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Our September 2018 trip to Vancouver was to participate in the SPAADS (Sabre Pilots Association of the Air Division
Squadrons) reunion at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel from Friday 7 September to Monday 10 September. It has been our custom for previous SPAADS reunions at various locations in Canada to take advantage of the trip to visit the local area. For the Vancouver trip we had thought first of taking a cruise to Hawaii leaving shortly after the reunion ended, but volcanic action and hurricanes put the kibosh to that idea. Then we thought of a road trip through the interior of BC, but widespread forest fires put the kibosh to that idea. Finally we decided to visit Salt Spring Island, which we have heard about for years but never visited. So we reserved a rental car at Vancouver airport for noon Monday 10 September with return to Victoria airport at noon Thursday 14 September and reserved a hotel in Ganges, Salt Spring Island for the nights of 10-13 September. Our itineray was as follows: Friday 7 September: 1000-1202 Toronto Pearson to Vancouver, Air Canada Flt 107 Check in to Pinnacle Hotel 1300-1600 SPAADS Registration 1630-1900 SPAADS Meet & Greet (Generous tidbits replaced dinner) Saturday 8 September: 1000-1130 Men's Mystery Tour (Marg passed on the ladies aquarium visit. 1315-1600 Bard on the Beach 1800-2200 1 Wing dinner at Billy Bishop Legion Hall Sunday 9 September: 1230-1445 Battle of Britain Ceremony (bus transport to Stanley Park) 1800-2330 Gala Dinner Dance, Ballroom Monday 10 September: 0800-1100 Brunch, Ballroom 1100-1900 Taxi to Vancouver airport, rent a car, drive to Tsaawwassen, ferry to SSI, drive to hotel, check in. Tuesday 11 September: Visit SSI Wednesday 12 September: Visit SSI Thursday, 13 September: 0950-1030 Ferry to Swartz Bay 1030-1130 Drive to Victoria airport, deposit rental car 1200-1530 Victoria airport to Vancouver airport, AC Flt 8064 1730-0105 Friday, Vancouver to Toronto Pearson, AC Flt 122 0130-0230 Taxi home (long trip due to construction) The following pages contain photos and comments from the reunion and our visit to Salt Spring Island (SSI). They can be picked to see a larger version if desired. Then pick Back on your browser to return to where you were. Note: Where time is shown on photos it is Toronto time, so three hours ahead of the local BC time. |