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Day 2
Well I woke up at about 4am and being an extremely light sleeper anyway I looked out the hotel window and it was a pretty sight all the lights in the buildings lighting up the sky line, the sun comes out at about 6am. Kim woke up at about 6ish, we got ourselves composed and went for a small stroll outside to find somewhere to eat breakfast. We saw the breakfast menu from the hotel the night before from their handbook and it did not look too appetising.
Anyhow we stepped out of the hotel bore right onto Burrard Street and walked down the first major street on the right. Down this street we could see StarBucks, Denny's et al, we had a quick stroll down this road, had a quick drink at StarBucks, Kim with english tea and soya milk (the Canadians called is Soy) and me a normal strong muddy coffee.
We then proceded back up the way we came and ate breakfast at a small cafe. It seemed very busy, full of locals so we tried it out. A very good breakfast, tasted good, Kim and I were shocked by the amount of options you could have with eggs, ie easy, extra easy, well done, sunny side up etc, and even more shocked with the range of toast, whole meal, bran, brown, white, etc. Back home in England you just get what you are given. Their breakfasts comes with potato chips, which Kim liked but I left mine alone as food like that in the morning makes me feel dirty inside.
We headed back to the hotel (5-10 mins walk) to freshen up before having a welcome meeting with Bryce. Along the way we made a pit stop at the petrol station to buy bottled water as we both like to keep ourselves hydrated.
At the lobby we met the other Archers Direct couples, many of them a lot older than us, majority of them retired, but nonetheless they were great fun. As we were the youngest there they had guessed that we were on honeymoon. The party was about 40ish or so, and others had eventually caught up from their connecting flights.
We paid the extra £99 each to fly direct to Vancouver, which was money well spent, others that had transfers either in Chicago or Toronto said they wished they had gone that option, especially the couples that flew via the US.
First of all we were given optional tour excursions, and told which ones to not to bother with as some of the free tours we get, it would make the optional tour redundant. We got on a minibus and did a quick couple of hours sightseeng tour of Vancouver. It was a quick taster of what Vancouver had to offer, the city's major landmarks included Chinatown, Gastown, the Waterfront, Stanley Park and the downtown area which included yes you guessed it shops for women that like shopping.
What we noticed about Vancouver was that the streets were extremely clean, there was no smoking inside buildings, which was a treat when eating in restuarants.
Stanley Park views including the harbour and totem poles
Vancouver is an amazing city, you could be in the built up city and 5 minutes drive down the road and you will be in the wilderness. We made a stop off at Stanley Park. You can see the harbour, its famous totem poles, it has walks through the woods, and a 10km running track for athletes, a cycle path and roller blading path.
Our next stop of point was at the Lion's Gate Bridge. So called because at the entrance of the bridge is two lions protecting it
Kim at the Lion's Gate Bridge. The lights were donated by the Guinness family.
After that we made our way on the coach through downtown Vancouver, into Richmond, Chinatown, Gastown and the waterfront. Bryce gave very detailed commentary and also quite accurate about the facts. Enroute to these places we drove through Robson Street, (designer shopping).
Bryce informed us that the only dodgy part of Vancouver was East Hastings Street, as this is where the ugly dealers, and abusers hung out. We found that its best to avoid walking down East Hastings and West Hastings and its much better and safer to walk across it.
We made our way through Gastown and saw the steam clock then onto the waterfront. On the way we spotted the many Orcas throughout the city
Back to the hotel for lunch before we go on our first extra optional excursion, the trip to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
We had lunch at the Hotel's restuarant, we both ordered burgers and chips, the food was ok, we told the waitresses about Kim's dairy allergy yet they still managed to butter the bread and mayonnaise the burger. Service was quite slow but they were polite but we was in a rush to grab a quick bite.
We was picked up at the hotel lobby, given very good commentary en route to the Grouse Mountain. The first stop was at a salmon farm type fishery, we was told about the life cycle of the salmon and how it goes out to sea then swims back upstream to back where its born, has its offspring and then die.
Salmon making its journey upstream. Views from the Salmon hatchery.
Next onto Grouse Mountain. We got on the Gondola (1 mile ride). At the top there was many things to do, we had a walk around, saw the two grizzly bears. We went on the Screaming Eagle Chairlift ride that overlooked Vancouver, it was beginning to get cloudy and quite a bit chilly too as we was about 1150 metres above sea level. We finished with watching the Lumberjack show which was quite entertaining.
Grouse Mountain 1 mile long cable Gondala ride,
Grizzly bear, Views from Screaming Eagle Chairlift ride, Lumberjack show, the lumberjacks racing to the top of the pole
After all that we met with our tour guide again at the car park onto the Capilano Suspension Bridge, 70m (230ft) about the Capilano River and 137m (450ft) to the other side. Quite wobbly but good fun even if you are scared of heights. Theres lots to do at this attraction too, we particularly enjoyed the tree top walkways.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Me at the thinking spot. Photo showing the size of the trees
The other optional excursion for the evening was a harbour cruise followed by a sunset dinner, on this occasion we passed on this.
After that it was time to head back to the hotel, we took some time out before deciding to head out to eat dinner.
We walked out the hotel and headed left, this time we walked past a grocery which sold organic foods, recommended for fruit, juice, hot soups etc, then across Robson Street to a Chinese Resturant on 755 Burrard Street, the King Fortune Seafood Restaurant. We had lobster which was extremely fresh and other bits and bobs. Overall a high standard of food and we recommended it if you like chinese cuisine.
After an exhausting day we packed our bags ready for an early start the next morning to make our journey to Vernon.
The next day
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