Monday 1st January 2024
(Just refer to my YouTube Channel - I have been a little too busy in keeping my blog up to date)
Happy New Year! X 2
I haven't even gotten over NYE fireworks on Sydney Harbour last night and my Shitbit has already gone mad and decides to change it's date and time to Tuesday the 2nd of January 2024 automatically! What happened to Monday the 1st of January 2024? How bizarre and I can't change it back manually as it has to be resynchronized from my smart phone - yep smart phone but dumb watch!
Last minute packing to ensure I am not over in any of my bags a main suitcase 23 kg max and my snowboarding bag also 23 kg max. my carry on new wheelie bag 7 kg and my small backpack with my laptop in it and tech stuff diary and travel docs. then there were my snacks where should they go? took much!
My Shuttle is a little late and I'm anxiously waiting. I texted it and they were 10 minutes away. Apparently the driver had a very tight schedule this morning and had to dump his trailer off this morning. Meanwhile a maxi taxi
Well I'm at Sydney International Airport. My shuttle Easygo was a little late and as something always goes wrong at the airport as I check in, I need the full 3 hours
At 6.30 am in the dead of the morning Air Canada flight AC34 Sydney to Vancouver lands at Vancouver International Airport. it is foggy cool but not cold, dark but dry morning . It's not raining and there is not a speck of snow around. It was a quick disembark off the plane clear customs a toilet stop and luggage claim before exiting the airport in well under an hour before heading in a McLure Taxi to where I will be staying for the next 3 weeks or so before heading to Whistler. This year I have not made any plans after my Whistler week nor have I booked any accomodations or transfers. still time to do online.
I am behind again in my plans for today. Firstly I arrive at The Century Plaza Hotel and the taxi won't drive into the Century Plaza Hotel for some reason not given by the cab driver. I get the lovely young door man to get my bags whiles I check in or try to. ah same problems again this year. I was giving this hotel a second chance. I changed suites 3 times today! Yes 3 times. I had given the hotel loads of advance notification of my requirements and gave them a second chance to redeem themselves with
News headlines today include
The Danish Queen steps down.
It rained overnight and is a rather overcast day today.
Tuesday 2nd January 2024
It is another beautiful dry cool day today, with no rain or snow.
Today I joined the YMCA for the month of January 24 and got a new local Chatr sim card from London Drugs on Robson Street.
Another grocery shop at Safeway at the bottom of Robson Street, oh how I hate going to that Safeway as it is located at the top of a set of stairs with one way in and another way out and no escalators just a dodgey looking lift which I refuse to use.
I got back to the hotel pretty late and when I unpacked my groceries found that my Pillsbury croissant dough had exploded from it's can do had to ring Safeway which means tomorrow I would have to make a special trip to customer service to return it for a refund. It's the first time this product has exploded but I suspect it has to do with the way Safeway stores them.
News headlines today include
Japanese has a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.
A coast guard aircraft apparently on it's way to earthquake regions of Japan with supplies catches on fire and collides with a Japan Airlines passenger plane carrying 379 passengers and crew including 12 Australians . all passengers and crew escaped relatively unharmed before the plane explodes into flames.
a 13 year old has beaten Tetris. at level 157 his screen froze which meant he had broken the game and beaten the game which until now only AI bots have been able to do.
Wednesday. 3rd January 2024
Today I wore myself out as I went to my first ACQUAFIT class at the YMCA this morning at 9.45 am and decided to use the heaviest dumbbells. I will not be using them again. I then went back to the hotel for something to eat and a nap before making my way to Burnaby Village Museum to see the Heritage Christmas lights. I returned back to the hotel pretty late and the following day just could not get up because jetlag had caught up with me.
Thursday 4th January 2024
Friday 5th January 2024
Today I decided to go to Metrotown in the afternoon as I knew Fridays are late might shopping days at Metrotown where shops are open until 9 pm.
