Today is Day 1 of my trip, and it is Thursday, May 10th, 2012.   I left San Diego on an early flight and got into Vancouver at around 1:30 pm.  I was daring, and took the train which is right outside of the airport to one stop before Burrard Street, I think it was called City Centre.   I say daring because I had two suitcases with me, a large one, and then another bag with my laptop, other electronics and paperwork in it.  If my third bag, a small carry-on that had to be checked in – hadn’t got misplaced – I would have had to take a taxi or a shuttle bus, but since the airport promised to deliver the delayed bag to me that evening, and since I had only two bags or cases, it was manageable on the train.  It was a 35 minute train ride from the airport to the stop which was most convenient to the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, where I would spend my night.  The train ride was only $8.75 Canadian dollars for a one way trip and I purchased my ticket from the machine outside on the platform.

When I got off the train, I asked someone where the hotel was, and it was easy to walk to, just about a block and a half away, probably less than a five minute walk.  I checked into the Hyatt Regency, and was very pleased with their check-in and with their level of service.  Since one of my bags had been delayed, I informed the front desk about this – so that if I was out in the evening, they could look out for my bag for me.  They asked if I needed toiletries, and I told them I was okay, that I had those with me.  However, after I had arrived in my room – 2003 – on the 20th floor with the awesome view shown above (fourth picture) – there was a knock on the door, and I was handed a toiletry bag complete with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving stick and shaving cream, and other items.  I was really impressed.  I loved the room, it had a really nice modern feel to it, and I also loved this hotel – what’s not to love when it has a shopping mall attached right next to it, that you access from the lobby of the hotel, and there is a Starbucks right in the lobby too!

Vancouver is so pretty. Make sure that you allow yourself more than just a day for this beautiful city.  I had only one day here, and it was not enough.  This was my second visit to Vancouver, I spent about two weeks here previously many years ago.  If you have only a short time in Vancouver, I recommend taking the Red Hop On Hop Off Bus which I took, and it allowed me to see much more than if I would have ventured out on my own.  There is commentary, and part of the bus is uncovered, which is excellent for those of you who want to take pictures and videos.  I will be posting a video soon.  Look out for it on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/luchaniktravel

If you would like to see more pictures that I took in Vancouver, please take a look on my Facebook page, and please consider pressing “like” on my page.  Thank you.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.433759606649054.105771.182290738462610&type=3  By the way, I love Stanley Park – beautiful place to go and take pictures.

Update: I have another post on Vancouver and a video, you can view it here: Vancouver