gg3

The CNN reports are sure painting a bleak picture down there. Keep your head down. If you have a chance to send us a quick post as you leave we will know to leave the porch light on and have the red carpet ready for you.:D

We have survived Ike pretty well in East Texas, unlike our brothers and sisters to the south from Galveston to Houston. Am still waiting to hear from my brother, south of Houston.....but no power, for him to get thru to anyone, I am sure. Here in the Piney Woods section of E. Texas, we have had some power failures, some huge old pines and oaks down, and our yards look like a "tree war zone". Hundreds of little oak and pine limbs scattered all over the grass and the street....pine cones, sweet gum balls. Our kids lost a giant old oak, that also took out the kids jungle gym, but missed their home by mere feet. We feel very lucky and very thankful to have kept our power, esp. since the eye of Ike went right over us. Still very windy and rainy.....but by 8 pm, most of it should be out of here. So, we are fixin' to clean up our yard tomorrow, finish packing and get out of Dodge early Monday am......Vancouver and Alaska........here we come.:) gg

Hurricane watch: this may well be my last post until we ret. since the chances that we will lose electricity sometime tonight as Ike nears, are very great. My brother and family are riding out the storm S. of Houston....in Sugarland:eek: .....but they are "hunkered" down and prepared. They are expecting winds of 80-100 mph....!! Here in E. Texas we are expecting the eye to pass right over us bringing lots of rain and winds of 35-50 with gusts up to 75 mph. Everyone has been told to fill up your gas tanks, fill up your pantry with food that can be eaten without electricity or gas and tie down all loose lawn furniture and trash cans. We are as ready as we can get. In the midst of this, trying to finish up packing. :D I am still smiling and praying for our fellow Texans to the south of us. Thanks one and all for all your great and sound advice. Y'all are the best............gg

This is a wonderful thread, but if I was looking for information about Vancouver, I might find it overwhelming :confused: with almost 900 posts. Any thought about posting in separate threads so those who are looking for something a bit specific don't have to read through almost 50 pages of posts?

 

If this sounds "bossy", I'll admit to being a type A personality. :) But mostly, I'd like things to be as simple as possible for people planning a trip to our great province!

Totally understand being overwhelmed by so many topics....but just like on the Alaska board, you might start a thread re: hotels, and it can take on its own twists and turns when someone post about a hotel, then adds something about an orca watch.....then that turns into transportation, etc. So, while I understand your :eek: , I think it just won't happen. I have a very organized personality too,,,,,,so I do get what you are saying. gg

You are most welcome. The moon is just lovely tonight reflecting of the Strait. It is too bad that you are going to miss the full moon which occurs on 9/15, but yes I will be waving to you with a glass of something in my other hand.

We sail on the 17th, but arrive in Vancouver at 1pm the 15. I am thinking we might get great night pics of the harbour and city lights and the full moon.....from the observation building that is near Fairmont Waterfront.....right ??? Safe walk at night ??? gg

Oak....thanks for your kind words. All positive thoughts and prayers appreciated for all in the path of Ike. Just heard out latest and Ike could become a Category 4....but hopefully not. For us.....in E. Texas......100 miles E. of Dallas......winds of 50+, lots of rain on Saturday and Sunday. We wish we had a crystal ball to know if our flight will leave for DFW at 7am Monday. But you know, these hurricanes just meander around and the storm track is not perfected yet.

Putt......we can hardly wait to wave from the deck of Ryndam, as you toast us with a glass of wine next Wednesday. Thank you for all your positive input......always. It is so appreciated. gg

We have been watching the effects of the hurricanes on the news, it has been quite a season. It is always interesting hear from someone who is living it firsthand. Hope all goes well for you.