I lost track of time because my Shitbit just won't synchronize and looked at my phone which was now 9.30 pm and I panicked as every arm of the mall was locked and I did not know how to get out of the mall after it closed. I had to walk a very long way and only one set of lifts was operating so I followed the crowds out of the mall to the Sky Train Station.
I got back to where I am staying really late .Luckily I am not doing any fitness classes tomorrow.
News headlines today include
An Alaskan Airlines window blows open on its way to Portland.
Saturday 6th January 2024
Today I woke up around 5 am and updated my travel diary and budget before going back to sleep and waking up again around 9 am. I watched the local news and had something to eat before having a shower.
What a beautiful day so I decided to go downstairs and use voucher # 2 of my pile of 19 daily food credits worth CAN$25 each. If I use all of them for breakfast or lunch it would cost me a total in taxes only of CAN$1.04 X 29 days = CAN$19.76! So far I have only used 2 vouchers and have stayed 6 days so far. I picked up a chicken casserole wrap, a 2 pkt of amaretti biscuits a packet of chips a banana and a bottle of water ( which the cafe staff member forgot to give me and I did not realize until I got on the sky train whilst blogging) . I thought it would be a nice little packed lunch for my little day trip out to Stevenson Village.It is such a beautiful Saturday today!
I took the sky train to Waterfront Station from Burrard Station then transferred over to the Canada Line to Richmond Brighouse Station then it was another transfer on the 401 bus as long One Road to Stevenson Fishing Village. I headed towards Garry Point hoping to see Sea Lions or some form of marine life but instead was circled by a flock of seagulls the size of chickens when I started walking and nibbling on my chicken wrap so I stopped and put it away and the seagulls disappeared.
I headed back towards the village and went to view the restored train housed in a barn . I am so glad I got to see it this time round as it was closed when I arrived last year when I was here.
Instead of doing the boring boardwalk I always do along the waters edge, I followed the train tracks that end and were cemented in with large housing estates replacing them and became a little lost but found my way around again when I started to see cyclists and the water again.
It was getting dark and the sun was setting and it was a long way back to where I was staying so after a quick shop at the new Save On Foods in Stevenson Village and avoiding the creepy bakery where an old man tried to seduce me into one year and even locals know he is a little strange, I waited for the next 401 bus back to Richmond Brighouse Station.
I did not eat my banana and packet of chips I had used my 2nd hotel food credit voucher for this morning and planned to give these to a homeless person.
Back at where I was staying I packed and prepared for going to my 2nd Acquafit class tomorrow morning at 9.15 am which I am waiting listed for. I am a little tired.
Sunday 7th January 2024
No soup today at the hotel cafe - soup is only available during the week. So I did not use another hotel for pod credit voucher today.
My day starts with an Acquafit class from 9.15 am - 10 am this morning.
I did not hang around after class I just had a shower and headed back to where I am staying making myself a very nice breakfast whilst housekeeping came in and I caught up with the local news which is not very interesting - crime increases with shooting sprees in the Western suburbs, a cold front has moved in with huge lines of people along the highway at Whistler over the final holiday weekend trying to get in some last minute skiing after a recent snow dump after weeks of grassy patchy snow all around Vancouver ski resorts.
I was so tired I had to have a nanna nap before going out again.
In the afternoon because it was a nice colder day today I went to Granville Island and decided not to go to the closing night of the Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens this year afterwards.
At Granville Island I purchased some more groceries 2 pieces of fresh snapper, pickled ginger, shisu leaves, 4 flavoured cannelles, a bag of cape goose berries, a bag of giant blueberries, broccoli and a whole corn, ground Aussie lamb ,( imported as local unavailable). I wanted some oysters and clams and sea urchin but decided not to as oysters are not shucked for you and sea urchin was just too expensive. as for the clams well they were not the best quality.
I needed some mixed greens so stopped by and purchased a packet from IGA on Burrard. I also have my banana and packet of chips to a homeless man across the road I spotted.
Back at where I am staying I am catching up on my blogging and budgeting and made myself a nice vegetable soup.
