Vancouver

After a great night's rest and after John had an accident with the tap!  The decision to Uber out of the area after our experience with the drug addicts.  An Uber to Stanley Park, a coffee and breakfast at Brekka, hire e-scooters and off on the 10km circular ride.  Stanley Park is a magnificent urban park located on the northwestern edge of downtown Vancouver. It's one of the city's most famous landmarks and one of the largest urban parks in North America, covering over 1,000 acres.  Around the edge, mainly the sea wall you can ride on specifically designated bike lanes.  The bike lanes are one-way, so not too much negotiation with oncoming traffic.  The day is cold, but sunny and being a Saturday morning it is teeming with joggers and walkers, families and the elderly getting their dose of fresh air.

Then an uber to Kits.  Kitsilano, often referred to as "Kits," is a vibrant and trendy neighborhood in Vancouver, known for its laid-back atmosphere, stunning beaches, and strong sense of community. Located just west of downtown, it offers beautiful views of the mountains and the city skyline. Kits Beach is one of the most popular spots, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and playing beach volleyball. The area is also home to numerous boutique shops, yoga studios, cafes, and organic markets, giving it a health-conscious and active vibe. Kitsilano's mix of natural beauty and urban amenities make it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.  it is also home to Lululemon.  

But first... ont he ride there we had a Canadian born Uber driver, who was able to tell us about the area we were staying in and the drug addicts.  All drugs are legal in Canada - I did not know this as you only see Cannabis stores.  We are 2 blocks from "Skid Row", Skid Row in Vancouver, often referred to as the Downtown Eastside, is a neighborhood that has long struggled with poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction. The area has become synonymous with Vancouver's opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the increasing availability of toxic substances like fentanyl. Many people in the area are dealing with chronic addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness, making it one of the most visible areas for the city's drug problems. While the local government and various organizations have implemented harm-reduction strategies, such as safe injection sites, the crisis remains deeply rooted and challenging to address. 

John asked why do they look like Zombies?  He said that is a result of long term drug use, it has been an eye opener.  Do not legalise drugs unless you have a program to deal with them.  The Uber driver recommended that we do not walk there as there are at least 4 random attacks a day.  Ubers it is.....  got to add that to the Airbnb search criteria now.

Kits is a far cry from this and charming, John bought a lululemon top and then we walked to Granville Island.  Granville Island, located under the south end of Vancouver's Granville Street Bridge, is a bustling cultural hub known for its mix of markets, artisan shops, galleries, and performance spaces. Originally an industrial site, it has been transformed into a vibrant urban space that attracts both locals and tourists. The heart of Granville Island is its famous Public Market, offering fresh produce, gourmet food, and handmade goods. The area is also home to theaters, craft studios, and artists' workshops, making it a focal point for Vancouver’s creative community.

The fruit and produce was amazing.

We are absolutely knackered!  It is back home for our first home-cooked meal in weeks.  A night in front of the Telly, hopefully we can find the President's Cup golf which is being played in Montreal.

Another good nights sleep, after a quiet night in binging on "Nobody Wants This" on Netflix, a RomCom series - highly recommended.  Tomorrow we board the Rocky Mountaineer, but before that we have to check in for the 3rd time.  For an organisation that charges that much - you would think that they could afford an upgrade to their processes.  So off we choof to Canada Place, same place we boarded the Ship and go to the Rocky Mountaineer Office to check in person.  I mean seriously you would think we are in 1980!  We get there and there is no system, so within no time I had them in ship shape, telling them who was next and who they were after in case they wanted a seat.  Saved one person a wait in the queue as all she wanted to do was change her room number for luggage pick up.  There wasn't enough time to train the staff, so the process still took a while! 

We are all checked in, and we are going across the harbour to North Vancouver to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  This is the thing I most wanted to do in Vancouver.  A short walk from Canada Place and through a very very efficient process to board the Sea Bus.  A man standing next to the ticket counter to help tourists, helped us buy our tickets.  Then the Sea Bus is due in 4 minutes a walk and line up in four lines.  The incoming ferry (aka Sea Bus) comes in and no people pfaffing around with ropes, the terminus is a funnel shape and it guides the boat in, no need to tie up and the berth is snug enough to stop any movement.  The boarding planks go down automatically and the people exit the other side and then our doors open and in we go.    Then we are off - we cross the harbour in no time and the same efficient process on the other side.

