Introduction
Seattle to New York
New York
New York to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver to Seattle
Conclusion
After disembarking at Vancouver and going up the escalators into the Sterile area (Vancouver is different and has the sterile area for disembaking guests in the rafters of the temrinal) I walked the long long way to immigration. Immigration itself was empty and there was only 1 or 2 people ahead of me but it was still pretty wierd to see no one there. I was expecting a grilling like every other time I have entered Canada, however tonight the officer who allowed me to enter must of been having a good evening because she barely even questioned me.
I was through within minutes without a problem. My bag came out onto the belt about the third of the non crew bags and that was even better! I was the first person through customs and as I strolled along almost whistling, the customs agent was also in a friendly mood, giving me directions up to the Fairmont. I was walking upstairs turning right and heading over to the escalators up to the walkway.
Within minutes of leaving customs I was walking into the Fairmont and as I turned right to go to the check in desk, i was shocked… there was a couch there… umm say what now. I turned around and noticed the check in desk had moved. Wierd! I commented about it during the check in progress and they apparently changed a few months back. I got all my paperwork fixed up and after asking about my room, I found out I was above the transborder gates. I swear I had fixed that problem!
They couldn’t move me tonight but I guess I had no real say. I just sucked it up! Headed up to the room. Total time on the ground including waiting, 33 minutes. Near record timing! Plane to bed in less than 35 minutes. There was a few problems with the room (no working power points near the bed, lights not working that sort of thing) and since I couldn’t be bothered dealing with it that night, I just went to bed.
Sunday 26th May 2013
I hit the gym nice and early for a run on the treadmill (earlier than I had planned to be honest) and was going to take it easy today. Plenty of plane spotting, writing of stuff and just general relaxation, no stress at all.
After the gym though I stopped by reception and mentioned all the problems and they gladly offered to room move me later in the day when I came back to the hotel after spotting. That was easy! So I didn’t unpack anything really and just kept the suitcase almost packed. I did what I usually do at YVR Airport and that is breakfast at Tim Hortons in the Domestic Terminal over looking the ramp. Catching up on emails and relaxing.
After a nice simple breakfast, I walked back to the hotel and just spent the rest of the morning spotting from the room, using my scanner that I had brought with me and did I mention I relaxed? I caught up with my friend Leighton and his friend Matt for the rest of the afternoon and although I was meant to catch up with my friend Roylene who had just moved to Canada from Aus, that didn’t happen.
So after getting the train into Broadway for my old faithful (Whole Foods) for dinner, I made it back to the hotel pretty much right as I got a message from her saying she was all good to catch up if I hadn’t of eaten. O well! I settled in for a quiet night as I was going to need to get up a little earlier. My way home had changed a little!
