobster- Lynne had the salmon - great feed - washed down with some red wine and vodka and beer. Back to room and watched the decider in the Stanley cup- bloody hell Oilers down 3-1 - Hurricanes win - at least this is theirs time they have won it - still disappointing. Lynne didn't see the end of the game - me and Dibbo in bed by 12.

Tuesday 20/6

Up and away at 9 (me driving) - its misty/foggy again - it’s mainly a seamiest that comes in before is gets burnt off. It’s actually killing parts of the forest as it is very acidic from being polluted. We drove thru the middle of Fundy NP (almost ran over a deer) and then onto freeway for the trip to St John and the Reversing Falls and the jet boat tours. The reversing falls occur when the huge Fundy tides are coming in and the river water is coming out - cause’s rapids everywhere. We were going to do the jet boat trip but it’s still misty, windy and cold - so we decided not to. Went for a drive into the City Centre and to the Market Square shopping centre. Got some info from the info centre and then walked about 500m thru covered walkways and shopping centers to the Old Farmers Market. These walkways allow people to travel to different places when it’s freezing outside. The market was pretty good - meat and veggies, seafood, food shops and some variety stores. Back to car and to the Martello Tower (its still very foggy- so we couldn't see much from the tower) - it was built about 200 years ago for the 1812 war and was last used in WW11 for the command/observation post for the local coastal defenses. The guns were never fired in anger. We then drove down to the St John River to have another look at the Reversing Falls and then back on the road to St Stephens. We stopped at St Andrews for lunch (the mist has now cleared and it’s another sunny day) and had a look at an 1812 wooden blockhouse. Back on road for the short trip to St Stephens where we stopped at the Ganong chocolate factory for a short tour and to buy some chocolate. They have been making chocolate for over100 years. Just across the road from here is a small river and across the other side is USA. To the border and thru no probs - the first time one of the American border people have been friendly and courteous. We are driving to Bangor to stay the night - almost ran out of fuel as there were no petrol stations for about 100km. We found a place the other side of Bangor called the Days Inn - got a good deal with some vouchers we had picked up from thiamine info centre at St Stephens - only $60 for the night - but it didn’t have a fridge in the room - luckily it had an ice machine so we used heaps of ice to keep our supplies cold. Next door is a bar/restaurant where we had a great feed. I had a 14oz rare steak - good, Lynne had a soup and Ribs and Glenn had the special 20 chicken wings and you get another 20 free for $10.Back to room and watched a bit of TV I was last to bed at 1.00.

Wednesday 21/6

Up and away at 8.30 for the drive to Stamford (just outside New York) -Glenn driving. On good highways the whole way - with heaps of tolls (although most were around $1). We drove thru the rest of Maine, briefly into New Hampshire, into Massachusetts, Rhode Island and finally to Stamford in Connecticut. The first hotel we tried was booked out but the next (only a $7 fare to the train station from here) was OK - we were able to use one-off vouchers again and this reduced the cost - about $210 for 2 nights. Went for a walk to the city centre and had a quick look around - found a good wine/grog shop next door to a bar where we stopped and had a few. Couldn’t stay any longer as they had been without power for an hour before we got there and it looked like they weren't going to be able to get it back on that night - so they closed the place. Back next door to the grog shop to get some supplies and a taxi back to the hotel. We went and got Taco Bell for dinner (as it’s next door to our hotel) and back to room to have a few and eat dinner. I used the free internet in the lobby to do some interneting and then back to room to watch TV. Watched a crap/funny movie called Lake Placid with a 10m crocodile attacking people. Lynne and Glenn asleep by 12 -me 1.00am.

Thursday 22/6

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNNE) Up at 5.30 and away to the train station just after 6. We caught the 6.20express ($21.50 return) to New York Grand Central - got there just after 7.Bought an all day subway ticket for $7 and off down to Battery park for our trip to the Statue of Liberty. Dibbo had prepaid for these before we left. These tickets allowed us to go inside the statue - as there are only a limited number of people allowed each day at hourly intervals. Well the American line system is alive and well in New York. As we got to the ticket centre (an old fort) a bit before 8 - we lined up. Then Glenn lined up to get our prepaid tickets, then we lined up to go thru security (this is tougher than airport security - we had to take of our watches and belts as well as the normal things), then we lined up to get on the ferry - all up this took an hour - and this is the first ferry of the day. Then a short trip over to Liberty Island and off to line up again to get into the statue(we had to put our daypacks into a locker - got 1 for 2 hours), we then were let into another area where we lined up again and then went thru security and had the same checks done as we did just before we got on the ferry - how the bloody hell is something going change between the 2 security points. Anyway this took up over 30 minutes. Into the statue and a short talk by one of the parks people and then into museum. The torch she now has is anew one as the old one was a bit worn out - the original one is in the museum. You can go up to the top of the pedestal - they stopped people going up into the statue in 2001. Had a look around and took some photos -its hazy/smoggy today but hot - probably around 30. Walked around the base of the statue and took some more photos. Back on the ferry for trip to the old immigration processing place - Ellis Is - something like 17millionimmigrants came thru here over a 30/40 year period - only 250,000 were turned away. We didn't get off and continued back to Battery Park. Back into the Subway and to the site of the Sept 11 - Twin Towers - still very much a hole in the ground, but there is work happening. Stopped in a park across the road and had a New York hot dog - pretty basic - a small roll and sausage and you get to have ketchup and mustard - luckily it only cost $1(although later in the day a bloke near the Empire State charged $3 for the same thing). Back on the subway and off under the east river so we could walk back over the Brookland Bridge - amazing feat of engineering - built in1865 heaps of people died building it - most from the bends as they were working in pressurized areas under water - so they need the pressure to keep the water out. It was here that they first discovered the reason for the bends and how to treat it. The bridge itself is impressive - however they need to do routine maintenance - it has been painted for a while and there’s heaps of surface rust everywhere. We then got the subway to the Empire State Building - Dibbo had pre-paid for tickets here as well - but left them back at the hotel. So he had to line up for about 30 minutes to get new ones - he wasn’t impressed. Went to the top (Floor 86 - however you can pay heaps more and go to floor 102) and had a good look around - we got an audio tour thingy that explained what you were looking at and also some general history/info about New York - quite good. Back to subway via a slice of Pizza each - average and off to 5th Avenue and Central Park. Had a walk around for a while and then got the subway to Times Square - neon lights everywhere. Found a bar and sat down to rest our tired legs. Then back to Grand Central - had a look around this area and found another bar where we had a few more before catching the 7.08 back to Stamford - a long day so far, but great to see New York. Back to the hotel about 8 and watched a bit of TV and a few refreshing drinks - all in bed by 12.

