Canada, Mexico, Europe, oh my! RTW here we go.

[Drakecula]

Hello from Vancouver. I really do enjoy flying J on long trips. Got some sleep, unfortunately I've been battling a sore neck and nerve pinching, so that wasn't fun, but I would have definitely struggled far worse in Y.

For those that are interested, the menu and food:



(I don't know why it's sideways, but I'm sure we all could use a neck stretch to the side, me definitely!)

 

[Antoallison]

Joining in your journey......

You will like Seattle, as a substitute. The area around Ballard is quirky, Underground tour has some of the early history of the town, and a short ferry trip to one of the many islands is a good day out and a chance to see Seattle from a different perspective.

 

[Drakecula]

It seems the friend we're staying with has decided against Seattle, which is fine. Today we went to Whistler to explore. Was pretty neat, lots of hikes to choose from. We saw a chipmunk! (Photo is on MrDs phone alas)

Tomorrow, unsure, we'll figure something out

 

[Cossie]

Okanagan for wine tasting?

 

[Drakecula]

After a lazy morning doing some laundry we unleashed our inner children and headed to Castle Fun Park. It's full of arcade games, mini golf, go karts, and cool things like batting cages, hockey and soccer goal scoring things. Some games were so cheap to play compared to Aussie arcade/ amusement centres.

Last night we also went to a VR place to play freeform VR, so you can walk around and play the game within a large room with your friends. We were all androids protecting a space station, shooting aliens. Soooo much fun!

Oh, and I bought the best shirt at Whistler yesterday:

 

[Drakecula]

Today was a trip downtown to visit the Fluevog shop to exchange some shoes (long story) but that was lots of fun. Got to try on some crazy styles for fun.

We then walked down to Stanley Park and wandered some of the seawall. Saw many squirrels! One was very happy to come right up close to us.



Then tonight we went to Storm Crow Tavern, a geeky themed bar/restaurant. I'd been here last time I was in Vancouver and coincidentally we were sat at the same table!

 

[Drakecula]

We're now relaxing in the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge before our flight to MEX. There's a bit of almost home just outside.



It's a nice quiet lounge. Small selection of food and snacks with self serve tap beer, coffee and soft drinks. There's a bar also which I've just availed myself a 'signature coughtail'. Bourbon with maple syrup, lemon juice and ginger ale. Cheers!

 

[Drakecula]

What a day! After getting in just after midnight, then going through all the things and the transfer to the hotel, we got to sleep around 2am. Then we were off on a city tour and visit to the anthropology museum from 9am. So tired right now.

The wifi isn't up to uploading photos, so that'll have to wait. But the city is quite vibrant and clean, with a large police presence. Feeling quite safe, unlike our last foray into Mexico when we hopped the border into Tijuana from San Diego. Smells better here too...

 

[Drakecula]

And we're in airport purgatory. Major delay for flight from Mexico to Toronto thanks to weather, looks like we're camping in the tiny Avienca lounge for a good 6 hours at least. It's packed. But hopefully people will filter out and we can snaffle some comfy chairs to sleep on.

We'll miss our connecting flight to London, and due to the time differences, we'll get in a day later than planned probably.

I've looked at Air Canada's policy, which wasn't too helpful for this situation, because this is due to weather so out of their control.

It's 2250 and we're due to leave at 0505. Let's hope my sanity survives.

 

[JohnM]

Aboard.

 

[Drakecula]

Managed to get a couple hours of 'sleep'. I was lucky enough to get a small couch to lay down on for a bit. But I'm awake now. Still got a few hours to wait yet...

So why not do more of an update?

The city tour included a visit to the historic centre where we got to have a look at the metropolitan cathedral, the presidential palace and a bit of the surrounding area. Then to the anthropology museum which was full of interesting things.

The next day we went out to the Temple of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacan as well as the Basilica de Guadelupe.

Both days we stopped in at shops selling touristy things, but that seems to be common on tours I've found.

On our last day we jumped on the Turistbus, a hop on/hop off affair, with english audio along the way. An easy way to see the city.

In apparently random order based on how they uploaded, some pics:

View attachment 196535

 

[get me outta here]

Great photos, thanks Drakeula, following along.

 

[JohnM]

Hmmmm... looks familiar.

 

[Drakecula]

Delayed flight from Toronto finally arrived, with bonus broken part. Joy! We're officially stranded. Waiting to hear what happens next.

 

[Drakecula]

Got a hotel room, had a shower (I feel somewhat human again), tried calling various helplines, resorted to social media. Looks like we've got a new flight, one leg in Y, but the longer one in J. Terry the Air Canada Twitter angel. Shout out to SQ Facebook team too. They had us in back up LH flights, despite the back track rule.
All going to plan we'll be in London 12 hours after original plan.

 

[Drakecula]

Of course the new AC flight is delayed so we miss our London connection, again. Trying to get booked on the Lufthansa flight that the SQ social media person helped us with. Should've just gone with that in the first place.

I think we live in Mexico airport now.

 

[Drakecula]

We're now on our original delayed flight. But only so far as Toronto, since they couldn't wrangle us on to LH. So once at Toronto, we get to wait and find out when we get to London. Joy. Hopefully there won't be an entire planeful of people doing the same this time.

Thankfully my Airbnb has sent me instructions to get in on our own, so no need for them to do the 'when will they get to London?' dance too. And my big bookable things were for earlier next week. If I'm not in London by then I'll eat my hat!

 

[Drakecula]

We've made it out of Mexico! Hello Toronto. I'm sure you're nice, but I don't want to be here longer than I have to.
Trying to confirm seats on the morning flight to London, we arrived 1am-ish and of course no gate agents til 4am, so more camping in the terminal while on hold to AC.

Cool view though

 

[Drakecula]

We secured seats for London in J too, thankfully. One thing I've noticed through this last debacle is that the gate agents struggle rebooking when you are on award seats. I think. There just seems to have been more hoops and us clarifying with SQ as necessary has helped. Or maybe it's the *A rtw rules?

Either that or the Mexican AC gate crew are just not up to speed with this kind of thing? They were getting annoyed with the help lines they were calling, so perhaps some loss in translation?

Either way, glad that's behind us and we're in a nice airport with I hope a much better lounge than the one in Mexico.

It was like an underground bunker!

 

[RooFlyer]

We secured seats for London in J too, thankfully. One thing I've noticed through this last debacle is that the gate agents struggle rebooking when you are on award seats. I think. There just seems to have been more hoops and us clarifying with SQ as necessary has helped. Or maybe it's the *A rtw rules?

In the case of IRROPS, they get you on the next available seat in the same fare class. Award seats are usually totally taken, so when's the next one available? They have to clear release of a 'revenue' seat to take an award seater.

How did you get from your hotel in Mexico City to the Temples?