Surprise

I am at Vancouver airport and they have wireless internet. I passed all security checks. There were no pat downs or x-rays. They were there. The only thing that I had to do was take off my coat after I had been through the guy with his security wand, I didn't mind. After this I lined up to go through the x-ray machine but the woman said I've been cleared and I didn't need to do it. Then I went through to the American Border security area. I had a very nice man who served me. My finger prints and thumb scanned well. He kept saying stunning after his tests on me. He told me to smile for the camera and when I did he said stunning. He knew about the ESTA form that I did online I didn't need to show him. I had it ready. Then after this he wished me a happy new year. I've been told that's all the checks they will do. All I need to do is to enjoy my time flying and find my gate in Dallas. As for my suitcase it will meet in Orlando. In Vancouver it automatically goes through the security checks. So far I have found my gate and I am enjoying a fruit parfeit before my flight. I sometimes think that the media blows American security out of proportion. I honestly thought every passenger would either be patted down or x-ray but this snap shot experience has proven other wise. So far, so good. Good news, I will be bringing some Canadian money home with me, which means another trip in the not so distant future. YES!!!!!

Photos

Hi Everyone,

I have been very busy uploading photo's onto the Blog. I have got photos of my Vancouver trip right up to Christmas. I will be uploading more throughout tonight. Last night I went to the Butchart Gardens. I will be creating a new post on this memorable experience. Enjoy the photos. I have taken over 400 already.

Thanks Everyone

Thanks everyone for your comments and emails.
Hi Jay, how are you? How's the fracture? Are you wearing the moon boot? The Ipod touch is great for travelling. It is a pocket sized computer that you can send emails to people while you are overseas. It's great. Vancouver is so switched on with technology especially wireless Internet in cafes for free. I am typing this while I am on the ferry to my mother's birth place. I'm not sure why I'm missing words out in my writing. I think it's because I've gotten out of bed first thing in the morning. Classic excuse will correct my sentences when I get to Victoria.

Thanks Jenny for leaving comments on the blog. Won't be long until you're in Hong Kong. Have a great time and get lots of R and R.

Hi Mum and Dad I'm on the ferry to Victoria. Thanks for your emails I have been reading them. I am loved my time in Vancouver. Last night I went posh with food and went the restaurant two doors up. I was starting to get a little tired of fried and heavy foods. So I made the decision to have some home style type meals. I had these tender lamb cutlets in a wine sauce with a potato gratin and some beans. It. Cost around $42 with the lemonade included. It was nice to have a change I wonder whether the lamb came from New Zealand, probably followed me here. I bought some cherries at the Granville Market for Ken and Lois for Christmas. Cell phone was cheap but probably need some help to unlock it when I get to the US but it can be done online or when I buy my. Sim card in the USA I can make inquiries.

Thanks Raewyn for your comment I'm having a wonderful time and I'm enjoying the Canadian hospitality and the Christmas spirit over here.

Look forward to seeing you soon Ann.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Greetings from Vancouver

Hi everyone, today I head to Vancouver Island to see my relatives. This is where I will be spending Christmas. I have to be be at the bus depot by 9:45am so I can get the bus to take me to Twassen and then the ferry to take me to Vancouver island. It takes one and a half hours to get to Schwartz Bay where will be meeting my aunt and uncle.

Yesterday was a real adventure. At Grouse mountain there was heaps of snow. I went on a snow mobile which some of chair with skis on it and a guide to push you up and then go down hill. It was really cool. They wrapped you up in blankets and then seat belted you in. I didn't have to do any work just to sit back and relax while the guide pushed me up hill. At the Capilano Suspension Bridge it was magical with all these Christmas lights. I've never seen anything like it before. I took lots of photos. It appears the light bulbs are much bigger here than at home. I got my new cellphone yesterday. It was $65 and I paid $30 for some credits. Local calls on it cost 15 cents a minute and long distance calls cost 30 cents a minute. When I get to the USA I have to get a new sim card and go onto the nokia website and unlock it. I think it is locked for Canada settings. Has anyone downunder done this before? Must go and check out of the hotel.

Greetings from Vancouver

Hi everyone, I'm at favourite wireless cafe Blenz in downtown Vancouver on Robson at. Today I thought I would buy a cell phone for when I'm and if it works in the USA even better. I looked in the Yellow pages last night and found some outlets that are on the same street as my hotel, which is very handy. At 11:00am I am off on my tour to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. At the Capilano suspension Bridge I read there will be 300000 surrounding it. I'm looking forward to seeing it. On Grouse Mountain they will be offering sleigh rides with real reindeer. Last night when I went to dinner I couldn't help noticing how beautiful the street lights were on Robson St. I took some photos. Well I must finish got to finish my yoghurt parfeit of muesli and berries. Not into large portioned fried breakfasts here. One I've noticed is that there has been a decrease of the number of homeless people on Robson St they have mainly congregated around China Town and the back streets of Gas Town. Spotted this yesterday when I was on my tour. I've noticed a lot of tourists here in Vancouver it definitely a happening place.

Greetings from Vancouver

Hi everyone, I am just loving my time in Vancouver. Everyone is just so friendly. Today I did a city tour. It was a conducted tour and there were only two of us on the tour me and this Englishman who was about my age. We went to Stanley park, to the Granville Markets,to an indoor plant conservatory with beautiful Christmas lights. I've never seen anything like it. Mum and Dad you would like it, very nice poinsettas. Tomorrow I am doing a day tour to the capilano suspension bridge and to Grouse Mountain. I did this last time when I was here, but this time there are Christmas lights and it is Christmas themed. There's snow up on the mountain and they give you snow boots and they have an ice skating pad so you can skate-pretty cool. Central heating is an interesting experience when I got in from dinner last night I felt cold in my hotel room so I turned on the little element heater. There was a boiler heater at the wall and half of it was a little warm so I went down to the reception to inquire about the wall heater. The guy came up but seemed he didn't know what the problem was. So I went to bed in my thermals and it wasn't until a couple of hours I was boiling. All shops are beautifully warm and cost. There is a nice restaurant wine bar two doors up from where I'm staying.

Facts from my tour

1 bedroom apartments cost half a millions dollars in downtown Vancouver.
They have laws for couples with children who own apartments in downtown. A child must have their own room at the age of 12, no sharing allowed.
The movie Jumanji was filmed at Shaughnessy heights, I went past the brick house.
On Robson St alone there are 16 Star Bucks coffee places-very popular here.
Yaletown is where Michael Buble -singer lives. Went past his apartment.

Just by observation every taxi I see is a Hybrid.
Christmas is all around cafes, restaurants, shops play Christmas music.
Gets light between 7:30-8:00am and gets dark at 4:30-5:00pm.

Hello from Vancouver

Hi Everyone, just to let you I have arrived to Vancouver safely. Enjoying a hot chocolate at cafe that wireless Internet. Plane was good didn't much sleep. Sat next to a lady who was Canadian and she was married to a kiwi bloke. I immediately thought of my mother. She also came from Vancouver Island. On the plane they had a consiege who was able to answer any questions we had on Vancouver. He gave pamphlets and I was able to find out what time it gets dark here. It gets dark around 4:30pm. The taxi ride from the airport was reasonable and we travelled some distance only $35. Plus I gave him a $5 tip. When I got to the hotel my room was ready. So far everyone has been very friendly. Today there are blue skies, no rain and about 7 degrees. More like Christchurch weather starting to get cold now 3pm polar. Fleece and polyprops will come in very handy.