Ok I am ready to go to the airport but my taxi I had prebooked that morning for 8 pm that night did not show up at 8 pm. There were many Yellow Cabs driving past but none stopped for me. Luckily an alternative taxi driver who had a dispatch saw me when he turned around and asked if I needed to go somewhere. I advised him of what had happened and he was happy to take me to the airport. I also saved $5 I had budgeted for. I rang Yellow Cabs to cancel my reservation as I was advised to by this taxi driver. I would not have bothered - In Sydney if any prebooked cab does a no show or late show on me I just don't bother. Canadians are just too polite sometimes. I hate ringing Yellow Cabs because I am always on hold for long periods of time although this taxi driver told me they were not exactly busy as he saw quite a few Yellow Cabs waiting around town just sitting by the curbs.
When I booked my first Yellow Cab I was on hold for a long time before getting through. When I booked my second Yellow Cab they weren't very helpful with making my booking and when one showed up I hung up on them. When I booked this Yellow Cab for 8pm I was again on hold for a long time but this taxi driver suspected the booking was taken but not actually booked into the system. To cancel the no show Yellow Cab I tried to ring Yellow Cabs twice - no answer the first attempt and the second attempt I finally got through and cancelled the cab by speaking to someone.
Very interesting conversation with the taxi driver - we talked about new immigration laws in Canada and that awful black TRUMP TOWER that just opened for business - by the way Trump doesn't actually own it only his name. Locals petitioned hard to have his name removed off the Tower but were unable to due to the original contract. The tower had to be located across the road from the tallest city building - the Shangrila Hotel! Talk about competition! and about how Uber is not very popular in Vancouver but are trying to break into the market unlike other Canadian cities where they are already very established as there is only one vehicle insurance company ICBC in Vancouver and BC.
Arrived at the airport by 8.30 pm. Tried to print boarding passes and 2 baggage tags at the automatic machines for a bag drop as I had already pre checked in online but it failed several times citing unable to locate booking reference.
Do a manual check in at the Air Canada counter and drop my bags off onto the coveyer belts one at normal luggage and the other at oversized.
Because the flight was delayed 15 minutes - now departing midnight, it meant I had at least 3 hours to kill at the airport.
First stop Tim Hortons. I usually visit the Tim Hortons at the Domestic departures end of the airport as it is open later and is a larger food concession however this year there was only 1 Tim Hortons on the pre security side of the airport open due to construction and that was the tiny Tim Hortons downstairs hidden in the corner of arrivals and it was closing at 9 pm therefore I just made it before closing time but the selection of snacks available was limited therefore I ordered a box of 10 mixed Tim Bits which there were only 4 flavours left (mini glaced or filled doughnuts) to take back to Sydney and a chicken salad sandwich to eat pre boarding as there were no croussants left. In fact there was not much left of anything and most airport food concessions pre security side were closed by the time I arrived at the airport. I had just deposited all my loose Canadian coins at Capillano Mall's Tim Hortons onto my Tim card - so convenient to have - kills 2 birds with one stone - cashless funds for a snack at the airport either upon arrival or upon departure and gets rid of leftover coinage that can't be exchanged into foreign currency. No Canadian $ for a snack or drink no worries.
Next stop clearing security - here we go again pull out the laptop. I also had a rather heavy dense Chinese New Year walnut rice cake I had purchased from T&T supermarket a few days ago as a gift for my father. The Chinese airport security officers present even said how good they were - the coconut one is the best from T & T they said. Want to get through security clearance fast - carry something that the airport security officers have a common interest in. I almost lost my wrapped up rice cake after security clearance it fell out of my wheelie bag but a security officer yelled out and I just picked it up and put it back in my bag (all good - it was a little squashed but still intact in all its sealed wrapping)
Onto gate # ? - well I had no idea as it was not on my boarding pass but airport security knew so pointed me in the right gate number direction. I think it was gate 52 to the left which for once not the what seems to be a few kms of walking to the end of the airport terminal!
Sill plenty of time to kill before boarding the plane therefore next stop was to the ladies room.
Then, well, there was nothing open except 1 shop post security and near the gate. I was concerned about whether water is allowed through security clearance at Vancouver International Airport therefore I drank any water left in my Contigo before going through security. What happens if I cannot buy water after security clearance?