Friday 23/6

Up and away early again - (5.30) - on the road just after 6 for the long drive to Niagara Falls (Lynne driving). Briefly into New Jersey and then back into New York State - good road - another Toll way - cost $15 all the way to Buffalo. It’s about a 6 and half hour trip to Niagara - Glenn drove the second half - got to the falls just after 1 and parked the car adjacent to the Horseshoe Falls (we are back in Canada) - cost $12 for the day parking. We walked from the falls themselves along the river into town (took heaps of photos) where we found the Hershey Chocolate store - we will be coming back here on our way out of town. Then down to do the Maid of the Mist boat tour - right up to the falls (both the American and the Horseshoe falls - the Horseshoe falls are the biggest and most spectacular - good trip- everyone gets a cheap blue raincoat. Then we walked back towards the falls - L and G stooped to have a drink and I went to the Skylon Tower -some great views of the falls up here - It’s another great day - blue skies and warm. Back down and we then the "Journey Behind the Falls" tour -average - they have made a vertical shift (for the lift) and then about a100m tunnel that goes behind the falls - there are 2 viewing opening that you can see the actual falls from behind. There is also an observation deck that is right beside the falls - this is OK - once again everyone gets a cheap raincoat - this time its yellow. Back to car - got some chocolates and off to have a quick look at the Whirlpool - just a part of the river where the water swirls around. Then for a nice drive past some beautiful big houses to Niagara on the Lake - we stopped here to have dinner and then(with me driving) off on the road back to Kitchener. All up we spent about5 hours at Niagara. We got back to Chris and Jenny's place around 9 (Jenny and Alex in bed - they get up early tomorrow - as they do every week day).We had a few drinks with Chris until about 12. I read my book until 1.30 -another long day.

Saturday 24/6

Slept in and then went for a short drive around the local area - went to a Farmers Market and got supplies for the BBQ tonight - not bad markets - have heaps of food and heaps of other market type stuff. Back home and dropped off the meat, etc and back on road to St Jacobs - the area we are in is a Mennonite area - these people are similar to the American Amish - they live a very simple life. This is all farming land with little towns/villages dotted around the place. St Jacobs is full of people looking around - the other 3 had a look around - I went to the pub. We stopped at the only covered bridge left in Ontario. Then via St Stephens to Heidelberg where we stopped at the local pub and had a few refreshing ales. Back to Kitchener(Really the living in Waterloo) via a fireworks shop where they gave us some free samples to take with us. Friends of Chis and Jenny are coming tonight- Sharon and Ken. Well we had a great meal and Ken and Sharon are great fun- plenty of laughs and drinks. Plenty of jokes - Dibbo told his Chook joke twice that night - they thought it was great. Fireworks were happening somewhere - so we went out into the street to watch them - they went forages and the 2 sets of neighbors across the road are watching them too. We let off our free ones in the street - not that impressive - but they were only 99 cents each (although Lynne got a special one given to her which was much better - it was called a Sex Goddess). The neighbors across the road then invited all of us to there place where we stayed for a few hours -great night and good people - we all had a ball. We didn't get to bed until sometime after (Sharon and Ken walked home).

Sunday 25/6

Another sleep in - everyone a little under the weather - I got out of bed at11. We hung around the house until 1ish and then went (the 5 of us - Alex stayed home to study for her 2 exams tomorrow) for a drive to Elora Gorge -went for a walk along the gorge and river and then eventually back into town and found a nice pub (Irish) where we had a very late lunch 4.00pm and a few drinks watching the World Cup soccer - Portugal and Netherlands - P won. Back home and had a few quiet drinks and watched TV. Ken and his friend Chuck came around to drop off a mattress and we organized a game of golf for Thursday. Early night. Anyway we leave on Friday morning for home - so the next e-mail will be the last and I will probably do it when we get home. Don't forget to check out the Blog site.

Trotty/Lynne and Glenn

Smell, Leanne and Keiren arrives

Well I have started this message from Rossland in southern Alberta at John'splace (John is Robbies - from OZ - brother from Canada). I will finish the message when we get to Toronto when we stay with Dibbo's brother who is doing a 1 year Teacher exchange.

Monday 5/6

Had a sleep in and rang Jenny to finalise details for tonight - they are coming to our hotel and we will go to the local bar near our hotel). Off to the West Edmonton Mall (the bloody thing doesn't open until 10). We had alook around and went to get our photos copies to CDs. This place is amazing- it has 2 floors full of shops, as well as a hotel, 2 cinema complexes, asea lion waterpark with penguins and flamingos and above and underwaterrides (submarines), a 3/4 replica of a pirate ship and full indoor waterpark with numerous waterslides, bungee and a large wave lagoon, there is also a full amusement park with rides and rollercoaster plus a whole "street -Bourbon St" of pubs/bars. Well Lynne and Glenn took off to look around the shops, I went to the movies and watched "The Da Vinci Code" - not bad -almost the same as the book - but not as good as the book where they got their material - "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". We meet up at 3.30 at Sherlock Holmes pub - had a drink and back to motel to get ready for the big game tonight - game 2 of the Stanley Cup (Ice Hockey). Jenny and Ian arrived just before 6 and we walked the 100 metres to the pub - the place is packed, probably 300 people all going for the Oilers from Edmonton (they are playing the Carolina Hurricanes). Well - for $6 we can get a litre glass of Canadian Molson - so we had that and the girls had something else (Iced Tea and Vodka). Well what a start - the Oilers up 3-0 going into the last 20 minutes (they play 3 - 20 minute periods). The crowd were going wild - (we cheered a bit as well) - then it went 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 (at this stage the crowd were a little stunned), then 4-4 (the crowd wild agin) - and then it happened, the Oilers Goalie (who is a champ) did his knee (and as we found out later, will be out for the rest of the finals), With 30 seconds to go with everyone thinking it will go to overtime, the new goalie and another player had a mix up and the Hurricanes scored to win 5-4. Well things were a little quiet, but the confidence was still there as there is still 6 games to go. Jenny and Ian left as they had to work the next day - we stayed and went to the bar and had a few more and talked to the barman that was there last night - around 11ish back to room and to bed.

