WOW! It's been few weeks and finally I can rest my butt and write this part 2!!!!
Well, as you know, GC is really huge. The word "conquer" actually means explore and enjoy the beauty of the canyon to the fullest!
For part one, it's all about water and air....so the next one would be TOOT-TOOT ride!
About 60 miles South of the canyon, there's a town called Williams.
And this town is known as the gateway to the canyon.
Well, Grand Canyon (GC) is divided into 3 parts: North, South and West.
And the South Rim, which is the National Park (NP) I worked in, has the most visitors and well developed.
To reach GC NP South Rim, you can reach there by hiking from North Rim, by plane and stop by at GC Airport, by own vehicles, or by the Grand Canyon Railway!
Meaning, just park your car at the town, Williams then take a ride on the train and relax!
Train departs daily from Williams to Grand Canyon at 9.30 a.m. and leaves the canyon back to Williams at 3.30 p.m.
Since we were already at the canyon, we took the train departs from canyon at 3.30 p.m.
And here's the tic! This one a bit 'palia', used pen to write only...=.='''
Oh ya, not forget to mention, for Xanterra Parks and Resorts employees in GC, it's free!!!
You have unlimited rides on the train, enjoy the services and facilities! What a privilege!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
OK! We're in!
Little Facts:
The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, 45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip.
It was called Santa Fe Railway, back to years ago~
And our train stewardess, expected, not a young one. LOL!
And that's how they utilized every single space in the train.
What a wonderful evening!!!
It's just around 4 p.m. but it's evening time because in the end of the year, sun sets earlier, probably around 5 something.
A classical US railroad sign.
And usual, transmission cables~
Heart this sign, "don't smoke unless you're a locomotive"~haha!
-
We were working that day, and we rushed for 16 rooms and completed earlier, so that we could make it for the train ride. Therefore, it's kinda tiring~
While we slept sweet halfway, the train just stopped!
And the train stewardess yelled: "What happen?"
Trying to make everyone panic, and following on, few horses ran around the train, and the riders had gun with them.
"OMG! We gonna get robbed!!"
Of cuz, adults will js stay calm and enjoy the show. But, some kids were crying, haha!
The robbers got into the train, with fake guns, and shouted "Nobody moves!"
It's quite real and dramatic. It must be tiring for them to play the scene everyday.
Then after that, they would request for money.
As you knw, Americans have this tipping culture, and that's how these actors earn for their living. Haha.
Most of them gave one buck but we just remained "geh gong", means pretend like nothing happen. LOL
"That was quite a show, very entertaining....."
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
What's next? Performers were here.
Strumming guitars, playing country songs, which we never ever hear before...:)
This cute little boy spotted!
Innocent look!
Beware of wildlife! hahha!
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...
After penetrating the Kaibab National Forest, we reached Willliams. It was 5 something but the sky was getting dark.
And of course, a pic to remember!
Williams! Williams!
That time, it was December...Christmas season!
And every year, Grand Canyon Railway will have this special ride, called the Polar Express!
Yes, it is based on the animation movie, and it actually takes you to North Pole~ but man-made one.
Declared as National Register of Historic Places.
OK. What's next?
It's a sudden plan, so we didn't book any rooms for the night yet.
Since the night was getting darker, we gotta find a place to settle down first.
It's a small town, where you can actually reach every corner by walking.
Met this huge dog while searching for accommodation.
Passed by this Inn, and we were debating about the sentence "Senior Disc"
My friend it means "discount for seniors" and I was like LOL.
Guess the meaning?
I know you're open lar.....
Searching, walking, freezing....
and finally we found a place to overnight....
The owner was generous enough to accept 6 people per standard room, which consists of 2 queen-size beds.
And not forget to mention, they served free breakfast and we paid 4 pax price for 6. *HOORAY!*
Plus, it's a really vintage and western style cottage designed inn,
just like what we usually see in shops like Lovely Lace!
Staircase with bears!!!
The girls were so in love with it!
First floor view.
and bathroom.
Of course, the comfy bed!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
Time was so limited as we needed to take the train in the next morning back to the canyon.
No matter how rushed was it, dinner was a must!
Mc Donalds!~
Williams takes Christmas seriously every year.
White Christmas decorations, fancy lights, santa, deers, Christmas trees were everywhere!
It was about below 10 degree Celsius, but we still decided to wander around this little town.
The town made you felt so warm till you couldn't resist it.
