Disembarkation and Exploring Richmond

The disembarkation process was a lot simpler than getting on the ship. We had organised to get a shuttle to the airport and spend the day exploring Steveston and Richmond. 

The day before, we had received an envelope with the instructions on the disembarkation procedure and some luggage tags which had our group on them which would make disembarkation a lot easier.

That morning, we got our tea and coffee delivered to the room as per usual and this time we had breakfast delivered as well, to make sure that we would not be in anyones way. We had docked early, so we let the people who were disembarking early have the run of the ship while we finished packing up our stuff. The rest of the disembarkation process was pretty simple, we waited until our group name was called and we made our way down to the gangway and off the ship one last time. After that we went into a room to claim our checked bag and go through customs again, we then made our way onto the bus which took us out to the airport. 

Once out at the airport, we grabbed a coffee and put our suitcases into storage for the day before heading out to explore the area a bit more. Our main port of call was a place called Steveston, where one of our favourite shows was filmed up until this current season. Which there we wandered through the town and I got to experience my first Oktoberfest. When we found the information centre we got the filming location map and went on a walking tour before stopping in one of the shops to get some of the nicer show merchandise. 

Not long after arriving in Steveston, it started raining so we decided to head back to the airport via public transport as we had plenty of time left before I had to be back at the airport to check in for my flight to Ottawa. Getting back to the airport involved a bus and two different trains. Thankfully one of the ladies in the information centre wrote us down complete instructions on what buses to take and where we needed to change. 

Once back at the airport, we grabbed some lunch and wandered through the shops before I went and checked in. Before checking in I asked if it was too late to get wheelchair assistance for when I arrived in Ottawa as I had broken my toe and all the walking of the last week was catching up with me. 

Once through security, I sat in the designated spot for where you needed to wait for the little golf cart to pick you up and take you to the gate. After sitting there for an hour I asked someone exactly how far away my gate actually was and they said that it was quite far. I waited another few minutes before deciding to slowly limp my way to the gate, which as it turns out was two gates over from the security screening point. 

Once on the plane, I had to sit behind some college(university) students who were incredibly loud and would not shut up from the time that they got on the plane and that included talking through the safety demonstration, which made it incredibly difficult for those around them to hear it as well. Thank god I had downloaded the entertainment app so I plugged myself in and watched some movies before having a quick app on the 5-hour flight out to the East Coast. 

By the time that I had landed and collected my stuff it was after midnight and I contacted my Aunt saying that I have arrived and got all my stuff and that I was definitely ready to be picked up. 

Once at my Aunt's house, I said my hellos to the dogs and headed off to bed to face the next part of my trip.