Day 168

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Created on Sunday, 21 February 2016 01:13

02/19/2016 Vancouver (Kanada)

Since it rained for two days 'cats and dogs', sightseeing or a tour in and around Vancouver makes no sense.
Therefore today we visited the Vancouver Museum, the Space Center Museum and the Maritime Museum, all three are located together in Vanier Park at the Bay from Vancouver.

Day 167

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Created on Sunday, 21 February 2016 01:01

02/18/2016 Vancouver (Kanada)

At nine o'clock this morning we had an apponintment at the US consulate Vancouver to go through the interview and application process for US visas. After countless security checks, document check and taking the fingerprints, we were finally at the counters of the NIV consular officials.(NIV = Non Immigration Visa)

Apparently our visa application was still something special among the other aspirants,  mainly  coming from India, China and East Asia. Because of the answer to the question of the purpose of stay in the US was  ‘The Delorean World Tour’, the officer knew immediately "Oh, you are the Delorean Team".

Then the actual survey was done within a couple of minutes and we got immediately  our pick-up date. Already on Monday at 2pm our passports with the US visa are  ready for pick up at the consulate.
Now the biggest barrier is gone, we will start on Tuesday Feb. 23 to the USA with only one day delay on our original schedule .
Unfortunately we have no pictures today, because around and inside of the US consulate taking photographs was strictly prohibited.

Day 166

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Created on Sunday, 21 February 2016 00:46

02/17/2016 Vancouver (Kanada)

Today there was a set of new Pirelli winter tires for the World Tour DeLoreans.
The pre-order from Germany at canadiantire.com went smoothly, though the workshop manager was a little surprised when there was an order from Germany.

Our three cars were the attraction in the workshop, the tire mechanic has had (according to his own words)  a sleepless night behind him, because he was allowed as an avowed Delorean fan to mount our tires.

The final photo with the entire workshop crew was also mandatory

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a parking lot of the Vancouver Film Studios, where movie cars are waiting for their next job.

Day 165

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Created on Thursday, 18 February 2016 05:22

2016/02/16    Vancouver (Canada)

Today was a pretty successful day, because we already got back our Deloreans!
After breakfast we drove to the Canadian customs where our carnets and customs documents were filled in and stamped. The whole process was done quite unbureaucratic in less then an hour.

With the documents we went about 10 km/6 miles to the warehouse of our transport agency. There our Deloreans were kept in the meantime after arriving in Vancouver. After some more copies and form checks we were allowed to receive our cars back.

Because we have been there with our rental car, Andre and Wolfgang primarily drove their Deloreans back to the hotel. Klaus drove in front with the rental car as it had a navigation system. After only one kilometer driving, the first emergency light appeared behind us and the police pulled us over! Two friendly police officers asked for Canadian number plates which we obviously didn’t have. After considering all papers and insurance document as correct, we were allowed to continue our journey.
Half an hour later we went for fetching Klaus’s car at the warehouse. Again another police car with flashing lights pulled us over… Once more all our documents were correct and a little bit later all three Deloreans were standing at the hotel’s parking lot.

Subsequently we went over to the nearby Canadian-Tire-Shop, where from Germany we already had ordered twelve winter tires. We arranged a date for the installing by tomorrow morning.

So far everything is going well. If there only wouldn’t be the problem concerning our visa…
January 21st 2016 (!) the US immigration rules were changed and all our already received electronically visas / ESTAs are no more valid because we visited Iran in September last year.
Thus we had to request completely new visitor-visas in Vancouver short term. The first possible appointment would have been the 1st of March which would render all our travelling plans useless. Fortunately, there is a quicker procedure, our request for an earlier appointment was accepted. Now we are scheduled for the visa-interview at the US-Consulate at the 18th of February.
All the rest is now depending on how quickly we can receive our new visas.

Day 164

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Created on Tuesday, 16 February 2016 08:05

02/15/2016 Frankfurt - Vancouver (Kanada)

At the start of the second part of our Delorean World Tour, the team is back again!

After 11 hours of a quiet flight with a stopover in London we arrived in Vancouver tonight. Picked car hire at Alamo and checked in at the booked Days Inn Metro Vancouver, then we had a first drink in Canada before we fell tired into bed.