24th - 25th Sept 2019
Left: The 'luxurious' C&N Backpackers' Hostel on Main Street. Spent a very 'itchy' night here. Thought the bed had been sprayed with a nerve agent. Now discovered bite marks on my back and shoulders. Oh s**t! Bed bugs or flees? At no extra cost. To be avoided!
Right: An interesting car parking idea nearby.
Left: Lots of sea-planes in the harbour at Canada Place. They seemed to be kept busy.
Tally Ho! Another little trip in the offing. This time heading west, initially courtesy of the Canadian airline WestJet (Canook equivalent of Ryanair I think) from London Gatport Airwick to Vancouver, British Columbia. It's cheap but hopefully more financially sound than Thomas Cook. I'm due to spend a few days on Vancouver Island and then, by boat, from Vancouver to Yokohama. Could be interesting.
Stand-by for more revelations.
Flight with WestJet went fine. All electronic check-in which was a bit baffling but somehow succeeded. Departed LGW at 1055, on time, in rather an ancient Boeing 767. Very basic facilities. No 'in-flight entertainment' and all snacks/drink had to be paid for except complimentary tea/coffee and 'pretzels'. Reasonably comfortable aisle seat with one next to me vacant which was a bonus. I should have taken some more rations with me but, for the price, I have no complaints. Had newspaper and books to read which, between snoozing, passed the time satisfactorily.
Arrived Vancouver at 1305hrs(L). 8 hours behind UK. Skytrain and underground to Main Street and booked in to a very modest hostel, the C&N Backpackers, near the Chinatown district. Nobody can accuse me of being extravagant. Respectable accommodation in Vancouver City is very expensive. Had a wander around the area and was wisely advised to avoid Hastings Street (not far away) which is the hang-out of local druggies. I had to have a look of course and yes, it was infested with zombie-like drug addled humanoids. No police there so I suppose it is considered a lost cause and just 'allowed'. Found a reasonably pleasant pub for supper but drink and food here is not cheap. C$ 8 for less than a pint of local beer plus the irritating taxes and 15% tips expected. This is just a pit-stop and off to Vancouver Island tomorrow.
Left: The 'luxurious' C&N Backpackers' Hostel on Main Street. Spent a very 'itchy' night here. Thought the bed had been sprayed with a nerve agent. Now discovered bite marks on my back and shoulders. Oh s**t! Bed bugs or flees? At no extra cost. To be avoided!
Right: An interesting car parking idea nearby.
Left: Lots of sea-planes in the harbour at Canada Place. They seemed to be kept busy.
Next off by ferry to Vancouver Island. Staying with relatives in the town of Duncan (this is NOT one of them).
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