So....we are at Vancouver Airport waiting to board our flight home. We've had the most amazing holiday, and have so many happy memories and stories to tell. So, rather than being sad that it's over, we feel so lucky to have had this fantastic opportunity.
Thank you for following our adventures!
Friday, 16 August 2013
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Making the most of it...
Fuelled by another of Lynn's work-of-art breakfasts.....
........we spent today once again exploring some of the famous Vancouver highlights.
........we spent today once again exploring some of the famous Vancouver highlights.
We caught a bus from the bottom of the road, then the Skytrain, then another bus, all for a total of 2 dollars each....we've found getting around on public transport here really easy and convenient. Our first stop was Stanley Park, where we walked the seawall and some of the gardens.
We then hopped back on a bus downtown and made our way to Gastown, which is apparently the original centre of the city. It has lots of shops selling souvenirs and is very touristy, so we did a bit of shopping then moved on to Chinatown.
After a quick look at the Expo site and science centre we then got the Skytrain back to Commercial Drive and then walked back to Parker Street. My feet hurt but it was worth it!
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Vancouver musings
This was our last morning with the car, so after breakfast we headed off to Lynn Canyon, where I hoped Jon might be scared of the suspension bridge.
As he was quite brave I gave up on that idea and we did a quick drive around Stanley Park before heading downtown to say a sad farewell to the Jetta, which had, as promised, provided a great deal of R'n'R over the last three weeks.
We then set off on foot to Granville Island, a very interesting walk along a massive road bridge which gave us great views of the city.
We then spent several hours exploring the public market on Granville Island, which sells every kind of food you can possibly imagine.
The downtown shopping district, where we ended our visit today, is pretty much identical to any large city, so we didn't linger for long. But on first acquaintance it seems to me that this is a city of many facets, where 'quirky' is easy to find and enjoy.
As he was quite brave I gave up on that idea and we did a quick drive around Stanley Park before heading downtown to say a sad farewell to the Jetta, which had, as promised, provided a great deal of R'n'R over the last three weeks.
We then set off on foot to Granville Island, a very interesting walk along a massive road bridge which gave us great views of the city.
The downtown shopping district, where we ended our visit today, is pretty much identical to any large city, so we didn't linger for long. But on first acquaintance it seems to me that this is a city of many facets, where 'quirky' is easy to find and enjoy.
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
The High Life in Vancouver
We left John Lewis House around 10 am and set off for a leisurely drive via the coast road to Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
We stopped to take photos of the view across to the US mainland
And to hike up Mount Douglas, which at 228 metres hardly qualified as a mountain but was still a fairly steep climb....Jon encouraged me all the way up by telling me that the top was 'just around the next corner'
We then boarded the 2pm ferry back to Vancouver. The crossing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen is really beautiful as it winds its way through the Gulf Islands.
We bumped into the young American couple who'd been staying at John Lewis House with us, and also Becky and Bob, the owners, who kindly offered to take a photo of us with Mount Baker in the background.
We had such a wonderful time on Vancouver Island, and just to round it off we spotted a pod of Orcas and several dolphins from the ferry....amazing! Sadly no photos though as we were too excited to think about getting the camera out.
It took us ages to get to our Vancouver guest house, the Bee and Thistle, as the traffic was awful.....a bit of a shock after the places we've been recently! The journey was worth it though, as our suite at the top of the house, the Lion's Loft, is by far the most swanky accommodation we've stayed in. We've actually decided we're going to live here forever, and you will all have to come and visit us!
We stopped to take photos of the view across to the US mainland
And to hike up Mount Douglas, which at 228 metres hardly qualified as a mountain but was still a fairly steep climb....Jon encouraged me all the way up by telling me that the top was 'just around the next corner'
We then boarded the 2pm ferry back to Vancouver. The crossing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen is really beautiful as it winds its way through the Gulf Islands.
We bumped into the young American couple who'd been staying at John Lewis House with us, and also Becky and Bob, the owners, who kindly offered to take a photo of us with Mount Baker in the background.
We had such a wonderful time on Vancouver Island, and just to round it off we spotted a pod of Orcas and several dolphins from the ferry....amazing! Sadly no photos though as we were too excited to think about getting the camera out.
It took us ages to get to our Vancouver guest house, the Bee and Thistle, as the traffic was awful.....a bit of a shock after the places we've been recently! The journey was worth it though, as our suite at the top of the house, the Lion's Loft, is by far the most swanky accommodation we've stayed in. We've actually decided we're going to live here forever, and you will all have to come and visit us!
Monday, 12 August 2013
A walk around Victoria
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| This is our B& B, John Lewis House |
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Goodbyes and gardens
Today we said goodbye to the lovely Sandie and set off on the long drive to Victoria. We had plenty of sustenance for the journey as we spent a while making the most of our last legendary Ocean Dreams breakfast.
As soon as we arrived in Victoria we left our bags at our new accommodation, John Lewis House, and set off for the world famous Butchart Gardens. Beautiful, beautiful place...Join and I were competing to see who could take the most artistic photos. These are just a small selection.
We wandered for ages, had a bowl of really nice chowder, then sat and listened to a local folk/bluegrass band as dusk fell and hundreds of lights came on around the gardens. Truly lovely.
It's been a long day, but a happy one, completed by the sight of our room all ready for us back at the guest house.
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| I'm breakfasting like a true Canadian these days...blueberry pancakes, eggs and fruit all with a generous helping of maple syrup! |
As soon as we arrived in Victoria we left our bags at our new accommodation, John Lewis House, and set off for the world famous Butchart Gardens. Beautiful, beautiful place...Join and I were competing to see who could take the most artistic photos. These are just a small selection.
We wandered for ages, had a bowl of really nice chowder, then sat and listened to a local folk/bluegrass band as dusk fell and hundreds of lights came on around the gardens. Truly lovely.
It's been a long day, but a happy one, completed by the sight of our room all ready for us back at the guest house.
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