Vancouver

Food. Lodging. Macdonalds. Wendy's. Starbucks. Subway. Lodging. Subway. Food. Denny's. Wendy's. Lodging. Such was the signage en route to Vancouver from Seattle on the I-5. Americans must be well fed and well rested. I'm sure it makes a difference because drivers certainly came across less frantic, from a passenger's perspective anyway. Both Colin and I thought it was a better idea that he drive to start with. Until I had to give him directions that is. My forte I believe lies in keeping him hydrated throughout long trips.

The Peace Arch border crossing into Canada was my first drive-through passport control experience. There was a 50 minute delay or so due to heavy traffic returning from Seattle after the weekend, but it was an absolute pleasure not to have to get out of the car, have everything searched or to have to fill out any forms. The border is also beautifully maintained and so arriving in British Columbia was a most pleasant experience, and it only seemed to get better from there. 

Driving into Vancouver

It was after 4pm when we drove into Vancouver over the Granville Street Bridge and the light of the afternoon was getting to that romantic part of the day which made the streets smile at us. We found our hotel, the Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Waterfront and dropped off our luggage and then the car. Strolling back from Avis, the streets had quietened down (being an early Sunday evening) and we took in just how clean and crisp downtown Vancouver is. Even the electricity boxes are decorated. We were right on the waterfront which is a local's paradise, not to mention a favourite for tourists, but it's also the type of place that makes you want to put your camera down for a while and stare.

View down Thurlow Street

Our hotel room was marvelous and we did manage to pay a short visit to the gym on the fourth floor during our stay, to work off the Oreo ice-cream sandwhiches I wish I hadn't discovered. 

We walked the idylic waterfont pathway into Stanley Park and decided on a short harbour cruise to sneak a peak at the beautiful city from the water. After a half hour wait to head out, the Captain informed us that there was a mechanical problem with the boat and that we unforunately had to disembark and return later. We requested our money back becuase I'd already mentally spent it on a Moscow Mule from the Cactus Club.

Vancouver Waterfont

We'd driven through a really cool looking neighbourhood whilst trying to refuel our car the day we arrived, so after a little googlevestigation from our king size hotel bed, we came across Gastown and two of our favourite things - asian steamed buns and live bands. Not both at the same place, although I wouldn't complain if I had found such a place. 

We headed into Gastown on Tuesday to Bao Down for a light bite for lunch. The smaller portion taco style asian cuisine was super tasty. We chilled downstairs, perched on our steel barstools and watched hungry people coming in and out and getting their fix. The red brick walls and tattooed patrons set against a jazzy background was the perfect mix while we sipped on our craft beers. 

33 Acres of Sunshine Craft Beer

Afterwards we headed through Gastown to take a closer look at the area known as the design centre of Vancouver, from pubs to houseware and fashion to food. Many shops are below street level with a window's view so you are looking down into stores and studio's with items sprawled over trestle tables, either being invented or sold. The roads are a mixture of trees and lamps, shop windows, signs, bicycles and pubs.

Abbott Street, Gastown

What we also happened to come across in Gastown was the Junkie mecca of Canada it seemed. We later found out that there is a program which the city runs to try and curb heroin use by making it safer and cleaner. The program called Insite assists in the administration of heroin to severe addicts under the supervision of nurses and doctors, in an effort to prevent them from harm or dangerous acitivity. A controversial topic for discussion some other time, but it was incredibly sobering to see a gathering of struggling addicts in the middle of one of the most beautiful towns in the world, one block away from a camera laden crowd of overweight, pink tourists.

Gastown in the evening

Nevertheless, we headed into Gastown the next evening to The Revel Room where Steve Kozak and company delighted us with a feast of the blues. Just when I thought things couldn't get better, I discovered cocktail roulette on the menu which meant a few hints to the barman on taste preferences and he would whip up something unique. I ended up with a freshly squeezed watermelon and vodka cocktail with jalapeno syrup and lime. Best cocktail ever, despite setting me back a solid $13.

Watermelon cocktail at The Revel Room

The next morning we headed off to Enterprise car rental to collect our vehicle which was to take us to Penticton, approximately four hours drive North East. We were very excited to head inland a little, from a fresh 21 degrees max temperature to a warmer 35 degrees or so. So glad I took that jumper along..