Tuesday 6/6

Today is our day of big things. Leisurely start to the day (me driving) and our first stop is Elk Island NP and we are looking for Bison (Buffalo) -well within a few minutes of entering the park we saw 2 on the side of the road - they weren't bothered by the car, but just as we got there a bloke on a bicycle came the other way and frightened the crap out of them and they bolted into the bush. We drove around the park and did some walks and saw some beaver homes and deer (or things that looked like deer or elk - we don't have a clue). The park is broken up into 2 sides (either side of the highway) the side we went to first is the largest - but has the least number of animals. However, the other side doesn't have any roads - its all walking. We walked for about 2/3 km each way and saw nothing except mosquito'es - bloody hell these things are as big as birds. Back to car and onto our second half of big things. (As I am typing, Glenn has just taken a photo of me - with FTC - don't forget the prize for the first to guess)******. This area west of Edmonton must be the home of big things.They have the world's biggest (statues) of Mushrooms, pumpkins (unfortunetly we didn't get there much to our dismay), sausage (bloody great), Easter Egg(amazing) and Mallard Duck (needs to be seen to be believed). we also missed out on the the UFO landing pad that they constructed 30 odd years ago just in case that they needed somewhere to land!!!!!!. A lot of this area was settled by Ukranians (have no idea if any of this is related - except for the Easter egg which is something called a ..... Lynne doesn't know what its called - but its something beginning with P - I mention Lynne as she is our Linguist and proof reader - some call her the "BITCH". What a day - we had lunch under the big Easter Egg - after getting some sausage from the town with the big sausage. On the way back to Edmonton we stopped at the Farmers Market - Great place - a selection you would not believe (Jenny and Ian - you really need to go there - e-mail us what you think). We then travelled to Jenny/Ian's apartment near the city centre and had a few drinks while I typed away - nice location - overlooking the local Baseball field. We then walked a few blocks to a bar where we had a few and had dinner. Back to the apartment and said goodbye and back to out motel - all in bed by midnight.

Wednesday 7/6

Up early and on road just after 6 - we are going to the Dinosaur museum and area at Drumheller. The drive (Lynne driving - she seems to get all the long flat bits) was OK - saw quite a few oil wells with the horse looking pumps slowly going up and down (probably why they call their local hockey team the Oilers). Once in Drumheller, we went to the Info centre - you wouldn't believe it - but they have the worlds largest dinosaur ******(youcan actually walk up the 130 steps to its mouth) - we just can't get away from big things. We then drove to the Hoodoo's - bloody hell in the brochure they looked BIG - guess what - they were small (actually I thought they were absolute crap - but I have been to Turkey and seen Capadocka -where the same sort of things strech for 100 kilometres and they look like Penis's which is even more impressive). Then back thru town to the Tyrrell Dinosaur museum - great place (Apparently one of the best - if not the best, in the world) - we spent 2 hours looking around - awesome. The area around Drumheller is called the badlands and its a complete change from the surrounding countryside - the rest is rolling plains with farms - this is a canyon with rock outcrops that look like something out of the Arizona desert- this is where they got most of dinosaurs skeletons. We drove around the area (heaps of those oil wells/pumps again) and took a ferry over the Red River river (which has created this canyon). We also stopped off at a church that can seat 10,000 people (6 at a time). Back into town via the ferry over the river to get some lunch supplies. Now its the drive to Fort Macleod (Basically the place where the Canadian Mounties were formed). Stopped for lunch at Rosebud. Then into Fort Macleod - found a good motel and we got a 2 bedroom cabin for $70/night. Down to the Moose bar to watch game 2 of the Stanley Cup - only a handful of people watching. We had dinner and watched the first 2 periods (Oilers down by a few). We decided to go back to the cabin to watch the last quarter - I stopped to get grog and then had to sprint 150 meters home as it started pissing down rain. Well I just got there before I had the heart attack and settled down towatch the Oilers get thumped 5-0. Watched some TV and few more drinks - G/L asleep by 12 - me at 1.

Thursday 8/6

Lesurely start just before 9 - down to the Museum at the Fort - this was where when the Mounties were first formed was the site where they were sent to first to bring law and oeder to the West. Good museum - the atually fort is a replica - but still has a lot of the old gear from the 1800 and early 1900's. Then it was off to Wateron NP - its a bit overcast with drizzle -still OK. Nice area - we are back into the edge of the Rockies again. Drove to Wateron Town - nice spot on the lake. We then drove up to Lake Cameron -beautiful spot. At the far end of the lake is the USA border. Had lunch on the side of the river that flows out of the lake and then off to Rossland(Dibbo driving today) about 4/5 hours away. Thru some nice countrside again(Mountains, etc) - we passed Franks Slide - which is the site of a massive landslide aout 80 years ago that came down on side the mountain and thru the valley and about a third of the way up the other side - heaps killed - the highway goes over the top of the slide. Went thru some mountain passes - the last big one we went thru still had heaps of snow and right at the top there was a lake still partly frozen. Arrived at Rossland at John's place just after 6 (after ringing him for directions). He has a great old home where he has lived for years. He took us for a tour of the town (this is an old gold mining area) - their is great ski slopes here on Red Mountain. Also took us to an old gold mine museum - it was closed but you can still walk around and have a look at a lot of the old machinery. Had dinner at a the Hillside Bar and then back to John's to have a chat and a few drinks. All in bed by 12.30

