Canada

My stay in Vancouver didn't get off to the best of starts when a drunk guy blocking the hostel doorway greeted me with the traditional Canadian greeting "Go away unless you're checking in". I explained politely that I was checking in and he let me through. The girl on reception explained that he was one of the bar staff from last night's shift. Apparently he had been undergoing some customer empathy training by getting completely sloshed. I think he was just trying to be jovial, but it came across badly after a long bus journey. That kind of leads on to the main problem with the hostel. When they said that there is a bar next door, what they meant is that there is a licensed zoo underneath all the rooms where you are supposed to sleep. Admittedly the bar closed at 11pm, but I like to choose when I go to bed. Even after 11 there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing by young people looking for cigarette papers. Why they were so desparate for a cigarette at that time of night I don't know. The good news was that they did a stunning breakfast for $2.75. See my priorities - sleep and breakfast, I guess I'm officially too old.
Vancouver is a pleasant enough city, but not as fabulous as the guide books make out. It does boast the world's first steam clock, which should put it on everyone's to see list. Stanley Park is a nice place to spend time, and the semi-tame furry animals that abound make for some good photo-opportunities.
To give you an idea of how much there is to do on a tight budget, on my last day I ended up at the aquarium. It was a good aquarium, but a bit of a last resort I think you'll agree.
Not really sorry to leave Vancouver, but sorry to be getting back on the bus.

When I was a child, you could get a matchbox Greyhound bus. It was shiny, and looked like the ultimate in travel. Another childhood illusion shattered. The 2000 odd miles from Winnipeg to Whitehorse passed slowly and uncomfortably. Upon arrival, it really didn't seem worth it. It was 4:30am and the place was deserted, and frankly a bit dull looking. I had expected a sort of wild west frontier town with saloons, instead I got an average Canadian town with a Walmart and two Tim Hortons. Thankfully the surrounding countryside and the people at the hostel made up for my initial disappointment. I arrived in the buildup to the Yukon Quest canoe and kayak race, and the hostel was filled with a strange collection of long distance canoeists. Didn't get to see any bears in the woods, but I nearly got to see The White Stripes play in the park. Which is the same as not seeing any bears or the White Stripes I suppose. They were both there, I saw neither. To compensate I did get to see the world's longest fish ladder, and not many people can say that. It was the wrong time of year for Northern Lights, so instead we had the midnight sun. It is really strange walking through the deserted town in the middle of the night, and it being as light as day.
On my last morning there I got to see the start of the canoe race. It starts in the middle of town, and all the competitors have to run to their boats. It was quite a spectacle, and then it was time for another 48 hours in a bus.