I am not so sure how well our flight is going to be. Have just heard on the "Weather Channel" as well as our local media that one of the strongest predictions is for Ike to come ashore in S. Texas, then make a sharp turn and head north towards Dallas, arriving Sunday afternoon. We are due to fly out of our hometown into DFW at 7 am Monday. Good grief......sure makes a southern girl "glisten" (was told years ago that southern girls don't sweat....):D . gg

We will do our best. We are looking forward to getting down to our winter home in AZ towards the end of October, but get those temps down into double digits for us please.:D

Working on the cooler temps in the South., Putt. Here, in E. Texas, we have received the positive aspects of Hurricane Gustav (if you can say positive and hurricane in the same sentence. Lots of needed rain, AM lows near 70 and the highs in the 80's. Now, if Ike just does not cause delays w/ our flights out of DFW on Monday.....and since it has slowed down a lot over Cuba, we hope for a smaller impact in Texas. Poor folks who have to keep getting out of the storms way. Know they are so tired. Our local hotels are already booked full and also, the churches who set up shelters for the evacuees, are already getting ready for the next surge.....after the last group just went home over the weekend. I think a lot of folks don't realize how far a lot of evacuees have to go to find a shelter that is not full......some go hundreds of miles. Tough on the young, the old, and the sick. That is all the hurricane news for today ........gg Well........maybe not, since the day is so new ;) gg

Thank you for the kind words. We have toldd the mayor you are coming so the red carpet will be ready.:D

 

You could do Grouse on either day, it will come down to weather and what you feel you are up to.

 

Have a great cruise and a wonderful time in Vancouver.

Putt.....thanks for informing the mayor about our coming. We are definitely "good will ambassadors" for Vancouver and look forward to the red carpet treatment :D . Now that we are on the short end of counting down....I can hardly breathe w/ the anticipation of it all.......now to just get it all packed.......hmmmmm...... :eek: gg

Yes you will have time to do Grouse after you get in but remember that some of the activities will not be running in the late afternoon or evening but a sunset over the City will be a lasting memory. So it will really depend on what you hope to achieve on your visit.

 

You should only go up Grouse if the weather is clear and right now the longer range forecast is for sunny and dry conditions.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

UT....thanks for your reply re: Grouse. We are also thinking of going up in the observation deck near F'mont Waterfront and watching the sunset. We are getting pretty excited about ret. to Vancouver and the chance at great weather makes it even more splendid.....esp. the Orca trip maybe not being too cool or rainy. But heh,,,,,,we will take what nature sends us and be thankful we are there. gg

I want to say thanks to all you great folks in Vancouver who take the time to help those of us who are so excited about our cruises, while having so many questions. A special thanks to Putt and U.T. for giving consistantly great info. We will be leaving DFW and arriving in YVR about 1 pm, Sept. 15. We will hopefully arrive at the Fairmont Waterfront by 2:30 or earlier. Question: we really want to see Grouse Mtn. if it is a clear day. Do we have time to do that on our arrival day. The next morn we are going to do an Orca watch .....taking a shuttle to Steveston (hope I spelled that right) and will be gone til later in the afternoon. Then we cruise the 17th. We have another day post cruise.....so we could do Grouse then after we get off the Ryndam. Any suggestions........again :D gg

Putt, U.T. and other Canadians.....just received an email with the Cochrane Mural pictured. Have y'all seen that ?? I think it is one of the most imaginative murals/paintings I have ever seen. If you have not seen it....go to www.muralmosaic.com and you will see several, but the one with the horse being petted (right side of page) is from Cochrane, which I was told is near Banff. Be sure and click on the individual tiles, esp. the horses eye and the tiles around his eye. Fantastic. Enjoy......gg

Did no one think this was as cool as g.g. ???:D Question: we are getting sooo close to being in Vancouver. Love your city so much !!! A little extended forecast for Sept. 15, please. Whoo Hoo !!!!!! gg

Putt, U.T. and other Canadians.....just received an email with the Cochrane Mural pictured. Have y'all seen that ?? I think it is one of the most imaginative murals/paintings I have ever seen. If you have not seen it....go to www.muralmosaic.com and you will see several, but the one with the horse being petted (right side of page) is from Cochrane, which I was told is near Banff. Be sure and click on the individual tiles, esp. the horses eye and the tiles around his eye. Fantastic. Enjoy......gg

Sorry what is a Dallas Star....Cowboys I think I have heard of?:rolleyes:

You know, Putt....."the STARS at night, are big and bright, (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas." :D

Yes the Harbour Centre is safe to walk to from the FW. Having been in Vancouver before I am certain that you are aware that we have a lot of "street people" but if you are approached just a polite but firm "NO" will send them on their way. Here is the tower's link if you don't already have it.

