We park a bit outside in the west of the city, right by a library. The ideal location in front of us. There is free internet, the sea is only a block away, the bus stop is just around the corner, and plenty of shade so that the camper does not heat up.
From here we start our day trips.
We start the first day with sightseeing around the city. By bus, it takes us about 30 minutes to Robson Square. Here is the Vancouver Art Gallery, with a beautiful view of the Farmount Hotel.
Along Howe Street, we walk past the Georgia Hotel to the Fairmont Waterfront. We enjoy coffee and milkshakes while going through the birthday greetings from all of you. I was delighted with each and every one of you, thank you very much. Well-fortified, we head to the waterfront. We admire the cruise ships in the harbor and discover the Noordam from Holland America Line, which we will board in early October in San Diego.
Right next to it is the Vancouver Harbour Flight Center. Waterplanes take off and land here every minute. A volume drones from the engines. We watch the hustle and bustle on the water and in the air. In the background, the mountains shine in the sun.
On the search for the Digital Orca, we pass artworks and many high-rise buildings.
Our next destination is the Gastown Steam Clock in Gastown. Along Water Street, the old town of Vancouver has been restored. In the old brick houses, there are now many restaurants, shops, and galleries.
The steam clock is the tourist attraction and makes funny noises every quarter of an hour.
Although it is currently the holidays and it is Sunday, the crowds are limited. They are probably all at the nearby beaches enjoying the warmth.
We have lunch at a Lebanese restaurant. It is nicely decorated and super delicious.
Afterwards, we continue to Chinatown. Contrary to our expectations, the city's bustling neighborhood is very quiet. You can discover the typical animals, colors, and writings on every corner.
We are shocked when we see some people at the roadside who are at the brink of their lives. It is not dangerous here, but it is not beautiful either. We quickly pass by and find our way back to Robson Street.
August 8, 2022, Monday
On the next day, we treat our motorhome to a makeover. When a mean lamppost attacked us from behind yesterday, a strip was torn off at the corner. This will now be repaired in the workshop.
In the afternoon, we go to Lynn Canyon and hike along the river through the forest. The gigantic trees covered in moss are very idyllic. We cross the Twinfalls Bridge to the other side.
Afterwards, we go up the stairs. With the heat and high humidity, we break into a sweat quickly. The 30 Rocket Pool comes in handy. Here, right in the river, you can cool off in a natural pool. The spot is popular with many tourists. There is hardly a stone or a tree that is not occupied. There is a cheerful atmosphere, and everyone watches the cliff divers from their jumps. This is not entirely safe, as numerous warning signs indicate.
After cooling off, we head back. We want to walk across the suspension bridge, a narrow suspension bridge that goes over the canyon. When we arrive, the bridge is closed, and the fire department is on site. As we learn, a cliff diver dislocated his shoulder and got stuck in the canyon. For us, this means a 20-minute detour downstream. At the second bridge, we return to the other side. And here too, the cliff divers are on the move, despite prohibition signs and double fencing.
August 9, 2022, Tuesday
Today, our path leads us to the Capilano Salmon Hatchery. We can observe the life cycle of salmon up close. We walk through the forest along the river, where we see many anglers. No wonder, because from the bridge we see many and especially large salmon. Instead of biting, they prefer to jump into the air.
In the Hatchery Center, we learn everything about the different salmon species and their behavior. Through underwater windows, we observe the salmon as they jump up the ladder. Thanks to this hatchery, more than 3,000 eggs survive per pair of salmon. In the wild, only 6 eggs have a chance of survival.
With new knowledge, we return through the forest. We spend the afternoon on the playground with a water park, as requested by the children.
August 10, 2022, Wednesday
Today, we take the bus to Granville Island on the other side of Vancouver. Underneath the Granville Bridge is the harbor district. We stroll through the famous Public Market and are surprised by the proud prices. Instead of being packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, the backpack remains empty. Instead, we eat donuts with a view of the skyline.
We continue through Yaketown, the city's trendy district. We pass by boutiques, fancy restaurants, bars, and admire the many sports cars from Ferrari and Porsche parked on the roadside.
Before we take the ferry to Vancouver Island tonight, we end the day at Lawson Creek with a view of the container ships.
