The Aquarium

Our grandson was waiting for us yesterday at noon when we picked him up from his daycare for an afternoon at Stanley Park and the Aquarium. The sun was shining and we were all excited.

Signs on all the parking ticket dispensers said that I needed my licence plate number to pay for parking but I entered all the necessary information...car or bus, number of hours, type of payment and completed the transaction, receipt in hand, without having to enter the licence plate number. We paced the ticket on the dashboard in full view and proceeded to the Aquarium.

There must be a huge percentage of Vancouver's population who could never afford to visit this amazing place! At the regular admission price of $25 ($20 for seniors & $15 for children over age 3), it is unaffordable to the masses. The price of a hot dog at the food concession area was $9!!

A family of four would pay $80 for admission, at least $10 for parking, hotdog & drink each would be another $50 = $140 for a couple of hours entertainment! Wow!!

Inside we viewed beautiful displays of jellyfish, sea anemones, fish, frogs and a very lively octopus.

Outside we watched the dolphins being fed, the belugas frolicking and the seals barking commands to each other. All of the creatures moved so smoothly in their environment but I couldn't help feeling sad that they were contained in an artificial space.

Augie had his heart set on finding "the boat" so we finally made our way to Clownfish Cove, the children's play and educational centre, where he steered the wheel in a play boat for over half an hour while we watched the underwater antics of the dolphins.

Back at the car we were greeted with a parking ticket that said we did not have correct info on our purchased ticket!! The cost was $37.50 if paid in 7 days or $75 otherwise. The final risk was confiscation of vehicle! I was incensed!! Why did the machine take my payment if the info was incomplete!!

We drove to another play area in Stanley Park and I paid again. This time I entered the licence plate number first before paying the fee.

Augie played on Stanley Park's first fire engine, in service starting 1929. He soon made friends with other children and they played together on the engine and inside a hollow tree, home to a family of squirrels. Our afternoon together finally came to an end. It was time to head for home with stories about our adventures.

This morning I sent an appeal to the parking lot company explaining yesterday's ticket. I am waiting for a response!