Vancouver Part 1 - A wonderful day

After our long day on the Rocky Mountaineer, I finally arrived at my excellent hotel right on the waterfront, tired but very content. It had been a great day with so many unforgettable sights. 

But that was not the end of the delights of the day at all, as it turned out, because there waiting at the hotel for me was a gentleman who had been a classmate of mine when I was a school, and his lovely lady. As soon as I dropped off my luggage and freshened up they swept me off to a beautiful dinner at the Vancouver Club and some great conversation, catching up on so many years. We even had the treat of ice-cream being made at our table using liquid nitrogen. The whole process was both intriguing and dramatic, and the ice-cream was yum! 

The next morning they collected me bright and early and took me over the road to an amazing, never-to-be-forgotten iMax experience known as ‘Fly Over Canada’. With my fear of heights luckily I did not know what I was in for, though I did get worried when everything I had with me was locked below me and I had a safety belt put on and checked by the staff. There were only about twenty of us lined up in a row on our seats. Suddenly all was black and I found myself ‘flying’ over Canada at great speed as though I was being dragged below a helicopter, turning and twisting, swooping down the sides of mountains and across rivers . . .  You have never seen anyone so welded to their seat! I was scared beyond scared! Would it ever end?  . . . You should have seen my hands when they unbuckled me . . . deep red ridges . . .

I came out in a complete state of shock. But when I look back, what a finale to my train trip across the Rockies!! Goodness me!! What a wonderful country Canada is - wow! 

Luckily the rest of the morning allowed my heart rate to slowly settle down. We drove through the lovely Stanley Park, which is right on the waterfront, and saw great views of the city, totem poles created by First Nation peoples, Canadian geese and many lovely tall, stately trees, some of which were just beginning to show signs of autumn. Then we drove to a popular spot known as Granville Island, which has the most incredible, large gourmet market. There my very generous hosts bought Canadian salmon and many other treats from which they created a sumptuous meal at their home for me for that evening, whilst I potted around and did a little laundry and shopping. We had the best of evenings and lots of laughs! 

So, despite the sudden boost to my blood pressure at the start, what a wonderful day that was! And what a beautiful and peaceful city it is! I had the best time.

Along the waterfront close to my hotel.

This was opposite my hotel and is the pier where I boarded my cruise ship to come back home, three days later.

Looking back at the city from the end of the pier. The facility has giant sails on it, and looks very snazzy. 

Taken from the end of the pier. Seaplanes were landing and taking off from the harbour all the time. 

A view of the city from the park.

Canadian geese.

In the park.

Some of the First Nation totem poles.

Another view of the city from the park.

The remaining photos were taken in the popular market on Granville Island. So much fresh, local food!