First thing I did after going to the ladies was buy a large bottle of cold water from the only shop open and some cashews covered in a sweet coating and sesame seeds for on the plane - which turned out to be realky addictive!
Next I sat at the gate lounge, ate my chicken sandwich had a drink of some of my water and tried to catch up with my blogging and furture learn courses (which I was trying to get a little ahead in as I do lose 2 days on the plane with no wifi therefore I can't study online.) I used the free airport wifi to my advantage while it was available until it was time to board the plane.
Zone 5 seat 23G always seated near the back of the plane and in the last group of passengers to board. At least I had a seat allocation. Some people were still on standby.
As usual just as the plane was full from Sydney to Vancouver, this flight was even fuller. Every seat in Economy was taken! All overhead lockers were crammed full to the brim.
I like to sit in an asile seat with my right leg in the asile due to my previous injuries on my right leg which needs a lot of stretching as it becomes very stiff. I was allocated an asile seat in the middle rows of seats of the plane which is a row of 4 seats and sat next to a family of 2 boys and their father. The boy sitting next to me told me how he was about to start year 12 and had already missed a day of school. Both boys seemed like they were very well raised by their parents.
On my way from Sydney to Vancouver I had an asile seat but my left leg was in the asile and was seated almost at the very rear of the plane - could not complain as there was only one other person seated next to me in a window seat - the person seated in the aisle seat in front of me yelled out "You have a good seat" - do I? as it was only a 2 seat row not a 3 seat row as it was in his seat row. I have to admit it wasn't too bad. It had a little more room then my return Vancouver to Sydney flight.
On the plane I tried to get as much sleep as possible. I didn't watch any movies only tv as all the movies were the same as on my way over and I must have watched at least 3 or 4 of them - it is a long haul direct flight after all.
I always preorder a special meal being lactose intolerant - feeling sick on a long haul flight is the worst feeling and you try to avoid it. Air Canada however does not always get it right particularly on my return flights were my special meals usually get left off between Honolulu The International Date Line and final destination of Sydney and I am forced to accept a normal meal - sometimes if I am very unlucky my special meal gets left out altogether on the entire flight from Vancouver to Sydney. Coming over from Sydney to Vancouver it is almost always correct. This year because I have 6 flights I rang and confirmed all special meals and seats before departure.
Interesting this year my special meals were almost correct dinner and breakfast were fine but I was offered a snack 3 times - 2 special and 1 normal. I accepted the first special meal snack and rejected the next 2 - funny thing was my 2nd special meal snack later ended up with the boy sitting next to me - he and his brother and father were asleep most of the time so they were offered their snack of a chicken sandwich later if they wanted it but were also given my spare non lactose snack which also contained chicken. Why they hung onto it until almost breakfast before eating it I don't know - food poisoning risk. Breakfast consisting of a rather large omlette and 2 small hashbrowns was actually really nice more appetizing then dinner - which was chicken but to me tasted a little strange and which I thought I was eating a piece of poached salmon on a bed of boiled rice. (After watching all those youtube videos of fake eggs fake rice and even fake apples I am worried as these were the 3 main foods I just ate on the flight back to Sydney - all tasting and looking a little strange)
I did prepare myself with extra byo drink and snacks for the flight back to Sydney.
Rule # 1 Always purchase extra bottles of water - for brushing your teeth and taking Borrocca
Rule # 2 Always carry small amount of vegemite (sachets) or premade vegemite sandwiches in a snaplock bag
Rule # 3 Always carry Borrocca tablets of some type to take with or without water - with breakfast
Rule # 4 Always carry extra snacks eg Tim Bits Bread Crackers Chocolate Nuts Chips Sweets all packaged
Rule # 5 Always carry some type of fruit - my favourites Bananas blueberries prewashed or cape gooseberries prewashed and peeled in snaplock bags)
I ate almost all my snacks and drank all my water except always leave some for the rest of your journey home as it is stinking hot during the Australian Summer.
Landed finally back in Sydney after a 15 hour direct flight.
As soon as I cleared customs claimed my main suitcase and my snowbording bag from oversized luggage I headed out the exit towards McDonalds to find the prebooked shuttle bus to take me home.
