To the top of Alaska (with a few other places along the way)

[Atleastonce]

Tomorrow we start a month long adventure starting with BNE-MEL using our $129 virgin Australia credit card redemption flights. Platinum status sees us in economy X and row 3. A late arrival into MEL for our next day VA23flight to LAX. We needed to fly to MEL to secure J award seats. This is our first time in “The Business” for a VA long haul and we are very much looking forward to the flight. A late arrival in MEL and although staying at the airport, we will be trying to stay awake as long as we can to get some rest en route to LAX. We hit the road running when arriving in LA and drive straight to Anaheim for a quick 2 day visit to Disneyland. A quick overview of the rest of the trip. LAX to YYC and then drive the scenic route to Vancouver where we fly to Anchorage and then to the top of Alaska. We spend 2 days in Barrow, Alaska’s northern most town. Then back to Homer and go looking to photograph some bears in Katmai National Park, the Alaskan Railroad to Fairbanks, to a little town called the North Pole, then to San Francisco for a quick stop over and a baseball game. Then the flight from SFO-SYD-BNE in Qantas J reward ticket. Hopefully I can share some amazing photos and stories along the way.

 

[RB]

Loved our time in Alaska-really looking forward to reading about and seeing your experiences

 

[Straubs]

Sounds like fun, am along for the ride!

 

[JohnM]

Just slipping into 1A for what looks like a sensational ride!

 

[Jacques Vert]

Just slipping into 1A for what looks like a sensational ride!

And I'm already in row 17.

 

[kermatu]

I'm onboard as well. No seat. Just a stowaway.

 

[RooFlyer]

Great trip! Calgary to Vancouver ... used to be my work back yard.

Can you do me a favour? After you leave the traffic lights at the end of the Golden take-away/motel 'strip' on the Trans-Canada (Golden is abt 3 hrs west of Calgary), 13.5km later, on the left you'll come across a pretty big white industrial site with a big blue shed, next to a river. That's the sand processing project I worked on for years, but never got to see finished as the company I contracted to got taken over.

Can you take a pic and post it, please?

In exchange, I'll give you my traffic tips:

* First, bookmark this site for BC driving: DriveBC BC Highway Webcams Great for checking on delays and other traffic conditions. If you are driving there during school hols, it WILL be busy on the Trans Canada. Book accommodation in advance, if you can.

* Wild Flour Café in Bison Street, Banff has some of the best coffee in Canada. Worth a stop but make sure to park properly - the inspectors are lethal !

* Lake Louise 'village' just off the highway (not the Chateau) also has a good bakery/lunch spot.

* Speed limit in the National Parks is 90 km/hr, but you can usually get away with 100km/hr EXCEPT for the eastern entrance (Canmore) until abt 15km west of Lake Louise, especially the last 15km west of LL.

* If you see a bunch of cars ahead parked on the side of the highway, that means there is probably a bear to be seen

* After Field, take the turn right to Emerald Lake - extremely scenic and not too far.

* Revelstoke is a good place for lunch, Golden no so much (take-away strip, unless you detour into the town proper)

* Going via Kamloops or Kelowna? I'd go via Kelowna, especially if you want to visit some wineries and its a big fruit growing area too. Here is a TR I did on the area: But Salmon Arm / Kamloops is probably a better choice f you just want a scenic drive through (but again, check traffic conditions).

Are you staying in Calgary?

 

[Atleastonce]

Great trip! Calgary to Vancouver ... used to be my work back yard.

Can you do me a favour? After you leave the traffic lights at the end of the Golden take-away/motel 'strip' on the Trans-Canada (Golden is abt 3 hrs west of Calgary), 13.5km later, on the left you'll come across a pretty big white industrial site with a big blue shed, next to a river. That's the sand processing project I worked on for years, but never got to see finished as the company I contracted to got taken over.

Can you take a pic and post it, please?

In exchange, I'll give you my traffic tips:

* First, bookmark this site for BC driving: DriveBC BC Highway Webcams Great for checking on delays and other traffic conditions. If you are driving there during school hols, it WILL be busy on the Trans Canada. Book accommodation in advance, if you can.

