Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

[Meengla]

A bus from their house to Richmond and then on a Skytrain to downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station. The fares were cheap and even cheaper in USD. And I loved the tap and go using my credit card. I am kind of a urban-phobic and cities and their ways scare me. Weird, I know. My friend sensed that and so he decided to guide me to downtown Vancouver and show me around.

 

[Meengla]

Arrival at the Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. And we immediately went out for a walk--a long walk.

 

[Meengla]

[Some of the following pics maybe from day 1 or day 2 of stay in downtown Vancouver. Doesn't really matter though]

The famous Steam Clock in the Gastown area of Vancouver.
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wNprSzYWQTSb9ekP8

 

[Meengla]

Forgot to mention, before friend and I did our long walk after arriving to downtown Vancouver, I checked into the hostel (Cambie St. Hostel, Gastown) and dropped off my main backpack in the room. The entrance to the hostel had a putrid smell--and not from pee--and so I was dreading what was inside. I had never stayed at any hostel before in my life--and probably never will again. I don't think the overall experience was too bad but just not for me. Maybe I will change my mind later.

The bottom right is my bed. Across from me was a grouchy sounding middle aged man who had a blanket drawn all the time. When I asked if the hostel provides towels, he had a big laugh and said maybe you could rent from them; which I did for $3 CND. Anyway, I probably spent no more than 4-5 hours total in the hostel room despite booking for two days. This was a 'Mixed Use' room where females too could stay and in my last few hours, I took a good shower, packed up and left, a big lady climbed up to the bed across from me. I told her she can have mine as I was leaving early morning hours and don't want to awake anyone. I spent the last night past midnight at the restaurant (The Cambie) below the hostel and the hostel's lounge.

GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EMYpHZbjWE2ukvGK7

 

[Meengla]

First day in downtown Vancouver (Sept. 3, 10:53 AM) as I walked and walked and walked with my friend almost to Stanley Park. My friend is tall, slim and in excellent shape. Me/wife met him and his wife on an 18 day Panama Canal cruise two years ago from Miami to Seattle. Cruisers on long cruises often become lifelong friends. Half of my friends are from different cruises and they live in different parts of America/Canada.

There were several ships at the port (Canada Place) in downtown Vancouver. Here is a Disney ship:

GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LHrAKzj4PSsU7UE36

 

[Meengla]

Still Sept. 3. As much I appreciated my friend's company in downtown Vancouver, I couldn't wait to be on my own! I was already exhausted from the previous many days of travel and the morning long walk without a morsel of food in my tummy was proving too much for me. So I asked him to let's eat something and we ate tiny fish tacos. The night before, we had split a side order of nachos near his house. In general, I ate very little over the ten days since leaving South Carolina. Part of that was to avoid the bathroom on the trains.

After he left me, I found my kind of place, The Cambie Grill just below my hostel. I didn't have the energy to venture out farther. Besides, that, I had spent considerable time in Vancouver between 1999-2003 so there wasn't much of an appeal. I probably would have skipped going to Vancouver had my friend not invited me once he heard I would be in Seattle as the terminus of my train trip. But I am glad I went to Vancouver.

The guy with hat turned backward only chatted with me when those ladies were gone for a few minutes. I was in no mood to chat with anyone anyway due to the fatigue and conflicted about what to do after the two-days in Vancouver. He initiated the conversation. I find it annoying that some people are like that: When they don't have anyone to talk to then they start talking to you. And stop talking to you when they find ladies around.

GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DKm5swkSfKe9FTUt6

 

[Meengla]

Day 2 in downtown Vancouver: Sept. 4 at 10:48 AM. Lots of people and luggage for the cruise ships. Oh how I wished I could be on any of the cruises that day!
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zCYA4q1KQmpguaaE7

 

[Meengla]

The luxury cruise ship Seabourn Encore with Stanley Park and North Vancouver in the background.

 

[Meengla]

A view from Canada Place: Vancouver is a gorgeous city.

 

[Meengla]

This is the largest cruise ship I have ever seen. As I walked along its length, it felt like walking along a side walk with city block with apartment buildings/rooms after rooms.

 

[Meengla]

My second and last day in downtown Vancouver. I walked a lot that day and went past the Aquarium in the Stanley Park. I had seen the Aquarium before when wife and I went to Vancouver in 2004. I'd say it was the best aquarium I have ever seen. And somewhere on a bench in the Stanley Park, after much conflicts about what to do next, but due to the fatigue and budget reasons, I took out my phone and booked a morning flight back to South Carolina for the next day.

 

[Meengla]

Back to The Cambie Grill under my hostel, relieved by my decision to fly back, I rewarded myself with a Chicken Chowmein which was delicious but wasn't too filling/bloating: I knew I had a very long day of travel back to home the next day before I would reach home in South Carolina.