Trip Report: March 14 - 25, 2002
by Ted & Sylvia Blishak
CULTURAL TOUR OF THE PACIFIC COAST
VANCOUVER, BC
Day 6 and 7. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19 and 20, 2002.
More fresh snow fell overnight, breaking all weather records in Vancouver. We enjoy and excellent buffet breakfast in the Waterfront Hotel's Herons Restaurant, at only $17.40 USD -- a price lower than in Seattle, but no omelets or champagne. There are a selection of Canadian newspapers. The skies remain overcast all day and the mountains are still hidden from view. There is office work to be done today, and a luncheon meeting with Larisa Zenjin,VP of Marketing for Rocky Mountaineer Railtours.
This afternoon we explore the neighborhood on foot. The Waterfront Hotel is connected with an underground mall and food court which in turn is connected with the Pan Pacific Hotel and the Canada Place Cruise Terminal via an underground passageway. Two blocks south of the Waterfront is an enclosed multi-level mall extended five more blocks as far south as Eaton's department store, which is adjacent to the Art Museum and the Hotel Vancouver. Eaton's fronts on busy Robson Street, the main shopping area of downtown Vancouver. Groceries, trendy clothing, currency exchange shops, liquor stores, and jewelry shops are here. And as usual, many pedestrians are in evidence, despite the weather, and many of them are speaking unfamiliar languages.
The drizzle gradually turns to snow as we walk, and soon we are in a full fledged blizzard as the rush hour begins. By the time we get back to the Waterfront, our heavy water resistant jackets are nearly soaked through.
The precipitation falls all night, and automobiles are covered in the morning, but the sidewalks are warm enough that the snow does not stick. We take the under-street tunnel to the Pan Pacific Hotel for breakfast, a cold buffet for $12.40 US. The selection of newspapers includes USA Today. The view is startling clear, with snow on the trees even as low as in Stanley Park. The mountains across the harbor have trees gilded with white, and the peaks, including the rocky outcroppings that look like two lions (and for which Lion's Gate Bridge is named) look close enough to touch. We walk outside after breakfast in freezing temperatures along the Canada Place pier. We watch
the seaplanes take off for Vancouver Island. The aviation companies that operate them have floating terminals right here, and also provide van shuttle service to various hotels and to the airport. On the south side of Canada Place, the Sea Bus comes into the old CP Station, which is now the terminus for this passenger ferry from North Vancouver as well as commuter trains and the Sky Train rapid transit system.
While we visit Canada frequently, this is the first time we've seen menus that list both US and Canadian prices. With the exchange rate at a lower-than-usual 0.635, our dollars really stretch. The buffet lunch at Herons is $12.40 US, and a bargain with excellent choices of hot entrees such as baked blackened salmon, broiled lamb, artichoke cannelloni, smoked salmon pizza, and spicy Beef Stroganoff, as well as a salad bar with cold meat and seafood.
Travel Tip: Should you change American dollars into Canadian currency when visiting Canada? We don't feel it is necessary, but is does make your life easier when paying cab drivers and tipping bellhops. There is a currency exchange facility, as well as an ATM, at the Pacific Central Station, used by Amtrak, VIA, Rocky Mountaineer, and Pacific Coach Lines busses that will ferry you to Victoria. You can also change your US dollars to Canadian currency at your hotel reception desk.
We use credit cards for nearly everything. American cash is accepted here, and you will get change in Canadian currency, which you can use for gratuities although they too are accepted in US funds. If you end up with extra Canadian money, Amtrak will not accept it on the Mt. Baker International, so spend it before you board.
Continue to Next Page
