July 3,4 Vancouver

July 2006 trip to Vancouver and Alaska

We flew to Vancouver on July 3, red-eye flight from JFK. We flew Cathay Pacific business class and enjoyed it. This is second time we fly on Asian airlines (first time China Airlines to Hong Kong) and the service is superior to US and European airlines. They have business class lounge at British airways and it is oasis in otherwise madness and crowdeness of JFK.
Flight was comfortable enough and you can stretch feet full length. They served dinner, although it was real china and tablecloth, the food was just OK. Good toiletries and lotions (I always get dry skin in flight).

For passengers continuing to Hong Kong from Vancouver, they do not have to leave the plane. So this is advantage stopping in Canada as opposed in USA. In USA for security clearance, you need to get up and disembark and then check in.

We arrived to Vancouver at 1am and took taxi to hotel. It cost approx $29 CAD but we were probably jetlagged or sleepy so we miscalculated and overpaid to driver $10 in USD . Big tip. Currency exchange was closed so we paid in usd and that's why we miscalculated.

There was no doorman at hotel . We stayed at Renaissance Harborview. Fortunately we travel light. I mentioned to reception on lack of doorman - the hotel is supposed to operate 24 hrs. They apologized and offered get someone to help. Thanks but no thanks. One score against Renaissance.

Room was comfortable. Good bed, heated floor in bathroom . Internet $15 per day noon-noon. We went to bed and slept until 7am. In the morning we had coffee in the room and went to explore. Vancouver harbor is beautiful. We were impressed with beauty of this city. Many colorful flowers. There were not a single ship in the port and I was wondering if this is the place. Later we found out that on Tuesdays no ships in port. We went to check out Pan Pacific hotel and it was nice. Good location. Renaissance is few blocks away but looks like not much to do in the evening however you can walk to Robson street for dinner and shopping.

We strolled the watefront and had lunch in cafe. Went to hotel and met our tour guide for 4 hr intro - private tour of Vancouver. Surprise - our guide Chuck Scott brought his "crew" - his wife Neila and son Nicolas. We enjoyed the tour as well however highlight was the personal touch and we enjoyed companionship of his family. Especially 7 year old Nicolas. He also had a badge of guide :-)
Nicolas gave us overview of his favorite spots as well - trees without stumps, totem poles and he knows statistics! Impressive for 7 year old. Very well behaved. I am sure he will be a draw of guiding families with kids.
As for the tour, we only had 4 hours so we did intro to Vancouver. Went to Stanley park and Linos Gate bridge. Nicolas showed us lions - that's why it bridge is called Lions gate.
Saw interesting totem poles.
We went to Granville island, with its market. Then we went to Chinatown and Gastown. Finished in observatory lookout with beautiful views.
If we would have more time, we would go to Victoria and gardens. Next time we will fly to Vancouver and take a car and explore area for a week or so, going to mountains.

For more info about Scott and his tours, see http://www.wildbc.com/
Highly recommended.

Had dinner near hotel in restaurant Spotted Prawn. Good service, ate too much. Mostly shrimp (prawn) on the menu and you have guessed.

Beautiful sunny weather today.
to be continued...