News headlines today include
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony finally airs on tv.
A private space company in the US that is in competition with Space X 's Falcon 9 has launched an unmanned rocket to the moon which is carrying DNA from deceased Star Trek cast & crew members and hair from past presidents. The Valcan blasts off .
All Alaskan Airlines 737 Max 9 planes have been grounded after the door blow out incident. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled.
A cold snap is coming with some schools closed for snow days in Canada.
The attacks im Northern Gaza wraps up however the war is far from over with Israel determined to wipe out Hamas and all hostages released.
161 people have died in Japan's NYD earthquake with countless people still missing.
There is a push to make neck guards compulsory after an English ice hockey player has died from injuries.
Snoop Dog is commentating again at this year's Paris Olympics.
Monday 8th January 2024
This morning I have registered for Acquafit class # 3 from 9.15 am.
After class I did not do anything as it rained most of today.
After brunch and a nap I did my laundry and caught up with stuff.
I did not venture out.
Tuesday 9th January 2024
Wednesday 10th January 2024
Thursday 11th January 2024
Friday 12th January 2024
The Seawalk was closed from 24th and 19th @ Marine Drive so my walk had to be diverted to the back streets of the West Vancouver neighbourhood along Marine Drive until Ambleside. at Ambleside it was so cold I could not feel my fingers almost so I sought refuge inside a tiny art gallery in the old ferry building which just had a million dollar renovation and had the smallest and cutest exhibition of local artists . I gave a CAN$5 cash donation.
I continue my walk along the Seawalk towards Park Royal South via the Spirit Trail when the weather turned and it started to snow. The Snow got heavier so I had to pick up my pace as I was not in waterproof hiking boots or waterproof clothing although I was quite warm in all the layers I was wearing. luckily I was only about 10 - 15 minutes to the refuge of a back entrance to Park Royal South Mall. A visit to T & T Supermarket for groceries and to warm up.
The Snow finally stopped but it left a blanket of white not just in North & West Vancouver but in downtown Vancouver as well .
Dinner I made was a congee made with rice oats veg stock mixed greens duck snapper shallots ginger enoki mushrooms coriander puffed tofu cubes egg and some sesame oil and doya sauce . So warming and thick. a Japanese green tea and some chocolate completed my dinner.
Saturday 13th January 2024
The artic freeze is still on and it was a beautiful day again today but I did not leave the hotel apartment I am staying at.
I slept in did some catching up of recoding of my expenditure from yesterday.
I made myself a big hot breakfast.
I sorted my laundry into black and whites
I confirmed my stay in Whistler and remote check in details.
I am very disappointed with my stay this year. Can't get a ticket to anything I want to go to.
I have too look for alternative things to see do and places to visit.
Sunday 14th January 2024
Today I walked up to the Cross Country Connections and purchased a day pass to go snowshoeing around the Lost Lake snowshoeing trails.
Monday 15th January 2024
Tuesday 16th January 2024
Wednesday 17th January 2024
Thursday18th January 2024
Friday 19th January 2024
Saturday 20th January 2024
Sunday 21st January 2024
Today it was a snowshoeing day again. I walked up to the Lost Lake Crosscounty Connections ticket office and purchased a day pass to snow shoe around the trails of Lost Lake.
Best day ever. The best time to go snow showing is a day or so after it has snowed heavily. The visibility may be poor up on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and it may be raining but on the snow showing trails it is peaceful and pristine. The Forrest is a canopy where there is a thick cover of snow everywhere and it is shelter from the rsin. Visibility is perfect . There are branches that arch above you and branches that form steps covered over in snow . The white and green contrast in colours and the old growth as you snow shoe higher and higher up is living symbolically with lichen and old man's beard. The tricking of water in the river below is calming and then when you finally find and reach The Lake, it is spectacular. You realise it's a long snowshoe back and you want to know if there is a short cut or quickest way back to Whistler Village as it is getting late in the afternoon and it gets dark in Whistler early during the Winter.
