Do you remember us saying in the NZ blog we had plans to do the Glacier walk in Canada and therefore didn't do the one in NZ, well having left Yellow stone park this was the best time to continue north and across a bit to get into Canada via Vancouver. This crossing would be in the car so would be different to any country entries we had done before, including our previous day trip to Canada as this was on foot across a bridge.

On arrival at the border we first had to drive through the biggest x-ray machine we have ever seen which photographs every bit of you and the car flashing like a speed camera on speed! Next was a long wait just sat in one of the five lanes that were queuing for their turn at the toll booth style area where they would without doubt be questioned but it was to what degree that made the queue either fast or slow. Without a shadow of a doubt we would get the works so on arriving at the booth David went for neutral gear and handbrake, he did consider turning the engine off but these are not times for that sarcastic streak of his!!!! And yes its worse than ever.

We wont boar you with the details as you by now are aware of the trouble we have with this, however we thought you might find this as ironic as we did that here we were trying to convince a quite obvious "Chinese" man to let us into Canada!?!

Border cleared the immediate surrounds afterward are that of beautiful landscape with houses that compliment their surrounds, which is something you rarely see. In Canada this cam to be the norm with great care having been taken in each area we visited not to ruin an area with unsightly estates or over extravagant architecture.

We wanted to get to Whistler as this was the place that had the Glaciers, but this was a good two hour drive at best and we had already been on the road for hours. So instead we chose a place in between Vancouver and Whistler called 'Squamish', en-route we saw a Black bear at the road side just chomping away on grass with not a care of the traffic whizzing past on the other side of the barrier. This really confirmed that things we had been told about Canada such as its beauty that spreads far and wide and wildlife the same is abundant without having to search far.

After a bit of price shopping we found a decent Motel for the night so we could sort out what to do while in Canada, we first tried to sort a tour onto the Glaciers which was proving hard. After some further investigating the adverts we had seen for the tours had neglected to say that the tours rarely start before June as the snow is still melting so you cant get to the Glacier part! As we had not done this in NZ as the weather forecasts were always bad and we had thought we could do it in Canada we were starting to get the feeling this was just not meant to be. We could take a helicopter further up and view the mountains/glaciers but still not get on them as the helicopters didn't start landing until June either.

A bit disheartened by all this we found something else that appealed greatly and that was dog sledding. The tour would allow you 2 hours driving the sled yourself after and hours training and meeting of the Huskies. But that could not be done until the year after as too much snow had melted!! So you cant do one thing because there is too much snow and you cant do the other because there is not enough!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH is the only thing to say……..

Several hours and tantrums later we decided to just accept we weren't doing anything here but would go to Whistler to have a look round anyway, we'd had high hopes for Canada and this part was not living up to it.

A nights rest later and an hour or so drive we arrived at Whistler village, the whole place including the petrol stations are made like log cabins and suit the area perfectly. The stunning backdrop scenery gives the town a magical feel as its warm and sunny but with a snowy world of ski and activity only a cable car lift away. We spent some time around the village exploring what to do, the skiing and snow boarding was still running but we would need a full day for this, quad biking was going but that had nothing to do with snow as didn't down hill mountain biking or rafting which we had already done, but it did provide an adventure playground of a place. Then we stumbled on something else, something quite exciting and as yet unexplored by either of us. A company running Skidoo or aka Snowmobiles was still operating and would be for a while as they had spots where the snow was still good! This seemed to be the one that would rescue or adventure seeking for this part of the trip, so we went to check the times out to be blasted with disappointment that the only trip left was to run at 3pm the next day, which would right interfere with our plans as we wanted to go to Vancouver Island that day, meaning we had to choose one or the other. The trip sounded expensive but good at the same time and probably worth it. The problem was going to Vancouver Island was a long standing plan, so in the end we had to abandon the idea of any adventure sports here and left to head back to Vancouver not too happy so far.

On our way back to Vancouver things worsened as the ferry prices to get to the island were astronomical, meaning that just to get there would be as much as the trip we had looked at earlier and then we would have to pay for activities on top of that.

Annoyed and frustrated and now arguing with ourselves it was time to take a step back and see what was going wrong as it was not meant to be this way. After some long discussions and rethinking we realised we had lost sight of what we were trying to achieve and why we started all this in the first place. Fate had intervened and said we were not meant to go to the Island, or the Glacier, or out with the Dogs, or not on this occasion a least. We needed to do something fun and get back on track and an opportunity was staring us in the face!