Thanks for the advice re: the walk to Harbour Centre and the web site. We NOW understand about the polite, but firm "NO" re: street folks. Last year, my husband and I were walking "somewhere" in the area of the Canadian Mounties store (sorry, do not recal the name). This street guy just kept following us and wanting money and trying to make us feel bad. Suddenly, a guy in a business suit, walked up, and began to have a conversation with us, asking us if we needed directions, etc. The street guy immediately left. The Canadian Angel, told us to not make eye contact with these folks and that if we noticed, these street people can spot a tourist a long ways off. Thank you for your advice, Putt. I know all large cities have a lot of homeless. We are a bit sheltered re: this in our city of 100,000. But, OMG,,,,,,,,we love Vancouver. gg

Glad you got the Fairmont Waterfront, I am sure that you will be real happy with it. Many of the visiting NHL teams stay there when they are in town to play our Canucks.

 

Yes, the tower at Harbour Centre is worth going up to if it is a clear day otherwise save your money. The restaurant is ok....you are paying for the view.

 

We will do our best to have good weather for you.

We love the views from the Waterfront and the staff is just the best we have ever had. Heh....wouldn't that be fun to see some Dallas Stars, but I know they don't start playing til Oct. and I think they do not play the Canucks til January or so. We have only been to one of the Stars games....100 mile drive, heavy traffic, and very pricey tickets.....but oh my....what fun and action. I would like to have season tickets to the Cowboy games and the Stars. Like front row 50 yd. line, and front row, behind the Stars bench. Not asking for much, huh ??:D Thank you for the info on the observation tower. That is close enough to walk and safe enough at night.....right ??? gg

Yes we enjoyed the dinner up in the sky. On a clear day/night everything is great. You go around of course and the view changes as you eat/spend time. You have the location just bear right out the front door around to the second street and go left on Hastings. You can walk down the first street and enter the bottom of the Harbour Centre also. It's not far.

 

FYI it is not Gourmet dining but it was fine for the occasion.

Thank you so much LCBC from gg in HHET (Hotter than Heck East Texas ) :D . Come on Canada and Alaska temps. gg

Finally....CC has sped up enough that I can post. Just don't have the patience to watch that little icon go around in circles a million times, waiting to go to a board. :D We did, indeed, get the Fairmont Waterfront pre and post cruise, so I am delighted. We got our cruise docs last week for our mid Sept. cruise and it was in print !!! YeeHa !!!! I saw a review of some sites to see in Vancouver and one of them was the Harbour Centre Building lookout deck. This might be a good place for pics if it is a clear day...or beautiful pics at night as well ?? What do you think ?? Also, I note it is on W. Hastings. Is that about 3 blocks from F. Waterfront??? gg

Heh Putt and TCF......any photo links for the rock slide that we can see. Has this area had a lot of rain that would cause the slide, or is this just part of the natural process of the mountainside ?? You can tell that in E. Texas we don't have mountains.....just rolling hills and lots of green forest and lakes........so I don't quite know how to word my question. Maybe, just to say: Pictures ??? Cause(s) ??? gg

gg, I thought you were going to phone the hotels to find out which one you were staying at.....you've got me curious now?;)

 

You will clear Canadian customs at the Vancouver airport and then you will clear US customs at the cruise terminal.

I called the Fairmont Waterfront this week (since that is my hotel of choice in Vancouver:)) and asked if they had our HAL pre/post cruise reservations. She said they did not, but it was too far out to have them from HAL. She said the hotel would probably not have them until two weeks before our arrival date. BUT......I may call Pan and F.W. both tomorrow and just see if they have any info. I am not a patient gal. I also want to insure that we have a room overlooking the harbour vs overlooking the city. Oh yes, I remember the U.S. customs lines at the cruise terminal. But, oh my gosh.....the Canadian lines at YVR are the longest and busiest I have ever seen. Not griping though. Can hardly wait to get to the cooler temps of Vancouver and Alaska. This whole week our temps have been over 100, here in East Texas, which is just miserable. I walk the Golden Ret. before 7 am, so she can handle the heat and it is in the 70's at that early hour. We need rain terribly. Send us some cool temps and rain from the Great Northwest, y'all. gg

