Are you ready for Gatecon?

[Gatecon]

Yes, the hotel has a shuttle that leaves the Airport every 30 minutes.

It stops at both domestic and international terminals.

For international, go outside, walk across the first road and you will see a bus stop near the second road (near the foot entrance to the carpark). There is a timetable there, and also a phone that you can ring the hotel to find out when the next shuttle arrives.

For Domestic, go out the lower entrance, and the bus stop is right outside the sliding doors.

Allan

 

[timdgreat]

thank u much allan that is something i have been worrying about, another question, do u know if there is a plave near or in the hotel for exchanging currency?:rolly2:

 

[Gatecon]

Near the hotel I'm not sure. There is a major bank 1 block over, and sometimes banks can do it.

There is definitely places at the airport. Upper level of the International terminal. You can walk through the domestic terminal to international and you will be on the right level.

Or if you arrive through the international terminal, there is a money exchange just as you exit the luggage pickup.

 

[timdgreat]

ok, so get money exchanged at airport, or do most places in Canada take american currency? :rolly2:

 

[Gatecon]

You will find that some places will take American currency.

But I would definitely have Canadian on hand.

 

[timdgreat]

thank u very much gatecon, that is very useful info, will be back with more questions im sure:rolly2:

 

[Gatecon]

Ask away, that's why i'm here

And please... Call me Allan :rolly2:

If im not around to answer questions, Rowan is never too far away. And I'll be quiet for the next couple of days as I fly out tomorrow.. WOOO HOOO

 

[timdgreat]

stares at u jealously :rolly2:

 

[Rowan]

shuttle...

I'll be around until at least the 5th ... possibly as late as the 7th. Than I pop in the car and head up.

Rowan

 

[Gatecon]

See you there Rowan.

And there's still that issue of that beer from 3 years ago :rolly2: :rolly2: :rolly2: :rolly2:

 

[timdgreat]

well then i had better ask my questions soon then:rolly2:

 

[Rowan]

Beer...

Originally posted by Gatecon
See you there Rowan.

And there's still that issue of that beer from 3 years ago :rolly2: :rolly2: :rolly2: :rolly2:

I'm still recovering from my first Aussie beer back in Jan. so I can probably survive a whimpy Canadian one.

Se you there, Hun!

Rowan

 

[Sj Shortea]

There is a shuttle that service
the Best Western and the surrounding
hotels to the airport and back.
At least they did the last couple
of years that I went. I seen them
pick up and drop off people .

I just wish they would shuttle
the bus & Train depo.

The cab ride one way
from the bus depo
to the Best western
was about $25.00
last year.

 

[timdgreat]

i actually have a question, there isnt anything that would require me at the con to at least look decent as in dressing up?:rolly2:

 

[Rowan]

dressing question...

Nope. The cocktail party is really the only' sorta' dress up event and folks show up wearing everything from cocktail dresses and formals to jeans and t-shirts. It's all up to what you want to do.

It's mellow.

Rowan

 

[timdgreat]

well then t shirts and cargo shorts for me:rolly2:

 

[Sj Shortea]

Well, got the bus ticket.
Now all I need is a camera,
and I'm ready to go!!!

 

[xst]

Note for timdgreat,

Almost all places in the Greater Vancouver area (which includes Richmond) will accept American currency. The stores will have the exchange rate posted outside the store and/or near the till/cash register. It is fast and easy to use American currency. As we (I'm from Vancouver) are a border town and tourist town, we are very comfortable with American currency. You might get a slightly better rate at a bank or currency exchange business, but .... then you lose a bit in handling fees and "buy back rates" when you change your Canadian back to American on the way home. (Of course the exchange rate in a store or restaurant might not be as good as in a bank. )

Or if you have American Express Traveller's Cheques and exchange them at an American Express Travel Office, then you will not have to pay a fee for the exchange. Unfortunately, I don't know where the American Express office is in Richmond. And most stores will take Traveller's Cheques in either American or Canadian currency; they are as good as cash. I used to take them all of the time when I was working in my parent's store. Just make sure you have adequate ID for stores to check. (It is different in Europe. You have to exchange traveller's cheques into the local currency; stores in Europe do not take traveller's cheques at all.)

My advice.... use American Currency or Traveller's Cheques (American or Canadian currency). Most stores & restaurants will take them; most taxis will take them, too. Credit cards are fine, too!! And I found that merchandise at Gatecon in the Dealer's room had both American and Canadian prices listed and you could pay in either currency.

Whew! End message.

 

[Gatecon]

The best advice always comes from a local. Thanks xst, we really appreciate it

 

[Rowan]

another option ...

Another way to do the money thing.

#1: When I've brought traveller's checks, I've taken them down the street a couple of blocks to one of the local banks and cashed them in there for Canadian. Got a good exchange rate and no handling fees. Also you can pull funds from your credit card at the bank and get the money in Canadian funds.

I usually carry a mix of US and Canadian. I use Canadian while I'm there and US if I run out. That way I run little risk of have any left over Canadian funds to bring home and/or change. But it's not a problem for me to bring Canadian funds home. I'm only a couple of hours drive from the border and visit there fairly often. The spare Canadian live in it's own little wooden box in my breakfront for future trips.

Along with some left-over Australian dollars and Israeli shekels - a bit of whishfull thinking on my part. And a few Saudi riyals left over from the Gulf and a smattering of this and that ...

Rowan