Vancouver - A Fabulous Place to be

Wow! Stuart got 6 A's in his Highers!!! Good Job Stuart!

On Saturday morning we grumpily, grouchily and grudgingly packed up the RV and left the site by 7.15 am. We were on the 9am ferry bleary eyed and needing breakfast. Crossing over, with some trepidation about traffic, maps and directions we set off to find Anackis Island and the Fraserway RV office. The clock was ticking we had to be there by 11.30 am packed, clean, gas full, black and grey tanks empty. Why did our stuff not fit back into the bags? We have acquired a motley collection of additional stuff that two of us think absolutely essential. I think we will need to get another luggage bag and pay extra. Gordon's suggestion that I ditch my extensive and growing collection of Canadian authored books and one of the extremely heavy Harry Potter hardbacks (Eilidh and I couldn't wait for the other to finish) is very unreasonable and yes we do need that many pairs of shoes and those clothes. I can see that Thursday morning will provide plenty of family bonding moments. I digress I know but isn't that what teachers are meant to do - or what their pupils hope they will do? We did make it in a less frazzled state than we thought we would and were directed to a parking spot. A young man poked his head inside and then gave a cursory glance around the outside. It took all of 60 seconds compared to the precise, painful and pedantic hand over we had in Calgary. Could it have been one was Canadian and one German or is that generalising national traits too far? We will all RV again.

After checking into the hotel we ventured down Robson to look for lunch. This is the shopping equivalent of Buchanan Street but has far better views as at each intersection you can see mountains or sea. Back at the hotel we phoned the Chungs (we meet them at Big Bar Ranch) and arranged to meet at a Safeway Parking Lot. I think there is a picture below of us all - Larry, Loreene, Nathan, Jordan, Courtenay and two of us as someone has to take the picture.

They picked us up and we took our picnic to the beach to watch the grand finale of the HSBC Festival of Light. This is an international fireworks display that takes place in English Bay in Vancouver. We ate a wonderful picnic of fried chicken, salads, sushi and nibbles washed down with coffee and iced tea and before we knew it there was the most amazing sunset. Eilidh and Courtenay had fun on the beach and an extremely complicated game that meant they had to guard a log in case the boys stole it. Larry had brought a radio and at 10 we turned it on so we could hear the music as the fireworks went off. Wow! We had never seen the like. At the end the Chungs insisted on driving us all the way back. What a great day.

Sunday was spent exploring Canada Place and Granville Island via the trolley bus tour. The bus drivers deserve an extra special mention as they all exhibited a wry and biting sense of humour often directed at Americans who had no idea they were being made fun of. Monday we went to Stanley Park and the Aquarium and Tuesday was China Town and Gas Town followed by an excellent dinner at the Chung's house. Over to Gordon ...

It is going to be interesting getting back home. Surprising how much additional items you acquire along the way. Pleased to report that we were however able to leave the 2.5 foot marshmallow toasting fork, squeegee mop and pan scrubber on the RV. Both Sally and Eilidh did take some persuading over these items.

Vancouver would appear to be everything people say it is and more. First impressions were a little disappointing due to the huge expectations of what we would find, but a few hours into our stay here and the city's charms soak in. Every where you look there are points of interest. The mountains, the sea, diverse skyline, public art, fountains, open tree lined spaces, clever landscaping.

There is a buzz about Vancouver but it is very different from Glasgow. There are all the exclusive boutiques anyone could wish for but a more gentle, laid back pace to it all. Shops seem to remain open until 10pm or later every night and city dwellers make good use of this time to browse and dine. Casual smart seems to be the dress code for the majority of the city workers.

We have found people to be very helpful. Stand for a few minutes trying to figure out a Sky Train map and someone will helpfully volunteer to assist you. On our way back to the hotel from Stanley Park we were advised that a No.19 would be our best bet. We checked with the driver and he cheerfully confirmed that he stopped within a couple of blocks and would call out to us when we were to get off. Time passed and we began to recognise some of the surrounding land marks to our hotel. Should we get off? Had the driver forgotten about us?

The driver then announced that the next stop was the end of his route and all passengers were to get off...except those going to the Sandman. Everyone eventually got off leaving ourselves and another couple on the bus. The driver then announced that he would drop us off at the front of the hotel before heading back to the depot! Sure enough he stopped right outside the main door and thanked us for visiting Vancouver and wished us a good day.

As you can imagine we have been trying to see as much as possible and have covered all of the key areas of interest in downtown, although I could go back to them all and spend a least a day in each of them exploring. Robson Street for its shops, Gas Town for its ambience, Granville Island for its markets and Stanley Park for its location and diversity and these are just a few of my highlights.


Hi! I can't believe that we only have two more days until coming back to cold Scotland! What a scary thought!! The fireworks where amazing! I had a fab time with Courtenay! It was so good to have someone my own age! The winner of the competition was Canada! Uptil the last couple of days we have all been good about not shouting at each other in the mornings but since we have been in Vancouver breakfast has been a bit hay wire so we think that must be why we have been getting annoyed with each other! uh oh, i am getting as bad as mum with the digressing, that can't be good!!! On Sunday we went to granville island there was lots of really cool markets and street entertainers! On Monday we went to Stanley park! I had a really fun time at the aquarium there were so many fish to look at! I liked the totem poles too! Last night i had a really awesome time with Courtenay! We watched a film and generally just had a laugh! Right well i better get going! love eilidh xxxxx

Off to get the sea bus pics following later.......................