Day Seventeen (Mon) - Vancouver, B.C.

After meeting for breakfast at the food court underneath our hotel --- we arrive at the Hop On/Hop Off bus stop. 

Today we are taking the red line to Stanley Park -- a Canadian National Historic site of 1 million acres in Vancouver -- leased by the city from the Canadian Government for $1 per year.  It includes a rain forest, playgrounds, gardens, historic sites,  bike and hiking trails throughout with minimal roadways.   Stanley Park officially opened in 1888 -- this is their 125th anniversary year.

We first stop to wander through the Rose Garden with over 3500 plants then across the road to the Shakespeare Garden which in addition to some wonderful plantings includes 45 trees -- all mentioned in The Bard's plays and poems.  Just adjacent is the Stanley Park Pavilion -- site of many weddings and events as well as a restaurant open to the public. 

The next stop is "Legends of the Moon" -- a display of iconic totem poles representing "First Nation" groups from all over British Columbia.  Within walking distance is the Brockton Point lighthouse and part of Vancouver's extensive sea wall.   We spend about an hour here enjoying the landscape, walking to the lighthouse and trying to interpret the totem poles. 

Our third stop is Prospect Point for a close-up view of the Lions Gate Bridge and a far-off view of Cypress, Grouse and Seymour mountains --- all peaks are visible today.   

Sights as we ride through the remainder of the park include:  Hollow Tree which has been  dead for 200 years.  When the park tried to remove it "The Hollow Tree Society" was born and the tree remains -- shored up with lots of bracing.  Apparently years ago -- probably during the 1960's -- it was the fashion to park a Volkswagon Bug inside the tree.  The bus stops at the Tea House -- another restaurant -- we enjoy the view of English Bay with  empty freighters parked and waiting to be loaded -- as well as the golf course and lawn bowling course next to the Tea House.  

Back in the city -- hunger sets in.   We get off the bus in Yaletown -- a refurbished warehouse area on the water -- to seek out a place for lunch.  The Hurricane Grille gets the nod -- it is very good.

Phil walks back to check out a particular restaurant for dinner --- Patte and Dave go back to the hotel and I get off the bus in Library Square.   The Vancouver Public Library is interesting and busy -- 7 stories of patrons bustling about or hunkered down reading and studying -- great atmosphere.   I tour all seven floors of the library before walking to the hotel via Robson and Granville Streets (the shopping area) --- I do love the energy of this city.

Phil has made dinner reservations at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House at 7 pm.  The walk takes less time than expected -- we are seating on arrival.  It is noisy but energetic and we either get used the noise or the place calms down -- not sure which.

Cole is our excellent waitress --- Patte and Phil enjoy the shellfish --- either raw or steamed and Dave and I find other things more palatable.   It is a very good meal --- we have been fortunate with our restaurant choices -- thanks to Phil's diligent research.

It is another glorious evening to walk after dinner  ---- and to enjoy this marvelous city.

Home tomorrow!

Thanks for Reading!


Pat