The Travel Industry News - Editorial Archives

May 15, 2001

AND THE ‘NORTHWIND’ DOTH BLOW...

Last Saturday I drove up to Vancouver B.C., it was a pleasant day and I enjoyed the ride through the fertile fields of Skagit County and on up through burgeoning Bellingham and the scenery of Whatcom Country.

I crossed through Canadian Customs...Did I have proof of citizenship? Yes....was I carrying any firearms? No... Business or pleasure? A little of both!

It’s only about 30 miles from the border to downtown Vancouver...and what a beautiful city Vancouver is. I hadn’t been up for a couple of years and as I crossed Granville Bridge into the city I was once again impressed by the multitude of glass towers rising against a backdrop of mountains...mountains that seem to sweep down to the city itself. English Bay was off to the left and beyond that the waters of Burrard Inlet glistened beneath blue skies...oh yes...few, if any, cities in the world have this setting.

I was on my way to join other travel colleagues for the inaugural run of B.C. Rail’s “Whistler Northwind” train.

We gathered at the elegant Sutton Place Hotel located downtown on Burrard Street. A few moons ago I watched as ‘Sutton Place’ rose but I had never stayed there...now I have...and I will again!

Excellent & friendly service , delightful, comfortable rooms, fine food...and a ‘jumping’ bar...but that’s another story!

The ‘Travel Clan’ had gathered from up and down the west...and a motley crew they were...but a crew that mixed well and rarely seemed at a loss for words. They came from Phoenix, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, Whittier, Klamath Falls, Woodburn, Honolulu, Sequim, Poulsbo, Seattle, Burlington, Banff...and...Camano Island. Yep, no doubt about it, a “motley crew” indeed. Saturday evening found our ‘clan’ walking two blocks along the bustling sidewalks of Vancouver to the venerable Hotel Vancouver...now properly referred to as the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

We walked with name tags hung around our necks, just like I remembered we London kids did when we were sent out to the countryside lo those many years ago. However it did allow us to know one another’s names...and of course, being in the travel biz...it also made sure we didn’t get lost or forget who we were!

Centrally located on West Georgia Street, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has stood the test of time...and with a recent facelift...now presents one of the most attractive hotels for guests who love the grandeur & history of the past, combined with the very latest of amenities.

We were their guests for two hours in their Wine Bar. Hors d’oeuves appeared...and disappeared...various nectars of temptation flowed and with it the chatter of travel, the mingling of minds and the lowering of State prejudices. Yes, we did a hotel inspection...and I’m here to tell you (even if they hadn’t hosted the cocktail hour) that the hotel is back to its original top class standards.

Back at the Sutton Place... dinner was served, served with quiet attention and obviously prepared by a fine kitchen. Our private dining room was elegantly clad, our fellow travelers were officially introduced and the ‘Fam’ was well and truly underway...and we hadn’t even seen a train yet!

At 12:30am I climbed the stairs (actually I took an elevator to the 15th floor) but it makes a better story that way.

Vancouver is a true people city, a city where people live, play...and walk the streets from early morning to early morning. It is a vibrant city where young and old co-mingle and where the night scene is constant...certainly downstairs the Gerard Lounge which I retreated from at the bewitching hour, was still packed...mostly with Vancouverites...long after the piano player had gone bye-bye.

THE WHISTLER NORTHWIND train left B.C. Rail’s North Vancouver Station at just after 8:30am Sunday morning...final destination Prince George B.C....but that would be Tuesday evening...3 nights later.

I only went as far as Whistler, the Northwind’s first overnight stop on this scenic journey. In fact as I write this my fellow ‘Fammers’ are flying home from Prince George to their varied destinations.

Apparently there are train nuts, train buffs, train lovers (nothing to do with Amtrak’s latest TV commercial!), model train enthusiasts...AND...travel agencies that have created a true ‘niche’ market. They sell train trips to the “faithful” in many corners of the world...and the interest is increasing. As in all supply & demand happenings the current potential suppliers are increasing their offerings.

I’m not a train nut!...I don’t think...but I do enjoy riding the rails when the service is good, the scenery is beautiful and the train supplies the creature comforts that were the norm in a bygone era of lst class train travel.

The Canadians have never forsaken the silver rails, their history and their commerce were built with the railroad’s help...and they apparently still believe in it by all the train offerings that Canada affords.

The WHISTLER NORTHWIND is a new addition to an old tradition. The welcoming jazz band waved to us as we pulled out of North Vancouver. Our domed carriage offered lst class leg room in comfortable seats...and the windows all around us cried aloud...VIEW...VIEW...VIEW!

We headed west beneath the Lions Gate Bridge and along the shores of Burrard Inlet, towards Horseshoe Bay, the homes of West Vancouver watched us as we slipped quietly and smoothly by.

Tankers sat peacefully out in the Bay, the ‘Northwind’ was carrying us on our way. Smooth, smooth, quiet, quiet-were the towering trees moving...or were we?

David (The Whistler) Bond

Next Week: ‘The Rest of the Story’...and...’Helicopter on High’

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