Yes we know there's been a bit of a delay with this instalment so apologies to those that are actually following our blog. However, we have had a good few busy days and have lots to share, so put that kettle on and get comfy...

We boarded 'The Canadian' ViaRail train from Toronto and spent three fun filled nights onboard crossing some beautiful terrain on our way to the Rockies - the rocks and trees (and waterrrrr... It's a song... look it up) , the prairies (flat green farming country in the Manitoba province) and then finally onto the snow capped Rockies and beautiful glacier lakes. We went through three time zones during our train journey (Canada really is a big country).

To set the scene, we were two young Indian females on board a train with generally what appeared to be conservative older 'white' folk. The train was awesome for so many reasons, we've already emphasised the amazing views but what really made our journey across country fun was the people we met onboard, breaking our initial 'fears' of how we'd be perceived.

There were a few 'special' people that we think deserve a mention:

Mummioo & Daddioo (Allen & Eve-Lynn) were the best fun. Words can not express the shear silliness and mischievousness they bought out in us... Such bad influences. We wonder if their kids (biological) know just how crazy they are. Daddioo and his play with words, and Mummio with her sharp wit kept us entertained no end.

Scottish Uncle Bulgaria & Auntie Mo (Brian & Maureen) - we loved Uncle B's fascinating tales.

Judy Dench (Jennifer) & Alan - 56 years after moving from Surrey, UK Jennifer still has her British accent.

Salvador (Italian Sal) & Babara - from New Mexico (cute old couple who argue like they have been married for 40yrs but its only been 8yrs) we felt a bit like celebs when at breakfast they said 'we were wondering when it was going to be our turn to sit with you'.

Michael & Maggie - cute kids on summer vacation with their parents, keep working on those card tricks guys!

Mr Chirpy - Kevin, our story teller extraordinaire Activity Car host.

Awesome Chef Geoff- who loves catering for vegetarians as he finds it a welcome challenge.

Matt Epp - the music, lyrics and stories behind them were mesmerising... ahem as was he!

Kevin- Cycling from Philadelphia to Seattle for a friends wedding but on the Canadian to buy some time.

Doug- the happy chappy that ran from one side of the train to the other whenever it stopped, and made sure the lights worked on each end of the train. S and Kevin joined him at Saskatoon for one of these jogs.

The Sri Lankan ladies- mother, two daughters, youngest (32) extrovert character, interrupted conversations to ask questions like 'if you could be any cake, which one would you be?'.

A bit about the train itself... we booked our tickets online on the ViaRail/Express Discounts site (this is where they have discounted tickets to try and fill up the train), so we ended up getting a great deal for a 2 bed cabin which was compact but very comfortable. There was an activity car that had a dome room with a glass celling so the views were maximised, especially the magical sunsets.

Our food was included in our ticket... Full breakfast and three course gourmet lunches and dinners every day were crazy. We had to have naps just to digest it all. S tried some lush white fish, and some salmon canopies, K was not so adventurous but had a yummy quinoa salad.

We had a couple of hours stop in Winnipeg on the second day so we had a bit of a walkabout (did you know that Winnie The Pooh originated from here?). We met Mahatma Gandhi (obviously not in person, monument- can't believe he made it here too).

In conclusion, we'd say there's no better way to travel through Canada than on 'The Canadian'. Although pricey, even with a discount, we'd recommend it for sure.