Friday 9/6

John is driving us for a scenic trip around the Rossland area. Away just after 9 (much better than those early starts) and the drive took us thru mountains and passed rivers and lakes. We saw a hydro dam and stopped for lunch at the New Denver golf club (overlooking Lake Slocan) - another great spot for a lunch stop. Then we headed east and across to Kootenay Lake,stopped to have a look at the Ainsworth Hot Springs and then onto Nelson(this is where they filmed the movie Roxanne). Nice town - we went into theTourist Info place and they offered us 2 options a walking tour of town or a driving one - well of course we not bloody walking and also the town is built on the side of a mountain. Drove around - saw some nice houses. Stopped in town at a pub for a few refreshing ales and then back in car for the trip back to Rossland. Back to John's for a few while we decide what we are doing for dinner. Its been another great day - sunny with a few cloulds and quite warm. Decided to go to the Flying Steamshovel pub for dinner -this was the name that they gave to a local invention that was a steampowered helicopter - it actually got off the ground before crashing - first helicopter in the world to actually fly. We all had the nightly special of steak and prawns - not bad. Back to John's and a few more drinks and wine. All in bed around 1.

Saturday 10/6

Another sleep in - its overcast and a few bits of rain early. We did some internet stuff and then as the weather was looking better, decided to have agame of golf at the local course. Great course only 9 holes - but set in a forest on the side of a hill. We saw chipmonks, squirrels, deers, gophers everywhere) and actually saw a young moose (knew it was young as it didn't have a rack - John said thats the first one he has seen around here). We all played OK - Dibbo is currently holding a PB (Personal Best) - the last 3 drives he did went absolutely straight - we will have to wait for the next game to see if he can make it 4 or even more - I would put my money on him finishing with the current 3. We had lunch at the clubhouse - great meals for a small price. Some of John's friends are playing in a comp this afternoon - a shot gun start - it started raining just before they started -once again we have been lucky with the weather. Back to John's to collect our bags and say goodbye. He said it was hoping to come back to Australia the next 18 months or so - we will have a cold beer waiting for him.With me driving (and about a half a dozen beers behind me for alertness) we are off on the road back to Vancouver. We went about 300km and stopped at Keremeos - found a nice place to stay for the night - Elk's motel. Watched a bit of Game 3 and then to the local to watch the last period - Oilers won so now they trail 1-2 in the 7 game series. Then to a nice resturant for dinner - back to room to watch TV and polish off the last of our disposable grog supplies - in bed by 12.

Sunday 11/6

Up early and Dibbo driving to Vancouver airport - Lynne in the front directing and me in the back reading my book. Our plane goes at 2.30. Got to airport and dropped off the car no probs - its only 11.30 so we have a bit of time to kill - so we went to a bar to wait for our departure on Harmony Airlines. Good flight - got a meal and 3 glasses of wine (Lynne only got 2 - apparently you are only allowed to get 2 free - we got ours OK- but the hostee questioned Lynne about her second). Into Toronto about 10 (its 3 hours different to Vancouver - so it now 10 hours difference to Australia). We had to wait for ever to get our bags - Dibbo's brother Chris is waiting outside - we can see him everytime the auto doors open waving an Aussie flag. Anyway eventually got our bags and out to Chris's car for the trip to Kitchener where we are staying with Chris, Jenny (his wife) and Jenny's daughter Alex. Chris is doing a 12 month teacher exchange so they are staying in the Canadians people house, while the Canadians are staying in Chris's and Jenny's back in Australia and teaching at each others schools.They have been here since January and have experienced the snow/cold thing. Its about an hour drive back to Kitchener and we got the house (Nice place -3 stories) just before midnight - stayed up for a few hours having a drink with Chris - Jenny and Alex in bed as they get up at 4.45am so Alex can go to swimming training - Chris is taking tomorrow off so he can show us around town.

Monday 12/6

Another sleep in - Glenn last out of bed (a first so far on the trip - its always me) - for a drive around town. Nice town - has some nice old houses. Stopped for lunch at a resturant called Sole - not bad - a little expensive. Then off to collect our Hire car from Avis - we got another upgrade - at one stage we were going to get a PT Cruiser - bllody hell the second Ugliest Car ever made - even FTC wouldn't be caught dead in one. Anyway we got a Buick station wagon - great - plently of room. We then follwed Chris and Lynne (Dibbo driving - both the Dibben boys drive like they are on a race track) to a pub to meet some of Chris's work mates. Had a few drinks with Sean (nice bloke - however he did put his foot into it when saying we would have a game of golf when we get back as he assumed Lynne wouldn't be playing - he wont make that mistake again) - Chris off to pick up Jenny from work - its her first day today - then they came back for a few more. Then we went to by some supplies for tonight - grog and some steaks - a BBQ tonight. Back to house and I dropped some of my grog on the front driveway and broke 2 - bloodly hell. Had a few drinks and then Chris cooked the Barby - Jenny had already preparared a salad and baked spuds - great feed. Then to lounges to watch the last part of the Oilers game -they lost 2-1 - so now there 3-1 down - not looking good. Everyone having an early one tonight (Jenny and Alex have to get up again at 4.45 - this is every moring during the week for the swimming season.

Thats all for now

Trotty/Lynne and Dibbo

Well its Tuesday 6/6 and we are in Edmonton at Jenny and Ian's apartment(friends from Aus - Darwin - over here for 12 months working).

Tuesday 30/5 (Con't)

Traffic was slow on the way out of Vancouver airport. Once outside the city we had a good run to Hope where we stopped for dinner (Glenn driving).Glenn and Lynne had fish and chips and me a steak sandwich - yum. Off again(after getting a few travellers - beers and vodka) thru Merrick, Kamloops(saw deer on side of road) to Salmon Arms where we found a Super 8 motel to stay - we just made it to the grog shop before it closed at 11 back to room and watched a bit of TV - room cost $110 for the night.

