Vancouver, Canada - Day 5

Tuesday, September 1
After 2 very early starts and long days, we caught up on our beauty sleep and set off late morning to explore some more of this lovely city. At least it wasn't raining today, unlike yesterday when Vancouver got more rain in the day than they have had all summer, as well as exceeding their average August rainfall on the last day of the month!
Tony and Angie headed to a military medal shop in the suburbs, while we headed to Granville Island to have a look around there. This was also our mid afternoon designated meeting spot.
The walk from our hotel to the island was about 25 minutes, and we got to see some different streets and parts of the city we hadn't been to before. Vancouver is certainly a lovely clean and green city, and it usually rivals Melbourne as the most liveable city in the world. We laughed when we saw a coaster that said "raincouver" as we could relate to that after our few days here. At Whistler yesterday they referred to it as "liquid sunshine", so the locals have a good sense of humour about their weather!
We reached the dock and boarded an Aquabus that took us across False Creek to Granville Island, which is under the huge Granville Street bridge, one of the main roads into the downtown area. This little island has lots of galleries, souvenir shops, theatres, restaurants, a university and the public market! We love wandering through markets, and this one reminded us of the Queen Vic market in Melbourne. The produce was amazing, with lots of things we don't see at home, and all beautifully displayed.

The Aquabus

The market

The Granville Street Bridge

We enjoyed a delicious burrito for lunch and a good organic latte, then set off to explore the shops and attractions. Later in the afternoon we met up with Tony and Angie and wandered around some more before sampling some of the local brewery's ISA beer. We all agreed it was very good. Travelling with these guys is such fun and there is never a dull moment - we're certainly getting some funny photos.

Our travelling companions and their props

We caught the Aquabus back across the creek and enjoyed another walk back to our apartment. With boarding the ship tomorrow for our Alaskan cruise we wanted to make sure we could fit everything into our cases again, along with a few liquid supplies that we purchased for the journey!

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Vancouver, Canada - Day 4

Monday, August 31

Today was our much anticipated Whistler Day - travelling up on the Rocky Mountaineer train and returning early evening by seaplane landing in Vancouver Harbour. We wish!

Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer

We awoke to the now usual sound of rain on the windows and looked out to see low cloud, dark grey skies, heavy rain and the sound of vehicles on wet roads. We had to meet at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel at 7.00 am so were optimistic that the rain would clear as the day progressed. Wrong! We did the 8 minute walk to the Fairmont in steady rain. We were then bussed to the station and boarded the Rocky Mountaineer in anticipation of seeing the beautiful scenery we have heard so much about and seen on so many postcards. Our hostess was bright and bubbly and told us we were experiencing "liquid sunshine" then went on to explain points of interest we would see along the way. The train departed on time at 8.00 am with the station staff all waving us off - no doubt glad to see us go so they could return to their nice warm beds! Breakfast was served and we settled in with cameras at the ready to capture all the natural beauty along the way.

The train goes through West Vancouver where there are some fantastic homes to be seen; around Howe Sound - the most southerly fjord in North America; past Porteau Cove known for its excellent diving sites; on past Brittania Mine that closed in 1974 and is now home to the BC Museum of Mining; past the Stawamus Chief - a huge glacier-polished granite monolith; on to Squamish - world renowned for its windsurfing; then climbs almost 610 meters through the coastal mountains. Here at Cheakamus Canyon there is a trestle bridge over the rapids below and the scenery is sensational - if you can see it! The low cloud made it very misty and, coupled with the raindrops on the train windows, made it nigh on impossible to see. Fortunately, the Rocky Mountainerr has a vintage observation car so it was necessary to take photos from it but this entailed risking severe frostbite as the car is open on the sides for unobscured photography. No gain without pain! From there the train passes over Brandywine Waterfalls and offers the unusual perspective of being above the falls. Thankfully, the rain had cleared a little and we got some great shots. Another 12 kilometers and we arrived in Whistler.

