Arrival in CanadaThe Cunning Plan has had a gestation period about the same as an elephant's. But at last, here we are in CANADA.
The HU mantra of " do your own research" has been chanted from time to time, but its always felt like coming home to see how others have done it.
So far things have gone well.
Journey from Halifax to Niagara Falls with a police escort part of the way!!!The first thing we did on our first riding day was to go to Halifax just so we can see the Atlantic Ocean from the other side. There we are by the Halifax Harbour:
Our initial impression of Canadian friendship and hospitality continues to be reinforced. We have now journeyed from Moncton through Quebec, and are having a "day off" in Niagara Falls. There are quite a few miles in between.
Niagara Falls to Wawa. Wawa in Ukrainian means "hurty place". Prophetic really...Moday, 9 June. Niagara to Sudbury
A planned early start slipped with the temptation of a Canadian breakfast at the hotel, also the internet connection that had been sporadic the day before was up and running. Chores needed time.
Still, we were on the road and bidding a farewell to the Falls before getting lost in the small streets. image
From Wawa to Calgary.
Sorry guys, it is a bit of a cheating, but it seems the easiest way to continue the blog - to do a compilation of emails to family (we have to report every day of our whereabouts).11 June Wawa to Thunder Bay
Today things seem a bit better.On the wildlife front, Tasha has seen a set of Moose, one large with a hat-stand on its head, and as we stopped in the Thunder Bay tourist centre, a chipmunk. Very cute!
We are now in a nice hotel with a view of the railway line and the yacht harbour.
Calgary to Penticton through Jasper & Merritt17 June Calgary to Jasper
Calgary was a relief as we could now see the mountains,
.
image
With that came a change in the weather. Perhaps it was just because we could see snow
Stay in Penticton from 22 June to 2 July.
Vancouver 2 July to 7 JulyWe almost became entrapped by the charms of the Okenagen valley and in particular that of Penticton with its lovely beaches
mountains
and beautiful sunsets.
8 July 12 july
Arrival in the land of the Rising Sun.
Japan is a country steeped in tradition and tea in similar amounts.
We have made it through to Chita. Shattered and a bit dispirited but with no choice other than to proceed with our mad plan.North from Vladivostok (554km) 23 July
Fushiki to Vladivostok 18-20 July
It would be easy if we knew what was going to happen next.
Fushiki is well signed and the port is straightforward to find.
The RUS was also easy to spot as it was the only vessel to be seen.
We had been advised to arrive at the port by 11am to complete documentation before the expected 18.30 sailing
13 August Volgograd - Donetsk 640 km
We enjoyed our stay in Volgograd and spending a bit of time with Roger, Gareth, Chris and Joanne, The Kiwi bunch. I think the hotel regards New Zealanders a bit like buses.... And then there were five all at once. They left a day earlier than us and we waved them goodbye.