Wednesday 31/5

Up and away at 7.30 - me driving today. First stop is Revelstoke to Information centre - to grocery store for stuff for lunch and then off to drive thru Mt Revelstoke National Park (NP). Stopped at Skunk Cabbage Trail for a short walk (about 100 metres) - then to the Giant Red Cedar Trail. The scenery around here is amazing - massive snow covered peaks, forests, glaciers and lakes. From here into Glacial NP and thru Rogers Pass. We stopped at the Info Centre/museum - we are following the CPR railway. They had a display of how it was made in the late 1800's - avalanches everywhere- whole train stops wiped out - there are still some happening at the moment. A lot of the trails are still closed. The road and train pass thru a lot of protective avalanche tunnels. We then drove thru Golden and intoYoho NP and went to Emerald Lake - beautiful spot. We had lunch there overlooking the lake. Another great day - blue skies and warm in the sun. Then we went to the natural stone bridge at Kicking Horse River. We couldn't get to Takkkaw Falls as the road is still closed. Thru Kicking Horse Pass onto Lake Louise - another spectacular place. We then drove thru Bow River Valley and Banff NP to Banff itself. Then off to Canmore to get supplies and onto our accommodation at Deadmans Flats at the Big Horn Motel. Several stories how it got its name. Good room 2 queen beds and a kitchette. Over to Mexican restaurant for a few drinks and dinner -Enchiladas for Lynne and Fajitas for me and Glenn. Back to room and watched a bit of TV - early night.*** Every bloody place we go has different taps - all completely different in the way you get hot or cold water - there are also numerous shaps of toilet bowls - as well as some are full of water and others hardly any.****

Thursday 1/6

Up and away just after 8 - all in Banff area today - Lynne driving today. First stop Lake Minnewanka - saw mountain goats and deer. Then to Tunnel mountain and stopped at the Hoodoos - a pretty boring rock outcrop -but good views - saw more deer. Then to Mt Norquay - the local ski area -saw more deer and a Grizzly on the road. Drove past the 3 Vermillion Lakes - not that impressive. Then to Cave and Basin National site - this is the original site of the first NP in Canada - its a natural hot water spring. It was foun dby 3 blokes in the 1880's and since then has been popular with locals - they made pools for people to bathe in. Then to the Upper Hot Springs on Sulphur Mountain - didn't do the Gondala - then for a drive around the Fairmount Hotel golf course and hotel grounds - the original hotel was built in the late 1800's a part of the CPR to get people to come to Banff and help pay for the railway. Went to the Bow river falls. Then we went back into the town centre and had lunch in the Central Park overlookingthe Bow river. Then off to museums - the first one was mostly put together from a local couple who lived in the area in the mid 1900's - Whyte Museum and then to the general museum which is full of stuffed animals around a 100 years old. Then another drive around and back to Canmore to do some shopping and internet. I spent 2 and half hours on the net and Dibbo almost the same. Dibbo cooking tonight - Steak, garlic mushrooms, brocolli and spuds. Had a few beers and did some washing while Glenn cooked. Another great dinner - watched TV and all to bed by 12.

Friday 2/6

Up and away just after 8 - first stop Lake Louise again for some photos -then to Lake Moraine (A bit overcast today). Then to Ice fields Parkway -we stopped at various lakes and waterfalls and a few glaciers. Did Lakes Hector, Bow, Peyto (beautiful). Did the following waterfalls - Bridal Veil, Sunwapta, Athabasca. The glaciers we saw were - Crowfoot, Bow, Snowbird, Saskatchewan, Athabasca (we walked onto this one) and Stutfield. Lynne did a snow angel in the snow near Lake Peyto - Me and Glenn did a bumfirst and a face fall into the soft snow. We also went to the display at the ice centre - OK display about how the glacier is moving (Athabasca Glacier) - its retreated about 2 km in 150 years. This was a great drive -once again the scenery is spectacular. Passed thru high mountains and saw heaps of beautiful rivers - Bow, Athabasca, Mistaya and Sunwayta (we had our lunch on this one). Eventually got to Jasper at 4.30 - we are staying in a cabin on Lake Patricia - self contained - nice spot. Its raining lightly at the moment - back into town to get supplies - Glenn is cooking Tacos tonight. We got some more drinks and a bot of Red. We went for a short walk thru town and then back to Lake - went for a short walk thru the woods -we didn't see anything - but apparently there are heaps in the area including Grizzlies. Great dinner - the red wine was from Spain - OK - all asleep bymidnight.

Saturday 3/6

Up and away just after 8 - we are doing the local sites today. First stop at Maligne Canyon - then to Medcine Lake - this lake disappears each year -it has an underground river that drains the lake - in summer the water coming from the mountains is more than the underground river can drain - so it fills - over 20 metres in height - and its not a small lake. The underground river comes back out 17 km away. Then to Maligne Lake - nice spot its $41 to do a 1 and half hour boat trip around the lake - too expensive. We saw Elk and deer on the way back down to Jasper. Had a quick look at Lakes Edith and Annette - nice spots and they are only about 1km from the town centre. Drove out to Edith Cavell mountain to see Lake Cavell- couldn't go there as the road is still closed. Back to have lunch at Lake Beauvert - another great spot. Then into town and had look around and visited a few of the local pubs - went to the Dead Dog and Whistlers Stop Inn -they had a free jam session in the bar - at one stage there were more musicans than patrons - 7 guitars, a bongo, a banjo, a morine, a voilin and a mandolin. Stayed there for a few drinks - me driving today probably over the limit on the drive back to Lake Patricia - we saw a big male caribou on the way back. Had a few drinks overlooking the lake - its cool but not cold. We are having Bison (buffalo) steaks tonight - Lynne is having salmon .Had 2 bots of red and a few beers - watched some of Star Wars 3 and to bed(or so I was told).*** The trains over here are huge - over a 100 wagons and only 1 or 2 engines****

Sunday 4/6

Away at 9 this morning some a little under the weather (me the worse) - down into town to check emails and look at accomodation in Edmonton. Nice drive 300+ kms - Lynne driving. We stopped for lunch at Wabamun on a lake again. Its a very straight raod and you come out of the mountains quickly into the flat lands - heaps of farms. Got into Edmonton around 3 and found a motel thats OK - $68 a night - it has queen beds and there are pubs about 200 meters away. Went for a drive thru the city centre and down into the river valley. Went past the West Edmonton Mall (the biggest in the world at the moment) - we are going there tomorrow. Back to the motel and down the road to the Canadian Brew House - good place - we had a few beers and got talking to the barman and a local women Jacqui (she invited us home to her place for dinner - but she had had a few so we declined). Had a meal at thepub - Good Pizzas for $4. The barman gave us 3 tshirts - we will probably come here tomorrow night to watch the first game of the Stanley Cup - Icehockey - Edmonton Oilers against Carolina hurricanes. Spoke to Jenny earlier in the day and we will meet up tomorrow evening. Back to room and watched TV - an early night.

