Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1

April - June 2023

Exploring the North America's. Canada, Alaska and The U.S of A. Read more

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Traveler Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1
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- Apr 30, 2023, 8:30am
- ☀️ 7 °C
- Altitude: 95 m
- Australia Victoria Hume Tullamarine Airport -37.676443, 144.83653837°40’35” S 144°50’12” E
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Day 2
Departure. Qantas Lounge, Melbourne
April 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
Leveraging on connections, Melissa managed to score entry to The Qantas International Lounge. How the other half live...
At least you have your priorities right! Enjoy🥰🥰🥰 [Maryanne Pollock]
5/1/23Reply
Traveler Love that pre travel excitement! And bevy of course too ❤️
5/1/23Reply
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- Apr 30, 2023, 1:30pm
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 166 m
- United States Texas Tarrant County Minters Chapel Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 32.896526, -97.04652232°53’47” N 97°2’47” W
Day 2
Dallas. Fort Worth, Texas
April 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
5 hour layover between flights. What seemed a ridiculous amount of time to pass became just enough time as we navigated the HUGE expanse of the airport from one end to the other with the stress of Mohammed, wheel chair escort. Poor Mohammed had 5 passengers in wheelchairs instead of his usual 1, and he was stressed. His limited English and weak anti-perspirant doing little to alleviate his burden. Arriving at the gate with minutes to spare to make our connecting flight, meant spending that precious time at Friday's for a quick refuel. The balmy 27 degree temperature necessitated a fancy margarita for Melissa. To stay cool and hydrated, of course. Canada, here we come.Read more
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- Apr 30, 2023, 10:00pm
- ☁️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- Canada British Columbia Burkeville YVR-Airport Station 49.193049, -123.17986449°11’35” N 123°10’48” W
Day 2
Vancouver, Canada
April 30, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Arrival at Vancouver, Canada. Canaderia. Same plane, Allan and Jan in business class. Melissa in cattle. Allan and Jan plied with wine and food the entire flight. Melissa. Nada. Melissa hangry and not at all happy - Jan.
Exiting of the airport somewhat problematic as Jan's attempt to smuggle in marijuana halted by customs. Intercepted, her supply confiscated.
The customs officer intercepting the heist, fortunately famous on Australian TV thanks to Border Force, somewhat softened the blow and
Melissa assured Jan, we can visit all the stores that legally sell the stuff as compensation. 🤣
A quick stop at Tim Hortons for doughnuts before exiting the airport and greeting concierge Dave for transit to The Blue Horizon hotel in downtown Vancouver (not to be confused with The Blue Oyster) shortly before midnight. Melissa keen to dump bags and refuel, meant a quick stop at a local bar to cheers Canada with a club and dry (double of course!) and some poutine, topped off an epic first travel leg. Cheers to you Canaderia!Read more
Traveler After a stressful start, sounds like it’s good times ahead 🤩
5/1/23Reply
Traveler Should have had me along at least I would have scrounged you some food🤣🤣😘
5/2/23Reply
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- May 1, 2023, 2:00pm
- ☁️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 25 m
- Canada British Columbia West End 49.286667, -123.12666749°17’12” N 123°7’36” W
Day 3
Vancouver City: Culture Shook
May 1, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Vancouver. Downtown. You could mistake this city for anywhere in Melbourne - more Collins Street/ Paris end. Opposite of the road side driving aside, maybe not as many people.
A bit more chill, a lot less hustle and bustle. Is it the people? Or is it the weed stores? Is everyone high? Many to a block. Anywhere you'd see a booze shop in Melbourne, replace that with a retail weed superstore. Over 19, you can purchase a huge array of weed. To order! Jan (for context - legally prescribed from her neurologist) cbd oil replaced with ease - over the counter. Though this is legal for anyone over 19!
Mum and Dad had a great time exploring the options in store 😂.

Canada. Maple 🍁 replaced with a greener kind? So far. It appears so.Read more
Traveler Wow! How amazing that you were able to replace the oil. What a relief 😅
5/1/23Reply
Traveler Incredible. The culture here is palpably different.
5/2/23Reply
Traveler What a great store just wander on in & make your selection J & A look impressed
5/1/23Reply
Traveler The mind boggles! This industry is huge here, though I do have concerns it isn't as regulated as it possibly could (should) be. Have walked past many more stores!
5/2/23Reply
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- May 1, 2023, 4:05pm
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 29 m
- Canada British Columbia West End Marina Square 49.288333, -123.1349°17’18” N 123°7’48” W
Day 3
Plus one escapes. Scenic sights on foot.
May 1, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Leaving Allan and Jan to rest, Melissa explored some of the area on foot. Maybe these stunning mountain views of the Canadian Rockies are why everyone is so chilled? The blend of city vs nature is stunning. Truly a beautiful; eclectic city.

Convenience stores brimming with blooms. The international cuisine. Then, the community gardens to really bring some heart to this city life.

The incredible colours of the Dutch Tulips. Blooming tree lined streets edged with views of the harbour. Snow capped Rockies in the background.

We look forward to seeing what more Vancouver has to offer.Read more
Traveler Ideas for the village garden?
5/2/23Reply
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- May 1, 2023, 4:34pm
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 35 m
- Canada British Columbia West End Coal Harbour 49.287455, -123.12950449°17’15” N 123°7’46” W
Day 3
Gamers Haven. SuperMario. Found.
May 1, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
On foot, and happy hour calls. I stumble upon a little place called The Den. Bar and Arcade. Super Mario poster catches my eye. An ode to my favourite game of childhood and awesome times with my own kids.

