Arrive in Canada 8 June 2011

Arriving in Vancouver - No real hassle although several planes had landed so the queue at emigration was long.  It was well organized and although it zigzagged across the arrival hall many times it only took 20 minutes to pass through passport control.  All passport booths were open and the hall staff opened and close sections of the barriers ensuring even numbers of travellers were being directed to each booth.
My luggage appeared on the carousel quite quickly, and Air Canada transfer desk was well sign posted and had their own customs checks.  No hassles, straight through, dropped off my case and started my long walk, or it seemed long carrying my heavy cabin bag, to the domestic terminal.  Both terminals are in the same building connected by long corridors.  Part way along  you come to a security control.  Liquids into a bag, empty your pockets into a tray, put your carry on bag into the xray machine and then walk through that magic gateway hoping it doesn't beep.  This time silence ,so no arms out to be traced over by the 'magic' wand.  Then onto  an area to obtain a boarding pass, if you haven't one.  Here I asked if I was OK with my Airnewzealand  issued pass--It was.    "Your departure gate is number 40" she added as I continued on my way.
Eventually after more walking I arrived,and thankfully put my bag down.  I need a bag with wheels or forget about carrying so much.  Here I had about an hour to fill in, so grabbed something to eat and started my new book. New in the sense that I hadn't read it, but old  in that I had picked it up at our local book fair the previous week along with three other books especially for reading on my trip for $2 each.  Sorry, but  I intend a bit of litter bug dropping these  books along the way.  The first I have already left under my seat before disembarking  my Air New Zealand flight in Vancouver.
Four thirty, local time, I flew  out to Toronto arriving there at midnight again local time-- another 4 hours in the air .  Here the wait for my luggage was longer or perhaps I was tired after 22 hours travelling.  Grabbed a taxi to Carlingview a hotel close to the airport.  Although very close there was a minimum fare of $22, but it was after midnight and all I wanted to do was go to bed.

Fig 1 - My room at the Carlingview Airport Hotel

Had a good nights sleep and after a shower walked across the drive  to the Marriott Hotel for breakfast.  Back in my room I set up my computer, checked my Emails, and started this blog.

Fig 2 - my computer ready to start writing this blog.

Later  went outside, took some photos of the hotel, and while there snapped a few low flying g airplanes landing at the airport. 

Fig 3 - A low flying plane

The shuttle bus arrive at 12:50 and I left for St. Catharines just next door to Niagara on the Lake.
End of  my first 24 hours in Canada 2011.