With all that in mind the next day after a god sleep we booked the Skidoo trip for the afternoon, then set of into Vancouver itself with a new plan all intent on enjoying everything and that's exactly what we did. We spent most of our time in a park called ………… which had views of the cities suspension bridge called lions bridge, it also had a stop to view its entrance where the lions sit, it had a special area for Totem poles which are fabulous to see with great art work and detail with every part meaning something different. There were several other parts we visited but overall this was just a nice relaxing place to be with no hint of been a place that is hard work.

Having to drive back up to Whistler for our trip was a pain in the way of time and petrol but the scenery that varied between the bay and its Islands and mountain landscapes with open areas where we spotted another Black bear, made it worth the effort.

First we were taken by bus up a normal road to the first level of the mountain which bypassed the 2010 Winter Olympics Bob sledding & Skeleton run. Sadly they had not yet progressed to allowing tourists down here, but as it will probably be a permanent fixture here it wont be long before this adrenaline crazy town gets something happening on it! When they do a return trip here will be in order.

From the first level we were kitted with boots, gloves and helmets, before transferring to a 4x4 and continued up the mountain via a dirt track winding through the woods and gradually displaying snow. When we reached the mountain base office our Snowmobiles were all sat waiting for us flying flags from the back, a short introduction to the vehicles and how to handle them was a strain against the enthusiasm to get going.

Carina been the size of Tinkerbell hadn't been sure she would be able to handle a Skidoo of her own and instead had chosen to book a double so she could ride on the back while David drove! Now you know she has been getting daring but that is just plain crazy, sitting on the back when there are little to no restrictions of what can be done with these things and certainly no speed police at the summit of a mountain 6000 feet above sea level with no crash barriers!! Sounds like fun hey!!???!

So off we went on to the crispy white stuff with a roar of engines as we all tore away trying to get used to the sensitive thumb throttle, or first bit of straight was to do just that get used to the machine. The guide varied his speed seeing how we did, once that was sorted a couple of corners later we were in open space but still low in the wooded area. Here we learnt how o turn at speed which simply put is hang on an hang your ass of the opposite side so you don't tip up! After that it was time to have fun, the guide was clearly in love with these machines when they were at full tilt, evidenced by the fact that we had the throttle pinned down blasting over hill tops which turned them into speed jumps leaving your stomach somewhere other than with you.

We raced in and out of trees, up and down hills sliding all over as we braked trying to slow on the down hills, so the slowing idea was abandoned and more speed seemed much better at keeping us in the direction we wanted. Somewhere in amongst all this we stopped a couple of times for photo ops and to see exactly how far up we were by looking over the edges at the contrast between the snow where we were and the grey grass and rock are a few hundred feet below. The views as you can see were vast but spectacularly gorgeous and from such a peaceful place once the engines were cut. But having taken in the scenery it was time to go higher for the full glory effect of where we were which clearly meant full speed to get up the hill!

As we all sped up the hill side everything unfolded in a not so good way pretty rapidly, the guide who was on a lighter machine than the rest of us started to sink but managed to change move his wait and keep going long enough too turn round, the guy in front of us tipped to one side as he sunk and feel off we on the other hand been on together didn't tip off or turn round we just sunk!!1 Plain and simple got stuck! Half of the Skidoo was submerged in snow and if you think that is a joke then look at the picture of David when he almost had frozen assets, that's how far he sunk when he got off the Skidoo to dig it out.

One by one between us we dug the Skidoos out or rolled them out to get back down the hill a bit, then we took a different route up that was a bit more stable. Sinking in snow this deep had only added to the amusement of the ride though as there was no way that one could be predicted, the snow had simply gotten thin and given way.

The final view from the top was superb beyond belief, the white mountain sides sparkling like they were encrusted with diamonds, the air fresher than you can imagine but the weird thing is it wasn't cold!???!! Sadly after this came the time to head back down to base, but there was still time for fun on the way with more speedy antics and a good few hairpin bends n the pass down. Travelling down in the 4x4 we spotted another black bear which the guide said was only a 2 year old, but it was way bigger than any two year old creature we have ever seen!!

There was just enough time to have a last look around Whistler before we drove back towards Vancouver taking in the sights on the way and passing through the city for a quick look around.

So Canada had turned out to be a success driving big toys like we had a job on Top Gear, it felt like we had spent a week here but on the other hand felt like a few hours. It is an amazing place awash with calm and diversity a couple of hours in any direction and every where in between. For now though it was time to go and onward to our next place, plus we were leaving on a high with the best memories which is the only way to leave!