I never did live up to their Mario Kart expertise. Though original Mario and Dr Mario, bring it!

Super Mario Paloma - my drink of choice. Followed by a caffeine loaded wake me up cocktail resmbling an espresso martini - to support time zone readjustment. Plus. Holidays.

The 80's lives on right here! David Bowie tunes mellowing out the atmosphere with STARMAN!

I took advantage of the free retro Nintendo options and play a lone game of Super Mario. Not the original of my heyday (circa late 80's), though enough to reminisce my youth and gamer heyday. Original Mario, you're next on my list. Jay, Tom and Hal: This is our next family activity!

An advertisement across the road for a novel hotel offering all the mod cons - including the phony McRing Ring (telephone) and, COLOUR TV!
You too can book accommodation with all the mod cons of 2023! How radical!

Adventures around every corner in Vancouver.Read more
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- May 1, 2023, 7:30pm
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 49 m
- Canada British Columbia West End Sunset Beach 49.28, -123.13166749°16’48” N 123°7’54” W
Day 3
Denny's. An Aussie Fail.
May 1, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Denny's. Another tried and failed American / Canadian franchise in Australia. Denny's, launching in Oz in 1982, bought out in 1989 and rebranded as The Keg (another fail), though remains in Canada, and the US I'm sure.
https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/dennys-re…

Driven by a need to find food Jan would enjoy, and pancakes a staple on the Denny's menu, we ventured on foot and wheel to dine at Denny's. American style all day breakfasts and more.
Surprisingly, delicious food. A sirloin for Allan (referred to as Rump in Oz), cooked perfectly. Jan impressed even herself, devouring 2 x 7" pancakes with cinnamon and cream cheese. The most Jan has eaten at once in a long time. It was a big call, but Jan has called it. The best. She's. Ever. Had.

In true 3rd Wheel style, Melissa continues to eat for free from adding or eating a side (Eggs / Bacon and Hash brown is the delicious side pictured!) Though nothing, NOTHING compares to a healthy spread from a smuggled jar of Vegemite on toast for breakfast.

Thankfully, Allan's Vegemite was not confiscated. The story of Vegemites ban in the states, an urban legend after all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#:~:text=….Read more
Traveler Sounds delicious! I didn’t realise that Denny’s had been in Australia. Paul did though.
5/3/23Reply
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- May 2, 2023, 10:00am
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 25 m
- Canada British Columbia West End 49.286667, -123.12666749°17’12” N 123°7’36” W
Day 4
Foodie finds. Cultural Cuisine.
May 2, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Amidst a day spent on foot exploring the city in what felt like a balmy 22 degrees Celsius. Some Foodie finds.
Japanese cheesecake. It's been in Australia major cities for a while, but the opportunity to try within a block of our hotel made it easy. I don't like cheesecake. It's tasty. For sure! But that brick the cream cheese comes wrapped in? That's how I feel it in my stomach. One bite is enough.
But. Japanese Cheesecake. The elegant, light and airy sponge cake made babies with the rock of the cheese dessert world.
Delicious. Light. Fluffy. The only way to eat cheesecake in my opinion.

Goldfish. Close your eyes and you're eating savoury shapes. In cat food cut out. Meh?

Junior Mints! I only buy these thanks to Seinfeld and have tried before. It's an after dinner mint. Maybe a Cadbury Peppermint Creme. Nothing amazing. Ours is better.

Charleston Chew: New to this, the description sounded delicious. Plus. The Charleston! How adorable. It's awesome- a cross between the proper nougat you get in deli's and the polly waffle marshmallow (another tragedy of the Australian market). Worth the $1.25 CAD.

Crab cakes. My fancy late lunch today, waterfront. If I knew for sure they hadn't pureed the "dead man's fingers" (I'm not adept at taking apart a crab), I may have enjoyed a lot more. Though they were tasty.

Pepto Bismol. Classic. To ease all that ails you in this foodie addition.Read more
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- May 2, 2023, 12:30pm
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Canada British Columbia West End Thunderbird Marina 49.293333, -123.1349°17’36” N 123°7’48” W
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Day 4
City. Harbour. Snow capped peaks.
May 2, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
A day largely on foot exploring both the harbour. A brief footprint highlighting the diversity and influence of mother and human nature in photographs.
Traveler Stunning 😍
5/3/23Reply
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- May 2, 2023, 1:06pm
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 27 m
- Canada British Columbia West End 49.286373, -123.1270849°17’11” N 123°7’37” W
Day 4
Stanley Park 1 of 2
May 2, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Traversing through the streets of Vancouver for a few kilometres, we arrived at our destination. Stanley Park. A meld of Port Melbourne, meets Mount Dandenong, meets the snowy mountains. Planned, manicured, a combination of dutch and english formal, erupting in the final bursts of spring as it rolls into summer.

As we now leave autumn and head into winter at home. Canada is in the reverse.

I got lost today. Not in the map sense (though that too!), but lost in how beautiful a planned garden can become. En masse. The bulbs. The annuals. The stars of the season. Amidst a backdrop of old faithfuls. Ash. Myrtle. Maple. Hundred's of years old. The stars of all seasons. Shelter from the sun in summer, access to sun through the bare branches in winter. There is something truly magical about the seasonal garden.

The use of colour - a few simple and sometimes contrasting shades. The visual drama of both the complimentary colours and the clashing.

Framed against a beautiful old stone building. The yacht house. The magnolias!

Today was magical. The weather perfect and I forgot the world as I immersed myself in the beauty. To all the residents of Cohuna Village, you were in my heart and mind as I explored with joy around every corner, and know it was on your behalf ❤️Read more
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