Around Vancouver

Good to sleep in a bed which wasn’t rocking from side to side!

 View from hotel

Early start for trip to Vancouver Island. Bus pick up & then a long drive across the city to the ferry terminal. It was like going across the English Channel with all the cars, trucks & buses loaded on board. Clambered up numerous flights of stairs to get to the passenger deck - almost needed the altitude sickness tablets!!

The voyage took 90 minutes & it was smooth and very scenic - a little like the ferry from the North to South Island in New Zealand. Off the ferry back on the bus & then a short drive into Victoria. The harbour area was lovely, full of boats and sea planes. We watched the sea planes taking off and landing. Wandered through the Empress Hotel looking at the few shops, all very expensive, before looking at all the historical items from the hotel displayed as pictures and artifacts. The hotel was built in about 1912 so it was interesting.

Victoria

Vancouver

Vancouver

Trip back in the dark & cold. It only really gets light here at about 8am & is dark by 5pm. Everyone was telling us how warm it was 4C - not ready to strip off yet!!!

11/1/13
Today we walked along the beach front until we reached a ferry stop. It was very cold but the view was amazing. We are staying opposite English Bay which has tankers in the distance & the snow covered mountains.

Boarded the little ferry & in 5 minutes we were on Granville Island. There was a huge market with lots of local food/produce. After much walking and visiting little shops we finally boarded the ferry again & had a tour around the waterways. All very picturesque.