Up and out again, early Monday morning, to the buggies, and another good day of viewing. Unfortunately the battery died on my camera, but in the end i didn't mind, because i was better able to focus on the experience. One gentleman with impressive camera gear offered to email me his photos, so i could relax and just enjoy the experience. We had two more close up encouters with bears, and then back home for a pleasant evening with the other travellers and our hosts.
We were leaving on the train on Tuesday night. Theoretically at about four, realistically much later. Jenifor was sick today, so her mom Jolene needed to go out to the dog yard from 1- 6... Another cold nasty day, so I offered to be host and welcome all the new guests, as there was to be a complete turnover of all five rooms. I had a wonderful time 'meeting and greeting' the two couples (farmers) from North Carolina, two women who worked for VIA rail (who were in for a lot of comments about the train), and a young couple from Winnipeg who all arrived by train about 7 hours late. The last to arrive was Lou on the four oclock plane. Besides his rolling duffle, he carried a rather old beat up small suitcase, which he immediately opened, as it held a 20 pound box of dog cookies for the sled dogs that he had hauled from California.
We were all packed, and after ordering a pizza for dinner (no, they do not deliver. K kindly went to pick it up) we headed to the train station. It turned out they DID have empty berths, so K and I both got lower berths for less than it cost on the way up, Because it was colder, the ground was firmer and it was a smoother trip going back. I love going to sleep to the click click sound of the wheels on the track, looking out the window at the full moon and trees whizzing by....
We arrived mid afternoon (late of course). Not much to do in Thompson, so early to bed. Next day I checked into the library to use the internet, and by noon we were on the bus back to Winnipeg. We were treated to the most amazing sun set. There is absolutely nothing like a sunset over the prairie.... Indigo, blue, pink, orange, red yellow, blending in the most amazing ways. It was an uneventful trip. To be honest, the trip up, with the four hour stop at the lake was more enjoyable than a ten hour non stop bus trip bacl. Overnight at the hotel, and then we were on our flights, homeward bound... me to Victoria, she to Australia.....
It was an amazing, albeit expensive trip and i am glad i did it. I will post travelling and financial details later, for those who might want to do the trip. The bears were magic, the dogs fantastic, the hospitality of our hosts heart warming. I told Jenafor that if her mom didn't return to cook next year, she should contact me!!!
Thanks canayjun, would be very interested in the nitty gritty of who, how and cost etc. Its definitely on the to do list.
I enjoyed your updates.
If you did it all again, what time would you plan to target to be there (earlier or later?)..
Also, any idea on how long the season may run this year. I know the buggies run to mid Nov. Should there be bears out until then?
Thanks
Rad... we wanted to go in November, when there would probably be some snow, but it was totally booked up. I would say any time in November would be good. But with the ice forming later and later, i think there will be some shifts in timing the 'season' in the future...
I am now in Honolulu airport wating for my flight home to Sydney. I also hope to post my account and details when i GET home but will need to recover first. The journey from churchill will take me seven days but this is day 6 so things are not too bad. To all you candians who helped me so thanks a million, it was a great trip and although any trip to churchilkl is comparitively expensive we did it a hell of a lot cheaper than the tourists who paid up to $6000 for a few days. I also believe we had a better experience. And we finally saw snow from the train on the way back to Thompson. On reflection though on churchill without snow.................the bears are easier to see and the photos are reallt interesting with them and the autumn tundra colours.................I have never eally seen a polar bear photo without snow after all. To all Happy Halloween also. We don't celebrate it really in oz anyway and even if we did I am going to lose it on the plane as I cross the dateline and arive in oz when it is just about finishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
trusted partner
