Day Sixteen (Sun) -- Vancouver, BC

Up at 6:30 am -- breakfast in Lido -- then the waiting game begins until our group is called to disembark.  

We are off the ship a little past 9 am --- walk to the Pan Pacific Hotel where we will stay for two nights -- rooms not ready -- check our hand luggage and by 10:25 we are on the Hop On/Hop Off bus.  Our driver, Ross, is good and knowledgeable --- providing an overview of downtown Vancouver.  Our destination is Granville Island -- particularly their public market which is open 7 days a week.

"Where in Vancouver can you find a concrete mixer vying for space with a baby stroller on a street with no sidewalk, a stone's throw from silk weaving and yoga studios, where dragon boats fly past the window?"    This paragraph opens an article entitled "Uncovering Granville Island's Unique Character"  -- and pretty much sums up this unusual city spot that is popular with everyone.  

We stroll around the food market which has so many tempting items from pastries to produce with spices and cookware mixed in.   The smells are wonderful -- the place is packed.   We continue popping in and out of shops -- many showing the wares of local artisans.  

Before we know it -- it is time for another meal -- remember we are still used to the cruise ship.  The Keg Steakhouse & Bar beckons -- it has the requisite flat screen TV's so Phil and Dave can stay up to date on the football games -- and the food is good. 

Back on the Hop On/Hop Off -- we continue with another driver for our tour of the city.  Our destination is Chinatown -- the largest in Canada.  I still like San Francisco's Chinatown the best.

We keep walking passing through  "Gas Town" -- the oldest section of Vancouver which now has lots of coffee shops, bars, restaurants and shops -- pretty soon we are back at the hotel ready for a rest.  The rooms are ready.  Phil and I are on the 15th floor looking over the harbor and the Statendam docked just below.   We can see the pool and the terrace where there are preparations for a wedding going on.  It is fun to watch from this vantage point.   After a few hours getting settled and resting -- we're off along the sea wall to our dinner destination chosen by Phil.  

There is so much activity along this waterfront from sea planes to people to houseboats.    We arrive at Cordero's Restaurant and Marine Pub --- a large barn-like sturcture from the inside but it does not appear that the building is more than 30 years old.  Perhaps it was built to look like a boathouse.  At any rate -- it is a good place. Our waitress, Barbara,  is very efficient alerting us to the fact that they are backed up in the kitchen -- she is on top of everything.  

We end the evening with a walk back to the hotel on this beautiful evening -- resisting the urge to stop at one of the many ice cream shops along the way.

A wonderful day in Vancouver.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat