Sometimes no matter how organised you are things happen.
Got up extra early today had a shower changed and went back to sleep for a while then went downstairs organised my stuff in the kitchen had a bit of breakfast retrieved my luggage then checked out and asked reception to call a taxi with their Yellow Cab taxi button.
Panic first taxi did not arrive after 20 minutes so ran back into reception to call another one. As a back up I called a different taxi company.
To make things worse the sidewalk and street were blocked off for seasonal tree pruning using scissor lift equipment so how was my taxi going to get through to pick me up?
So my taxi came and just behind it the original Yellow Cab taxi showed up - too bad they lost the job.
Just in time arrival @ The Hyatt Hotel next to Burrard Station for the 10.40 am Skylynx ( formerly Pacific Coachlines which decided not to renew their contract - at least I know they didn't go into administration like Perimeter Coachlines did many years ago) coach to Whistler.
There were quite a few people heading to Whistler and all of them asking me Is this where we catch the bus to Whistler? Most were catching different buses some with Epic Rides some with Whistler Rides and others on Skylynx which departs from Vancouver Airport via downtown Vancouver. No one for Snowbus though.
Currently on the coach front seat pre requested as I have been getting vertigo since arriving in Vancouver. Bus is not full - some Aussies on board but I am not surprised according to news feeds visitation is down in Whistler this year - I think visitation has been slowly declining since Whistler became part of American ski resort giant Vail Resorts Inc. - that's right Canada doesn't even own it's own ski resort - maybe Australia should buy it - after all Whistler is known as "The Aussie Ski Capital of the World" - Welcome to Whistler no Welcome to Australia!
Great way to getting used to travelling home - with 80 - 90 % of Aussies in Whistler you feel like you never left home - Victoria Bitter Tim Tams even Vegemite all available ( at a premium) even the odd meat pie and possibly a Lamington all available in Whistler.
You're not in Canada anymore once you leave Vancouver you're in Ozmerica.
Just on the Sky to Sky Highway now.
Clear skies and beautiful views along the Sea To Sky Highway with just a brief fine spitting of rain along the way.
Stopped off at Squarmish but the coach was early arriving into Whistler therefore stopped at Squarmish for 5 - more like 10 minutes - enough to go to the local cafe or fast food joint. ( this coach service no longer stops on the other side of Squarmish at the Adventure Centre where there are no cafes or facilities )
Arrived in Whistler @ The Gateway Loop around 1 pm driver of the coach was in training and had trouble turning into the new multimillion dollar coach terminal which was a very tight turn. Transferred from coach to shuttle bus to take me to the Cascade Lodge. An Aussie couple from Perth who were also waiting for the coach at the Hyatt and on the same coach as me also boarded the shuttle to The Alpenglow. First stop was for The Cascade then The Alpenglow then Marketplace - oops shuttle bus driver missed my drop off stop so The Alpenglow was first stop followed by my stop and finally The Marketplace. Not many passengers on the coach this time round thank goodness as I had so much luggage with me!
Dumped my luggage in the foyer and walked to the check in desk @ Twin Peaks down the road.
Checked in, picked up my parcel but could not get into my apartment yet housekeeping were still there - hopefully it is having a thorough inspection to ensure everything works before I move in.
2.30 pm and I am sitting in the lobby with all my luggage blogging snacking on cheese and crackers waiting for the phone call to advise me that I can now move in. I still don't get why I have to give my credit card as a security deposit as I am an owner. If anything they should be refunding me a deposit for all the inconvenience they caused me last year!
By 3.30 pm still no phone call so I take the lift upstairs and housekeeping is still in my apartment. I email the check in desk and ask when I can actually access my apartment. No response then I receive an email advising in about another 20 minutes or so.
At 4 pm finally I take the lift upstairs and housekeeping have left and I drag all my luggage in the lift one bag at a time with me.
I open the door and was surprised to see the changes to my apartment since last year - an almost new kitchen complete with a new extra tall stainless steel refrigerator, a new extra large cooktop and oven, a new microwave and I assume convection oven combo as per previous microwave, a new kitchen bench , extra deep double sink complete with a new mixer tap and a new dishwasher which has a hidden electronic control panel ( I still have to figure out how to use it ) . All the old cupboards remain the same but the floor has been replaced - it was getting a bit gritty to stand on barefooted.
Then there was the new bathroom tap with it's trendy spout however the entire deep bathtub and shower/tap combo had not changed nor had the toilet and the troublesome washing machine/ dry combo with the essential buttons for start pushed in again and temperature control button of the wash cycle completely removed ie warm wash cycle only which is not ideal for merino as it will strink it.
Then there is the new lounge and side tables which are logs but no coffee table - completely removed and I loved that otterman coffee table as it was once used to store the spare blankets and pillows as well as games in - where am I going to place my tea cup and snacks on now in front of the tv ?
Some of the doors and walls have been repainted with a different colour scheme and so has the side entrance bench and coat hanger area.
Finally the main bedroom - I haven't checked if the dryer works nor have I checked the tv in the main bedroom but the bed seems a little lower the previously and that's a good thing so I don't need a step ladder to get into it. No more extra cushions or rolls on the bed just white sheets and oh no a faux fur throw at the end of the double bed ( I am sure someone's large profile photo on the owners corporation website may have had something to do with this - not my cup of tea - nor are some of the other interior design touches around the apartment ie cheap artwork replacing the original artwork and pieces of furniture e.g. aluminium chairs around the wooden table for 4 and the fake antelier centrepiece light above it!)
Then there is the huge flat screen tv they have decided to place above the old gas fireplace with an ever increasing number of remote controls and needs an instruction sheet to operate. Yep I still have to work out the complexities of the 3 remote controls for 1 tv! At least I can turn the tv on and off and change channels.
First thing unpack and place all my groceries on the kitchen bench or in the refrigerator.
Next unpack and repack and laundry. Wash but not dried yet.
Snack and drink as I had not eaten much all day. Shower and brush my teeth as I had not done that either.
Feeling tired I could not be bothered to go to pick up my new edgecard or go down to the Marketplace IGA for some fresh groceries.
So glad I had made some fried rice and bought some bbq duck and bread and left over cheese from previous day with me.
Time to test out the new microwave - it has a reheat sensor. Now to make some tea with the coffee machine! Done.
Watched the Food Channel until quite late - I think I will be watching tv a lot while I am here as I don't have tv back in Vancouver where I am staying and if there is it is usually on sports.
Tried to sleep but Whistler is alive until 3 am in the morning. Very noisy inside and outside of apartment.
4 am Saturday can't sleep so still blogging. A little cold so I turn the old fireplace on. Amazing night view from my balcony of Whistler Mountain and of the lights in the village below.
Apologies not the best photos - refer Facebook for better ones uploaded.
Saturday 19th January 2019 - Day 2 Whistler ( Martin Luther King Day)
Today I just did not want to get up so slept in until about 9 am. Shower breakfast then first thing off to Guest Services to pick up a new Epic Edge Card.
Next grocery shopping at Marketplace IGA - budget CAN$100 - done under budget.
Back to the apartment to put my groceries straight into the refrigerator.
So glad I am not skiing today visibility is very poor it is a little wet and there are so many people in Whistler this weekend for the annual MLK public holiday the resort is bursting. Signs at guest services warn of strong winds which may result in lifts ceasing to operate. Looking at the lift indicator board half of the lifts were on stop and half on go on Whistler Mountain.
Most people seemed to be in and around the village lining up to see a movie at the Village 8 cinema shopping eating ice skating or just playing in the snow play areas.
By 2.30 pm I am back at my apartment when it suddenly snows quite heavily but the snow showers only last about 15 minutes before the whole resort top to bottom clears up by 3 pm.
Photos attached from my balcony.
The log side table in my apartment - a great home for my stuffed possum!
The changing views of Whistler My from my balcony
Went grocery shopping at Marketplace IGA - chocolate pizza and Canada's answer to Yakault except 6 times as expensive - purchased a plain bottle and tried it for breakfast Sunday morning - It's just a miniature bottle of thick yoghurt- you can't drink it out of it's minute bottle like Yakault - epic fail Canada and adding fruit flavorings does not make it any more palatable
A stroll through Whistler Village to Village North with a mandatory stop at Cows Ice Creams store which has been in Canada for years! Not just ice cream merchandise as well.
The pool and hot tub area downstairs in apartment block was a very noisy party central zone on Friday & Saturday nights til very late.
Sunday 20th January 2019 - Day 3 Whistler
A very beautiful day today unsure what to do but must get out and about.
I decided to walk to Lost Lake today and went snow shoeing around Lost Lake. I wanted to stay up there forever! It was the most beauriful day and everyone was out snowshoeing and cross country skiing around Lost Lake.
Was going to go ice skating as well but decided not to instead returned back to my apartment to make an early dinner watch the Food Network and wait for the fireworks which usually occur around 7.15 pm as part of the Fire & Ice Show down in the village every Sunday night. Grabbed my camera as soon as I hear the first bang go off and run to my balcony. The fireworks only last a few minutes so I have to be very quick to grab my camera and get to my balcony.
Apologies for the very blurry photos of fireworks and snow shoeing below
Monday 21st January 2019 - Day 4 Whistler
Perfect day I made myself go skiing. First stop a ride on the new Blackcomb Gondola which now connects via a mid station to the Peak to Peak Gondola. Oh no it's not based in the village but at Marlins at the base of Blackcomb Mt so to get there walk or take the old Excalibur Gondola to Base In and ski back down to Merlins to take the new Blackcomb Gondola ( which doesn't have an official name on the trail map yet) then take the Peak to Peak Gondola across to Whistler My. A stop off for snacks and a wee then ski all the way down back to Whistler Village.
Took loads of photos along the way.
Attached below.
It is games night at Whistler library tonight but I went downstairs to sit in the hot tub and a brief swim in the pool before having a shower and blogging.
A beautiful night outside. I should go for a walk. The sky is so clear tonight maybe a result of the blood wolf moon last night which I didn't even bother to look for as I was more interested in the fireworks.
Perfect ski day ( refer Facebook page for photos)
Tuesday 22nd January 2019 - Day 5 Whistler
No ski day today as visibility is very poor - white out and heavy snow predicted later today.
By 3 pm whilst out ice skating in the partially indoor partially outdoor skating rink in Whistler Village it started to snow and snow until about 6 pm.
So beautiful walking around the village when it snows at night.
Stopped off at the IGA to pick up some more food hand drink and to KFC for the Tuesday special - wanted the spicy but it was unavailable. The chicken pieces are tiny in Whistler as well.
8 pm and it is still snowing continuously. It is quite cold do I have turned the oldn gas fireplace on.
Photos attached below
The good old gas fireplace in my apartment much needed on a night like this
Those streaks are snow falling on my way home from the supermarket
KFC in Whistler ( McDonald's is across the road at Market Place Village North)
The IGA supermarket - hang out here if you have nothing else to do except shop for food @ Whistler prices!
Walking along the main street from Marketplace home
The view from my bedroom window of the pool and hot tub below - after the snow falls. Everything is covered in a blanket of white. There were people in the pool and hot tubs right until it closed at 10 pm tonight.
Wednesday 23rd January 2019 - Day 6 Whistler
Final days in Whistler I will miss this view when I return to Sydney.
Got up very early this morning around 5 am - wrote some emails, washed my clothes the dishes baked a few pastries and had breakfast all before 8 am.
Another clear and beautiful day today - yes I am skiing again today!
Not yet 8 am this morning and the avalanche bombing on the mountaind can be heard from inside my apartment.
The entire village and mountain is covered in white.
Photos below
View from my balcony @ 7 am this morning.
View from my balcony @ 8 am this morning the avalanche bombing continues and in the background the Peak to Peak Gondola has not started to run across the mountains yet. Lifts open 8.30 am . Last lifts 3 pm until 26th January 2019.
Time to get ready for another day on the mountain.
I took more photos then I skiied today.
I took the squishy old gondola up Whistler Mt to the Roundhouse this morning getting to the lift line up by 9 am instead of 10 am which made no difference as the queue was still an hour long and it takes up to 30 minutes to get up to the Roundhouse on Whistler Mt (depending on winds when they have to stop and restart the gondolas on the way up and down the mountain very uncomfortable with full gondola cabins for long periods of time) . I was more concerned that my jacket would not get stuck in the gondola door when they closed.
