Our Big Adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer Train - August 26 - September 3rd Part 1

Friday, August 26th, we started out on our big adventure. We decided to stay overnight at Jason and Kristi's to get one more day with our granddaughter before our trip south. When we get back, there is only just over 2 weeks before we load up the Motorhome. Going to miss this little peanut. First up though is a little shopping in Nanaimo. We need new pillows for our winter trip and could take those with us in our luggage for this trip. Lunch after shopping at the White Spot.

Cheers! Here is to our long awaited adventure on the train.

We arrived shortly after Amelia's nap and it's playtime with Grandpa.

As Kristi is out at a business dinner, we took Jason and Amelia out for dinner at Smitty's Restaurant. She is fascinated with their huge fish tanks. 

Want some water .... pleeezzz Grandma lol

Going for dinner just before 5 on a Friday night is perfect as most of the restaurant is empty for Amelia to explore.

Sharing oreos and ice cream with Grandpa

Amelia loves to vacuum. lol Brought it out of the office for Grandpa to plug in.

Jason got a new Play Station 5, so is setting it up

and she puts it away. :)

So cute!

A great evening visiting. Saturday morning we're up and out the door to catch our ferry to Vancouver.

View leaving Departure Bay in Nanaimo.

Our arrival in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver.

First stop on our trip was visiting my Aunt Norma and Uncle Ken in Coquitlam, who we haven't seen in person for 3 years due to Covid. Cousin Gord brought take out Chinese food. A great visit with Gord, his wife Susanna, and my cousin Pam. Great to see them again. 

Aunt Norma

Uncle Ken

I remember lots of family dinners through the years at this table.

L to R Norma, Susanna, Gord, Pam and Ken

Everyone looking at pictures.

We stayed overnight and headed out at 10 am after a quick visit in the morning to start our adventure. Drove down past my old house that I grew up in from 0 to 13 years. It's slated to be sold and demolished for high density housing.

We're able to check in early at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel so dropped our bags off and then drove our car 10 minutes away to the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station to park our car for the week. It was free for us to park there instead of $25 or more per day in the hotel. (Taxi was only $20 including tip both ways lol) Who needed to drive in the traffic anyways, as the Fairmont is right across the street from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and is totally congested with 3 cruise ships docked. Took us 3 lights to get through one block to get there!

After dropping the car off and back to the hotel, it's time to go for a walk along the beautiful Coat Harbour Seawalk. The last time we were here on Coal Harbour is 35 years ago when my Dad kept his boat at the Vancouver Rowing Club. Sure has grown. What a beautiful day at 25C/82F.

First up is lunch at Mahony's Tavern. Once we got the menu we realized that there was no "Irish" in the dishes so opted to walk further down the seawalk.

Kids waterpark.

Jack Poole Plaza with the Olympic Torch

I'll take this one!

or maybe this one.

Cardero's, our lunch/appy destination.

Great mocktails for Ray and beer for me, with a side of shrimp dumplings. Yummm

After our snack, it's back to the hotel for a dip in the hot tub.

Cruise Ship Terminal right beside Canada Place.

Food court area at the base of the hotel.

Out beside the entrance to the main lobby of Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Hot tub time.

Having a fabulous time and drinks at poolside.

The building in front with the curved windows is where we stay on the way back, The Pan Pacific Hotel.

Dinner time at the hotels ARC Restaurant. Ray ordered the best halibut (poached in olive oil) he's ever had! I ordered the wild mushroom gnocchi with lardons. Delicious.

Ray's happy with his mocktail

Back to the room for an early night. We have to have our luggage ready by 6:10 am and pick up by bus at 7 for the Rocky Mountaineer Train.

Ray did pop out for some night time shots though before we called it a night.

North Vancouver above and below

Pan Pacific Hotel and Cruise Ship Dock above and below

Good Night all!