Arrival in Canada

Tuesday, 22^nd December 2015

Sunset at Dallas Fort Worth Airport

Not a pretty sight

Socks need some darning - thank goodness the boots survived!

Enjoying the fire at the Residence Inn, Calgary

View from our window

Looking towards the Rockies

Our house, our car, our street

On Banff Avenue

Demands kitty litter!

Our flight ended up being delayed for two hours, due to maintenance issues (no issues with the delay as long as the plane is well maintained!) but we made up an hour on the flight.  Consequently, we were only an hour late arriving after a very long flight.  There seemed to be a very high number of children and toddlers on the plane, as well as a baby a few rows in front of us who spent a large amount of time exercising his lungs, especially during take-off and landing.  We didn’t have as much sleep as we had hoped, mainly due to the aforementioned noise.  The Qantas service was very good and the food was actually edible.

On arrival at Dallas, and even though we were in transit to Canada, we were required to go through USA Customs and Immigration procedures and now have more photos and fingerprints on record.  Following this, we had the most intense security screening we have ever had to endure.  Not only a full body scan but a full physical torso and legs pat-down as well.  Himself, who was carrying his CPAP machine and a bottle of Tasmanian whiskey was quickly ushered aside for further investigation.  The machine was tested for drugs and the bottle of whiskey was also placed in a special machine, again for drug testing.  A shower at the Qantas Lounge felt absolutely wonderful and after a change of clothes as well, we were starting to feel more “normal.”  We needed to change terminals using the automated skyrail and could have just walked out of the new terminal.  The American Airlines flight from Dallas to Calgary took four hours and although we were given complimentary coffee or soft drinks, we had to pay for our sandwiches.  Cash not accepted, credit or debit card only!

Immigration entry to Canada was a breeze and we were soon standing beside the carousel waiting for our luggage to appear.  My suitcase was the first to appear and we quickly realised why it was placed upside down!  It is always a nice feeling to see the cases appear, but it wasn’t a good feeling in Calgary.  American Airlines had literally shredded my suitcase and some of the contents.  The AA representative said she had never seen a case so badly destroyed.  Himself then managed to tear his new down jacket on all the wires and broken bits.  Not happy.  American Airlines have agreed to pay for replacements and I will make the claim when we return home.  However, I have to find a new suitcase before we leave Banff!

We had a good sleep last night and managed to sleep until 8.30 am this morning, waking to the sight of snow everywhere, with David due to pick us up at 9.30 am.  The Residence Inn Marriott was very nice and obviously it had a great bed.  The breakfast buffet was also very nice and perfectly adequate.  David arrived with both Jack and Aidan and we were quickly loaded into the Suburban for the drive to Banff.  The drive quickly left the plains behind, with mountains rising up all around us and some spectacular scenery.  (Expect lots of snowy mountain photos.)

Banff looks very pretty, with lots of snow.  We are staying with David and his family in a three bedroom apartment underneath a house in a residential street not far from the centre of Banff.  It is lovely and warm, with plenty of room for us all.  After unpacking and lunch, we headed to the Banff shops while David and Shan headed to Canmore for grocery shopping.  It was very, very cold (-12) and some of the footpaths and crossings were very icy – thank goodness for our snow boots!  Finding souvenirs wont be a problem and we did find a fantastic Christmas shop.  Time now to plan our activities.