Back to Vancouver

Last cruising morning, up late last night to pack and get our suitcases out for collection, then we had a couple of nightcaps.  Up early for breakfast and departure, very sad day after 7 glorious days at sea. 

Got all ready for the 8 o’clock disembarkation, I know I’ve eaten a little bit over the last week, I thought it was a bit rude however for the port authority to meet the ship with a forklift to get me off the ship.  I managed to walk off with difficulty.  Then we walked 5 blocks, all uphill, to the car hire company…Budget…remember the name.  I had booked for 25 days hire - $550 ($22 a day).  We were informed when we got there….to travel into another state, namely Alberta, it would cost $15 a day.  Insurance then became an issue.  Standard insurance would only include cover for the other vehicle.  We also had to get insurance to (1) the other persons injuries, (2) any other property, (3) for damage to our car.  All up - $36 a day!!!!  After many protests they changed it to $25 a day and upgraded the vehicle from a little Fiesta type car to a Falcon size with leather seats and all the good stuff on/in it.  However, it certainly left a bad taste in our mouths to think we were going to spend $550 and ended up spending $1300. 

We have now recovered…alcohol is an amazing thing!

Anyway, we got the car, and headed out to the airport to drop Cath off.  She has to work Monday, we were very kind and didn’t rub it in at all.  That’s why she loves me so much.

After the airport Pam and I went to the Granville Island Markets.  Just a little out of downtown and lots of craft, food and art galleries all stuck in a small area bursting at the seams.  There is a 3 hour parking limit which is controlled by cameras….overstay and you will get a ticket.  We stayed our allotted 3 hours, bought some interesting food for tea and went back to the motel and checked in at about 5.

Low profile tonight, couple of beers at the pub next door then home for a bit of cheese/meat roll and a Baileys night cap.

Make some big plans for tomorrow, maybe, if the weather is kind, if we can drag ourselves out of bed.

Vancouver Harbour coming into view.

Seems like only yesterday we were leaving this behind us.

Waiting for a flight home.

Cath leaving - she can't wait to get back to work...that's what she said anyway.

Strawberry cement truck.

One of the many markets at Granville Island.

Inside one of the markets

The view we had for lunch at Granville Island.