Day 246, 7 March 2012, Today, I James, the other half of Not Being Grownups, ventured into the big wide world and travelled to Vancouver to get a visa for Brazil, all by myself. Very big and brave. Kiwis don't need one so Viv held the fort. (Well, she held the sick bed and the fort.) The day started at 3.30 am, off to the airport, pitch black, no street lights at all, a left hand drive car, in the back blocks of vineyard country, West Kelowna. What the heck could go wrong with that. As it turns out - nothing! No one else crazy enough to be on the roads at that hour. I was at the airport with loads of time to navigate the wilds of the parking system and then it was a quick flight to Vancouver over some stunning mountain scenery in a Dash 8 (just like a plane, only smaller). It was great to see the scenery this time around - when Viv and I flew in at 10 pm the other night after 26 hours on the go - 1) it was dark and 2) we slept through every ounce of turbulence. Much better today! I caught the sky train from the airport to Waterfront station downtown which is an absolutely amazing rail system. Being a wet and overcast day (quite common in these parts) I found out later our plane had left the sunshine at the Kelowna border - warm and sunny all day back at the ranch. I navigated to the Brazilian consulate, wherein it took me all of 6 minutes to present my application, so easy due to Vivienne the Magnificent helping me with the paper work (from her death bed). The rest of the day was mine to explore one of the most liveable cities in the world. I cruised along the waterfront taking in the impressive views, checked out Gas Town which is quite stunning and made sure our future digs when we return as a team were not a dive. Happy to say more than adequate - our very first Ramada Inn. I then strayed into China town which I'd have to say has seen better days - probably not necessary for a return visit. After 5 hours or so I was homeward bound, safe and sound to our hobbit hole where the gang was waiting next to a roaring fire and my first mac 'n' cheese of the trip. An early night for this weary traveller. PS. Pictured is Vancouver's steam clock down in Gas Town - Now I will hand the writing reigns back to the professional.