Day twenty

Here's the most important shot of the day.Yes people, those are BABY polar bears. With their mum. How freakin' cute are they? These babies are about 10 months old.

This afternoon we travelled back to Churchill and spent an hour in town before heading back to the airport. We flew back to Winnipeg and arrived around 8.pm. After three exhausting days on the tundra buggy seeing the amazing polar bears, we crashed out (after having our first showers for three days).

Day sixteen

This morning we left Lake Louise and travelled to Calgary (about a 3 hour drive, give or take). Our driver picked us up on time but there was some confusion about payment. I had already paid the travel agent back in Australia but he seemed to think we would be paying cash for the trip. Anyway about an hour away from Calgary he pulled over to the side of the road and rang his boss to clear up the confusion. I spoke to his boss and he was extremely rude to me. He said the pick up had "been booked on the internet somehow" and he hadn't received any payment and that I had to pay by credit card now. Mind you, he wouldn't even tell me how much I had to pay. So after much arguing I just gave him my credit card number and we continued on to Calgary.

By the way, Calgary is an ugly city and I don't ever want to go back. It seemed to have no soul or character at all. So we got on the plane to Winnipeg and checked into our hotel. Tomorrow morning we fly to Churchill to see POLAR BEARS!

Itinerary Part 4

After we have spent two days at the Chateau Lake Louise, we'll be travelling to Calgary to get on a plane and fly to Winnipeg for the polar bear trip! This is the whole reason for this holiday. I am so excited about it. This is what we'll be doing on this trip:

Tundra Buggy Lodge Adventurer
Dates Oct 19, 2008 - Oct 22, 2008
Tundra Buggy Days 2
Lodging 3 nights Tundra Buggy Lodge
Average Day Temperature High/Low -1 ° C (31 ° F)/-7 ° C (20 ° F)

Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Early morning departure from Winnipeg. You'll have some free time in Churchill before being transferred to the Tundra Buggy Launch mid afternoon. Board the Tundra Buggy and begin the trek to the Lodge, meandering along the tundra. Providing opportunity to view, photograph, and learn about Polar Bears, other arctic wildlife and the environment. Arrive Tundra Buggy Lodge for your first overnight stay.

Day 2 - 3
After breakfast, depart the lodge by Buggy, spending the day on the tundra in search of wildlife. Overnight Tundra Buggy Lodge.

Day 3
After breakfast, depart the Lodge, spending the day on the tundra and returning to Launch for your return transfer to Churchill. Spend a short time in Churchill before being transfered to the airport for an evening departure back to Winnipeg.

Activities
Tundra Buggy Adventure
The best way to experience an intimate encounter with a wild polar bear is on an authentic Tundra Buggy. All of our Tundra Buggies are all furnished with dual-pane frost-free windows and contain propane heating systems that closely resemble a cozy fireplace, with real flame (behind glass). Each day, we depart early and board our world famous Tundra Buggies looking for polar bears and other wildlife out on the tundra. You will enjoy picnic style lunches and refreshments while you are bear watching.

Churchill and Area Tour
A guided bus tour of local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including such attractions as Cape Merry, Port of Churchill and Manitoba Conservation's Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather permitting).

We've also included an optional helicopter flight over the tundra, during which we are guaranteed to see polar bears (or our money back). I'd rather see the polar bears!