Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver Part 6

Rocky Mountaineer Train Station Kamloops, pic from google.

It was a rinse and repeat night lol. Up early to bring our luggage down to the lobby. We were told that the bus would pick us up at 7:10 am and luggage to be ready at 6:30. We took our cases downstairs early and sat around waiting. The posted sign on the desk said pickup at 7, changed from 7:10 the previous night. We walked outside and saw a small bus. There seemed to be a lot of people in the lobby but as everywhere else we had stayed, there were multiple tours going out. No one from Rocky Mountaineer came and got us as usual. We saw the bus leave and did not recognize anyone. Next came the truck for the luggage so we went up to the desk and asked about our bus and was told that it left 10 minutes early. The front desk called Rocky Mountaineer and told them to send us by cab to the station, their cost! We actually got to the station ahead of the rest of the buses.

Apparently the other train coming from Banff to Kamloops had trouble and the poor people were taken off the train at Revelstoke and bused all the way into Kamloops and did not arrive until 11:30 pm. As all the Rocky Mountaineer contracted buses were used, their drivers had to clock out and the scramble was on for anyone else who could get their passengers from their hotels to the train, including the people who came in late last night. So most buses were loading and unloading people multiple times to get everyone to the train. They did not have the staff to come and welcome you to the bus etc. so we happened to be outside when they were gathering the people. Oh well, it all worked out. The train did get going 30 minutes later than usual. This was the only hiccup the whole trip. 

Two for Breakfast

Headed down the Thompson River. The north and south arms of the river combine together in Kamloops. We followed the South Thompson to Banff and followed the North Thompson from Jasper to Kamloops.

Starting to see smoke from the Lytton Fire.

Rainbow Canyon adjacent to the Thompson River. A protected area. 

Large fish camp on the far shore to catch returning sockeye.

Black Canyon

Both the Banff and Jasper train cars hook together for the run into Vancouver, so a much longer train. We were the first dome car on the way back, so nice for Ray's pictures.

Going through the canyon near Skihist Provincial Park.

Now the Thompson River joins up with the Fraser River, just short of Lytton. We now follow the Fraser for rest of the way into Vancouver. Note how silty the Fraser is compared to the clear Thompson River.

Hells Gate

Arrived at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver by about 7 pm. Our luggage waiting as usual. Time to have a bite to eat and a beer! Ray's salmon with ancient grains and my fish and chips were excellent.

We had the most fabulous room, it was HUGE. Ray was able to take pictures out the windows. Even had a sneak peek at the water.

Our room was on the 15th floor in one of those rounded sections.

When booking I reserved two beds as I could not guarantee a king bed. We sleep much better this way. :)

Night shots out our window. Ray finally got to use his tripod we packed this whole trip. lol

A view out our window at the Fairmont Waterfront and pool area we were at last Sunday.

We headed out first thing to get some breakfast. We passed a De Dutch restaurant last Sunday so headed there. There was a 30 minute wait even though they had lots of empty tables. Apparently they don't have enough staff.... We headed back towards the hotel and went to Tim Horton's instead for coffee and donuts and then headed back to our room to check out before it got any busier and hard to even get an elevator.

People and traffic were very busy in the morning. There was one cruise ship in unloading and two more expected. We were able to grab a taxi and pick up our car at the train station 10 minutes away fairly easy. Nice not to have to drive in the congestion around the hotel with the cruise ship people this morning. Picked up the car and were on our way over the Lions Gate Bridge pretty quickly. Arrived at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry at 9:40 am hoping for the 11 am ferry. We got on the 10 am!!!! We did have a reservation on the 1:25 ferry but wanted to get home as soon as we could. 

Both of us pretty tired with busy days and early mornings so happy to be home earlier. I am coming down with a cold as well. There were a lot of people coughing on the train, only hope it's not Covid!

We stopped in Ladysmith to pick up KFC for lunch and dinner. :) Home by 12:30 which is an hour before our reserved ferry would have left. Bonus. I did a rapid test and it's negative ... so hope it stays that way.

Once we were unpacked it was time to sit on the dock for awhile before the rain forecasted tomorrow begins.

PS  Tested negative again Sunday morning so it's just a bad chest cold :)

This whole trip was fabulous and transfers from bus to hotel to train were all seamless other than the one slight hiccup. Gold Leaf Service providing all luggage transfers too and precheck into your hotel was really appreciated. They would bring your hotel key cards on the train and hand out as you left the train so you just would go straight to your hotel room where your luggage was waiting. 

The seats on the train, super comfortable. The food fantastic and well presented. They also feed you mixed nuts etc. for a morning and afternoon snack not to mention afternoon fresh baked cookies. Lots of choice of beverages, alcoholic and non. Seating in the dining room top notch with linen tablecloths and napkins. 

One thing I would do different when booking is, I would make sure our hotel is downtown so we could walk around a bit more. As it turned out though, we were too tired usually to go anywhere other than get a bite to eat before going to bed. The only other thing I would change, is spacing out the train days a bit more by staying a full day at Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper to actually see the towns before boarding the train again. Train days are very long with pickup between 7 and 7:30 am and not dropped off until 7 or 7:30 pm at night which at the end of August beginning of September is at dusk. A full 12 hour day.

Dress was from nice casual clothes to jeans, shorts and summer dresses. Everyone was in comfortable clothes as you were sitting on and off for 12 hours. I found that pants that I wore belts with, became uncomfortable after awhile so opted the rest of the trip for stretchy waistbands. lol The A/C at times was a little chilly so a sweater was required and other times it was a little warm.

The trip from Vancouver to Banff we found much more scenic than the Jasper to Kamloops run if you have a choice. Also do not miss the Icefield Parkway ... it's the best of all. The trip on the train is broken into 2 day segments so it's very easy to do just one part. A lot of guests got off in Banff and then bused to Calgary where they caught their planes home.

The Rocky Mountaineer Staff were wonderful and all of their partners were awesome. If you can afford it this is a once in a lifetime trip.