Day 26 Wed 11 June Vancouver, then homeward bound

(Greg writes .... ) This morning, visited University of British Columbia, incl Museum of Anthropology (overwhelming exhibits - should have allowed 2-4 hours, at minimum!).

30-40 minute bus ride from town. Sprawling university grounds entirely on First Nation land. Museum has First Nation historical and cultural exhibits, displays, histories, etc - breathtaking. Almost impossible to take it all in. An absolute must for anyone visiting Vancouver (who has the time to spare, to do it justice).

Just finished - make that 5-6 hours if you want to, there's some outside exhibits in the grounds around the museum building.

 

 

 

 

 

Then hired bicycles for a 2 hour ride in and around Stanley Park

 

 

 

 

 Absolutely buggered by now, too tired to lug suitcases even 500m to the airport line station so taxi to the airport.

And now, after all that hectic activity, a hot shower at the airport!! Tks to the heads up from Anne and Bob who turned up at the airport last Saturday for their 11.30pm flight only to unfortunately find that Air Canada international business class does not have showers at Vancouver airport. Hiss!! Boo!! Only showers are in the domestic lounge. Uh duh! Bit of a no-brainer, what!

We had investigated alternatives, like $179 for day-room at the Fairmont Airport Hotel (which is actually IN the Vancouver terminal) but had also found that the terminal has a separate service, independent of any airline, with a passengers lounge (food, showers, nap areas, etc) for 2, 3, 4 hours .... at  fee, of course.

We had intended to go for that.

However, some redemption by Air Canada international check-in staff who suggested we should(?) be allowed to use the domestic facilities. When we got to the domestic security checking, after some discussion between the security supervisors (private company, who are not answerable to check-in staff anyway), we were let through.

Probably not the most luxurious shower (clean, tidy, fresh towels of course, etc but a couple of patches of grout or sealant wouldn't have gone astray ... although we've been spoilt for comparison after last year's trip and the Japan Airline business lounge showers at Tokyo's Narita airport had everything but a masseuse with a bare-foot back massage - and that was probably available if you wanted!!!). Air Canada are now runing a very por 4th behnd our previous airlines - 1st. Qantas, 2nd. Japan Airlines 3rd. Air France and 99th. Air Canada.

But, a hot shower is a hot shower and we can now happily sigh ......"Aaaahhhhhh!". Now ensconced in the international business lounge awaiting our flight.

(Val writes ...) Thanks Anna (Hunter Wetlands) for suggesting Museum Of Anthropology. It is very impressive. There is also botanical gardens and Japanese Gardens to see but it came down to a choice between them and a ride in Stanley Park and I opted for that. It was great as Greg had done a guided ride 10 days ago so could show me all the sites.