Monday 22nd January 2024
Today I had to go to the bank to sort out my internet banking app which won't let me in again and I just changed my password when I was in Vancouver at a branch as it failed to eork after a few days after I arrived. The bank is located at Whistler Crerkside Village and had moved from the original village buildings to a new building but still in the original village area. It was so difficult to find as they no longer have their red and white logo that used to be seen from the main road into Creekside.
Then it was a visit to the local Creekside supermarket which I thought prices for groceries would be cheaper then in Whistler Village and Village North but no they were more expensive! Loads of wood being sold at this supermarket and snow shovels. They even have a heap of underused shopping trolleys parked under a tent outside the supermarket. Inside they have baskets but the supermarket sailed are so narrow why use trolleys? This supermarket is like the squishy jam packed Whistler Grocery Store in Whistler Village and they don't use trolleys. Even Fresh St Supermarket in Village North which is pretty big doesn't use trolleys, it uses the wheelie baskets ( I love these because they are light and compact making it easy to get around the supermarket but hate them because they are too low down not good for the back) You only need to use a trolley if you need a tonne of firewood or huge plastic containers of Whistler Water! I had a good look around the supermarket with most things pricier then Fresh Street and only purchased one thing A pack of 4 gingerbread men I love gingerbread but without the icing or additives and this brand was around CAN$7 for a packet of 4 but they were pretty much home made ingredients in them. They were yummy.
A quick look around the old and new areas of Creekside Village which has changed quite a lot. Tgere was this amazing bakery that bakes mostly breads but it is only open Wednesday to Sunday so I was disappointed as I wanted some sourdough.
Back on the BS Transit bus from Whistler Creekside to Whistler Village .
Tuesday 23rd January 2024
Went to Checkamus Crossing by bus from Whistler Village bus # 20 via Whistler Creekside & Function Junction to the Train Wreck Trail via the river and suspension bridge.
Wednesday 24th January 2024
First and only day of skiing on Whistler Mt today. Discovered a Janine crack in left boot had troub l e getting my foot into boot and when I returned to apartment to take my boot off entire outer plastic tongue broke into pieces and a small piece flew out of my right boot when I took it off. Unrepairable as it is not the lining that is damaged but brittle plastic of boot. Bails still all working fine. Now need to shop around for a new pair of boots which will set me back at least CAN$300 plus taxes. I don't even think I will find a pair in my size in Whistler.
Thursday 25th January 2024
Today I have to find a pair of replacement ski boots return my bottles to Fresh St pack take the rubbish to the dumpster go ice skating last minute shop , post office do all laundry load the dish washer put loose coins onto my Tim card complete my budget apply for a job or enrol to continue my studies pay my bills etc. All before I depart for Vancouver.
Friday 26th January 2024
Happy Australia Day but not staying in Whistler this year for it.
Depart Whistler for Vancouver at 9.45 am
Saturday 27th January 2024
Sunday 28th January 2024
Swallow Tail hour foraging session noon to 2 om @ Belcarra prebooked and prepaid via email
Science World " Dream Tomorrow Today" prebooked and paid online for 10 am session today. I can't wait to see how kids see tomorrow today!
Interesting that it's called STEAM Science Technology Engineering Art Maths not STEM Science Technology Engineering Maths here in Canada .
Monday 29th January 2024
Depart Vancouver on Air Canada Flight back to Sydney direct- end of my annual month long holiday.
Tuesday 30th January 2024
On the plane crossing the international dateline. Stayibg in Economy - can't afford to upgrade this year to premium economy after having some unexpected expenses to sell A e broken snowshoes and ski boots tgat can't be repaired and have to dumped as well as being top p ed off by Flight Centre.
Summary of News headlines for the month of January 2024
Trump is back on the election campaign trail again. He and Biden seem like they are the 2 if only remaining cadidates for the next presidency as other candidates drop out and support them.
Price Gouging of chicken prices as if the cost of groceries in BC isn't already high enough!
