This is being written on Day 18, but won’t be posted until we complete our trip because there is no Internet access on the train.

We were up early (6:00 am) so we could walk to the train station rather than use a taxi (when we walked yesterday we discovered that the station was only three blocks from our hotel). We got out of the hotel and onto the streets as planned and made it to the train station in about 15 minutes. We used the kiosk and automated ticketing to check in and then went to the passenger lounge to grab a quick snack of juice, rolls and hot chocolate before boarding our train.

We departed Toronto on time and have been on schedule all day. Our “room” is a disappointment. We have two facing small couches that make into a bed (lower berth) and an upper berth that folds like the overhead baggage storage on an airplane, and the only privacy we have is a curtain while sleeping. Mom is disappointed because there aren’t electrical outlets in our sitting area. The on-line information indicated that there were “outlets throughout the train,” but they’re only in the actual compartments, one in the Activity Room and another in the bar/lounge area. So it’s gonna be difficult to write each day and to go through all of the photos to sort and title them. But we’ll make it work.

While waiting to board this morning, we chatted with a young Canadian couple, Brian and Colleen, from Edmonton, Alberta Province. He’s an insurance salesman and investment broker, and also a volunteer fireman. Nice couple.  We ran into each other several times during the day today and stopped to briefly chat each time.

The food on the train is unbelievable! We had a full meal at lunch and dinner, with at least four main course choices, preceded by soup and/or salad, and dessert with dinner. I talked with one of the staff and he said that the chef tries to reflect the cuisine of the area through which we’re traveling. Needless to say, we’re sated after each meal, and the only exercise is to walk the narrow hallway through the cars from one end of the train to the other. There are 21 cars on the train, so we might be able to get a little exercise.

At lunch, we sat with another Canadian couple, Eileen and Bert, from Vancouver, British Columbia. He’s retired; they were traveling to see children in other provinces. It was a pleasant meal with good conversation.

During dinner, we sat with Irene and Jack, Canadians, from north of Toronto who also are retired and are traveling to see children. Nice folks, and a great meal.

We love the Dome Car; the view is fantastic. But the observation area sits atop the car and is the point where the car’s air circulation take places, so sitting there is an experience like sitting in a refrigerator. Guess we’ll have to dress more appropriately tomorrow.

Well, our purser informed us that our “beds are made,” so we’ll check them out and report on our experience tomorrow.