Monday, 26th December 2016

Today was another early start for the girls! They had their ski lesson today, so had to be up early and all ready to go. 

After breakfast in the dining room - the girls were too tired to eat much - we headed out to register for their all day ski lesson. We picked up their skis & poles from the hire store then went to find the meeting place. 

The girls looked quite the part all dressed up. They were in a class of six - 5 girls and 1 boy who didn't speak much English. 

And to make it even better, it snowed all day!

We were all very excited to see real snow flakes!

After what seemed like forever, the girls and their class headed up the slopes on the gondola. They got off at the mid station where the snow school slopes were. 

They managed to get some photos on Ashleigh's Go Pro.

While they were up on the mountain, we wandered around the village and enjoyed a hot drink along the way. We got some bananas for the girls and muesli bars to keep them going too. We also found some toe warmers to go in our shoes and got glove liners and neck warmers too! It is so cold here at times.

Both girls were still smiling at the end of the day, but were looking forward to a nice long soak in the bath using the bath bombs we got from Lush for them while we were out and about during the day. 

Later we headed to the hotel restaurant for some dinner - all enjoying just a light meal before heading back to our rooms so the girls could get some well earned rest!

Quite a lot of snow fell during the day, so we were all very pleased with that. It meant the temperature wasn't quite as cold but still in the minuses!

Till next time,

Doreen

Sunday, 25th December 2016

Merry Christmas! Today was certainly a very different Christmas to what we normally experience!

Our day started with breakfast in the hotel dining room. We had gifts for the girls to open there, not that they felt they needed anything.

After breakfast, we headed out to gondola from the base of the Whistler Mountain up to the top, then another one across to Blackcomb Mountain. But we found out that the gondola had suffered a power outage so was not operating for a while. There was lots of skiers waiting to go up on the lifts, as well as tourists!

So instead, we joined our tour guide, Zita, and a group from our tour, for a walk around Whistler. We headed to Fitzsimmons Creek then walked along the creek for a bit and back to the village. It was a beautiful walk. Zita is lots of fun! She started some snow ball fights, and gave a demonstration on how to create snow angels. Some of our group joined her in making snow angels. There was lots of laughing and fun!

Zita, taking a rest on the sun lounge! 

 The walk was spectacular

 It was a winter wonderland

 Snow fight between Keith & Ali

 Zita covered in snow after demoing a snow angel

 Ali & Ashleigh making snow angels

The snow angels

After our walk the gondolas were running again, so we joined the queue to get on them. It was very cold just standing around waiting and Ali wasn't feeling 100%. We eventually got on and headed up the mountain. Your feet freeze from being on the cold metallic floor in the freezing temperatures. It was colder in Whistler today than it had been for a while, so we really felt it. The maximum only got to about -6 or -7degrees!

At the top of Whistler Mountain we went straight over to the Peak to Peak Gondola to take us to Blackcomb Mountain. Our plan was to rest there for while inside to warm up and get some lunch, but everyone else had to same idea so we took a few photos, then headed back down.

There were lots of skiers and snow board riders on the mountain. It was an absolute sea of colour!

Once back down, we went into the village to find some lunch and get ski goggles for the girls. We found a little deli where we could get some warm food and a seat so we enjoyed  pastries there. 

Then it was time to confirm the booking for the girls ski lessons for the following day. We did that, then went and got them fitted for their skis, boots, poles, helmets, pants and jackets. That took quite some time! We had a little time to relax and get ready for our Christmas dinner with the group.

Once again, the dinner was a buffet! They catered well for everyone. We started with Mulled Wine, Eggnog or Fruit Punch, then a buffet of lots of shell fish, along with salads, plus hot ham, hot turkey and hot beef with vegies. This was all followed by a selection of desserts. 

It was a different Christmas Day, but great none the less!

Till next time,

Doreen

Saturday, 24th December 2016

Today, we woke in Victoria. After breakfast, we headed by coach back to the Ferry Terminal, where we boarded the ferry back to the mainland. And luckily, we were able to pick up the little camera that I had accidentally left on the ferry on the way over!

It was about 1.5 hours on the ferry - enough time to get a sandwich for lunch and keep an eye out for any Orca Whales that may be lurking. Unfortunately we didn't see any. 

 The ferry we crossed back to the mainland on

 A smaller ferry heading off to some of the other neighbouring islands

Our coach was at the front of the line to leave the ferry. The doors to the ferry opened well before we were at the terminal. I am just pleased there were stops in front of the coach!

Once back on the mainland, the coach took us to Whistler - only a couple of hours drive away. The journey took us through Vancouver over the Lion's Gate Bridge.

We stopped off at Shannon Falls to check them out. Many of us braved the slippery walk to the falls - it was very icy on the track. The falls were frozen - which looked spectacular!

 The girls were excited by the snow!

 Someone else had built this snow man, so we decided to have our photo taken with it.

Ashleigh, Ali, Keith & I at Shannon Falls. We were so pleased to have our warm jackets and boots!

Once in Whistler, we got our room keys, then after dropping our hand luggage off, headed to the busy supermarket to get carrots so the girls could build snowmen! The town centre in Whistler was really buzzing!

Ali & Ashleigh came to our room - we were on different floors - to build their snowmen as we had a balcony and easy access to snow (even though it was not fresh snow). They each built their own snowmen. We stayed inside and kept warm!

After the snowman building, it was time to head downstairs for dinner with our tour group. It was a delicious buffet dinner with so much food to choose from!

After dinner, I grabbed everyone's washing for a date with the washing machine! My two loads took me till about 11pm to get finished! By then I was ready for bed. The girls had gone a bit earlier.

Till next time, 

Doreen

Friday, 23rd December 2016

Today was the coldest day we have experienced so far! The maximum was 4C! We were rugged up all day so stayed reasonably warm most of the day except when we got hot in the shops and buildings!

Our day started with breakfast in the hotel dining room. Then we headed over the bridge to the main part of Victoria's shopping area. The first stop was to look for rain pants for me - which we found in the second shop we went to. Then we wandered along Government Road and ended up at a small coffee shop for a warm drink and a snack - only the cookies the girls had were the size of side plates!

Then we headed out to the shops again looking for a new tripod for my camera - I brought Keith's Gorillapod with me but it isn't suitable for the pics I want to take. We had success at the first shop we went to, thankfully. 

It was raining when we woke this morning and continued most of the day! The hotel supplied umbrellas were very useful today! Along with our waterproof gear, the umbrellas kept us dry. 

This afternoon, after a light lunch at Starbucks (we seem to have been there regularly), we enjoyed a horse drawn cart ride around part of the city. We all felt a bit sorry for the horses. 

 All rugged up ready for our horse drawn cart ride.

 Sergeant is ready to take us on the tour.

 Ali all rugged up

Ashleigh all rugged up

After the horse drawn cart ride, where we saw several black squirrels (but not close enough to get photos), lots of ducks, peacocks and some of the oldest houses in Victoria, we headed back to the hotel to warm up, pack our cases and relax before dinner in the hotel restaurant. It was another really enjoyable meal!

Last time we were here, we took some "ghost" photos, so we decided to do it again this time. It was very cold outside, so we had to be quick!

I think I need to change the timing, but you get the idea!

Till next time, take care. 

Doreen