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We had a magical last day in Vancouver. After our usual later start - without too many moans and groans - we set off for the Sky Train station and bought a Day Pass which costs $8. We then boarded one of the frequent trains to Waterfront Station.
By the way Sky Trains do not have a driver. We discovered this disconcerting fact on the way to Braid in Coquitlam on Tuesday night. We realised that we could see both ends of the train and no driver. Apparently they are all controlled from one central point. It does feel slightly odd but it is only because we are used to the joys of Scotrail. The other difference is that all trains are "Fare Paid" which means you put money into a machine and buy a ticket. There are no ticket offices at the stations. We have been told that random checks are made but we have yet to see one and yet everyone buys their tickets. We noticed this in other cities as well. Face it the Canadians are either very honest or afraid of getting caught. When we commented on the lack of real rules we were told there are all sorts of rules but the country is so big it is hard for many to be enforced. For instance, in Vancouver you are only allowed to water your garden on certain days according to whether you are an odd or even number. Bearing in mind the amount of rain they get this water ban appears to err on the cautious side.
Back to our day ... the Sky Train links to the Sea Bus, a frequent ferry service between downtown and North Vancouver. We walked onto that, 15 minutes later we were in North Vancouver and Longsdale Quay a truly superb market and shopping destination. We then caught a bus from there to Grouse Market and took the cable car to the top. However it was 3000 feet higher up and colder and mistier there. We did see bears and a lumberjack show...
It was another occasion when our brains were wired to stupid. We were staying in the city so we were in city mode. We grabbed sunglasses and a waterproof and headed off to explore North Vancouver. We explored Longsdale Quay which offers a mix of fruit and vegetable stalls, craft stalls and food concessions with independent shops on the floor above. Shopped out we hopped on the bus to the mountain. Funny that word "mountain" did not ring a bell, after all we have spent a considerable time in the unpredictable mountains with the colder weather, mist, mosquitoes and bears. Anyway we were completely unprepared - I had my crocs on, Eilidh her converse, Gordon his open toed sandals. The bus ride from the quay to the mountain was between 15 and 20 mins and then the cable car took 6 minutes. We stepped off into another world of mist, rain and cold. We were assaulted by zillions of blasted mosquitoes and there were bears. It was all a shock to the system. Catching the efficient transit links we were back in downtown in 40 minutes. Shopping and people watching - what a contrast. As it was our last night Eilidh agreed we could have sushi again as long as we followed it by crepes on the way home.
The pictures below show Gordon and I with Larry and Loreen at the Beach, Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden, Gastown steam clock and environs and creatures we encountered whilst on Grouse Mountain.
Well not much I can add except to say that it has just been awesome. All expectations more than met and exceeded. Flicking back through this rambling blog is a great reminder of the times we have had, but it makes it more difficult to come to terms with the fact that, in less than 24hrs, we will be back home. It goes without saying that I am going to be sorry to leave.
I hope the pictures have given a good account of our trip. No doubt I will bore the pants of some of you poor folk with the full package of pics back in Glasgow, but until then, its bye from the three of us here in Vancouver.
The drive from Nanaimo to Ucluelet was absolutely stunning. This place is magical and driving along the coast and then over the mountains and past the lakes speaks to my soul. I know that sounds a bit daft but it really is an emotional and visceral response but in a way that makes me feel deeply at peace. Every since we drove down the sea to sky highway from Whistler and down to Horseshoe Bay and over to Vancouver I have been having conversations with Dad in my head. I now know why after his trip to this area in the 70s he came back and announced he wanted to emigrate to the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area. The combination of water/boats/scenery/amenities/people and lifestyle are just so appealing. We have been trying to give ourselves a reality check by reiterating that this is a holiday and we could not do all this if we lived here etc. Anyway enough of my fanciful mutterings.
On the way to Ucluelet we stopped at a place called Coombs which is one of the strangest places ever. It was developed to attract tourists by creating western style/fanciful architecture with frankly weird and tasteless statuery, a mini golf course complete with a paddle steamer on land, a market with goats on the roof and a mix of crafters. We spent a couple of hours here wandering around and sampling the lychee sorbet, orange and liquorice ice cream and other flavours. We wandered into a First Nation gallery staffed by a Glaswegian who has lived in Canada since 66. The art was inspiring and her chat was good.
Our wild life count went up today as a Bald Eagle soared around us at breakfast, 3 Elk were wandering through Coombs and we saw a BEAR CUB at the side of the road. Awesome. Ucluelet Campsite is another sorted campsite and we look out onto the Harbour. We went into town for dinner and after some aimless wandering and misdirection found a restaurant called Driftwood that served excellent food complete with a drunken chef chatting to guests. We walked backed to the camp in time to see the sunset over the harbour. Early to bed tonight as we are going whale watching tomorrow morning.
As Sally has said above there is something about this place. Vancouver Island is as spectacular as all the rest of BC. I had a bizarre coincidence on the way here. There was a bit of a delay at Horse Shoe Bay for the ferry over to the Island so this allowed for a little browsing in the village.
As we were looking at some First Nation art work I heard a Glasgow accent which seemed vaguely familiar. Turned out it was one of my customers from the craft fair who had bought some pictures of Glasgow as a gift for his cousin who he was visiting on Vancouver Island!!!
Pleased to report that the gifts were very well received.
Coombs was very bizarre but was redeemed by the amazing food court, the Canadian take on the House of Bruar, and the First Nation Art gallery previously mentioned. In the established format of these posts I have some pictures below.
The drive to Ucluelet was fantastic. Occasional opportunities for RV rallying, many twists and turns with steep inclines but at least it was paved, as they say over here. All the way we were afforded views of snow capped mountains whilst the road followed rivers, lakes and gorges.
Ucluelet is in essence a fishing town. Commercial fishing, from what we can gather is as highly regulated and controlled as it is at home with boats having strict quotas and only so many days in which they are allowed to fish. There is however a large fleet of sport fishing vessels with charters starting at 1000 Canadian dollars a day.
We have booked on a whale and wildlife spotting safari for tomorrow. So far we are the only customers they have so fingers crossed it stays that way.
