Well, after all the planning Eric (hereinafter referred to as Batman-Adam West 1966 TV series, not the 21st Century-sorry, Eric, no muscles) and I (Cat Woman) did for this trip, we failed Kathy (Robin- just along for the ride, but has great hair) and Eddie (The Joker-Ceasar Romero).
Side note Eddie wanted to be cast in our travels as Commissioner Gordon or at least Alfred, but no, with his rimmed eyes, he is the Joker). We failed to create a Plan B for the touring Vancouver if the company cancelled on you last minute. Since The Joker and I had visited Vancouver several times, this was my assignment. I researched and sent Batman and Robin the list of various options in March, and pulled the trigger in August. All tour companies were chosen for Yelp and Trip Advisor ratings (on the a current Seal of Excellence holders), value, length of tour and vehicle used. Batman and friends do not do tour buses…too off brand…and you know the Joker, aka Captain Powder Puff…we are all about the lux in luxury.
Boat trip was a home run-from weather to laughable moment to the fish and chips, solid A adventure. Monday’s Plan was for the Ultimate Vancouver Tour 5.5 hours in a luxury van for four, with lunch on top of Grouse Mountain. Just about the time we finished Sundays activity, I got a text from the three time reconfirmed tour company that the tour had been cancel, no driver. Say what? Checked my credit card and they had already credited my trip cost back. Hmmm. Now what are we going to do? Batman, Robin and I whipped out our phones and began a goggle search on Plan B. The Joker whipped out his tissue and eye drops….yesterday’s wind added more red rims to his lower lid. Robin researched and suggested we rent a car. Robin and Cat Woman would hike to the Enterprise offices two block away. The Joker started laughing. That would be a firm “No”. While Robin is a great driver, Vancouver is not a US large city with Interstates and well marked routes, and there is 100% of rain. I looked for other touring companies but the timeline was wrong as we had to be back no later than 3:00 PM to pick up the boarding passes, seat assignment, and luggage tags from RM temporary desk at the Fairmont. Remember we are rule obeying, so we would be there (and were) at 2:45 PM. We went to bed without a solution. I said I would talk to the concierge in the morning…full on Captain Powder Puff mode for Plan B.
Fast forward to early morning Monday. Robin and I arrived at the desk at 8:00 AM. First, I cancelled our dinner plans at a pricey authentic Chinese restaurant. We had finally looked at the menu post Plan B fire drill and deemed it was not our jam. We wanted fried rice, egg rolls and hot and sour…they had jelly fish (kid you not), and really expensive bird nest soup for two, complete with poop. So, Plan B-ed our dinner plans to something more stomach friendly, a mere .3 miles away, in the shadow of the 2010 Olympic Cauldron that Wayne Gretzky could not light on first try and the Vancouver Sea Plan port. Cactus Cafe Club-solid A. Apparently, I am do not give out the same vibe as Eddie when speaking to the concierge. She sized my sister and I up after cancelling the $$$$$$ bird poop soup place, and suggested Tim Horton or McDonalds. Seriously, right? When I explained what service and tour was cancelled, she was more than a little dismissive and
said she had never heard of them and they only used Evergreen, or two other companies, but they were full for the day. Just because Lululemon corporate office and their sweet little ambassadors are the other people using your hotel…between all the cruisers and train people, does not mean you can be so judgmental…hmmm, might be a Covid Karen Guest survey in her future. Two can play at that game, my dear. This is the part when 1966 Batman would have a couple Bam, Boom, Pow thrown in. Based on my previous night’s mad internet search, I knew that despite the rain the Capilano Suspended Bridge, was open, served lunch and had free transportation (ever 15 minutes, starting at 10:15) departing directly across the street from the hotel, next to the cruise port. So, went down to Tim Horton’s (a Canadian thing, for sure…think Dunkin’ donuts) and had our breakfast purchased our cheap senior discounted tickets (did not have enough time to locate coupons) and had a lovely day at the bridge, and hike trails. Lunch in front of a roaring fire, with great salmon chowder. The drive up through Stanley Park, across Lions Gate bridge with an afternoon return via Gastown checked all the must see boxes. Bonus, we saw the protest March in front of the Indian Embassy..if you are confused on why, check the news feed. Canada and India are in a bit of a diplomatic tiff right now….we, US citizens shop local for our disagreements. Batman and the Joker took afternoon naps after walking a couple of miles in the rain. Cat woman and Robin went shopping in Gastown and saw/heard the clock…toot.toot.toot. Robin got curious when we overheard on the elevator that Grouse Mountain has been closed for day and another group’s (one of the hotel recommended ones, I might add) had been cut short. Hmm…our Plan A had Grouse Mountain Gondola ride with lunch at top. To the Bat cell phone, Robin, Google has the answer. The mountain and restaurant had been closed for the day for a private event. Curse you, Lululemon.
