Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg, Canada - enroute to see Polar Bears!

Winnipeg Canada is the starting point for my Polar Bear Tour to Churchill, Manitoba. It's a big city with plenty of air service, so I flew in, spent the night, and then flew up to Churchill, Canada on a charter flight. I stayed at the historic Fort Garry Hotel which was built in 1913 as one of the Grand railway hotels and is located a block from Union Station and is about 15 minutes from the airport. I also spent a second night there after flying back from Churchill - it was a very nice hotel.

Winnipeg Airport: The Nathab Booth is at the top of the escalator - you can't miss it

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Mat (and the rest of the Nathab crew) kept things moving efficiently

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Mat calling Fort Garry staff that more polar bear clients are on the way

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A very short drive from the airport to downtown Winnipeg

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You know you are in Canada when you see a Tim Hortons doughnut shop at every corner! ;-)

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Winnipeg Capital Building - mouseover image to see closeup

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Pictures of the Nathab shuttle van from the outside ... and while en-route!

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There was also an Airporter with very cool paint job

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Lilian (who was quite charming) handles check-in ... turns out she is the wife of our guide Rinie

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As I got off the elevator, there was a sign I have never seen at a hotel before! ;-)

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Polar Bear Guide Eric discussing boot sizing with Jan, Betsy, and Will

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Next door, Mat is coordinating the next wave - dude was always working

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A few pictures of my room at the Fort Garry Hotel - plenty fancy & comfortable for me

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Here's what an upgraded room looks like

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I was able to take some pictures of the really fancy rooms at the Fort Garry Hotel

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I had some time before dinner so I walked to a nearby park as the sun set over Winnipeg

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A family drove up in this nifty looking "Limo Station Wagon" ;-)

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Union Train Station is a block East of the Fort Garry - the park is just on the other side

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Polar Bear Welcome Dinner at the Fort Garry

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Nathab'ers Ben, Mark, and Olaf had just returned from seeing the Polar Bears in Churchill

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They stopped by for a few minutes at the welcome dinner to say hi to Guide Rinie and clients

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We had the room to ourselves with lots of space and tasty buffet

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There were 29 people (and two guides) on our trip - a very cozy and friendly group

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Polar Bear Guide Rinie goes over the schedule

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Here's a closeup of my Polar Bear Nametag

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Pictures of the Fort Garry Hotel Lobby

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fort garry hotel lobby

Fort Garry Hotel has a pretty awesome breakfast in the morning

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Jan, Will, and Betsy toast the start of a great Polar Bear Trip

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Another family heading up to Churchill that we'll see again on the charter flight

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While we are enjoying breakfast, our bags are brought down and Chris shuttles 'em to the airport

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Polar Bear travelers gathering in the Fort Garry Hotel lobby - note Mat at work again! ;-)

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Mat and Polar Bear Guides Sandra & Jared go over some last minute details

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With our Blue Polar Jackets, it was time to load up on the bus to the airport - wasn't quite a Polar Rover! ;-)

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Rinie heads to the bus - mouseover image to see closeup

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Lots of room and seats with only 29 travelers and two guides

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After a short 15 minute bus drive, it drops us off right next to our charter airplane which whisks us up to Churchill.
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