Vancouver, Breanne, Gerry and baby Soraya.

Vancouver CBD - you can see Whistler skifields in the background

Arriving back in Vancouver after 2 days in Seattle we knew we only had 2.5 days to explore that area of British  Columbia..come on Gerald no time to waste!



Granville Island Public Markets


Granville Island was our first destination. It was pouring but considering we had not a drop for the previous 2 weeks me thinks we will not complain.

We caught a ferry from Yale Town across False Creek and alighted at Granville Island.
Sorry Luke - Victoria Markets in Melbourne have been pipped at the post by these fantastic local produce and maritme (seafood) markets, bakers stalls, delicatessans, brewery and arts and craft delights as now the best we have ever seen.

Granville Island Bridge view from the Keg.





Half the lake was frozen - some ducks are swimming the others standing on ice.


We bought treasures from the delicatessan as we couldn't really take fruit and vege home...but we could consume some local produce back at our digs at Bre (Bev & Danny's daughter) & Gerry's in Surrey.

The treasures were blue cheese (Ciel de Charlevoix ), a tub of fresh crab meat from The Lobster Man which had over 25,000 gallons of salt water in big blue tanks full of Nova Scotia Lobster, Queen Charlotte Dungeness Crab , Alaskan King Crab, Manila Clams, P.E.I. and Pacific Golden Mussels, Swimming Pink Scallops, and Oysters from around the world! (I will die happy after this crabmeat alone), Hungarian sausage, PHEASANT turine, Okra chips et une baguette avec un bouteille de vin rouge...oh lala.

We were also able to source the maple Syrop Luke requested along with a surprise for him from these markets..let's see if he reads this blog :-).

We pretty much just went back to Bre & Gerry's after Granville as I was exhausted having travelled back from Seattle that morning and going straight to Vancouver CBD.



L & G with Breanne, Soraya & Gerry

Arriving at Breanne & Gerry's on Wednesday night 5/01/2011 we were greeted by a truly picturesque suburb called Surrey within Vancouver, still alit by Christmas lights and decorations. Their house is a beautiful large home with a basement just like most houses in Canada. This doubles your opportunities (Mancave, extra bedrooms, guest room etc.) We were so lucky again to be welcomed into this family's home. They have a 9 month old, Soraya. The MOST happy, placid, smiley baby we have seen in a LONG time. We will miss them all very much.

Soraya all rugged up for the trip into town.

Thursday they drove us to Stanley Park on the edge of town overlooking the river and out to the ocean( it is bigger than Central Park in NY), Gastown - a funky trendy part of town - for more details please go to http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html, The Art Museum (it was closed - doh) and back home for some pesto pasta later that night. Once again the rain had set in so we did a lot of running between shops etc.

Vancouver CBD from Stanley Park

Totem Poles on Stanley park ackowledging the Native Indian heritage

View from Stanley Park

Stanley Park



The Steam Clock in Gas Town that puffs smoke, bellows & tolls every 15 minutes



Gas Town Square



Yum Smoked Buffalo Rib (one) - tough but tasty!

Downtown Vancouver

Central Railway Station



Looking from CBD across to the Bay with skifields above



Skifields lit up at night

Friday was our last day in Vancouver. Gerry had to work (they are both Pharmacists) but we were to meet them near the airport at 6pm for dinner and they would bring all our luggage so we could could traipse around town on our own that day.
We were spoilt again by their generousity with this guesture alone (thank you guys we appreciate it very much).

We headed back to Gastown on Friday to take more pictures as it is very intersting.

Gas Town at Dusk





Gas Town at Night

Steam Clock Square at night when the lights on the building behind change colour

We also headed to the body works display. For details please go to http://www.scienceworld.ca/bodyworlds. It will be worth your trouble - it was awesome! WOW it was so intersting to see the cadavers up close when I had only seen it on TV before.

Bre & Gerry dropped us off at the airport for our flight to Taipei. Goodbye Vancouver - Goodbye Cananda. I was ill informed before the trip - I am now much wiser about this beautiful, safe, hospitable, intelligent place. It will always hold a special place in ours hearts.

We did not get to see Vancouver Island and Victoria so we definitely have unfinished business in BC!