A chemical stench like burning plastic or rubber is present in around Vancouver for a second time as Parkland refinery in Burnaby shut down from the first stench and reopens releasing what was investigated to be sulphur dioxide being released from burn off.
A public transport strike in Vancouver left commuters stranded and sky high rideshare prices - sound familiar Sydney? A cap on Uber timeshare fees was being implemented as the strike continued for a second day in January and if negotiations on pay and conditions not met or agreed upon in early February tgere will be more long term industrial action.
Preorders are being taken in Canada for the release date of the 30th Jan 24 of Samsung's S24 series phone as the release date in Australia is not until early February as preorders are also being taken.
Princecess Kate had scheduled abdominal surgery with a 2 week recovery period and cancelled official royal duties until after Easter. King Charles has surgery for an enlarged prostrate and Fergus has melanoma after she had moles removed whilst having a mastectomy for breast cancer.
Ozempic is still in high demand for weight loss and due to it's shortage is still being dibject to scams.
The conatiner capsule containing astrodust that was collect and sent back to earth to be a n analyzed has been opened after problems with opening it.
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue but the cap on the number of reunion with family visas is still being debated - why is the number of temporary visas restricted for warm affected residents in Gaza and not in Ukraine - the reasoning is related to keeping countries safe from terrorists from Gaza.
Wednesday 31st January 2024
Aur Canada AC 33 direct flight Vancouver to Sudney touches down in Sydney at exactly 9.29 am . It is either early or on time for a 9.45 am arrival after taxxiing to it's gate - don't ask me which one at Sydney International Airport as I was so tired I did not even pay attention - all I remember it it was a very long walk to the customs immigration quantine security gates and there were a series of 3 different passport scanning stations along the route. We are not even to baggage claim yet.
It was a very turbulent flight and sometimes you did not want to be caught with your pants down in the toilet!
Baggage claim was carousel 5 and then off to oversized luggage to pickup my snowboarding bag. This porocess was very efficient with no lost luggage and took the least amount of time out after disembarking the plane which is no longer sprayed and used to take upto 15 minutes whilst we stayed on board before disembarking.
I helped an elderly lady loading her heavy suitcase onto her cart as I young boy helped her previously take the suitcase off the carousel for her. I then needed help balancing my snowboard bag upright on my card as it kept slipping through the gap at the base of my cart and the exit lines are too narrow to place ski and snow boarding bags horizontally on the carts. I see people struggle with them having to take them all off and drag them behing their luggage carts.
As soon as I exit the airport I then had to wheel my cart full of luggage hoping one bag or suitcase will not slide off the cart across the road and find the rideshare pickup area. I then had to message the driver of Easygo and let him know where I was so he can find me and wait for him.
As soon as I get back home. It was drag all my bags upstairs have a long chat to my neighbour where I found out the occupant in unit 1 gets paid to take the bins out and pull them back in ( he doesn't do the job very well as unit 7 unit 3 me and even other random occupants take the bins in or put them out when he doesn't and what's with only putting one bin out and not all of them and on the wrong days?) and the landlord who was there maintaining the building .
A shower ( I always wait so long after arriving to have a shower) before heading out for an essential first grocery shop at Chatswood. I always keep my Opal card topped up with some funds. It was quite late in the afternoon a d a lot of the shelves at the supermarkets at Coles and Woolworths were empty. so I had to purchase what was on my shopping list that was available and substitute when necessary.
I had a California roll from Sushi World hoping to get change for laundry unsucessfully and I had a lot of laundry from before I left and some upon return. Change in coins is becoming harder to get. Shops are rely tant to give out change in one and two dollar coins. The landlord refuses to get a change machine for the laundry. I went to Seven Eleven and got a travellers pie - they too were reluctant to give change out to me but I managed to get some .
It is quite overcast humid and even started to sprinkle rain that night.
For my first grocery shop since landing back in Sydney this morning watch my YouTube video uploaded. It's all about price comparison and what I purchased for approximately $120.
