Quote:
Originally Posted by spindles
Leave the Aussie sense of humour behind when going through border crossings. I don't think I have ever met a surlier bunch then customs and immigration going into the US and on the border crossing between Washington State and Canada (Vancouver). Maybe we just got them on a bad day, but better to be polite and just get the crossing over with.
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I've been across that border a few times, and each time it's certainly been an experience. Not necessarily a good one, but there was one time where I was driving a carload of my girlfriends back from spring break in Vancouver, and we got a guy who flirted with us once he found out we were all college girls. That was a good one. The rest of them have been lousy at worst and tedious at best.
I've been to all the cities the OP is visiting, and I must say that Vancouver is my favorite. The public transportation system is your friend. Don't miss the Seabus. It's a cheap way to get a great view of Vancouver's skyline, and the market at Lonsdale Quay is nice. Also, Granville Island is a must-visit. It's kind of a touristy spot on the one hand, but so worth it on the other. The market is awesome, full of cheap eats and fun people-watching. One of my best memories of Vancouver is of a brewery tour I took at the Granville Island Brewery with a bunch of other people from my hostel--including an Australian!--we had a great time and drank a lot of great beer.
Oh, and get out to Stanley Park and around while you're there. There are some really cool spots in the park. If you make it out by UBC at all, visit Wreck Beach. I like the area around UBC a lot--there's a lot to explore both on and off campus. I do believe there's a bus that runs out there from Granville St. in central Vancouver.
One of the things I love about Vancouver is just walking around it. It's one of my favorite cities to walk in; I've probably logged more miles there than anywhere else I've visited. Driving isn't bad either, but be aware (if you do choose to operate a vehicle whilst in Canada) that most people in the Greater Vancouver area don't use their turn signals.