Again, I opted for breakfast in the Hotel, this time choosing the continental option. This was a much better deal than my choosing separate items the day before. Later, I was out of my room well before check-out time. The hotel concierge printed off a copy of my covid-19 vaccinations certificate, and an entry form which may be required. My bus leaves Pacific Central at 4 pm, I aim to pick up my bags from the Hotel an hour earlier.
I decided to try out the Sky Train which had me intrigued when I came here three years ago. I didn’t quite realise how far Surrey Central was! I just hope I don’t have to wait long for the return service. In fact, I “bottled it” and bailed out at the penultimate station, Gateway, where a return train had just pulled in. There was time to bid farewell to the Waterfront and Canada Place, which was devoid of cruise ships. There is so much more to see and do in Vancouver; I hope the opportunity does present itself for me to come here to stay a third time. I brief glimpse of the lesser known suburbia was welcome, although with the Sky Train rather full, meaningful photography was more or less impossible. I want to ride the trolley buses next time, particularly to Stanley Park. We got rid of our trolley buses in the 1960s; I do remember the very last ones in Bradford in 1971. I still get a kick out of seeing these eco-friendly vehicles, rather like when I was first interested at age around 7!
Once again, I’m in the Cactus Club, still doing a roaring trade at 2.45 pm. I had the same for lunch as dinner the night before, to avoid spending now limited time perusing the menu. And, I made it back to the hotel by 3 o’clock to pick up my luggage and take a taxi to the Pacific Central Station from where the Amtrak bus to Seattle would be waiting. The railway station has seen better days, and if you had travelled from Toronto on The Canadian, you might feel underwhelmed after such a wonderful journey. The building itself is splendid but lends itself to careful restoration.
We all piled into the Cantrail coach, and there was just enough room for me not to be squashed in next to somebody. Crossing the border into the United States was not the problem I feared it might be with their complicated new and seemingly complicated immigration procedures. We were all issued with Custom Declaration forms which were needed along with passports and (in my case) ESTA visa authorisation. I had been under the impression there was a further entry authorisation required, along with a $6 fee. This requirement was not enforced, and I was able to enjoy more Pacific Northwest countryside, this time, The Cascades, wooded hills, mountains which characterise the journey from Vancouver, along Highway 5.
The driver worked hard for an on time arrival at Seattle. A taxi got me to my Hotel, the Fairmont Olympic, which again appears to be refurbished. With the U.K Pound being at probably its lowest ever value, general eating out feels extravagant.
Tomorrow, I shall explore using the hop on-hop off bus which during its circuit will take in all the main sights. This time, I will hop on and off and hopefully make the most of my one full day here.
I enjoyed spaghetti and meatballs for supper tonight in another vibrant noisy Italian restaurant right by the hotel. It’s dark now, but I am tempted to walk gently to the Waterfront, part of which I can see from my hotel room on the 11th floor. The hotel is another traditional build from decades ago.
So far, so good. Many thanks for reading, David 22.32hrs Purple at Seattle, replete with an amplitude of sufficiency!
David's Cruise 