Happens to me every year missed the ASN shuttle by 5 minutes yet again this year - forced to hang around airport for next one which did not depart until way after noon.This means I waste at least over 1.5 hours at the airport each year sometimes a lot longer - must find another airport shuttle for my next trip.
Finally get home after 1 pm. Shower laundry and shopping. Snack for dinner and more catching up on my blogging and future learn courses - I'm stilll so behind!
Sleep.
Back to work the following day.
Jet lag - what jet lag? Borroca to the rescue!
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Sunday 29th January 2017 - Lafarge Lake Douglas Evergreen Extension Skytrain Line
I love catching public transport and when I am in Vancouver make use of their sky train seabus and overhead cable bus and non overhead cable bus system as much as possible. The good thing about public transport in Vancouver is the tap on tap off system. You only have to remember to tap on and off on the skytrain system but on buses it is just a tap on unlike Sydney where the bus system is a tap on and tap off system - if you forget to tap off it will charge you the full default fare - unfair ? I think so.
A new skytrain line opened just before Christmas linking the existing Millenium Line from Waterfront Station ( where the West Coast Express Seabus and other buses leave from) to Lougheed Town Centre Station which also links the Expo Line ( the original Expo 86 sky train line also from Waterfront Station all via Commercial Drive Station)
The new Evergreen extention skytrain line continues on from Lougheed Town Centre Station to Lafarge Lake Douglas terminus on the existimg Millenium line. It can also be accessed via the Expo line to Production Way (not King George) with a transfer or change at Lougheed Town Centre Station (I am told by locals it takes approximately the same time however I think travelling via the Expo line takes longer due to the extra stations to arrive at Lougheed Town Centre Station and transfer/change)
It was quite a wet day on my last day in Vancouver therefore when I heard the new Evergreen extension line was open I decided it will be my very last excursion. When I hopped on the train I found others had the same idea. Because these are driverless trains you can walk through the connecting carriages to the front of the train and there is a seat facing the window in front. Great for taking videos and photos which others had the same idea of doing.
By the way there is actually nothing to see at Lafarge Lake Douglas terminus - last stop get off or stay on to go back in the direction you came from.
Somewhere along the line there are some smaller malls and also a connection again with the WestCoast Express train which is a separate train line just across the road from one of the stations.
The Evergreen extension line links growing suburbs further east of Vancouver - interesting the they named the first station after Lougheed Town Centre "Burquitlam" (I hope this is the correct spelling or close enough) - which is logical as it is between Burnaby (zone 2) and Coquitlam (zone 3) - we have one called "Paddinghurst" - never heard of the suburb ? - someone made it up for a store name it is between the suburbs of Paddington and Darlinghurst. I dont think "Darlington" was used as it is a real suburb.
I did take some video footage of the new Evergreen extension line but will decide if I will put it on Youtube or not - may need editing.
I took the Expo line going and came back on the Millenium line so technically I did a complete loop between Waterfront Station and Lafarge Lake Douglas. It is a long ride!
I also took the Seabus after that to Lonsdale Quay and transferred onto a bus to Capillano Mall to shop at Walmart. It was getting late time to back to get ready for the long flight home therefore I decided to catch a bus directly back to the city - oops I got on the wrong bus accidently because I was too busy texting my sister - I quickly realised just before the driver pulled out too far from the curb for me to alight the bus - I could have ended up at Grouse Mt instead of Vancouver that night - it would have been a long wet wait for getting back!
Rating : 8/10 - a nice ride out to Lafarge Lake Douglas and back - something to do if you are "broke" as I overheard a few locals describe themselves as or on a wet day. A taste of what the new Metro Sydney driverless train line currently under construction will be like when stage 1 of the line opens in a few years time.
A new skytrain line opened just before Christmas linking the existing Millenium Line from Waterfront Station ( where the West Coast Express Seabus and other buses leave from) to Lougheed Town Centre Station which also links the Expo Line ( the original Expo 86 sky train line also from Waterfront Station all via Commercial Drive Station)
The new Evergreen extention skytrain line continues on from Lougheed Town Centre Station to Lafarge Lake Douglas terminus on the existimg Millenium line. It can also be accessed via the Expo line to Production Way (not King George) with a transfer or change at Lougheed Town Centre Station (I am told by locals it takes approximately the same time however I think travelling via the Expo line takes longer due to the extra stations to arrive at Lougheed Town Centre Station and transfer/change)
It was quite a wet day on my last day in Vancouver therefore when I heard the new Evergreen extension line was open I decided it will be my very last excursion. When I hopped on the train I found others had the same idea. Because these are driverless trains you can walk through the connecting carriages to the front of the train and there is a seat facing the window in front. Great for taking videos and photos which others had the same idea of doing.
