Day 2 - Quesnel to Smithers

This morning we went down for breakfast then got on the bus to continue our journey.  Travelled through the Cariboo and Prince George to Vanderhoof, where we stopped for lunch. Lots of lovely big lakes along the way.  We didn't know we'd be stopping in Vanderhoof  until this morning.  It was a special surprise because B's brother lives there.  We called him and he managed to meet us for a short but delightful visit.

After lunch we carried on to Houston, home of the world's largest fly fishing rod.  Stopped there for a break then on to Smithers.  Staying at the Hudson's Bay Lodge where we were treated to a lovely dinner.

I have an aunt living in Smithers but she doesn't drive and after we had our dinner it was too far and too late to go to her house, so instead I phoned her and had a lovely visit over the phone.

Haida Gwaii...Here We Come

This morning we boarded a bus that'll take us up the Fraser Canyon to Prince Rupert where we'll board a ferry and go to Haida Gwaii...formerly known as the Queen Charlette Islands.  We'll stay there 4 nights, go back to Prince Rupert, stay 2 nights and board a ferry going to Port Hardy, stay overnight and the bus will bring us back home.

I've been having a hard time knowing what to pack.  I'm used to going camping or cruising so not sure what to take with us, so hopefully we'll have what we need without having brought too much!

The bus has nice big windows and lots of leg room.  On the back of the seats there is a cup holder and a handy hook to hang my bag and or my camera. One of the hooks already has a garbage bag hung on it...want to keep our bus clean!  Our driver's name is Cedric and our tour host's name is Stephen.

Went to Hope where we stopped for an early lunch then up through the Fraser Canyon.  No matter how many times we go through the canyon it never ceases to amaze me...it is so beautiful!!

Gold Pan is a Provincial campground nestled on the side of the river bank.  There's a train track on one side, then the river, then the campground, then the road then another set of train tracks.  It can get pretty noisy at times but we've camped there several times and totally love it...only problem is: the trailer we have now is a bit too long to get down to the area we love so much!

We stopped at Cache Creek and met up with a bus from the interior. Our bus was only about half full so the company combined the ridership and filled one bus.  Tonight we'll stop for the night at the Billy Barker Casino in Quesnel.  I have cousins in Quesnel so had made arrangements to meet them so when we got to the hotel I called and they came to visit us.

Daughter's Visit

A couple of days after we got home from the cruise our eldest daughter had some time off work so she came out and spent a good part of the day with us.  She loves our Costco out here so we did a Costco run and had lunch.  Before she left she gave me a belated Mother's Day gift...so cute!

A bird house shaped like a trailer.  She said, "sorry I couldn't get a yellow one (the colour of a trailer we had for over 30 years) or a red and white one (the colour of the trailer we have now).  That's okay, this one is cute!  Thank you!

Souveniers

We've sailed with Holland America Line several times so we're part of their Mariner's Club.  They usually have a special luncheon for members and give us each a tile as a gift.  Our first tile (the top one) was on the Alaskan cruise we did in 1996, the second one (ship in a circle) we got when we sailed the South Pacific from Australia to Vancouver and we got another on this Alaskan cruise.  I've been using the two top ones for coasters but so far have the other 4 put away in a drawer because I don't need any more coasters and haven't decided what to do with them.  Thought they might be nice to attach to a base and either use it as a trivet or make it into a tray...we'll see.

When travelling I like to buy something a bit unusual.  I bought some coconut pancake syrup in Hawaii, some fireweed jelly and reindeer sausage when we drove to Alaska.  This trip I found these jellies a lady made, so thought I'd try them.

When you're on board the photographers are always taking pictures.  I bought a couple pictures and also purchased a thumb drive that looks like the ship...thought that was quite novel!

The other thing I always like to buy is earrings.  Actually spoiled myself this time and bought more than earrings!

 

Incredible Food and Fresh Flowers

There are always fresh flowers decorating the ship.

The food was so nicely presented and tasted wonderful!

When we got home is was....What do you mean no one is putting a napkin on my lap?, I'm not getting a menu?  You mean I actually have to cook?  I want to go back on the cruise and be spoiled!!!

Bedtime Surprises

Every night while we were in the dining room eating our gourmet dinners our cabin stewards would come into our room and turn the bed down, leave the next day's "Where and When" a couple of chocolates and one of these little creations.

The Town of Ketchikan

The town is built on the side of a mountain and over the water as well.

The people who live in this little house built on the boardwark don't have a yard so they're growing strawberries in their window box.

There is a fairly large area where there are roads and many, many shops and cafes.  There are a lot of jewellery shops selling some very expensive jewellery and even a church.