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Original poster

I'm going to Canada! What do I need to know?

52 replies

greathat · 26/07/2019 22:22

Going this weekend, work has been manic so have only just started thinking about it. What do I need to know before I go please?

OP posts:
Original poster
greathat · 29/07/2019 04:37

Thanks all. Here now after the best part of a two hour wait to get through security in the airport. Apparently their computers were down. It's warmer than I expected. Currently 8.36 at night. I hate jet lag, wiped out and In bed

OP posts:
IamWaggingBrenda · 29/07/2019 04:59

*You need to know that self ID is a thing over there, so be aware that you might come across males in female only spaces.

Other than that, I can't help. Never been.*. Umm, not really! I’m Canadian and I have never come across males in female only space. Since you’ve never been here, I’m not sure where you got this idea. If it’s actually ‘a thing’ here, it’s very rare!

IamWaggingBrenda · 29/07/2019 05:04

I never said OP should worry about it, just that she should be aware. If you're not aware, and you come across a male bodied person in a female space, it could be a bit of a shock.
Mitebiteatnite, you say you’ve never been to Canada, yet you are making these weird claims. I’ve lived in Canada all my life, and never encountered this at all. OP doesn’t need to listen to this silliness!

lovelyupnorth · 29/07/2019 06:19

Enjoy we are on our last night. Flying tomorrow night so have a full day ish.

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 29/07/2019 06:32

I’ve been in Canada 8 years. I only saw my first Grizzly last week.

Mitebiteatnite · 29/07/2019 08:45

@IamwaggingBrenda as far as I'm aware it's a relatively new law, but if you live in Canada and you aren't aware of it, then perhaps look into it. A good starting point is to read up on the J Yaniv case. It's all happening in plain sight in Canada, and the authorities are allowing it.

Soontobe60 · 29/07/2019 17:17

@Onesailwait
Although I've only been to VI twice, both times took the best part of a day. First time we went to Ukulelet, and from picking up our hire car in downtown Vancouver at 9am, the drive to the ferry took 3 hours due to the traffic, then an hour wait for embarkation, ferry crossing, and drive across the island we arrived at 6.30pm.
The second time took slightly longer due to road works on the island going to Sooke.
Both times we returned straight to the airport, and this took appprox 7 hours from start to finish. It may be that as a local you know the best times to go to avoid traffic, but tourists don't have your insider knowledge. BTW, the ferry cross g is fabulous, with beautiful scenery most of the way.

Onesailwait · 29/07/2019 17:34

Soontobe60, That sounds like a nightmare journey. I didn't realise you meant van to uculet, thats quite the difference of Van to Sooke!. My usually commute takes 1hr from downtown Van, 30 min wait at the ferry(when i take my own advise & book) 45 mins from swartz bay to home in sooke. I'm glad you enjoyed your time here it is beautiful . I'd give it all up to be home in England if only my husband & kids were on board.

Onesailwait · 29/07/2019 17:44

Yuck those new computers they have to replace passport control ,awful especially at the end of a long journey with kids. Have a wonderful time and if I can be of any assistance when you get to Sooke feel free to p.m. me.

Soontobe60 · 01/08/2019 07:58

@Onesailwait
Ill do a house swap with you any time! When loved Souke, stayed in a cabin on the shore just out of town. It was so peaceful! We had a family of sea otters living right outside and watched them playing every evening.

I'm going to Canada! What do I need to know?
Original poster
greathat · 02/08/2019 05:38

@Onesailwait we are in Sooke! It's beautiful, plus there are visitors in the garden - hoping pic posts!

I'm going to Canada! What do I need to know?
OP posts:
Onesailwait · 02/08/2019 05:45

Ahhh that's my neighbors😁. If you have time pop along to French Beach or China Beach you might see some whales

eightytwenty · 02/08/2019 06:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
greathat · 03/08/2019 06:23

@Onesailwait went to China beach today, no whales but it was beautiful. Been watching otters from the back garden, chasing grebes

OP posts:
Onesailwait · 03/08/2019 07:13

@greathat oh I'm glad you made it there is is beautiful. If I'm having a lazy day i head there with the kids, they play for hours making inukshuks. Not sure how long you are here for but if the weather is good this weekend head to sooke potholes for a swim. Another hidden gem is Roche cove, its a lovely walk & there is a swimming spot there too. We were just there yesterday & saw black bear with 3 cubs. If i wasn't so busy with work this week I'd invite you over for dinner. @eightytwenty what a great picture. We come home to the uk every 2nd Christmas if you're ever up for a house swap pm me😊

Onesailwait · 03/08/2019 07:14

Sorry for the typos its late & i just got back from work.

eightytwenty · 03/08/2019 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Onesailwait · 03/08/2019 19:09

@greathat, We moved here 10 yrs ago for my Husbands job, we dont have citizenship yet (2 or my kids do they were born here so have dual). I work mostly out of our Victori office but on average i work in Van 2 days a wk. Being on the south island the winters are very similar to the uk, we usually get a little snow and when it does snow in Victoria its chaos much like the uk. Food is expensive but lot of the stores have loyalty cards so if you go to save on foods you will see the reg price & the card price. We also have walmart, costco ect. It is beautiful but uts not home for me & i dont think it ever will be, i would go home tomorrow but my Dh & kids are not on board. We try to get home every 2nd yr but its just so expensive.Also holiday allowence is a lot less her I only get 20 days paid leave a year. We do have a lot of bank holidays here, its BC day on Monday so there will be a bunch of stuff going on.

Original poster
greathat · 04/08/2019 02:31

God yes the food is so expensive! I keep saying it, but I can't believe the prices here. It is gorgeous though we went to Butchart gardens and to Whiffen spit today. I think I'm going to have lost weight this hols as I don't want to pay the food prices :)

OP posts:
eightytwenty · 04/08/2019 03:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
greathat · 04/08/2019 03:50

Ah @eightytwenty we are mostly self catering and even then I can't get over supermarket prices, unless I'm missing something!

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 04/08/2019 09:47

We weren’t impressed with Flying Otter in Victoria either. Pity, great location.

Original poster
greathat · 07/08/2019 05:35

@eightytwenty we tried to go to sooke potholes yesterday but it was too busy and impossible to park. We have moved to port Alberni

OP posts:
PhoenixBuchanan · 07/08/2019 05:55

OP what are you doing in Port Alberni? Are you keen salmon fishermen??

Prices here on the island are eye-watering. My mother lives in Ontario and is aghast at the supermarket prices every single time she visits! It's the island premium. And the weak pound won't be helping you either, of course.

Juanbablo · 07/08/2019 06:06

I absolutely loved Victoria, really interesting town. If you go behind the museum there's the first house ever built that you can go in. That's interesting. Also saw humpback whales on a tour there. Vancouver itself I found ok. It was good to see the totem poles in Stanley Park and the aquarium was fun. Hope you have a great time!