Oh thank you so much for this info. We have stayed both at Pan and Fairmont Waterfront.....but as of yet, have not rec. our docs to know which one we will be at mid Sept. Both are wonderful, for sure !!! We do not go through immigration again until after our cruise is over, correct ??? gg

Thank you, Putt, for your reply. Another question that I have posted on HAL & Alaska, but so far no feedback. We use HAL transfers to simplify our travels to Canada and Alaska. In our past trips, we have placed our luggage inside our hotel room on cruise day and HAL picks it up and we see it next in our cabin. Great. Then we meet in the lobby of hotel for a HAL shuttle to take us on a tour of the city, then early afternoon to Canada Place to board. The HAL reps meet the shuttle bus, take your group in tow, and take you through check in, then you are on the boat. BUT, we are thinking that this year, we would like HAL to take care of our luggage.....but we would like to skip the tour and board our ship earlier....before noon. Do we need to inform our HAL reps that we won't be on the shuttle ?? I assume the luggage is handled the same whether you take the tour or not. 2nd question: how do you get to the HAL check in line from....lets say Fairmont Waterfront (since we have only gotten there via the shuttle which goes under PP. Is there an elevator in PP we can just ride down in ?? Sorry, so wordy. gg

Hello y'all.....question re: the building around Canada Place. Last year, when we were doing our pre-cruise for Alaska.....we stayed at Fairmont Waterfront. As we looked out at the Harbor and toward Stanley Park, there was major construction blocking part of our view. It seems it had something to do with Canada Place extension. Is that completed, or is the harbor view/Stanley Park still blocked with building and builders ?? Just trying to get prepared to request a room with a great view/not a partially great room :D . gg

The Inside Passage is a lot smoother than the oceans, but as previous poster said, it can still get a bit choppy and create problems for those with motion sickness. Much prefer out of Vancouver vs Seattle for the scenery, and generally it is smoother.....but not always. Our first Alaskan cruise was out of Vancouver and as we were having supper one evening, the Zaandam started to roll a bit, then as we went to the after dinner show, it really started to roll and the dancers were having a bit of trouble. About 11 pm, we were really pitching pretty good, and we saw several folks fall down in the halls. Seasick bags were posted by all the elevators and many folks were sick. For those of us who are blessed not to have this problem.....it was pretty exciting. Later, I asked one of the ship's officers what the motion was all about and he said that part of the Passage was too fogged in for the ship to continue and it had to go out into the open waters.....hence the rolling. gg

What we do as service dog handlers is, for the most part, a mystery to the public and most of them are so, so curious about us and our dogs. Why not be open to this curiousity and help them (which, I might add, also helps every single other person who has a service dog and may come their way!) You're on vacation...be in that train of thought when other vacationers come your way and encounter you! BE KIND AND HELPFUL...If they ask, it's because they really care!

Roz - thank you for your comments that serve to educate all of us. Your attitude is just so refreshing and I do hope that you are currently or at some time will be able to train others to work with service dogs because you have a gift for being able to educate others through your own life's experience. You have such passion and determination to have others understand the life of a service dog and his/her owner. I admire you. gg

Thanks to each one of you for not only exchanging ideas and information with each other, but for informing the public about service dogs and their owners. I am such a lover of dogs (Josie, a golden retriever is our big girl) and would never think twice about someone having a service dog with them......ANYWHERE. We have gone on several cruises, but only seen one dog......a tiny poodle that was part of the magicians act. It would be a privilege to sail with a service dog.......but it would be difficult not to want to give them a big hug. I am one of those folks who loves animals so much that I pat and hug first, then think....."maybe I should ask". gg

gg3, you're more than welcome. Glad you enjoyed your time here. :)

 

Did you ever get to The Sandbar on Granville Island? If you did, what form of transportation did you decide on?

 

ell

Ell - thank you for remembering and asking. We used the hop on, hop off, Big Bus, to tour Vancouver, so we ended our journey on it at Granville Island. Then we ate at the Sandbar and it was just wonderful, then took a taxi back to the Fairmont Waterfront. Again, thank you for all you help, Ell. gg