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Tomorrow is my anniversary and we decided to go all the way to the aiport and have dinner at the Fairmont Airport Hotel GlobeYVR restaurant with friends who did not partake of the opening day festivities for Canada Line. Since we did not take the train the entire route as it was closing, today's experience again made us feel even luckier that we live in a city with a rapid transit system like ours. It is part disneyland, with the twists and turns in the tunnels, not unlike space mountain, and then in Richmond, when you come out into the daylight, it is something else again...more like a roller coaster slowly climbing and then dropping into a curve, all the while whisking along the track. Being so high above the city, and with no wall or barrier on the outside of the train- no rail, just a narrow walkway in case of emergency... could be a bit unnerving, but everyone on the train, regardless of age, was having a great time. People were trying to decide where to get off, before getting back on, because the tickets are actually good for several hours in either direction...and after 630pm, it goes to one zone fare regardless of how far you are going.
Our dinner at GlobeYVR was based on their summer 100 mile diet program. The dishes were beautifully put together, albeit a bit on the miniscule portion size, but the flavours popped, Since our friends do not eat some of the ingredients, we were beneficiaries of many assorted tastes. The one damper was that they did not bring out two of the orders without one requested and confirmed ingredient. Since they had already served two of us, they should never have taken away the whole plate for 15 or 20 minutes, leaving half of us to try to dawdle or eat cold food, and never updating us or offering them the other presentations on the same plate. Especially for the price, and how slow the restaurant was, this was unthinkable...but we shared and managed.
On the way back from the airport, we were met by translink staff answering questions and helping as well as watching over ticket purchases. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of fellow passengers, most of which clearly were on a joy ride with no luggage and a few airport staff. There were two young men from Quebec, and when the transit policeman came over for the tickets, apparently one had one and the other either could not find his, or did not have one...taking a 5050 chance I guess. These officers have guns, and the power to insist that they get off the train and they get fingerprinted and the fine (in case you were wondering) is $250!
This definitely generated a lot of discussion on the train, but we think that after scaring them, considering that they were definitely non English speakers and from out of town, they were sent to buy that second ticket...being given a second chance.
So if you are thinking of passing on the ticket purchase, think again!
Once again as the train left the two young men, the officer and the station, we were whisked away into the evening with the white glow of the Olympic rings clearly in sight, and in mind...less than 6 months and counting!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Vancouver is on the right track
Today was the inauguration of the first Canadian airport to Downtown light rapid transit service. From 1 pm to 9pm today, Vancouverites took to the subterranean depths to take part in today's festivities and free rides. Despite a few glitches, like not anticipating how many joy riders there would be, meaning people were riding to the end and back and not getting off, meant that there were very long line ups. It also meant that the special inaugural passports were gone by 430 in the afternoon.
Having recently been in New York and Geneva (where hotel guests get free transportation for their entire stay) our station and the tracks were, of course, immaculate. Hopefully Vancouver's reputation for being a super clean city will extend below the city too. Geneva also has no turnstiles, just the same honor system. I was impressed in Geneva and the car design with lots of seats and standing room, and multiple handrails looks great, although I am not sure about when lots of people have luggage, as there was no luggage rack or overhead racks on the trains we were on.
The ride was smooth, fun and fast. The large window at the front makes for a real experience as you are rounding corners, especially under ground. There is a distinct sense of the rise and fall of levels as you plunge under the water and under ground, and an almost blinding emergence.
Having decided more than a year ago, to make do with using only one of our cars, I can definitely see myself along with many others hopping a ride to many places on my list.
I am happy though that I do not have to use it tomorrow as I think that the lineups for buying tickets will be pretty long... Think I will go and buy a multiple pass before I need it!
All aboard!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue
Enjoy unlimited travel with our All-You-Can-Jet Pass! For just $599* you can take JetBlue anywhere you like, as often as you like, from September 8 to October 8, 2009. Use your All-You-Can-Jet Pass for business, for pleasure, to visit your favorite cities or to meet with a client. You might as well just do it all! With more than 50 cities to choose from, and for just $599, it's a deal you can't pass up.
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue
Enjoy unlimited travel with our All-You-Can-Jet Pass! For just $599* you can take JetBlue anywhere you like, as often as you like, from September 8 to October 8, 2009. Use your All-You-Can-Jet Pass for business, for pleasure, to visit your favorite cities or to meet with a client. You might as well just do it all! With more than 50 cities to choose from, and for just $599, it's a deal you can't pass up.
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
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