Still in Vancouver * Sixtyexpress

Vancouver is a beautiful city and is considered to be very liveable.
As a tourist you can take the Hop on Hop off bus, travel to the surrounds to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, go to Whistler or Grouse Mountain and of course Victoria and the Butchart Gardens. This time you are taking the Hop on Hop off bus. It gives you the opportunity to see lots of the city and save your feet……I hope you are grateful we are opting for this. First stop is Stanley Park. A must on both tourist and locals bucket list. See the traditional totems used as clan markers or in ceremonial buildings.Walk the sea wall, ride a bike or go on the horse drawn carriage , jog or take a hiking trail, have a coffee, or even smell the roses( there is 2500 planted)?

You have lots of options. I walked, and then watched the roller skaters, bike and scooter riders going past……the expressions on their faces were really interesting……. panic, exhilaration,determination, happy, miserable….

Hungry…..off to Granville Markets. Here is food of every variety or if you are a local, buy the family fruit and vegetables. Flaky pastry in a salmon roll will keep us going, cakes later. You could get back on the bus but why not take one of those cute ferries.

Quick let’s get the ferry to Yaletown.

Yaletown was the site of a steam engine workshop. The round house has been converted into space for community activities but the first engine to carry passengers across Canada to Vancouver is displayed here.

A short walk means you can catch the bus to Gastown ( named for the storyteller Gassy Jack) , go to the casino, stadium or to the waterfront, or even back close to your hotel. You seem ready for a rest!

So you have done the tourist thing, today you are going to be like a local. Off to the original train station to get a day pass. Take the sea bus and then on to a 228 bus.You are going to Lynn Canyon park. This park is on North Vancouver and was saved by the local community as a recreation area. It is beautiful and has hiking trails, an ecology centre , a cafe and. …….…..a suspension bridge. Not as long or grand as the Capilano suspension bridge but accessible to everyone for free.

Best of all, it didn’t bounce when someone jumped.

Ship building used to be the main industry of the North Vancouver Lonsdale area. Now it is limited to a floating dock at one end. Restaurants, apartments and open space now fill the space. It is a vibrant community hub.

Now before we leave Lonsdale, two houses are ready for Halloween.

With Halloween at least 8 weeks away , imagine what they do for Xmas.

Back to the city and we finally got to see inside the Mariner building. This was the first skyscraper in the city. It’s Art Deco style is outstanding Thankfully it will stay part of the city as it has been heritage listed.