By the way there is actually nothing to see at Lafarge Lake Douglas terminus - last stop get off or stay on to go back in the direction you came from.
Somewhere along the line there are some smaller malls and also a connection again with the WestCoast Express train which is a separate train line just across the road from one of the stations.
The Evergreen extension line links growing suburbs further east of Vancouver - interesting the they named the first station after Lougheed Town Centre "Burquitlam" (I hope this is the correct spelling or close enough) - which is logical as it is between Burnaby (zone 2) and Coquitlam (zone 3) - we have one called "Paddinghurst" - never heard of the suburb ? - someone made it up for a store name it is between the suburbs of Paddington and Darlinghurst. I dont think "Darlington" was used as it is a real suburb.
I did take some video footage of the new Evergreen extension line but will decide if I will put it on Youtube or not - may need editing.
I took the Expo line going and came back on the Millenium line so technically I did a complete loop between Waterfront Station and Lafarge Lake Douglas. It is a long ride!
I also took the Seabus after that to Lonsdale Quay and transferred onto a bus to Capillano Mall to shop at Walmart. It was getting late time to back to get ready for the long flight home therefore I decided to catch a bus directly back to the city - oops I got on the wrong bus accidently because I was too busy texting my sister - I quickly realised just before the driver pulled out too far from the curb for me to alight the bus - I could have ended up at Grouse Mt instead of Vancouver that night - it would have been a long wet wait for getting back!
Rating : 8/10 - a nice ride out to Lafarge Lake Douglas and back - something to do if you are "broke" as I overheard a few locals describe themselves as or on a wet day. A taste of what the new Metro Sydney driverless train line currently under construction will be like when stage 1 of the line opens in a few years time.
Saturday 28th January 2017 - Robert Lee YMCA & Shopping @ Metrotown
Yesterday I tried to renew my membership for the YMCA which I take out every year for a month or so but this year was unable to again due to the new Federal banking legislations which prohibits a visitor or non resident of Canada from holding any Canadian bank accounts. I needed one to pay for my annual membership - you cannot pay with a foreign bank account - now you can see the frustration I am facing on my annual visits to Canada. Next I will find I won't be able to access my own property in Canada! I am already paying for an Eta just to visit Canada - "DEAR PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU WHAT PART OF BEING PART OF THE COMMONWEALTH DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND? I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU REQUIRE AN ETA TO VISIT COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE US BUT SURELY COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH SHOULD BE FREE TO TRADE AND TRAVEL BETWEEN WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS - ISN'T THAT HOW COUNTRIES OR MEMBERS OF THE EU OPERATE?"
In the end the Robert Lee YMCA were kind enough to give me a guest pass vaid for February 17. Memberships could see I annually use the YMCA during my visits.
I will just have to take out a visitors membership when I arrive in Toronto - just one more thing to think about when I arrive - it will be my first visit to the Eastern Canada and at the moment I am more worried about airport connections to Toronto via Vancouver and finding my way around then anything else!
I ended up doing a shallow acqua fit class at the YMCA from 9 am - 9.45 am. I went full bore in this class. After eating that breaded oyster poh boy with maple slaw I really needed a workout. No time for breakfast provided by the HI Downtown Vancouver - I just grabbed a bagel muffin and some juice and put it in the fridge for later on as breakfast is only between 8 am and 9.45 am.
The rest of my day was packing laundry and organising stuff in general as well as a quick trip to Metrotown by sky train to shop for last minute gifts for people and some lunch/dinner.
No time for visiting relatives this year or Chinese New Year Celebrations which start on 28th January ( my monkey year has finally ended and it is now the year of the rooster for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Lunar calender).
