Day 17: Vancouver 2: 08.07.2018

The sun and sunshine welcomed us as we woke up well-rested this morning. After a hearty German breakfast with coffee, sandwiches with butter and jam, and yogurt, we leisurely set off around 10 o'clock to drive to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This bridge is located in the park of the same name and was visited by many tourists at the same time on this Sunday afternoon. After paying the horrendous entrance fee, we ventured onto a shaky wire bridge at dizzying heights.

A friendly park employee told us a little about the nature in the park, pointed out the squeaky yellow banana slug, which must have been of great interest to pre-modern dentists, and explained a little about the flora and fauna of the region.

Here's another quiz: Whoever writes the first comment with their full name about the healing effect of the banana slug in the comment section will receive a free beer or coffee from me, as always, offered in our living room. Alternatively, a glass of wine or a cup of tea.

After the forest tour, we walked along a wonderful treetop path, did the Junior Ranger activity for the kids, where our two big kids received their badges, and then took a breathtaking path around a cliff at dizzying heights. Silke said that I can do something about two of my fears here. Fear of heights and fear of large crowds. I think I'm cured now.

After having a burger at Denny's, we passed by Stanley Park on the way back, where this time we tried the large heated pool right by the ocean. It was particularly noticeable how spoiled we are in Germany with our swimming pools. The pool was great, but offered little infrastructure - instead, it had a unique location overlooking the harbor of Vancouver, the mountains, and the park. Overall, North Americans have a harder time going swimming. Some leave their complete clothes on and then enter the pool without showering. Others only wear a white fine rib underwear through which you can see everything. Only a few use the showers before swimming, most of them only briefly shower afterwards. Since I naturally had my swimming goggles with me to refine my dolphin style this summer, I first noticed how milky the water is. I hope there was enough chlorine in it for all of us!

On the way back, we stopped by Walmart briefly to buy the obligatory cooler box, which is essential for a road trip in North America. Tomorrow evening, we're going on the ferry to Vancouver Island. In Nanaimo, we managed to find a nice vacation rental. Excited for tomorrow and delighted by the past, we go to bed.