Still no winners on guessing the idenity of FTC, come on have a guess.

Journey Continued

Well I have finally got the chance to get to an internet place. Since I did the first update we have been and gone from Alaska. The weather for the whole 2 and half weeks we have been here has been amazing - sunny, blue skies and warm. We only had 1 day when it was overcast most of the day. Even in Alaska it was 70 degress F or 22 degrees C. Nice try Barry, thanks for the poor attempt at guessing "FTC" sorry no cigar, try again.

Saturday 20/5 (Con't)

Got a taxi down to Canada Place to meet our ship - Sapphire Princess - holds 2600 passengers and 1200 crew - only a few years old and on its first Alaskan trip. Well we leave at 4.30 so we got there about 2 so we could get rid of our bags and get some lunch - well what a shambles. It was the worst organised thing I have ever experienced - this is USA's stuff up not Canadians. We went through the Canadian bit in about 30 seconds. Then we lined up for 20 minutes, then taken into a hall to sit down (we had to fill out some forms - but we had to go looking for them no one told us what to fill out). Then an hour later we lined up again to go to customs, then we lined up in the customs queue for another 40 minutes to get through. Then onto the boat. Our cabin is small and I am sleeping on a bunk that comes down from the ceiling. We are on deck 12 which is OK as most things are on 14 the deck above (no deck 13). This ship is huge. we went for a walk around the ship to get our bearings and to find the bars and places to eat. We had something to eat as a snack before dinner - which is at 8.00 every night for us - if we want a seat in the same place every night. You don't have to -you can eat at any of the 6 "anytime" restaurants. The ship actually left port at 6.30 a few hours late. So in the meantime we had a few drinks up on deck checking things out. Off to dinner - sitting at a table for 8 -only ever the 6 of us throughout the trip - us 3 and a family from Mexico -father, mother and 20ish daughter - only the father can speak a little English - he was very impressed that I can order 2 large very cold beers in Spanish. Each night they offer a 5 course menu - most of it changes each night. Only had 2 tonight as we had already eaten - I had a prawn cocktail and a sirloin steak. We had a few drinks with dinner (this you have to pay for - most beers and spirits are about 4.00US plus 15% TIP). Lynne is now drinking Vodka and Sprite most of the time - me beer - doesn't matter which kind and Dibbo drinks anything. After dinner around 10.00 (its only just getting dark) we went from bar to bar trying to find out where everyone goes at night. Well for a ship with 2600 people - they must be all in bed. We went to the Fusion lounge (which we will frequent a lot over the next 7 days) and watched some Karaoke - some good singers. We went to the late night club - we made 3 people there. This becomes clear when we get to see the majority of the passengers. I wish I had a dollar for every walking stick, walking frame and wheelchair that are on the ship. Anyway a nice first few hours on board - off to bed around midnight.

Sunday 21/5

The ship hardly goes out in open water the whole trip - last night we passed between the mainland and Vancouver Island - we are only going about 12 knots at the moment as they navigate around islands, etc. The cruising speed is 22 knots. Up around 9 and up stairs for breakfast - great - bacon, eggs(about 6 ways), hash browns, fruits, toast - the works. At 11.00 we went to a free golf lesson - bloody hell are we crap! - we have got some good things to try when next we play golf. Then off to the Tradewinds bar (another place where we spent some time) - this bar is on one of the open decks and has views either side of the ship. We have discovered the "bucket of Beer"special - 5 beers for the price of 4 - $14. Lynne drinking a bloody Mary. Since 6.30pm yesterday until noon we have travelled 193 Naut miles and we are now cruising at 22 knots. The forecast for today is 11C or 52F -nice. This afternoon we travel thru Queen Charlotte Straights. At 3.00pm we are doing wine tasting (or so we thought - its actually tomorrow) - back to bar to watch the amazing scenery - high snow capped mountains on either side of the ship. Around 6.30 back to the room to get ready for dinner -its Formal tonight - so me and Dibbo get to wear our suits that we carted all the way from Oz. I can't find my black socks or belt - must have left them at home (MELODY & AL!). All 3 of us look a treat all dolled up like pox doctors clerks. Both suits are from Lowes - $75 for Dibbos and $200 for mine. Another posh dinner - we have 2 people looking after us - the head waiter and his off- sider. We had most courses tonight - Lynne had 3 desserts. Finished around 10 and off to Fusion bar for more Karaoke and saw a good magican. Looked around the bars again - still not much life in the place. Eventually went to the late nightclub - this time us 3 make 6 of us - this bar is open until 4. I asked bar attendent where everyone was - she said its usually quiet the night before a port call. Also told us that each person on the ship has an individual contract (most seem to be for 10 months) - they work 7 days a week for the whole time. Their contracts are usually paid in the currency from where they come from - UK pounds, Bulgaria, Phillipines, etc - so you can probably se that some are getting paid a hell of a lot more than others. She said that she has great wages -others are getting paid crap. Off to bed around 1.00am.