On first impression, North Vancouver is pristine and very modern.  North Vancouver is a vibrant and picturesque city located on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, with a population of about 58,000 people. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, it offers stunning views and access to outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking. The area is known for its lush forests, particularly in places like Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain, which attract both locals and tourists. North Vancouver is also part of Metro Vancouver, and with its thriving economy, excellent public services, and a mix of urban and natural environments, it is considered one of the best places to live in the region.  We Uber to the Capilano Suspension Park, The Park itself is very well done with a mix of walks and hikes.  We crossed the Suspension bridge.  The Capilano Suspension Bridge is 137 meters (450 feet) across and sits 70 meters (230 feet) above the Capilano River, it was originally built in 1889 and has been updated over the years to ensure safety while preserving its iconic design.  She does move about, but you are safe enough - even if you fell you would not fall off. 

Across the other side, you have various walks you can do - first up the tree top walk.  We have a cracking day for it, so could not be better.  The tree top walk is a unique chance to explore the West Coast rainforest from an elevated perspective. Suspended up to 33 meters (110 feet) above the forest floor, this series of seven suspension bridges connects towering Douglas fir trees, allowing us to walk between tree platforms and experience the canopy up close. The walk is designed to be eco-friendly, with no nails or bolts driven into the trees, preserving the natural environment. It’s an immersive experience, offering stunning views of the lush forest, birdlife, and the Capilano River below

The towering Douglas firs rise like ancient sentinels in the misty rainforest, their trunks stretching skyward, rugged and weathered by centuries of wind and rain. High above, their dense green canopies weave together, filtering sunlight into soft beams that dance across the forest floor. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, the quiet hum of nature filling the stillness. Far below, the canyon carves its way through the landscape, the Capilano River rushing with an almost whispered roar, its cool, shimmering waters winding through the moss-draped cliffs. The trees stand firm, rooted deep in the soil, their immense presence a silent reminder of time's enduring passage in this wild, untouched sanctuary.

Well I couldn't describe it, so I asked Chat GPT to, and she did a pretty good job - What she said ^^.  Then you walk through the forest floor - all on boardwalks to protect it.  Now the trees look even taller.

Then through the Raptors walk where we saw the Great Horned Owl, The horned owl, is a majestic and powerful bird of prey, instantly recognisable by the prominent feather tufts resembling horns on its head. With large, piercing yellow eyes and a mottled brown and grey plumage that blends seamlessly into the forest, it is both a masterful predator and an elusive creature of the night. Known for its deep, haunting hoots, the horned owl hunts primarily at dusk and dawn, swooping silently through the trees in search of prey such as rodents, rabbits, and even other birds. Its strong talons can exert incredible force, making it a formidable hunter in its natural habitat.

Next up is the American kestrel, the smallest falcon in North America, which is a beautifully marked bird of prey known for its striking plumage of slate-blue wings, rust-coloured back, and bold facial markings. Despite its petite size, this falcon is a fierce and agile hunter, often spotted hovering mid-air or perched high while searching for small mammals, insects, and birds.  Its keen eyesight and swift dives make it an efficient predator, while its colourful appearance and graceful flight add to its charm as one of North America's most captivating raptors.

Then we saw a Harris Hawk, Unlike most raptors, the Harris hawk is highly social and unique for its cooperative hunting behavior, often working in groups to catch prey such as small mammals, birds, and reptiles. This teamwork allows them to take down larger prey than they could manage alone. Agile and swift, the Harris hawk is also a favorite in falconry, prized for its trainability and close bond with its handler. With sharp talons, keen eyesight, and a bold nature, this hawk is a fascinating predator of the skies.

Then down more and more steps, the lowest point to the Canyon floor, there you get a good view of the suspension bridge and the waterfall.

The leaves literally are falling around us, just a glorious time of the year and place to be.  As we walked down, you think "oh dear" we have to walk all the way up again, so out of breath and completely knackered we make our way back across the suspension bridge.  Where we go on another walk this one called the "Cliff Walk".  This has suspension looking like bridges but they are fixed and gives you another view of the Capilano river.

Then a delicious lunch, a free shuttle bus home over the Lions Gate Bridge. This iconic suspension bridge spans Burrard Inlet, connecting the city of Vancouver with the North Shore, including North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Opened in 1938, the bridge is about 1,823 meters (5,890 feet) long and is a vital transportation route, offering spectacular views of the city, mountains, and ocean. The name "Lions Gate" refers to the nearby twin mountain peaks known as "The Lions."

Back home via a supermarket, another night in as an early start for our train tomorrow.  Til then bye bye Vancouver.