Well, after all the planning Eric (hereinafter referred to as Batman-Adam West 1966 TV series, not the 21st Century-sorry, Eric, no muscles) and I (Cat Woman) did for this trip, we failed Kathy (Robin- just along for the ride, but has great hair) and Eddie (The Joker-Ceasar Romero).
Side note Eddie wanted to be cast in our travels as Commissioner Gordon or at least Alfred, but no, with his rimmed eyes, he is the Joker). We failed to create a Plan B for the touring Vancouver if the company cancelled on you last minute. Since The Joker and I had visited Vancouver several times, this was my assignment. I researched and sent Batman and Robin the list of various options in March, and pulled the trigger in August. All tour companies were chosen for Yelp and Trip Advisor ratings (on the a current Seal of Excellence holders), value, length of tour and vehicle used. Batman and friends do not do tour buses…too off brand…and you know the Joker, aka Captain Powder Puff…we are all about the lux in luxury.
Boat trip was a home run-from weather to laughable moment to the fish and chips, solid A adventure. Monday’s Plan was for the Ultimate Vancouver Tour 5.5 hours in a luxury van for four, with lunch on top of Grouse Mountain. Just about the time we finished Sundays activity, I got a text from the three time reconfirmed tour company that the tour had been cancel, no driver. Say what? Checked my credit card and they had already credited my trip cost back. Hmmm. Now what are we going to do? Batman, Robin and I whipped out our phones and began a goggle search on Plan B. The Joker whipped out his tissue and eye drops….yesterday’s wind added more red rims to his lower lid. Robin researched and suggested we rent a car. Robin and Cat Woman would hike to the Enterprise offices two block away. The Joker started laughing. That would be a firm “No”. While Robin is a great driver, Vancouver is not a US large city with Interstates and well marked routes, and there is 100% of rain. I looked for other touring companies but the timeline was wrong as we had to be back no later than 3:00 PM to pick up the boarding passes, seat assignment, and luggage tags from RM temporary desk at the Fairmont. Remember we are rule obeying, so we would be there (and were) at 2:45 PM. We went to bed without a solution. I said I would talk to the concierge in the morning…full on Captain Powder Puff mode for Plan B.
Fast forward to early morning Monday. Robin and I arrived at the desk at 8:00 AM. First, I cancelled our dinner plans at a pricey authentic Chinese restaurant. We had finally looked at the menu post Plan B fire drill and deemed it was not our jam. We wanted fried rice, egg rolls and hot and sour…they had jelly fish (kid you not), and really expensive bird nest soup for two, complete with poop. So, Plan B-ed our dinner plans to something more stomach friendly, a mere .3 miles away, in the shadow of the 2010 Olympic Cauldron that Wayne Gretzky could not light on first try and the Vancouver Sea Plan port. Cactus Cafe Club-solid A. Apparently, I am do not give out the same vibe as Eddie when speaking to the concierge. She sized my sister and I up after cancelling the $$$$$$ bird poop soup place, and suggested Tim Horton or McDonalds. Seriously, right? When I explained what service and tour was cancelled, she was more than a little dismissive and said she had never heard of them and they only used Evergreen, or two other companies, but they were full for the day. Just because Lululemon corporate office and their sweet little ambassadors are the other people using your hotel…between all the cruisers and train people, does not mean you can be so judgmental…hmmm, might be a Covid Karen Guest survey in her future. Two can play at that game, my dear. This is the part when 1966 Batman would have a couple Bam, Boom, Pow thrown in. Based on my previous night’s mad internet search, I knew that despite the rain the Capilano Suspended Bridge, was open, served lunch and had free transportation (ever 15 minutes, starting at 10:15) departing directly across the street from the hotel, next to the cruise port. So, went down to Tim Horton’s (a Canadian thing, for sure…think Dunkin’ donuts) and had our breakfast purchased our cheap senior discounted tickets (did not have enough time to locate coupons) and had a lovely day at the bridge, and hike trails. Lunch in front of a roaring fire, with great salmon chowder. The drive up through Stanley Park, across Lions Gate bridge with an afternoon return via Gastown checked all the must see boxes. Bonus, we saw the protest March in front of the Indian Embassy..if you are confused on why, check the news feed. Canada and India are in a bit of a diplomatic tiff right now….we, US citizens shop local for our disagreements. Batman and the Joker took afternoon naps after walking a couple of miles in the rain. Cat woman and Robin went shopping in Gastown and saw/heard the clock…toot.toot.toot. Robin got curious when we overheard on the elevator that Grouse Mountain has been closed for day and another group’s (one of the hotel recommended ones, I might add) had been cut short. Hmm…our Plan A had Grouse Mountain Gondola ride with lunch at top. To the Bat cell phone, Robin, Google has the answer. The mountain and restaurant had been closed for the day for a private event. Curse you, Lululemon.
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