* Wild Flour Café in Bison Street, Banff has some of the best coffee in Canada. Worth a stop but make sure to park properly - the inspectors are lethal !

* Lake Louise 'village' just off the highway (not the Chateau) also has a good bakery/lunch spot.

* Speed limit in the National Parks is 90 km/hr, but you can usually get away with 100km/hr EXCEPT for the eastern entrance (Canmore) until abt 15km west of Lake Louise, especially the last 15km west of LL.

* If you see a bunch of cars ahead parked on the side of the highway, that means there is probably a bear to be seen

* After Field, take the turn right to Emerald Lake - extremely scenic and not too far.

* Revelstoke is a good place for lunch, Golden no so much (take-away strip, unless you detour into the town proper)

* Going via Kamloops or Kelowna? I'd go via Kelowna, especially if you want to visit some wineries and its a big fruit growing area too. Here is a TR I did on the area: But Salmon Arm / Kamloops is probably a better choice f you just want a scenic drive through (but again, check traffic conditions).

Are you staying in Calgary?

Rooflyer we are staying just one night in Calgary, at the Marriott downtown. We will try to get the photo for you. We will be going through Kamloops and all our accommodation is booked in advance. Thanks for the tips.

 

[tgh]

sounds great, I am sitting down the back (near the toilets)….

 

[I love to travel]

I will take a J seat for this one.

 

[VPS]

I guess 1F is still free then - looking forward to this

 

[Denali]

I did Alaska and BC about 25yrs ago, 4 weeks in tents and cabins, so looking forward to your TR. Hope to return one day.

Have a great trip.

 

[RooFlyer]

Rooflyer we are staying just one night in Calgary, at the Marriott downtown. We will try to get the photo for you. We will be going through Kamloops and all our accommodation is booked in advance. Thanks for the tips.

If I can trespass a bit more ...

Good central location. Immediately behind the hotel is 8 Ave SW mall with some good restaurants and almost opposite is Saltlik - a good steakhouse. A block away is Devilles coffee (I point these out because coffee in Canada is generally worse than in the US, if that's possible) and also close on 8 Ave SW is the Cellar wine store - one of the best in Calgary. A good place to stock up if you want to take some on-the-road with you. The run-of-the-mill 'bottle shops' in Alberta, and to a certain degree in BC, are horrid places.

 

[drron]

sounds great, I am sitting down the back (near the toilets)….

Just don't talk to anyone near the galley.

 

[Atleastonce]

A different view of the Virgin Australia lounge in Brisbane. For the photographers I was trying to capture an S Curve perspective.

 

[Atleastonce]

The first flight from BNE to MEL was a standard domestic experience on VA. We were in row 3 economy X with plenty of leg room. The highlight of the flight was when I tried to open the snack, which was four crackers and four pieces of cheese, and it was sealed so tight, my brut force sent the cracked flying. The cheese was nice by itself. A quick check in to the Park royal at Melbourne airport for an overnight. Upgraded to a runway view room, and Mrs atleastonce was trying some new photography props she purchased for this trip. Our check in process today was slow, and we headed to the Etihad lounge for some breakfast.

 

[Atleastonce]

We are currently 2138 km from Mel our ex and have hit some pretty bad turbulence. Everyone is seated and I have already lost my knife and fork off the tray table. This has been going on for about 1/2hour so I have taken to opportunity to log on and try the in flight internet connectivity. I must say it was very easy to log on and create an account, and have been talking to our kids on messenger with no issues. As I have said before this is our first trip on The Business for long haul, and I am very impressed. Seats are very comfortable, service is excellent, and overall the product in the air is excellent. I have taken a few pics of the current menu and wine lists for those interested.

 

[Atleastonce]

Our flight , VA 23 took off at 12:05pm local time. We are in seats 3D and 3G, and the front J cabin is full. I have had a few Talisker 10year old single malt whiskeys and a glass of Ayala Brut Majeur. Very nice drop of whiskey. For lunch I have selected the Peking Duck for starter, potato and ricotta gnocchi for main and raspberry ice cream for desert. Photos to follow.

 

[kermatu]

I had the miso-glazed salmon on a flight a week ago and it was divine. If not too late to change....

 

[Pushka]

My it sure is bumpy back here!