I contemplated getting off at Mid Station for my first warm up ski back down to the village but if I did, it would take me ages to get back onto the gondola as I would have to line up again for another hour to upload again - if someone gets off at Mid Station a liftie immediately loads someone else waiting to get upto the Roundhouse on - every single seat in the old 8 seater gondola cabins is filled. Someone said as soon as they stepped off the gondola at Roundhouse they spent more time uploading on the ski lifts then skiing!
I arrived at the Roundhouse around 10 am and decided to get straight onto the Peak to Peak Gondola to take me across to Blackcomb Mt - another 30 minutes or so. A quick wee stop at Rendevouz and more photos then ski all the way down to the village - ensuring I stick to the "To Whistler Village " routes and not to "Blackcomb Base II" route!
I end up taking the longest runs again mainly Green however I tried a few very short Blue runs but could not figure out what was so Blue about them - some of the Green runs were steeper and deeper then the Blue runs.
I end up at the old Midstation on Blackcomb Mt where I stop for a quick home packed snack ie the point on lower Blackcomb Mt where the old Excalibur gondola uploads and downloads from and where you can ski back down to Whistler Village walk to the Tube park or ski down to Base II to upload on the new Blackcomb Gondola to the new Mid Station on Blackcomb Mt or continue all the way back up to the Rendezvous where I started skiing from.
I Ski back down to Whistler Village as it is only 12.30 pm so I take the Whistler gondola back up to the Roundhouse - no queues and hop onto the Peak to Peak again sitting on the opposite side of the gondola cabins to take more photos of the views of both mountains. I do not get off but stay on so I return to the Roundhouse on Whistler Mt.
I debate whether to ski all the way down Whistler Mt or download. It is my last ski day so I decide to ski all the way down to at least Mid Station. By now it is past 2 pm so I stick to the fastest and shortest most direct route down. I ended up skiing down to Mid Station before queing up at 3 pm to download to the village along with all the other ski school Whistler Kids and their parents. Last lifts up close at 3 pm.
That was the fastest ski I have done about 40 minutes or so I took upper Olympic and Lower Olympic - no long winding Expressways no time!
End of another ski day - straight down to the hot tub for a soak and a quick swim in the outdoor pool.
Back upstairs for a shower and dinner.
Sleep very tired.
Final day tomorrow in Whistler before returning to Vancouver and a long flight home - end of another annual holiday!
Photos attached below
3 pm @ Whistler Village
Skiing back down to Mid Station on Whistler Village
The view from both sides of Peak To Peak Gondola
Thursday 24th January 2019 - Day 7 Final Day In Whistler
Another partially sunny day today in Whistler although not as clear as yesterday. There are still a cloud of fog across the mountains and village this morning.
I plan to do nothing today as I need to wash and clean the apartment pack empty the rubbish wash and dry my clothes etc last minute shopping and return bottles for recycling.
Tonight I am booked to attend an annual tech workshop - Useful Apps again at Whistler library from 6 - 8 pm.
( I will write about what I learnt in this adult 19 years+ workshop after I attend it)
Ok back to the tech workshop on useful apps held at Whistler Library . I went to the same workshop last year and some of the same people attended this year. I wish I could go to more of these free workshops but I am only here in Whistler for a week only. This year the workshop was a little more structured where the workshop was focused on the top 10 apps for IPhone and Android and whether the same apps are available for both or whether there is an equivalent.
I think I need to write to Vail Inc as the app for Whistler Blackcomb is far from being the preferred one for both IPhone and Android.
The top apps for 2018/2019 were as follows. Not all apps are useful and one app listed in the top 10 had even the instructor puzzled as to what it actually did.
#1 app Carrot what is it? It is a healthy lifestyle app. Who doesn't want to earn Aeroplan points or Scene points for healthy habits - the catch? It is only available to Canadian residents. Is there an Australian version? Not that we could see but then again the equivalent could be called tomato lettuce or celery I joked!
#2 app Peak what is it? It is a brain train game . If you love crosswords this is for you. Sorry Nintendo DS you have now become obsolete!
