Chinatown, Sun Yat-sen, Granville Island, Stanley Park, West end, Robson St, Yaletown, Canada Place, Capilano Suspension Bridge...
Basically, these are sites and attractions in Vancouver Canada. It is close enough to travel to for a long weekend, but far enough that we could be out of the United States. It was my birthday, and we were looking for a different experience. The experience we sought was to be in a good location, and centrally located to the most visited areas of the city. We looked for plenty to do, and an easy city to walk. We got what we desired in Vancouver, including being there during the championship hockey games in which the Canucks were competing for the title, and one of the most friendly travel environments we have ever witnessed.
We arrived on a morning flight, too early to check into our hotel, but early enough to drop our bags at the hotel and have a dim sum breakfast while our room was prepared. We also had time to take a stroll to the waterfront and see Canada Place.
We walked along Burard Street toward the waterfront, past brightly colored benches that screamed Sit Here, and I did, while Derick went back to the dim sum restaurant to retrieve his eyeglasses. At the waterfront, we visited Canada Place, an area which houses the convention center, a hotel and Vancouver's World Trade Centre. It was a crisp, clear day. And, while it was the month of May, there were still snow-capped mountains to help provide a beautiful backdrop at Canada Place for scenic photographs.
While taking in the waterfront sights, we noticed a seaplane and a Chevron gas refueling station in the middle of the water, something we had not seen before, so this was a photographic opportunity. I had never seen a seaplane operate and was fascinated at its ability to fly in the air, then land in the water, all without a crash.
Canada Place had the Volendam, a Holland America Cruise Ship, docked at the Port of Vancouver today. We were told that this cruise is an inside Alaska passage that travels to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan.
Upon returning to our hotel, our room was ready to be lived in for the next 5 days and 4 nights.
The next day we spent most of our time at Granville Island. Located just across False Creek and across from downtown, it is a great escape that has a different vibe altogether from Vancouver. There are mini tugboat ferries and a hop on hop off ferry that provide a unique way to get to Granville Island. However, we used the hop on hop off bus to get there.
Though there is a water park on the Island, the most popular attraction is the Granville Public Market, which is heaven for foodies. Here, there are endless rows of stalls of seafood, baked goods, fresh produce, a gourmet foods, cheese charcuterie, brewed beer, distilled spirits, and artisan sake. The market has all types food that can be taken home to enjoy, or eaten on the spot.
After having lunch at Tony's Fish and Oyster Café, we hopped on the bus and made our way back to Vancouver.
The next day we took a trek to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and to an area where we could learn more about the First Nations people of Canada.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge, built in 1889, is roughly 460 feet long and soars 230 feet above the Capilano River directly below. Though the bridge was originally built in 1889, it was completely rebuilt to its current magnificence in 1956, and now boasts 1.2 million visitors annually.
I am not sure why I had such a fascination with seeing this bridge. I mean, I could count the number of times I have attempted to hike to the top of Vernal Falls in Yosemite, only to be overcome with acrophobia, and vertigo. When we first started to walk across the bridge, some young German tourists began to run and jump on the suspension bridge causing it to sway and bounce in an unsettling manner, even though signs clearly stated "no jumping or running allowed." The bridge security immediately got on the loudspeaker and began to loudly announce to the German tourists to stop immediately. That was it for me. I was convinced that it would not be a good idea for me to attempt a leisurely walk across this tightrope they call a bridge. I let Derick enjoy the walk across the suspension bridge and even the additional cliff walk observation area which allows one to walk amongst nature near the tree tops on a suspended catwalk.
Kia'palano, means "beautiful river," and is a First Nations name belonging to the Squamish Nation. It is the First Nation word for the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The original bridge in 1889 started as a suspended footbridge made of hemp rope and cedar planks across the canyon. The current bridge is a lot more stable...for anyone interested in crossing it.
A First Nation's tradition is to place totem (story) poles on the grounds at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Made out of red cedar, these beautifully carved totem poles commemorate ancestry, histories, people, or events. They are erected to be visible within a community.
Our final full day in Vancouver, it just so happened that on our visit the West End and Stanley Park, artist, activist, curator, architect, filmmaker and dissident Ai Weiwei had his 14 bronze sculptures of "men laughing" in the middle of the park. The sculptures had a transformative effect on everyone who happened upon them. It made us happy and was a great last day in Vancouver.
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