The leading locomotive of Polar Express.
You need to pay for it and it runs at night time following the schedule.
A real meaningful and memorable way to celebrate the Christmas with family and kids.
It was so beautiful and delighting. Every corner, there's something stopping your steps and take pics with.
Guess what's this?? LOL
OK! Group pic~
Too many pics, only few were picked. It was really tiring and it's time to rest.
A very "meaningful" signboard, can you guess what's the message? :D
So long,
ZzzZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.......
ZZZZzzzzz...........
........
....
.
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
We got up once the sun rose. Gals were shopping for groceries during the dawn.
Morning!
They served sumptous breakfast! Just fine for 6 of us.
That's the receptionist, or maybe the owner~
Mainly because the Inn is family-owned.
It's------us in US~
Time to leave but we had a problem to walk to the railway station.
Just imagine what you get when you have five shopaholics together.
Solution: Called a cab for nearly USD 5, just to "teleport" the stuffs to the 500-meter-far-away railway station.
Daytime of Williams was great! Love the sun~(to be precise, it's heat from the sun :D)
Something unbelievable happened. We've got the first class tickets!!!
Probably there's empty spaces in the first class coach!
From: http://www.thetrain.com/grand-canyon-train-5677.html
First Class
Adults: $140.00 | Children: $110.00
Ride in First Class style, boasting oversized, reclining seats with plenty of leg room and grand picture windows that enhance the scenic journey. Comfort abounds as fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juice are provided during the morning. Snacks, soft drinks and fine spirits are available on the return trip in these air-conditioned streamliner cars.
The tic is worth about $140, about RM420. For GC employee, it's free! :D
When we left, the crews actually lined up and said goodbye. Damn pro!
Felt so well respected, though we got the seats free!
Let the pics do the talking.
Free food, free drinks.
Don't forget some tips~:)
Observation Dome, costs you about $170 per pax.
Enjoy the beautiful scene to max!
Few miles from Williams, I've discovered this so called "North Pole" town.
I believe the Polar Express will bring the passengers here and celebrate the magical santa night~
They have really good musician entertaining you, but mostly country songs and few native melodies.
The only song I remembered was when he sang "HO HO HO HO.... ", then we followed him and sang "HO HO HO HO...."
just like a mini concert...=.='''
He knows Japanese songs too, requested by guests from Japan.
It's the end and we were back to the canyon.
A short but memorable trip.
I just cant forget the face of this cute guy in the train. :P
Conquering the canyon by plane, boat, train....what else? Of course, the most challenging part is coming!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
If you appreciate the effort, don't hesitate to click "like" as motivation. Thanks
Well, as you know, GC is really huge. The word "conquer" actually means explore and enjoy the beauty of the canyon to the fullest!
For part one, it's all about water and air....so the next one would be TOOT-TOOT ride!
About 60 miles South of the canyon, there's a town called Williams.
And this town is known as the gateway to the canyon.
Well, Grand Canyon (GC) is divided into 3 parts: North, South and West.
And the South Rim, which is the National Park (NP) I worked in, has the most visitors and well developed.
To reach GC NP South Rim, you can reach there by hiking from North Rim, by plane and stop by at GC Airport, by own vehicles, or by the Grand Canyon Railway!
Meaning, just park your car at the town, Williams then take a ride on the train and relax!
Train departs daily from Williams to Grand Canyon at 9.30 a.m. and leaves the canyon back to Williams at 3.30 p.m.
Since we were already at the canyon, we took the train departs from canyon at 3.30 p.m.
And here's the tic! This one a bit 'palia', used pen to write only...=.='''
Oh ya, not forget to mention, for Xanterra Parks and Resorts employees in GC, it's free!!!
You have unlimited rides on the train, enjoy the services and facilities! What a privilege!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
OK! We're in!
Little Facts:
The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, 45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip.
It was called Santa Fe Railway, back to years ago~
And our train stewardess, expected, not a young one. LOL!
And that's how they utilized every single space in the train.
It's just around 4 p.m. but it's evening time because in the end of the year, sun sets earlier, probably around 5 something.
We were working that day, and we rushed for 16 rooms and completed earlier, so that we could make it for the train ride. Therefore, it's kinda tiring~
While we slept sweet halfway, the train just stopped!
And the train stewardess yelled: "What happen?"
Trying to make everyone panic, and following on, few horses ran around the train, and the riders had gun with them.