#3 Monday what is it? Some type of HR management tool. I am unsure if I would use it after using the worst one possible called Deputy last year on my phone where half the functions did not work I am hesitant to try this top app.
# 4 app Drops what is it? One would never guess from such a weird name . It is a language learning app. An alternative to the still super popular language app Duolingo.
Then there is ( in no particular order)
Say Hi a language translation app
Masterclass - learn from the experts in the field self education courses app eg Jodie Foster acting or Gordon Ramsey cooking etc. The catch? What CAN$240/year! Apparently this type of education is quite value for money. Skip that one - I use the Future Learn website.
Then the is Keep a home work out app. I don't need this I am constantly active.
I stopped taking notes at this point as a lot of the other apps mentioned I would never use either because I have no interest in them or they suck you into a subscription or membership after a free trial. I don't think I need a motivational pep talk app Tony Robbins style nor do I need a news alarm app to wake me up in the morning because all the news I would hear would be about Trump and yes I checked there are at least 3 poorly rated Trump apps available! I do wonder what these apps do!
Then there the most commonly used apps HBO Hulu Sound Cloud etc....for movies and music - I'll stick to YouTube and Spotify. An alternative music app mentioned was Band camp for musicians that wanted to sell their music direct - great for one I music to get out there to the masses.
Finally other apps worthy of a mention off line navigation Maps.me and everyone knows Google Maps.
One other unworthy mention and I should write to Vail Inc about it. EPICMIX what is it well it was suppose to replace LIVE the old Whistler Blackcomb app however it is not that goid nor is it specific to Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. One thing is it is missing Perisher Blue on the Vail Inc list of ski resorts it owns and when I had a look at the list of lift status - the new Blackcomb Gondola was on the list but was I imagining it the main gondola connecting Whistler Mt to Blackcomb Mt ie The Peak2Peak was left off tge list completely! To get into the app you can enter as a guest or type in your EPIC lift pass #. There may be restrictions using the app if you sign in as a guest.
Finally no mention of any photo editing apps. #1 photo editing app Snapseed and this was recommended to me by the coach driver trainer on my way up to Whistler from Vancouver. I do recommend it!
I am watching as much tv as I can as there will be no tv when I return to Vancouver.
View from my balcony @ 12 noon today
Friday 25th January 2019 - Depart Whistler Back To Vancouver @ 10.45 am This Morning
I will miss -
1. The view from my apartment of the village and mountains
2. TV
3. A very comfortable double bed
4. The Fireplace
5. The New Kitchen & The Old Laundry
6. Being able to go snow shoeing around Lost Lake
7. Skiing and the views on the both mountains
8. Time standing still or at least slowing down
9. Peace & quiet.
Arrived back in overcast Vancouver around 12.45 pm - not bad as we left around 11 am - however the taxi took forever to pick me up from the Hyatt where we were dropped off and I was freezing for some reason.
Shannon Falls just outside of Squarmish was not very spectacular this year - therefore photo opportunity a miss. In the past it was a must stop and see.
I took some photos of the fog floating between the majestic mountains in the distance along the Sea To Sky Highway.
( refer Facebook page for photos) - not bad for a very low end entry level phone camera I thought - had to continuously shoot put on panoramic mode and use the maximum zoom and press the camera against the moving coach's Windows at an awkward angle in order to get half descent photos though. The green tint of all the photos was not a filter I used but the actual colour of the coach Windows.
I can't say I slept very well on my first night back in Vancouver in Room 224 as there is a constant loud dripping noise right next to my bed in the room. I left my stuffed possum downstairs in my main suitcase and there is no one else in my room.
I did not feel like doing anything when I arrived back in Vancouver except try to sleep - all I had all day was 2 Purdys chocolates and may be a sip of water and I did not feel like eating or going out. Not even going to the YMCA for a dance class
Heading back to Sydney soon I decide to live out of my carry on bag only. My ski bag and main suitcase are in the storage room downstairs.
So glad I bought my leftover turkey and lamb macaroni with cheese I could not finish with me from Whistler - no need to cook. That was my dinner. Amazing how pasta tastes better the night after!
So excited for tomorrow night's dinner booked way in advance. Another first time event I am attending. TBC
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