The view from the train window

The Henry Pickering Vintage Observation Car

The view above the Brandywine Falls

Again, we were bussed from the station to the centre of Whistler Village. Despite the rain and, therefore, lack of people & atmosphere, we could tell it was a very pretty village and would look glorious on a sunny day with all the flowers in full bloom but a degree of imagination was required today.

On the Peak to Peak Gondola

We had purchased tickets for the Peak to Peak Gondola - a 3 km long ride between Whistler and Blackcombe Mountain. It is actually the longest unsupported span in the world. To reach it, another gondola has to be taken and this ride is 25 minutes long. By this stage, we had got the giggles because the weather was closing in even more and it was difficult to see much at all and the whole day was turning out to be the exact opposite to what we had hoped for and expected but as my dad would have said, "It is what it is". We got on the first gondola and started clicking away with the camera in case there was a total white-out. We decided to lunch at the restaurant on Blackcombe Mountain and, in keeping with the rest of the day, found it was closed for renovations! We then had to catch the Gondola back to the Whistler side to have lunch there. As in all ski villages, the food was not cheap and we didn't think the quality was that great either but being today, what would we have expected! We then caught the longer gondola back down and were thrilled to spot our first bear from it. We spent the afternoon in Whistler Village looking around, running for cover under shop awnings, and drinking coffee and a beer. We had telephoned the seaplane company to ensure the planes were flying in these conditions and were assured they were but asked to check again at 4.00 pm. At 4 we checked again and were told they were flying and we were to meet at the designated spot at 5:15 pm. When we arrived we were told the planes weren't flying and we would be returning via mini bus. By this stage we just wanted to get "home" so boarded the bus for the now hour and a half journey in lieu of a half hour flight. We had to admit, the weather had cleared a little and we saw some of the scenery we had missed on the journey up, so all was not lost.

Lunch in an empty restaurant

Flying low in the mini van

 

 

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Vancouver, Canada - Day 3

Sunday, August 30

We set off early for the Fairmont Hotel where we were picked up at 8am for our day trip to Vancouver Island. It was a 45 minute drive to the ferry, and as we got a good run there we drove onto the 9am ferry instead of the 10am one, giving us an extra hour in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. The ferry trip was 1.5 hours, and the scenery as we passed small islands was lovely - and we even had sunshine for a change!

Enjoying a coffee on the ferry

Our arrival point on Vancouver Island (VI) was about 25 minutes from Victoria, but Devon, our driver and tour guide, made the time pass quickly with her informative narrative about VI, being a local of the island. We had 4 hours in Victoria, and there was plenty to see and do, especially as the sunshine made it lovely exploring the shops, markets, little streets and the Harbour.

The narrowest commercial street in the world

Sculpture at Bastion Street market

We were told to try the fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf, so to get there we caught one of the quaint little water taxis, and it was a fun experience.

Being a Sunday lunchtime there was a long queue to place our order, and then another 20 minute wait to pick them up. However, the wait was worth it, as the cod and halibut were delicious - also we shared a table with a young local family who told us about the town and island.

Barb's Fish and Chips at Victoria Harbour

To complete our healthy lunch we all enjoyed an icecream from the Soda Shoppe in the sun, before setting off to explore some more and walk our lunch off a bit!

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, so the Legislative Building is right on the Harbour, and it's an impressive building. Unfortunately on a Sunday the only way to get inside is on a public tour, but unfortunately we left our run a bit late so we missed out.

The Legislative building

Also on the Harbour is the Fairmont Empress hotel, and this is also an imposing building with a great history, and helps make a wander around Victoria a visual feast. There are flowers in hanging baskets in all the streets and surrounding most of the shops and buildings.

