Viking Invades Alaska!

[love_the_life]

Poncho

But I cant go past a Christmas decoration

Naaa, think I'll pass on all the souvenirs.

 

[Pushka]

Glad you didn't step back in that first photo! The snow looks gorgeous though.

Surprisingly it’s safe as there’s a lower ledge but seeing it that does look like I’m doing a stupid tourist thing. What surprised us was the the sheer edge in some places and no warning sign and certainly no fence.

Apparently it’s going to snow down here in Flagstaff tonight but I’ve already packed and compressed my parka and it’s not coming out again until Alaska.

 

[Pushka]

And a nice parting flurry of snow as we board flight from Flagstaff to Phoenix.

We have TSA Prechk on our BP but we didn’t apply for this. Makes going through screening a snap. Don’t need to take off shoes, jackets, watches and laptops. Weird.

 

[drron]

If you are on AA and an OWE you should get pre check.

 

[Pushka]

If you are on AA and an OWE you should get pre check.

That explains it! It’s a great perk.

 

[blackcat20]

If you are on AA and an OWE you should get pre check.

Never had it as OWE.

 

[Pushka]

Just arrived in beautiful Vancouver. It’s almost sunset and the evening is warm! Good forecasts for the next few days and 27 when we sail out on Sunday.

The flight from Phoenix was a bit boganish and I’d say so much movement to the J toilet by Y passengers. I’ve never seen so much toilet action for a 3 hour flight. Ridiculous.

Arrived just as 3 flights from Asia did but Canada has a rather excellent automated pre passport clearance process. Maybe 10 lanes with 15 readers in each. After receiving a printed slip after being photographed and scanned the queue did bog up but we were done in 30 minutes. Luggage out quickly and on our way.

Took some pictures as we cruised in.

 

[Pushka]

It’s early morning in Vancouver. We were quickly sorted into immigration then a taxi ride to the Auberge Hotel almost on the harbour. We had booked city view through booking.com for a city view (cheapest) but were told on arrival we had been upgraded to a suite with a harbour view! Wow! We think it was a mistake as she then gave us a gift that had someone else’s name on it! But she went through with the suite booking anyway. And we are not budging an inch!

It is stunning. On the 9th floor the lounge room has a view over the waterfront.

Curtains drawn here. It has a lovely leather corner lounge plus another winged chair, dining setting, another desk and chair plus a pantry with sink, microwave and fridge etc.



Then the bedroom. 180 degree (corner window) view over the harbour.




We dumped our stuff as it was around 9pm and we’d only had a half sandwich each that day! The lounge food was snack at best.

Beautiful evening. Stunning harbour.

Looking towards the Exhibition Centre we think.



On Canada place the cruise ship terminal. It will be where our ship leaves from and over the next four days here will be bustling.





Pretty much everything had closed for the night so we grabbed another sandwich and called it a night.

Just woken up now and sitting in our lounge. Watching float planes land on the harbour. And a cruise ship in port.



I think it’s a Holland America one.

 

[Major]

Probably Maasdam

 

[Pushka]

Probably Maasdam

It is indeed. It is in port until 11pm.

Had a lovely sunny and warm day strolling around the waterfront to Stanley Park. Lots of people enjoying the sunshine. It made us realise how much more relaxed we are now that the weather is warm.

Interesting sculpture near the Hotel.





These float planes were busy all day with the ship.

 

[Pushka]

Looking across to Stanley Park.


An hour train ride pulled by the horses cost 50 CAD per person. We declined and walked instead.
Bikes everywhere.



Our first Totems.



Really cute healthy squirrels who totally reminded me of Chip and Dale.



Towards the bridge. Our destination tomorrow.



At Stanley looking back towards Canada Place.

 

[Pushka]

Planes and more planes. Practising for taking photos of Eagles.







Breakfast is included in our rate and they advertise how wonderful their French croissants are. Except they didn’t tell us last night that the restaurant is closed for Reno and they were delivering boxes. We received juice banana and yoghurt and a turkey brioche. Hmmm. I asked about tea and coffee and they said to use the ones in the room. Remember those two teabags? Seems the intent is that they last to make several cups of tea I guess. They brought some more.

The brioche was never going to work for breakfast so we took it anyway and had it for lunch. Turned out mine was actually now cold, egg and bacon. Oh well.

Looking back towards Canada Place

 

[Pushka]

We’ve just clocked up 17,000 steps today. We stopped on the way back and whoever thought warm baked pretzels could taste so good. They were excellent.



The modern architecture here is impressive. Modern and clever design and not super high. We spent some time playing around with special effects.











The last two pictures are of accommodation towers and the rounded balcony design works beautifully.

 

[RooFlyer]

You are probably organised already, but Lift on the waterfront near the Westin is a great restaurant outside if the weather is ok. Carderos in the same area is a lovely upscale pub type place over the water with fire going if it's cold.

Don't miss the wines from the Okanagan region, BC. Also try the Burrowing Owl cab sav.

 

[TomVexille]

If you are on AA and an OWE you should get pre check.

Never had it as OWE

 

[drron]

Never had it as OWE

Mrsdrron has had it every time.

 

[Pushka]

You are probably organised already, but Lift on the waterfront near the Westin is a great restaurant outside if the weather is ok. Carderos in the same area is a lovely upscale pub type place over the water with fire going if it's cold.

Don't miss the wines from the Okanagan region, BC. Also try the Burrowing Owl cab sav.

Wow, thanks for that. We might just check those out!

 

[Pushka]

Never had it as OWE

Maybe it’s changed? We have had it twice now this trip. Although even though it was on our pass for the flight to Phoenix from SFO we still had to take off all the gear.

One thing they did pick up and had to go through my bag was a reading book. Guess everyone has kindles and iPads now. Guy had a laugh at the little old lady and her book. Funny thing is I haven’t taken a book in years as I read Ebooks but this time I just wanted to read a book.

 

[Pushka]

We asked the office to deliver our “breakfast” at 8.30am and asked what it was going to be today. We are here for four nights. And we told it was going to be exactly the same. We suggested if we could change the brioche into a cereal or something as we don’t eat bread rolls with ham, cheese and turkey for breakfast. No dice. Not impressed. She then suggested we should go find a restaurant for breakfast. Hmm, that’s customer service? And this for four breakfasts in a row. One time was ok but not the same thing. And I’m eating way too much bread. Strangely we’ve only had chips once! The love affair here with chips seems to have been taken over by bread.

Last night we found a wonderful Thai restaurant around Hobson Street. Fantastic taste.

Today we are doing a bus trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse mountain. Weather back to Vancouver normal and a little drizzly but not cold.

 

[Pushka]

Yowsers. Just came waltzing out of the shower into the bedroom and saw this. Yup. Dived back behind the door and dressed.

Absolutely no mention of this activity from management. We are on the 9th floor.