Monday 22/5

L & G up around 5.30 - me at 6.30 - all a little worse for wear. Had breakfast (can't miss these free feeds) and off the ship for our 8.00 tour.We are doing Totem poles and Lumberjacks. Bus to totem pole place - tour OK- say a few poles and their stories. Back on the bus and back into town(Ketichan) for the lumberjack show - not bad - 2 teams of 2 competing against each other in about 10 events - pole climbing - sawing, chainsawing, log rolling and running, etc. Went for a walk around town - went to historic Creek Street - built on side of hill above the creek - used to be all brothels - now all tourist shops - still looks OK. Back to ship and down to the 3.00pm wine tasting. The room is near full - 250 people - this cost us $10 each and we got to sample 2 whites and 2 reds (a merlot from NZ and a CabSav - Wolf Blass - from OZ) -also a dessert wine. Wasn't too bad - speakers told us about the history of wine and the grapes, etc. The Wolf Balss is selling for $32US on the ship!!!!! Up to bar to look at the view - still snow capped mountains on either side of the ship - not that far away either. Off to early dinner tonight - theme is Italian - I had a nice thick juicy piece of roasted veal. Off to theatre to watch a comic at 8.00pm - not bad. Finished around 9 - Lynne off to bed - Me and Dibbo to Fusion bar and watched a 50's Rock and Roll quiz, music and dancing. Early to bed tonight10.30 - big Float plane flight tomorrow over the glaciers.

Tuesday 23/5

Up around 7 - breakfast (for now on read breakfast as done each morning unless otherwise stated) - off ship around 8.30 - had a look around town(Juneau) - the state capital of Alaska. Got a taxi to the airport to ge tour plane - Dibbo organised this back in OZ - about 2/3 cheaper than doing it thru the ship tours. A lot of airports up this way (including Anchorage) have a pond beside the airport for float planes. Down to the pond to our plane - ""Another fine mess Dibbos got us into". The plane is a 4 seater with2 large Aussies (both of us are 220 pounds - 100kilos - so I've already put on 6 kgs), Lynne and a large pilot. Anyway off we go on the white knuckle experience. Well small planes, mountains, glaciers and winds don't make for a smooth flight. The oil pressure gauge that was directly in front of me(I', m in the front with the pilot) has been in the RED since he started up and didn't get out until 15 minutes into the flight - it never went into the green. Anyway a great flight - glaciers everywhere - we varied between 3000 and 6000 feet. All but 1 glacier are receeding. Took some great photos. Once down Lynne and myself told Glenn that we are not doing his organised ( which he quickly agreed to) flight around Mt McKinley in Alaska - another small plane. Straight to taxi and to town and a bar to settle nerves. Then to tramway up the mountain overlooking the port and town - not bad - good views (this is the only time the weather wasn't great - its overcast and a few sprinkles of rain. The ship is in port until 8 tonight - went to the Red Dog saloon. Found out about the 5 types of Salmon - see if you can name all 5 - we can. Back for another walk around town - bought a few things. Back to ship around 5pm and to bar for a few pre dinner drinks. Tonight we all had garlic snails for starters. I had beef and chicken fajitas, L had duck a la orange and D had frogs legs. After dinner off to a presentation about dog sledding and the Iditarod dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome - the woman giving the talk -Libby Riddles was the first women to win the race - in 1985. The race orginally started to comemorate when Nome needed Diptheria serum years ago and the only way in was by dog sleds. Its goes for over 1000 miles. From here we went bar hopping (still getting over the float plane) - we have this card and if you drink at all 12 bars on the card (there are more than 12 on the ship) - you get a prize. To Fusion bar - tonight is 70's night - moreKaraoke - D to bed before me and L, we stayed talking to Bar Attendent -Victoria - she has worked on ships for 10 years - from the Phillipines - to bed around 1.00am.

Wednesday 24/5

Had a 7.00am wake up call for Lynne to go on her trip to the Yukon - Me and Dibbo are doing the down hill bike ride later at midday - so we slept in a bit. We are in Skagway today. 10 of us doing the bike ride - 6 USA, 2 Canadians and us. We got a mini bus up to White Pass - 3129 feet - its all downhill except for about 300 meters. We have 15 miles to go back to town -all on bitumen. Not too bad - we weren't allowed to go to fast - proabably got up to 25mph. Stopped a few times for photos - thru US customs - just waved us through - the 2 custom points are about 20 km apart as during winter its too cold at the actual border - so there is a no mans land between posts. They get a lot of snow up here. Took us about an hour to get back to town - had a look around town for a bit and had a few beers at the Red Onion saloon - back to ship and having a few beers waiting for Lynne to get back to the ship. She arrived around 5.30 - she had a good tour -saw a bear, had a nice lunch and saw heaps of stuffed animals - including a mammoth. Down to room to get ready for dinner - L & G going to our organised table - me to anytime eating - this so I could watch the ship leave port - great views - the scenery has been amazing the whole trip.Then down to Fusion Bar to meet L & G - they are already there - country music tonight - had a trivia show - only about American Country and western. L & G off to bed early - I stayed and watched Karaoke - I'm a judge tonight (there are 50 of us). Talking to Victoria again - eventually off to bed at12.30 - stayed in toilet reading for half and hour - didn't want to wake the others.

Thursday 25/5

All slept in a bit - up and away around 9 - we are in Glacier Bay - its spectacular - a narrow inlet with bits of ice in the water and glaciers all around - saw the John Hopkins, Ferris, Grand Pacific, Lampugh, Reid and Margerie - this last one was great - we stayed there for over an hour watching bits fall off. Saw seals on floating bits of ice and a whale. Left the actual glaciers around 1pm. We did some laundry - had a few drinks while waiting for it to finish. Another beautiful day - sunny and blue skies. FTC at the bar with us today. Scenery you wouldn't believe -saw some Minke whales - a fair way off though. Stayed at the Tradewinds bar until 6 - we have been travelling thru thick fog for about an hour - it came out of nowhere - the ships foghorn sounding every few seconds. Formal attire again tonight (Dibbos birthday tomorrow - actually today in Australia). Down to dinner - we all had beef wellington - polished off 1 and a half bots of red and beers with dinner. Around 10 went to see a ventriliquist (Lynne to bed) - not too bad. Then to Atrium to watch the champayne pouring into a pyramid of glasses. Then to Fusion bar - amataur comic night - me and Dibbo first 3 acts - Dibbo did his "How do you wank off a Dinosaur" and "Oral sex with a chicken"- I did why do women wear perfume"and make up - not many people laughed at any of them except for a small"group of Aussies - anyway we thought it was funny. Found out that Victoria is 43 (she looks in her 30's). Off to late bar around 2 - our bar bills tell the story - 2.19am - a beer and a scotch. Dibbo off to bed - 2.45am - 1beer. Me to bed sometime after this.

