Vancouver 1

I suspect there are going to be a few posts from Vancouver! What a fabulous city - it has most of what I love, sea with mountains nearby and a fabulous cycle/ walkway which  we lucky enough to explore today!

But let's take a step back

On Monday we caught the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver which is a 5 hour trip along mainly the coast line. Was a bit of a pity that it took almost an hour to disembark and go through customs and then were lucky enough to get a taxi van to the hotel. Unfortunately there was a problem with our booking so we had to have some lunch while we waited for our rooms on the 29th floor to become available. Steph and Lauren fetched us and we caught the bus to Kits and stocked up on picnic foods, and then passed via Steph's house for glasses and picnic blankets and made our way to the beach and met up with a number of Steph's friends. 

Apart from a very large free yoga class there were numerous other picnic groups, small barbecues and lots of walkers and cyclists.as the sun is only setting after 9pm we had a protracted evening with a stunning sunset. 

Another bus ride and we thankfully tumbled into bed.

Tuesday dawned clear, a little chilly but warmed up quite quickly. After breakfast, I was introduced to my new transport, a small motorized 3-wheeled scooter which is fabulously easy to manouvre. The main group set off by bus to Steph's and collected their transport for the day - bicycles!!!  Which was rather an interesting experience for some as they were a little out of practice!! In the meantime, image my way via a taxi-van to the Granville Island Market

Offloading the scooter out of the taxi van!

I then set out to explore the market which is quite amazing with lots of fresh fruit (including cherries) and veggies plus anything else you can think of in the food line plus numerous crafts. A number of things were very tempting - but I made the mistake of converting to rands and didn't buy too much stuff. Got some very nice earrings tho!!!

Some cement silos within the precinct!

Lauren and Stephanie getting the bikes unlocked for the 'oldies'

Linda and Lauren setting out

Me surveying the cyclists!

Karen preparing to get aboard

Passed this along the way - totally appropriate!

The others joined me on their bikes and after they wandered a bit, we all 6 of us set out again along the Seawall which is an amazing cycle / walking path which stretches all along the edge of the city and goes through numerous parks and alongside beach areas. It was fabulous to see it being used by all types of people. It was a wonderful way to see the city and I tended to bring up the rear as the scooter only had a couple of speeds!!

The Science museum ( not it's correct name!!!)

We ended the cycle in Stanley Park after passing the Totem Poles and looking at the Coal Harbour. Unfortunately, we only afterwards realized how isolated the area was, in terms of thoroughfare and it took an awfully long time (1 1/2 hrs to get a taxi to make me and the scooter home.

Takeaway sushi was very welcome!

Today, Tuesday, we hired a very large car! All the photos I took tended to cut it in half!!! It was a 7seater and we were all thankful that Steph drove. We crossed the Lionsgate bridge and headed north with our first stop in Squamish where we went on the Sea to Sky Gondola and then across the suspension bridge. I ditched wheels today and used my crutches only and was very satisfied with my walking ability - the worst is standing around!

A view out of the gondola.

Looking back at the suspension bridge

Unfortunately my balance may have improved but at the expense of my photographic focus as today's shots are pretty poor! Thank goodness Karen took some really nice ones!

We drove onto Whistler and had a very nice lunch which included a Caesar cocktail which is a spicy tomato cocktail type! Unfortunately it has been an extremely hot summer so the snow has melted and the rivers and dams are extremely low. In fact there is a fear that some of the trees may be dying off. 

The town was overrun with mountain bikers in some very scary attire!!!

A view of some of the peaks on our return trip

The others made their way to Gastown for supper but I decided to stay home and watch the sunset and rest up. Tomorrow we are off on another day trip on the ferry to Vancouver island, Victoiria and the Buchard gardens. Thank goodness, we have earmarked Friday as a shopping day!