First things I do when I reach Metrotown by skytrain is stare at the rather large construction site surround the station and its connection to the main entrance of Metrotown via an overpass which has been completely blocked off and replaced with a very steep and long set of temporary metal stairs. Leading to the main bus interchange below and lower mall's main entrance - is now the only way into the mall via the sky train. Warning during construction and upgrade of Metrotown skytrain station there are absolutely no elevators or escalators - the only way to get to Metrotown if you are unable to use the stairs is to alight at the skytrain station before Metrotown ie Patterson and use their elevator or escalator and board their shuttle bus from street level to Metrotown. A majority of the skytrain system is built very high above ground level although sections of it are actually underground below street level via long tunnels eg Oakridge and Vancouver City Centre on The Canada line and Granville and Burrard on the Expo/Millenium lines. Many of the stations conncting via underground or overhead pass directly across from major shopping malls.
Metrotown Skytrain and bus interchange reminds me of Chatswood or Bondi Junction interchanges except on a larger scale - which are considered major suburban hubs.
(Photos attached)
The second and third things I do are seek out Purdys Chocolates for the little red envelopes containing chocolates coin for Chinese New Year which I purchase every year - not one left at any Purdys Chocolate shops and I sought out quite a few on my adventures. Next stop T & T my favourite supermarket for all types of Asian groceries - food glorious food . You will find almost everything here cooked or fresh Chinese Japanese Korean Indian Taiwanese Indonesian etc . The cakes the pastries the breads the buns the steamed and fried dumplings bbq chicken duck even turkey fish pork the prepared meals etc deap fried steamed poached roasted hot cold the bubble tea the milk teas even coffees the fruit the vegetables frozen and fresh and the list is endless then there are general items cosmetics toiletries homeware and cookware pharmaceuticals candies savoury snacks chocolate cookies and biscuits bottled drinks and water teas dairy products - I even found Yakault made under licence here last year! My favourite is the freshly baked half loaf thickly sliced 60 % wholewheat bread - so I start off with putting a loaf of this in my basket. This will be great with vegemite with its slightly sweet taste which I usually prepare as one of my extra snacks for the long plane trip home. Next a rather large Chinese New Year traditional rice cake - because it is made locally in Richmond and there are a variety of flavours I could not decide so had to come back to it and finally opted for the walnut flavour one - this was not a plane snack for me it was a gift for my dad. Then onto my annual food indulgence BBQ duck pre cut up into pieces on the bone - this will be for my dinner and for breakfast as well along with other vegetables or fruit. Finally feeling a bit hungry I also treated mysrlf to some steamed seafood dumplings - I am binging as I am actually allergic to shellfish and these dumplings usually consist mainly of shrimp.
(Photos attached )
After T & T it was general shopping - I bought myself a pair of YAKTRAKS to replace the pair of cleets I lost in Tasmania at Dove Lake . They were YAKTRAKS ACTIVE and instead if pullover and spikes they had a strap and coils as well so are less likely to fall off. Very important purchase as I will need them on my second upcoming trip to icy snowy wet and cold Eastern Canada.
Final shop around Metotown and downtown Vancouver for gifts for my niece nephew and work collegues. Settled on Old Navy blue floral leggings and a lace cream long sleeved top and a pink charity t shirt for my niece.
I also picked up some cream for my alkergies at The Great Canadian Superstore - noticing in the rather large clothing department posters of Miranda Kerr modelling for the budget clothing brand Joe Fresh - There was this really hideous dark paisley dress which in the fashion world had absolutely "no hanger appeal" and it wasn't even on sale. Only Miranda Kerr on posters could make this hideous dress wearable!
I did see a few Joe Fresh dresses that I did like but did not buy any - maybe on my next trip.
Back to the hostel to catch up on my Future Learn courses on smart cities and becoming a digital citizen - I am still so behind despite countless nights up late in Whistler reading and posting.
Dinner and sleep - last day in Vancouver before flying home tomorrow night.
In the end the Robert Lee YMCA were kind enough to give me a guest pass vaid for February 17. Memberships could see I annually use the YMCA during my visits.
I will just have to take out a visitors membership when I arrive in Toronto - just one more thing to think about when I arrive - it will be my first visit to the Eastern Canada and at the moment I am more worried about airport connections to Toronto via Vancouver and finding my way around then anything else!
