Warning, incoming Texans! These travel gurus are so hard to keep up with they're always a blur!
As the old cliche says, the journey is more important than the destination. And we at J00ster love a good cliche. In this case though, it's at least partly true. The evocatively named Sea to Sky Highway winds its way from Vancouver to Whistler, taking in some of the most spectacular sights you'll ever see... well, see on this blog anyway.
The road starts in the foothills, where the mighty Pacific laps gently at the base of towering peaks...
...and winds upwards past mighty waterfalls. And annoying tourists who seem intent on shattering the serenity with city folk antics.
BroTown comes to the mountains... in a silver PT Cruiser.
The resort village of Whistler is looking spic and span and ready for the eyes of the whole world to turn upon her when the Olympics kick off. One hopes there's going to be a few snowstorms between now and then, otherwise Usain Bolt has a decent shot at winning the Giant Slalom.
Nothing like the crisp mountain air to whet the appetite. Unless of course you're in the Andes, and its another alpaca steak on the menu.
It may still be shorts and t-shirt weather, but that doesn't stop the gondola from whisking hikers and mountain bikers up the mountain. Rock is always up for taking the quick and easy road. You know, like Vader did.
Oh Canada! As Mei so eloquently put it, it's just like New Zealand, except big. Which is hard to argue with, especially after tasting the darn good mochas they whip up here.
The peak-to-peak gondola is something of an engineering feat. Stretching between two towering mountains, the system boasts the longest unsupported span of any gondola in the world. Which in less technical terms translates into epic views of the valley far below and the majestic peaks on either side.
Mei doesn't appear too worried about being suspended by a single cable almost half a kilometer above the valley floor. As long as this is the quickest route to the cafe on the other side.
That's Whistler far below. Fortunately from up here you can't see the silver Cruiser.
Taking 11 minutes to cross the 4.4km chasm, there's plenty of time to admire the view.
This is one spot where you don't want to lean on the doors.
The view from the other side is stunning.
Even Mei is moved to salute the view, notwithstanding the lack of chili crabs at this altitude.
You know you've lucked out weather-wise when you don't even have to hold on to your hat on the top of a mountain.
Time to leave the rest of a gondola passengers to their lattes and hit the wilderness trail.
After the Inca Trail, this is a mere amble up a few hills. Show me the challenge! Actually, take that back, it's nice to enjoy some scenery without the constant threat of oxygen deprivation. Although a roast guinea pig would go down a treat right about now.
Give it a few more weeks, and there will be plenty more snow where that came from.
Speaking of roast guinea pig, does this remind you of something? Hopefully something other than Rock's highest outhouse in the world experience.
Mountain men. All that's missing is a couple of coonskin caps. And perhaps a banjo...
This ain't central park folks, this is the wilderness. Stop posing and start fending off black bears. Or at least that enraged greenie behind you who is about to admonish you for daring to step off the trail.
At least you'll scare away the bears...
Mirror, mirror, on the... err... ground... who's the shortest of them all?
Sick of mountains yet? Trust me, you will be. Just wait till we get to Banff... or until you read about it all over again at http://twophatkiwis.blogspot.com...
Time to float effortlessly back across the valley, courtesy of some quality German engineering.
This is a shot you'll be seeing a lot of on TV in a few month's time... minus the usual suspect of course, who is way too cheap to pay the Olympic premium.
Sun sets over Whistler village on a quiet autumn evening. Which can mean only one thing: where's dinner?
See what I mean, always a blur. In the time it takes J00ster to unpack a couple of bags, the intrepid team at TwoPhat has already circled the town four times, downed a dozen local brews, and skinned a raccoon with their bare hands.
So much for wilderness. Whistler has more fine dining per square kilometer than black bears. The Araxi restaurant in the heart of the village serves up contemporary Pacific fare in a decidedly unrustic setting.
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