Defying a pandemic: Our first visitor from the U.K shares their travel experience

Find out what it was like to travel, alone, in these tricky times (winter 2021/2022), from the U.K to Canada, to be reunited with us after 16 months apart and experience Northern British Columbia in it’s most extreme season.

Firstly, introduce yourself!

I’m Sue! I’m Helen’s Mum! I live in Wiltshire, England, near Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge. It’s my first time in Canada. I’ve always wanted to visit, since I read a Ladybird Book about Canada when I was nine, I thought Canada looked beautiful, especially all the trees. I did not imagine I’d ever get to visit or that I would one day be visiting my adult daughter here!

You were meant to arrive on the 31st December, why oh why, did you change your flight to two days earlier at the last minute?!

Concerns about new Covid-19 restrictions coming in and stopping me going to Canada and wanting to get the journey over with.

Did the fact that we were not able to come home for Christmas play a part in your determination to get here?

*We were meant to go to the U.K for Christmas 2021, but a new Covid-19 travel advisory from the Canadian government prevented us. You can read more about that in this blog.*

For sure! Yes, seeing your sad face on face time.

Mum, I’m not putting that in the blog.

You’ve travelled plenty in your time. But like most of us, not so much since dear old Covid came along. How was the experience of travelling different in these complicated times?

You spend the whole time paranoid that you will have forgotten to fill out a form or do something important, mainly because of the changing Covid-19 related requirements that countries have. But the ArriveCan app is helpful as it has a checklist of all the things you have to complete.

How many Covid-19 tests did you have to take to get into Canada?

One in the U.K, which, because I came earlier than I had intended, was an expensive, ultra fast test. One in Canada, on arrival, because I was randomly selected. They are not currently* testing everyone who arrives in Canada. *January 2022.

What was being on the plane like, did it feel different?

You have to wear a mask the whole time. But nothing else was different and the mask was not really a problem because I’m used to working in one.

So there were no problems with getting here?

No! I didn’t expect the weather to hinder me on the final part of the journey, after getting through everything else! My plane from Vancouver to Prince George could not fly because of snow, so I had to stay in Vancouver one night and fly the next morning!

When you were able to get your flight to PG the next day, what was it like? I know you were quite nervous about the little propeller plane, was it okay?

A dream! The flight was smooth, the mountains were incredible. The view was out of this world. It was a privilege to see the most stunning mountain scenery. Then to see Prince George in miniature! The poor woman who was sat next to me!!!

I was in awe during that flight too.

How did you feel when you finally stepped off the plane in Prince George?

In my head I thought it would be really stressful because I was expecting to have to go through loads of airport protocols before seeing Helen. What actually happened was that I stepped off the plane and followed a line of people towards the airport doors. Then I could see a person standing and looking out of the window and as I focused I thought, I think I know who that is.

Then I got closer and saw it was Helen and started running and gave her a big hug and screamed a lot.

And then airport security asked us to move along!

Why on earth did you want to come here in winter?

Indeed! I thought it would be more extraordinary and a more memorable experience. I like new experiences!

So, has the weather been memorable so far?

I’ve experienced the hairs in my nostrils freeze!

I have never walked in snow like it in my life before, it’s like walking through lots and lots of icing sugar. It’s just so dry. I didn’t know snow could be that dry, because everything is so damp in England. Snow is always gone within a few days in England, but it just stays perfect here. Even if someone describes it, you can’t imagine it!

It’s gone from -27 on my first day, to -7 today, which now feels balmy!

What are your first impressions of Prince George?

It’s a lot more open that I thought, there is a lot of space and you can see a lot of sky. It’s industrial and feels like a frontier town. The snow makes it hard to get your bearings!

What adventures have you had so far?

Helen and I went to a wood with beautiful carvings in the trees. I had a lesson on Snowshoeing in Moore’s Meadow from Helen, who taught me how to get up if I fall over. Which I did! Then I went snowshoeing on my own in Narnia* on these tiny foot paths through the trees, which cross the ski trails every so often.

*Otway Cross-Country Ski Centre.

What adventures are you looking forward to having?

I am looking forward to attempting to Cross Country Ski. I’d like to hike up a mountain to get a view from a high point. Hopefully see a moose, but I’m glad the bears are asleep! Exploring the city on my own while Helen and Jacob are at work. Chatting to some local people. Ice-skating at the outdoor ice rink. Experiencing really low temperatures. Hopefully getting to see the Northern Lights.

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What adventures does Prince George have to offer?…

Prince George: The armpit of British Columbia or British Columbia’s best kept secret?!

Snowshoes, Bald Eagles and a Disused Ski Hill: five adventures in Northern British Columbia

Perspectives on Prince George: preparing to share the best of British Columbia’s northern capital

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