Canada Day 1 - lots of flying, coffee and movies

This is what a brand new B777-LR looks like outside.

I am excited, because I know I get to do this ...


And get this.


We found Mexi, Hayley and Trent...


I wanted to know where this was...

But unfortunately the map feature, right then (and for the whole trip...)


This is for Josh's mum - I kept flicking Packy, but the man was on some sort of sleep mission.


Downtown Van, through our Dash-8 prop...


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Walking into the bracing, clear Canadian air at Castlegar was revitalising. It is a unique place, soulful, invigorating. The short flight from Vancouver over the mountains to C-gar reminded me how little we really are.

Hundreds of square kilometres of raw, snowy wilderness, only rarely broken by the barely perceptible imprint of man. A black winding asphalt road, man's statement of the need to exert superiority over nature, yet, curiously, only ever able to follow the path of least resistance allowed by the terrain. Around a hill. Down, not over, a ravine. Houses working with the terroir, not seeking to dominate. Paradoxes in transport and habitation.

Nature's unspoken yet commanding and pre-eminent constance despite the dynamism of man. Nature's self assurance against man's self-doubt.

In juxtaposition, curiously, Nelson has a feel of total symbiosis with nature. Evident at every turn; organic coffee, organic produce, natural materials, low impact habitation - co-habitation - with the ecosystem in which is gently rests. The only harsh stamps reside in the big trucks carrying sleds, but, ultimately they are used to access the most remote areas of the wilderness, so, in a sense, are more reflective of tools of humble fealty to Mother Earth.

There is an air of gentle rectitude in everything; the slow and composed movement of people during the day, civility subtly obviated in all manner of action - motorists giving pedestrians right of way at every turn, with a smile, for instance. As if the coldness and isolation of the modern society - iPod headphones - have not reached here. Where it is ok to sit in a coffee shop and spend time with someone, discussing the backcountry hike today.

A complete lack of image driven self-consciousness. People are here "to be", not to be seen.

There is constant communing with nature. People here seem to have a sparkle in their eyes; not smirking, more, bemusement, or perhaps mirth. They have a secret? It is refreshing, to be surrounded by such gentle goodwill and friendliness and constant smiles.

I am love with the place immediately.