Canada
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Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
Recently I went to the Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. I thought it was a good idea to drive across from the USA. For non-US or Canadian passport holders, there is no sign telling you about the long procedure or to discourage you to just go to the other side for a simple look or for fun. Driving to the border can be done via Whirlpool Bridge or Rainbow Bridge. It took 2 hours and US$6 to get the visa. Also the American side isn't worth the trouble, the Falls and the area are nicer in Canada. If I would have been warned, I would have stayed on the Canadian side. The procedure of crossing the border is different from a US airport (the officer told me) and this is why it takes a long time.
Gerome Mortelecque, Canada (May 05)
Travel Tips
I would recommend everyone who spends some time in Vancouver to get a copy of 'City of Glass; Douglas Coupland's Vancouver'. It's Coupland's take on the city and functions as an alternative travel guide. A must for fans and non-fans, and I thinkit's only available in Vancouver and Canada (never saw it anywhere else except on the web and I have been looking for it for sometime).
Dirk-Jan Scheffers, Netherlands (Aug 05)
It is not worth going to the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of
Ontario until 2007/8 when the extentions are finished as most of both collections
are closed until then (unless going on the free evenings). I was annoyed to pay $8
at AGO for effectively 2 rooms of exhibits.
Emma Roberts, UK (June 05)
When in Vancouver, pick up a copy of the Georgia Straight, a free newspaper found in shops, bars and street corners. It contains heaps of "two meals for the price of one" coupons, a great way to eat out and save cash when you are traveling. Also lists places to go, local talks, expos and has some real local knowledge.
Rebecca Sharp, Canada (June 05)
Northern Vancouver Island: Hotels north of Sayward charge, on average, twice as much per night as those in Sayward. The same goes for restaurants and campgrounds. More importantly, the campgrounds in Telegraph Cove and Alder Bay are large treeless parking lots which do nothing to show case the natural beauty of the North Island. Both the campground at the Fisherboy and the Village of Sayward site are less than half the cost of those to the north while offering the same facilities along with trees, park like settings, privacy and ocean and mountain views.
Kathleen Westergaard, Canada (June 05)
I just went to Science World in Vancouver, BC today, which is mentioned in the Canada guidebook. Wow is that place kid friendly, although there is not much there for adults.
Jonathan Falk, USA (March 05)
Moving About
Banff: There is now a third transit route going directly to the Upper Springs and
Sulphur Mountain, stopping at the foot of the gondola. For much of the day this operates
only from the town centre, but at certain times runs also along Banff Avenue.
You can no longer travel down on the gondola without a ticket as there is a booth at the top.
Alan Sayles, UK (Aug 05)
Need information about any destination in Montreal
and suburb and how to get from point A to point B? Dial
the number corresponding to AUT-OBUS. Bilingual service, for metro and buses.
Genny, Canada (May 05)
I recently visited Playa Blanca in Lanzarote, and there is NO tourist information office there any more. Also, I visited Toronto last year, and the Air Canada office isn't in the Royal York Hotel anymore, it's at Lester B. Pearson Airport. Their number is in the phonebook.
Vicky Luker, UK (Jan 05)
Scams & Warnings
In old Montreal and old Quebec there were countless shops selling so-called "Indian" artifacts. However, in both, the difference between the run-of-the-mill tourist souvenir shop and the authentic Native run shops is so important.
In the regular "non-native" owned tourist shops the "Indian" artifacts were:
1) Not clearly marked as to whether they were actually made by Native Americans. Some supposedly "Native " artifacts were made in Taiwan.
2) Not given labels with an authentic explanation as to the meaning, symbolism, and use of the artifacts from a Native perspective.
3) Not given adequate promise that a fair price was given to the Native artist.
4) Not given adequate labels to explain from which First Nation the artifact originated.
Richard Samuelson, UK (Sept 00)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
OTTAWA: Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. It's Labour Day weekend. Watching hundreds of
hot air balloons lift off together at dusk is quite a sight - plus Quebec liquor
laws mean this festival is a lot sloppier than other Ottawa events.
Eva Holland, Canada (July 05)
Yarns, Fables & Anecdotes
A warning to visitors of the Niagara Falls during the winter months. Naturally, it was extremely cold there and a lot of the Falls were frozen - which made it quite picturesque. We couldn't wait to visit the Journey Behind The Falls, especially as most of the other "rides" were unavailable because of the weather, but unfortunately we were extremely disappointed.
Although we were only charged $4 each, once we had descended in the lift there was only one observation point open - and the only viewpoint of the Falls at this point was from a small aperture in the wooden sidewall. When we walked to the end of the tunnel all there was to see was a large aperture in the rock covered in ice!! We could hear water gushing, but could see nothing!! All very disappointing.
Apparently it is nearer $7 charge in the summer. "Ma'am, then you see all the Falls," is what we were told when we complained. It is really disappointing!!
Mrs. Valerie Slade, UK (Mar 01)
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