Friday 26/5

Dibbo's birthday 45 today Lynne up around 7, Dibbo at 9 and me - well I sprang out of bed at midday. Had some lunch/breakfast and met up with the other 2. To the open deck bargain - only coke at the moment - we are in College Bay/Fjord today - another heap of glaciers - we stopped at Harvard glacier - the big one at the end of the fjord - another amazing sight. We stayed here a few hours - the ship is having its picture taken for the next brochure by a helicopter -another billliant day. At 3 we went to play an hour of Cyber golf ($75) -we are playing Pebble beach - holy crap - this is hard - we lear nt nothingfrom our golf lesson. We got in 6 holes in the hour. We were using new Nike clubs - but we are still shit players. Back down to bar for a few more drinks and to watch the glaciers. Around 5 our ship credit cards wouldn't work. We went down to the Purser and was told that Dibbos credit card was overdrawn. Anyway we eventually worked it out - I paid and we put $50 each in credit for tonight. Down to get ready for dinner and pack - we have to have our bags outside room by 9pm. I had rare rib roast for dinner and a bottle of red to celebrate Reds birthday. Then to waveview bar to get our last stamp - up to Club Fusion and we got our prize - a choice of a cap or Tshirt - I took the cap and L & G one of each. We stayed in the bar and talked to Victoria - she showed us pictures of her daughter - at Uni back in the Phillipines. Down to purser to finalise accounts - this was around midnight and I found that we had arrived in Whittier and its still pretty light outside. I had to go back to the cabin to get my credit card as they hadn't charged us for the cyber golf. Eventuall to bed 12.30 - alarm set for 6.00 tomorrow.

Saturday 27/5

Up at 6 and off the ship at 7.45 - Dibbo has organised a limo (Bus) to take us into Anchorage. Away from Whittier just before 9 - had to wait 20 minutes for our turn to go thru the tunnel - its only one way and everyone gets an hour turn each way (except for trains that use it as well).To airport to collect our hire car - no probs - into city centre - had a look around and Dibbo to internet to sort out his credit card. On road to Denali NP around 12.30. (Dibbo driving) Nice drive - about 250 miles heaps of snow, mountains and rivers. Another great day - its actually a heat wave here - 23C. The plane flight we aren't doing around Mt McKinley was going to cost us $350US each. Got a reasonable look at Mt McKinley on the way to Denali. We are staying about 10kms from the park at Totem Inn at Healy. OK Room - 2 queen size beds - a nice change from bunk on the ship. Costing $96/night for all 3 of us. Around here there are still some frozen streams. This place also has a pub and a restaurant. We went across the road to the store to get our lunch for the next few days and some grog. Back to room and straight to bar to have a few. We ordered dinner - Burger for me and Pizza for L & G - took them back to room to eat. Had a few drinks and watched a bit of TV. It doesn't actually get dark up here - the sun goes down around 1 and is up again around 4 - twilight the other 3 hours. All asleep early tonight. I actually read my book in the room with the lights off and the curtains closed - thats how light it is.

Sunday 28/5

Alarm woke me at 7 - others already up. On road at 8.00 with an esky packed with our lunch. To the bus centre in the park - we are catching the 8.30 bus - the 8.00 bus is late and we go before it - much to the annoyance of the people waiting for the 8am shuttle. We are going to the 53 mile mark(Toklat) today - can't go any further yet as the road is too wet or still snowed in. Another great day - blue skies and warm. The bus driver gave a bit of a commentary on the way - OK. Saw some Dall sheep, a fox with a rabbit in its mouth and moose and caribou - a bit far off most of them. Saw some brown bears (Grizzlies). Had a quick lunch at the turn around point and drove back to start. We had some great views of Mt McKinley today - this doesn't happen too often. Went and had a look at the visitors centre - OK. Then to dog sled area - they still use the dog during winter to haul gear around the park. They usually have about 30 of them. As we get there they are all barking loudly - its feed time. An odd lot of dogs - all different- 1 third of them have blue eyes. Some look like German Sheppherds, some like cattle dogs. Back to the motel via a quick look at the shops. Back to bar - had a few and ordered dinner again - took it back to room - all asleep by 10.30.

Monday 29/5

Up around 7.30 and away by 8.30 - back to Anchorage - another great sunny day. 22C again. Stopped a few times back to Anchorage to look at some shops and take some photos. At Wassila we stopped to have a look at the Home of the Iditarod race - then for a nice picnic lunch on the shores of a lake -people are bloody swimming - there are snow capped peaks only miles away.In Anchorage we drive down to a river to see if the salmon are running yet -a lot of people fishing - but no salmon.. To Al's Inn where we are staying- room is basic - but cheap - it has 2 double beds. - only $60 for the night. This place is a pub as well and has about 10 different bars with different themes - not many people in this evening as its a public holiday today in USA - Memorial Day. One bar is Karaoke and has 36,500 songs. Down to big shopping centre to see if we can get our photos copied to disc and do emailing - everything like that is closed - had a look around and back toAl's. To bar and a few beers. Lynne and myself went next door and got Chinese (this place has a bar and a Karaoke room - novel idea) - Dibbo had the free Chilli in the bar. We are drinking some type of beer - don't know what it is - but its only $2 a glass and tastes OK. Watched a bit of TV and everyone asleep by 11.

Tuesday 30/5

All up and away at 8 - dropping the rental car back to the airport and catching a flight back to Vancouver (Via Seattle). No probs with the car and thru immigration and customs with no probs. Waited for an hour or so for our flight - just over 3 hours flying time. OK flight - into Seattle -another hour wait and onto a 40 seat Turbo prop for the 45 minutes (200km) flight to Vancouver. Lynne didn't even have time to finish her glass of wine. Thru customs no probs and pick up our bags and to the Rental car mob- Alamo again - this time we have a Pontiac Grand Prix. Off on our Eastern adventure just before 5.00pm.Thats it for now - will do another update in the next few days - we are actually in Banff - so there are a few days still to fill you in with - but this has already cost us $16 and I have been typing for 143 minutes.

Trotty/Lynne/Dibbo