I ended up doing a shallow acqua fit class at the YMCA from 9 am - 9.45 am. I went full bore in this class. After eating that breaded oyster poh boy with maple slaw I really needed a workout. No time for breakfast provided by the HI Downtown Vancouver - I just grabbed a bagel muffin and some juice and put it in the fridge for later on as breakfast is only between 8 am and 9.45 am.
The rest of my day was packing laundry and organising stuff in general as well as a quick trip to Metrotown by sky train to shop for last minute gifts for people and some lunch/dinner.
No time for visiting relatives this year or Chinese New Year Celebrations which start on 28th January ( my monkey year has finally ended and it is now the year of the rooster for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Lunar calender).
First things I do when I reach Metrotown by skytrain is stare at the rather large construction site surround the station and its connection to the main entrance of Metrotown via an overpass which has been completely blocked off and replaced with a very steep and long set of temporary metal stairs. Leading to the main bus interchange below and lower mall's main entrance - is now the only way into the mall via the sky train. Warning during construction and upgrade of Metrotown skytrain station there are absolutely no elevators or escalators - the only way to get to Metrotown if you are unable to use the stairs is to alight at the skytrain station before Metrotown ie Patterson and use their elevator or escalator and board their shuttle bus from street level to Metrotown. A majority of the skytrain system is built very high above ground level although sections of it are actually underground below street level via long tunnels eg Oakridge and Vancouver City Centre on The Canada line and Granville and Burrard on the Expo/Millenium lines. Many of the stations conncting via underground or overhead pass directly across from major shopping malls.
Metrotown Skytrain and bus interchange reminds me of Chatswood or Bondi Junction interchanges except on a larger scale - which are considered major suburban hubs.
(Photos attached)
The second and third things I do are seek out Purdys Chocolates for the little red envelopes containing chocolates coin for Chinese New Year which I purchase every year - not one left at any Purdys Chocolate shops and I sought out quite a few on my adventures. Next stop T & T my favourite supermarket for all types of Asian groceries - food glorious food . You will find almost everything here cooked or fresh Chinese Japanese Korean Indian Taiwanese Indonesian etc . The cakes the pastries the breads the buns the steamed and fried dumplings bbq chicken duck even turkey fish pork the prepared meals etc deap fried steamed poached roasted hot cold the bubble tea the milk teas even coffees the fruit the vegetables frozen and fresh and the list is endless then there are general items cosmetics toiletries homeware and cookware pharmaceuticals candies savoury snacks chocolate cookies and biscuits bottled drinks and water teas dairy products - I even found Yakault made under licence here last year! My favourite is the freshly baked half loaf thickly sliced 60 % wholewheat bread - so I start off with putting a loaf of this in my basket. This will be great with vegemite with its slightly sweet taste which I usually prepare as one of my extra snacks for the long plane trip home. Next a rather large Chinese New Year traditional rice cake - because it is made locally in Richmond and there are a variety of flavours I could not decide so had to come back to it and finally opted for the walnut flavour one - this was not a plane snack for me it was a gift for my dad. Then onto my annual food indulgence BBQ duck pre cut up into pieces on the bone - this will be for my dinner and for breakfast as well along with other vegetables or fruit. Finally feeling a bit hungry I also treated mysrlf to some steamed seafood dumplings - I am binging as I am actually allergic to shellfish and these dumplings usually consist mainly of shrimp.
(Photos attached )
Final shop around Metotown and downtown Vancouver for gifts for my niece nephew and work collegues. Settled on Old Navy blue floral leggings and a lace cream long sleeved top and a pink charity t shirt for my niece.
I also picked up some cream for my alkergies at The Great Canadian Superstore - noticing in the rather large clothing department posters of Miranda Kerr modelling for the budget clothing brand Joe Fresh - There was this really hideous dark paisley dress which in the fashion world had absolutely "no hanger appeal" and it wasn't even on sale. Only Miranda Kerr on posters could make this hideous dress wearable!
I did see a few Joe Fresh dresses that I did like but did not buy any - maybe on my next trip.
Back to the hostel to catch up on my Future Learn courses on smart cities and becoming a digital citizen - I am still so behind despite countless nights up late in Whistler reading and posting.
Dinner and sleep - last day in Vancouver before flying home tomorrow night.
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