8/26 in Vancouver
Tuesday
Today we traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver on a very long Delta flight. The shuttle to FLL picked us up so early that we didn't sleep last night.
Fortunately, the plane was empty enough that Philip and I each grabbed a row of 3 seats to stretch out and sleep. Can you believe I actually slept on a plane?!? We were up around the time we reached Montana -- good thing, because the view from the plane was beautiful. Unfortunately, our row on the 757 somehow didn't have a window, so we had to steal glances from the side of the window for the row in front of us.
Soon enough we reached Vancouver. What a beautiful city! We rented a car (Ford 500) and headed downown toward our hotel, stopping first for lunch. We stepped out of the car into a sunny, 60 degree day. Delicious! The restaurant was an Asian place named Red Door in the cute South Granville area. We had stumbled onto Vancouver's version of SoHo without even trying -- a good omen for our vacation! We were seated outside and happy to have one of those standing seat heaters next to us. (Just the day before, we were battling 90+ degree heat!) The food and service were excellent. And I enjoyed a Hefeweizen beer that was the first of many wonderful beers on our trip.
After lunch we wanderred the street a bit and checked out a Dean & Delucca-type market, picking up few treats for the hotel. Then we continued towards the hotel.
We reached the Marriott and I checked in while Philip found parking -- not so easy downtown. I was old that we would be given a 'view room'. What a view! We were on the 23rd floor with a spectacular view of Vancouver Bay. We could see North and West Vancouver across the water, and Stanley Park just ahead. But the best part, especially for Philip, was the view of the air taxis just below us. We were right above the docks! We spent quie a bit of time decompressing from the flight and enjoying the view of DeHaviland Beavers, Otters and other planes taking off and landing with great frequency. They need such little 'runway' -- it's amazing to watch!
We took a nap, then headed out to walk around and explore the bay. Of course, Philip wanted to head directly to the sea planes. We checked them out, then headed west towards Stanley Park, stoping just short to turn around because of my bad back.
Along the way, we chatted with several friendly people, including an interesting guy who is going to work as a chef in Nanaimo and needs money to take the ferry there, The way he asked was so laid back -- I think because he knew people would help him. And we all did. We also met and petted several friendly dogs who were frolicking in a dog park. Two whippets were especially fun -- and fast.
We walked around Canada Place afer that, enjoying the gian painted bear statues scattered around the area. We discovered that they are spirit bears painted by local artists, due to be auctioned in October for charity. I had fun posting for pictures in front of many of them.
Then for dinner we found a restaurant near the hotel named the Spotted Prawn. The place was nearly empty, and were told that they were about to close, but would stay open for us. We enjoyed edamame, brie in phyllo, salad and oysters, capped of with the most amazing creme brulee. (Of course this reminded us of Dorit Genet.) Our waiter was wonderful and so friendly. He gave us lots of pointers about the area. Then we headed off to the hotel and crashed hard.
But before we went to sleep, Philip discovered a 'hitchhiker'. We got into the hotel room and he suddenly said that he felt something under his sleeve, and that he thought it was a bee. He lifted his sleeve and sure enough, out flew a yellow jacket. Thankfully it didn't sting him. I have to admit that I ran into the bathroom while he caught the bee in a glass. Then we opened the hotel window and let him fly free. What a relief!
Today we traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver on a very long Delta flight. The shuttle to FLL picked us up so early that we didn't sleep last night.
Fortunately, the plane was empty enough that Philip and I each grabbed a row of 3 seats to stretch out and sleep. Can you believe I actually slept on a plane?!? We were up around the time we reached Montana -- good thing, because the view from the plane was beautiful. Unfortunately, our row on the 757 somehow didn't have a window, so we had to steal glances from the side of the window for the row in front of us.
Soon enough we reached Vancouver. What a beautiful city! We rented a car (Ford 500) and headed downown toward our hotel, stopping first for lunch. We stepped out of the car into a sunny, 60 degree day. Delicious! The restaurant was an Asian place named Red Door in the cute South Granville area. We had stumbled onto Vancouver's version of SoHo without even trying -- a good omen for our vacation! We were seated outside and happy to have one of those standing seat heaters next to us. (Just the day before, we were battling 90+ degree heat!) The food and service were excellent. And I enjoyed a Hefeweizen beer that was the first of many wonderful beers on our trip.
After lunch we wanderred the street a bit and checked out a Dean & Delucca-type market, picking up few treats for the hotel. Then we continued towards the hotel.
We reached the Marriott and I checked in while Philip found parking -- not so easy downtown. I was old that we would be given a 'view room'. What a view! We were on the 23rd floor with a spectacular view of Vancouver Bay. We could see North and West Vancouver across the water, and Stanley Park just ahead. But the best part, especially for Philip, was the view of the air taxis just below us. We were right above the docks! We spent quie a bit of time decompressing from the flight and enjoying the view of DeHaviland Beavers, Otters and other planes taking off and landing with great frequency. They need such little 'runway' -- it's amazing to watch!
We took a nap, then headed out to walk around and explore the bay. Of course, Philip wanted to head directly to the sea planes. We checked them out, then headed west towards Stanley Park, stoping just short to turn around because of my bad back.
Along the way, we chatted with several friendly people, including an interesting guy who is going to work as a chef in Nanaimo and needs money to take the ferry there, The way he asked was so laid back -- I think because he knew people would help him. And we all did. We also met and petted several friendly dogs who were frolicking in a dog park. Two whippets were especially fun -- and fast.
We walked around Canada Place afer that, enjoying the gian painted bear statues scattered around the area. We discovered that they are spirit bears painted by local artists, due to be auctioned in October for charity. I had fun posting for pictures in front of many of them.
Then for dinner we found a restaurant near the hotel named the Spotted Prawn. The place was nearly empty, and were told that they were about to close, but would stay open for us. We enjoyed edamame, brie in phyllo, salad and oysters, capped of with the most amazing creme brulee. (Of course this reminded us of Dorit Genet.) Our waiter was wonderful and so friendly. He gave us lots of pointers about the area. Then we headed off to the hotel and crashed hard.
But before we went to sleep, Philip discovered a 'hitchhiker'. We got into the hotel room and he suddenly said that he felt something under his sleeve, and that he thought it was a bee. He lifted his sleeve and sure enough, out flew a yellow jacket. Thankfully it didn't sting him. I have to admit that I ran into the bathroom while he caught the bee in a glass. Then we opened the hotel window and let him fly free. What a relief!
posted by Dev Holan at
10:58 PM
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