The Fairmont Empress hotel

 

It was now time for our next stop, the world famous Butchart Gardens, and probably the main reason most people come to VI. These gardens were originally a limestone quarry, and rather than just leave a big hole as a legacy, Jennie Butchart decided to turn them into gardens. She and her husband had the vision, and with the aid of garden designers, lots of gardeners over the years, and of course time, we are able to enjoy a magnificent display of the most amazing variety of flowers, shrubs, trees and floral arrangements around the gardens.

In the beginning - a disused quarry!

The Sunken Garden now (note the old chimney stack in the top right hand corner)

The Rose Garden

In the Japanese Garden

 

After another 30 minute drive to the ferry terminal and a bit of a wait to get on board the 8pm ferry, we headed for the buffet to have dinner. This was a great choice, as there was a terrific selection of hot and cold foods as well as yummy desserts to fill us up. We arrived back on the mainland about 9:30pm and then drove into Vancouver. By the time we reached our apartment it was 10:30pm! So much for an early night before an even earlier start tomorrow morning for our day trip to Whistler.

 

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Vancouver, Canada - Day 2

Saturday, August 29

Tony certainly warned us! Angie has the reputation of taking bad weather with her whenever she goes on holidays and it appears that she is living up to her reputation on this holiday! Vancouver has just had its sunniest summer on record but, with our arrival, the heavens have opened and it has rained and rained and the wind has been really strong causing a lot of damage around the city. Thankfully it has not been cold but the rain has made it unpleasant to get around. We eagerly watched the TV tonight for the forecast for the next 7 days and sadly, it's more of today! Oh well, we won't let it dampen our spirits.

Making a new Canadian friend

We set off mid morning after a good sleep-in and eating brunch overlooking a misty grey vista. We made our way down to Canada Place to see where our cruise will be departing from and one of the Princess cruise ships was berthed there so we walked over to have a better look at what we will be on in a few day's time. We then found the Visitor Info Centre and spent quite some time there because Tony (a Yorkshireman), befriended one of the guides - a fellow from Manchester - and the banter between the two was very funny. We booked a tour for tomorrow to Victoria Island and Butchart Gardens and are looking forward to that, despite the early starting time!

Al acquainting himself with "Gassy Jack"

The Gastown Steam Clock

We stopped for a coffee then headed to Gastown where Vancouver was born. The story goes that in 1867 John "Gassy Jack" Deighton wandered through the wilderness armed with only a barrel of whiskey and a penchant for long-winded tales and set up a saloon on the southern shores of Burrard Inlet. This attracted loggers and mill workers who named the area Gastown to honour Jack for his generous pours. As the area grew, it became the commercial and shipping hub and many of the buildings and warehouses built back then still stand today. It's a tourist hotspot now with boutiques, great eateries, stunning design studios, art galleries, etc. all lining streets festooned with overflowing hanging baskets of flowers suspended from old fashioned street lamps. One of the attractions is a steam clock that we arrived in time to see doing it's thing - a steamy rendition of the Westminster chimes - with steam gushing from the top as it draws it's power from the city's underground steam-heat system.

Lunch at Pub 131

After browsing in shops and generally nosing around reading the heritage signs, seeing the memorial to Gassy Jack and taking up all the photo opps, we stopped for a very late lunch at Pub 131. The food was excellent and it was hard to move on from there but more sights beckoned so we headed off. Small spots quickly developed into heavy rain and even Goretex jackets and umbrellas couldn't keep us dry. Our original plan was to walk to Granville Island but the rain changed that and we decided to stop in at our apartment for a cuppa and see whether the rain would ease. It did but by then we had decided to give the long walk to Granville Is away and head for the 1000 acre Stanley Park instead. We passed a fishing charter that had just returned and two lucky seals thought they had died and gone to heaven with the huge pieces of fish they were being fed by the charter operator. We hadn't gone much further before the sky was looking ominous and the heavens opened again. We pressed on in driving rain to see the native totem poles the Park is famous for and by the time we got there, the rain had stopped and it was looking much brighter.

Two very lucky seals

 

Stanley Park Totem Poles and ???

Vancouver at dusk

Not wanting to push our luck too far, we headed back home and the weather seemed to be clearing and we saw the sun for the first time. Vancouver is a lovely city and we hope to see it bathed in sunshine before we leave. The four of us felt it reminded us a lot of Melbourne (and not just for its weather).

Some sun - at last!

 

 

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Melbourne - Auckland - Vancouver

Friday, August 28

After a lovely buffet meal at Ciloms Airport Hotel where we were staying on Thursday night, we had an early night, knowing that on Friday night we would be sleeping (or trying to) on a plane!

Ready to depart Melbourne

 

The Air New Zealand flight from Melbourne to Auckland went smoothly on a nice new Boeing 777, and the lunch service was very nice. After a 2 hour wait we started boarding another Boeing 777, but unfortunately our seats were in row 46, right under the emergency escape hatch. This seemed to be the coldest row on the plane - jackets were kept on, and eventually the blankets were draped over us while all the other passengers were in t-shirts and light tops.

After a couple of movies and a nice dinner we were ready to settle down and sleep, so the blankets were wrapped tightly around us to stop us from freezing. If I had had my beanie with me I would have worn it, so I resorted to putting the plastic bag from my headset over my head to keep the Arctic blast off my head! It was quite a look but I didn't care, at least I got some sleep that way.

We arrived in grey, cloudy Vancouver, missing the sunshine our friends Brian and Jeanette had when they were here last week. However, our mode of transport from the airport brightened our day, as with 4 of us it meant a stretch limo was about the same price as a cab!

 

We are very happy with our accommodation, a 2 bedroom apartment down near the harbour, and the views this afternoon have been spectacular! Dining at "home" on the 29th floor was a treat, as we watched numerous float planes landing on the harbour after a sightseeing trip around the city.

 

We were all feeling the effects of a long day travelling so after dinner we watched the lights of the city come on and they lulled us to sleep, all in preparation for a busy weekend!

 

 

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Canada/Alaska & Pacific Islands - The Beginning

Thursday, August 27

Well the day has finally arrived to start our 8 week Canada/Alaska adventure - courtesy of Gwen & Roy. This whole trip came about because Gwennie (Noelle's mum) always wanted to visit Canada but ill health prohibited this. Noelle used to joke with her that she would go in her mum's place. After Gwen passed away, Noelle continued this banter with her dad telling him she would have to wait for him to "pop his clogs" and if there was any inheritance she would then visit Canada. He used to chuckle about this and when Noelle suggested it would be great to take our dear friends, Tony & Angie with us, Roy said he would really like that to happen. Tony & Angie were so good to Gwen & Roy, who thought of them as part of the family so we are calling this "The Gwen & Roy Memorial Trip".

We left home around 2.00 pm with friend, Steve Mazey (thanks Steve), driving us to Tullamarine via Government House where we picked up Tony when he finished work at 3.00 pm. Tony had arranged for us to be able to drive in and also have a quick look at the Ballroom that had been set up for a function tomorrow. What a way to start a holiday!

We then headed off, in pouring rain, to Tullamarine where we are staying in an airport hotel overnight in readiness for our flight to Vancouver tomorrow. The traffic was quite heavy but we didn't have a care in the world. We are now getting ready for dinner in the Bistro and an early night. It has been a hectic week for all of us so a good night's sleep should have us feeling relaxed and ready to go tomorrow morning.

 

The Guv's Seat

Noelle & Angie in the Drawing Room

 

 

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Amended Posts from Asian Trip

We finally got around to amending the posts from the first 2 weeks of our Asian cruise in April this year by adding the pictures that didn't load while we were travelling to Hong Kong. The new posts follow the original itinerary but have " (2) " at the end of the title for that day's post. If you get a chance have a quick look as there are some classic pics, as well as beautiful shots of the people and their countryside.

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