"OMG! We gonna get robbed!!"
Of cuz, adults will js stay calm and enjoy the show. But, some kids were crying, haha!
The robbers got into the train, with fake guns, and shouted "Nobody moves!"
Then after that, they would request for money.
As you knw, Americans have this tipping culture, and that's how these actors earn for their living. Haha.
Most of them gave one buck but we just remained "geh gong", means pretend like nothing happen. LOL
"That was quite a show, very entertaining....."
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
What's next? Performers were here.
This cute little boy spotted!
Beware of wildlife! hahha!
..............................
.........................
................
..........
.....
...
After penetrating the Kaibab National Forest, we reached Willliams. It was 5 something but the sky was getting dark.
And of course, a pic to remember!
And every year, Grand Canyon Railway will have this special ride, called the Polar Express!
Yes, it is based on the animation movie, and it actually takes you to North Pole~ but man-made one.
Declared as National Register of Historic Places.
OK. What's next?
It's a sudden plan, so we didn't book any rooms for the night yet.
Since the night was getting darker, we gotta find a place to settle down first.
It's a small town, where you can actually reach every corner by walking.
Met this huge dog while searching for accommodation.
Passed by this Inn, and we were debating about the sentence "Senior Disc"
Guess the meaning?
I know you're open lar.....
and finally we found a place to overnight....
The owner was generous enough to accept 6 people per standard room, which consists of 2 queen-size beds.
And not forget to mention, they served free breakfast and we paid 4 pax price for 6. *HOORAY!*
Plus, it's a really vintage and western style cottage designed inn,
just like what we usually see in shops like Lovely Lace!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
Time was so limited as we needed to take the train in the next morning back to the canyon.
No matter how rushed was it, dinner was a must!
Mc Donalds!~
Williams takes Christmas seriously every year.
White Christmas decorations, fancy lights, santa, deers, Christmas trees were everywhere!
It was about below 10 degree Celsius, but we still decided to wander around this little town.
The town made you felt so warm till you couldn't resist it.
You need to pay for it and it runs at night time following the schedule.
A real meaningful and memorable way to celebrate the Christmas with family and kids.
It was so beautiful and delighting. Every corner, there's something stopping your steps and take pics with.
Guess what's this?? LOL
Too many pics, only few were picked. It was really tiring and it's time to rest.
A very "meaningful" signboard, can you guess what's the message? :D
ZzzZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.......
ZZZZzzzzz...........
........
....
.
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
We got up once the sun rose. Gals were shopping for groceries during the dawn.
**Finding #5: We have hypermarkets like Carrefour, Tesco, Giant or Jusco In Malaysia. Americans have Walmart, Target and others. "Safeway" sells more food and groceries. "Best Buy" has all the electronics products and gadjets you want while "Staples" is filled with office equipments supplies and furnitures. Certain "Safeway" branches have their own petrol station too, selling fuel at competitive price.
Morning!
Mainly because the Inn is family-owned.
It's------us in US~
Time to leave but we had a problem to walk to the railway station.
Just imagine what you get when you have five shopaholics together.
Daytime of Williams was great! Love the sun~(to be precise, it's heat from the sun :D)
Something unbelievable happened. We've got the first class tickets!!!
Probably there's empty spaces in the first class coach!
From: http://www.thetrain.com/grand-canyon-train-5677.html
First Class
Adults: $140.00 | Children: $110.00
Ride in First Class style, boasting oversized, reclining seats with plenty of leg room and grand picture windows that enhance the scenic journey. Comfort abounds as fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juice are provided during the morning. Snacks, soft drinks and fine spirits are available on the return trip in these air-conditioned streamliner cars.
The tic is worth about $140, about RM420. For GC employee, it's free! :D
Felt so well respected, though we got the seats free!
Enjoy the beautiful scene to max!
I believe the Polar Express will bring the passengers here and celebrate the magical santa night~
The only song I remembered was when he sang "HO HO HO HO.... ", then we followed him and sang "HO HO HO HO...."
just like a mini concert...=.='''
He knows Japanese songs too, requested by guests from Japan.
It's the end and we were back to the canyon.
A short but memorable trip.
I just cant forget the face of this cute guy in the train. :P
Conquering the canyon by plane, boat, train....what else? Of course, the most challenging part is coming!
------------------------------------------------- XXX -------------------------------------
If you appreciate the effort, don't hesitate to click "like" as motivation. Thanks
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