Pemberton to Vancouver

We left Pemberton, which is 20mins north of Whistler very early. Drove through Whistler, did not stop as we headed for the sea to summit hike we had planned for the morning, which was a further hour or so down the road.

We were in the carpark ready to go at 9am with the gondola that goes up to the summit just started. Bought our " going down only" tickets and set off on the hike. Sign said 3-5 hrs advanced.

Reminded us of our Japan hike at the start

 

 

Had really good signage throughout and diamond markers on trees that colour blind Jeff could see being pink not green.

We are in love with chipmunks. This wee guy had worked out that if he hung around a particularly challenging section, ie hauling oneself up with ropes/ chains over steep rock, the hikers might feed me. We had almonds with us and the chipmunk took one nut out of Jeff 's hand and delighted to receive a few other we scattered.

Not sure what the solitary bird was, Blue Jay perhaps ?

 Hauling oneself up using a chain, by this time it was drizzly so grateful not to have to negotiate smooth rock with no hand holds.

Did not put us off. Completed to the summit 7.5km from zero to 918m in 2hrs 40 so pretty could we felt.

Unfortunately rain effected view from the summit but gondola ride down whisper quiet

This was well worth doing and only 45 minutes north of Vancouver.

We then drove into Vancouver, Denman village, where we had booked accomodation due to the proximity to Stanley Park and the drop off for the hire car.  Vancouver covers 115 sq km population up to 2milion people. A fabulously treed green space city for residents. We really liked the feel of the area we are staying in. Very cosmopolitan but apartments and family residences, schools share the space with trees both sides of the narrow streets. Pedestrians seem to have dominance. Trees take priority. If you move into a residence/ apartment shaded or view blocked - tough. Just loved the canopies which make the city liveable, healthy. Councils in NZ sadly acquiesce to residents who want trees removed even though the trees were there before them. Motueka springs to mind now so ugly.

Plenty of sidewalk vegetable gardens

A bit more interesting than the standard apartment block

We are also close to English beach (ironic..) we had dinner at The Cactus Club by the beach. This is a franchise in Canada. We went to one in Calgary - seafood linguine to die for.  Here in Vancouver we queue jumped with a couple from the UK and had another good meal and convivial company. Restuarants more likely to give you a table if not just two people so the game is to " make friends" in any dinner queue.

Love the tree on the apartment block

Ships awaiting entrance to  port. Washed up logs line the beach and hundreds of park benches (not tagged) are throughout the area.

These sculptures represent joyfulness, fun and laughter.

Bike hire, dog walkers and Canadian geese all share space.

Stanley Park is a real pearl for the city. At 400 hectares one of the greatest urban parks in the world. Began in 1888 and the city fathers since have had the foresight to keep it without filling with housing, cafes or tatt shops. A sea wall was built around it from 1917 completed 1920 and at 8.8km you can walk on the left or cycle, roller blade, skateboard only anti clockwise on the right.  We did the walk this morning and it was so interesting.

This is the Lions Gate bridge that you enter to the city from north having driven down Highway 99 from Pemberton, Whistler etc. Float plane is the speck above

Sulphur being loaded at the port

The harbour has an abundance of kelp and tonnes of shellfish which indicates good health. We watched seagulls and crows picking up cockles or blue mussel and trying to break them open on the paving. This seagull had overdone it we thought with a starfish

One of the many park benches with plaques that are all standard style

This is Vancouvers convention centre and cruise ship port. Saw lots of cruise ship passengers wobbling along on hire bikes or on short  strolls.

Felt sorry for these Clydesdales.

See all sorts...this little guy looked delighted to be going for a ride.

Jeff researched Jazz Clubs in Vancouver and found a place called Frankies in  Downtown. Offered Italian fare so walked the 30 minutes. Was "booked" such was its popularity but we were accomodated at the bar. The band was very accomplished and played very good music- piano, bass, drums, guitar and saxophone.  The guitar player who was in his 70's was father to the sax player who was the band leader. Good patter. Food was very good so top choice all round.

Today we are backpacking to the ferry back over to Vancouver Island for the Contiki reunion being held at Nanimo a town north west of Victoria.