Well, we arrived Vancouver, Canada on the 5th May on Flight No - IF ID (International Flight for carriers of Infectious Diseases). It was on this flight that I managed to successfully cultivate a virulent form of Bronchitis (not to be outdone Gael developed a very poor imitation of a sore throat that lasted a pathetic one day).
If you don't like dealing with Government Agencies, Shipping Agents and Insurance Companies (me) make sure you are traveling with someone who can bring out the best in people (Gael).
Whilst I took up a fetal position nearby, Gael tactfully extracted the necessary information from all agencies.
Misinformation is provided free by all the above parties ensuring that all ground is covered at least twice.
Taking a few short glimpses of Vancouver through feverish eyes whilst driving revealed a very clean and green/leafy city. The days are pleasant this time of year (May - temp 10 degrees at night and 14/20 degrees during the day) and also long with sunrise about 5.30am with the sun setting around 9pm. And not even summer yet!
On the occasions that I have observed Gael communicating with the locals (not something I derive a great deal of joy from doing even in Australia) they are genuinely keen to assist if they can.
But even with all it has going for it, Vancouver is still just another city.
We got our hands on our means of transport today (one week after our arrival on flight IF ID). For those who need to know all up $5946AUS for shipping and associated costs.
The truck arrived in Vancouver with the same clicking clutch pedal and squealing brakes that it had when loaded in OZ. Somewhat irrationally I had hoped the sea cruise and our enforced time apart may have had a positive effect on these minor issues. But no, I will have to live with the noises until they explode into a real life drama at the most inconvenient time (usually on a narrow, winding, and busy road in a snow squall or the deserted African savannah in heat wave conditions just after I clumsily kick over our last water container).
Tomorrow we start to see some of Vancouver Island. We have six/seven days to soak in all we can of natures wonders on our way to meet a ferry at the top of the Island that will start the first leg of our sea trip North to Alaska up the inside passage.