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This entry by Sarah.
Well our hotel couldnt really be in a better place - 5 minutes walk one way to the incredible Stanley park, and right at one end of Robson Street, the 'fashion' street of Vancouver. I can't see me doing much of that though with four boys in tow! Any way I am loving being in the middle of such an interesting and vibrant -area and being able to walk everywhere, and we are also close to the famous Skyrail commuter system to get you to most of the major suburbs. The city itself is beautiful - trees have been thoughtfully planted in amongst the hustle and bustle, and the skyscrapers are magnificent in their height and lit up at night they make a striking picture.
We ventured out to start looking at a few cars today, but we can see that with the huge size of Vancouver it will be more than difficult to get around some of the ones that are listed with caryards that are off the Skyrails track. However the first yard we go to is easy in Burnaby, but we decide to catch a Taxi there, and it costs $35... we
Stanley park
Marina end of park had a look at a few Dodge Caravans (which is what we have worked out to fit our needs best ) at the Carter Dodge dealership. Our agent there is a really enthusiastic and helpful guy - Peter Choi, who makes a real effort to search their vast yards for what we want. After a coffee we head back to our hotel on the skyrail, and it only cost $10.75 for all of us! Lesson learnt.
The next day we went out on the Skyrail, then walked half an hour to another caryard in Richmond, and looked at more Dodges and a few Fords, Chevs and Mazdas in similar models, but nothing really startling - and the walk was a bit long for the boys, but we got a good look at the Suburb (a very Asian influenced part of town) and exercise!
Callum also managed to trigger some sort of Alarm by standing too close to the edge at the Skyrail station... the alarm sounded, and attendants came to check it out - he was very embarrased! But good to see the security they have. We had Yummy Pizza for dinner at the place just a few
Beluga Whale - Aquarium
Did tricks and everything! doors down from the hotel. Fresh Pizza, where you can buy it by the slice, and choose what ever flavours you want. Cool.
After a night of mulling things over re the car, we set the wheels in motion to buy a Purple 98 Dodge Grand Caravan from the Carter Dealership, So made the appropriate calls, and spend the rest of the day at Stanley park. A beautiful day to go out on foot, and our first stop was the Aquarium. We saw Beluga Whales dolphins, Otter, Sharks, Tropical fish, even Spiders! It was great. We got out of there at about 5 pm and carried on walking around the Parks perimeter walkway. It is so light later in evenings it makes it really easy to just keep going.
The Indian community have made Totem poles for the park that are all set on display together. There is also alot of nautical history with the are which is evident with monuments to local shipwrecks, and a Naval base to one side, and the Nine Oclock Gun which used fire as a warning to tell fisherman it was time to come in. It still fires every night at nine
jelly fish
display in large circle shaped tank - very cool pm!
We did alot of walking but it was so beautiful and sunny that no one seemed to mind. Kelsey even jogged some of the way as alot of the locals were doing it! He told me he didnt want to get a fat belly. Probably a good idea cause we are all enjoying our food at the moment...! (Lasagne for dinner, Yum!)
Friday morning - the car is getting checked out for us today, so off into town to explore China Town, and Gastown. Skytrain over one stop to Stadium area - the Olympic village was right next to China town. Wandered down through some of the shops, and then turned left down to walk towards the Gastown area. The area in between was a bit on the dodgy side, but we managed to get through the beggers and panhandlers to Water street.
Gastown was named after some publican who was not short of a story or two from his side of the bar apparently. It seems to be the most historic or original shopping area of town. We found a shop specialising in Western style boots and hats etc - and the guy there
whale sculpture
outside Aquarium, Made from bronze was really cool and took a shine to the boys. Bought myself a leather belt. Down the streets were old fashioned streetlamps and shop fronts. It wasnt the cheapest part of town - hotdogs from the street vender were $5 here!
Home for dinner and watch the Vancouver Canucks pummel L.A kings 7-2 in NHL ice hockey.
Saturday, and we are having a day off the long walking we have been doing! Darryl off to the car yard to sort out the car purchase, and we wander near the hotel to local park. We see a Squirrel in someones garden, and it let us get really close to it! There are alot of Victorian homes near us and they are beautifully kept and restored. The gardens are at great time of year (Spring) and have alot of old fashioned plantings.
We are enjoying Vancouver so much it will be hard to leave, but we are also looking forward to seeing some of the small towns, and getting on the road... Probably will pick the car up on Monday.
We ended the evening with a walk to the local marina where the million dollar yachts are sitting, and wait to
hear the nine o'clock gun go off. The view of the city is stunning from down there, and we cant get over how lucky we are to be here. The gun is precisely on time,(it was quite loud too!) then we wander home for a hot chocolate. Awesome evening.
Sunday, and we shift camps to Burnaby to be ready to pick up car and head straight out of town. We are getting a couple of things fixed on it tomorrow, and getting all the fluids renewed etc. Find a really good motel for $90 a night! Spa pool and all! Darryls fishing contact Steve Roy comes and picks us up and takes us to Tim Hortens for a Coffee, and Timbits - small doughnut type yummy things with a variety off flavours. The boys are very impressed! Steve is an ex Kiwi who has been here for 20 years with his Canadian wife. Great to chat and get a few pointers from him - and he even lends Darryl a fishing rod! Nice guy. Quiet evening in, wilth a spa before bed.
Monday and we pick up our wheels today!!! The weather turns wet, but we manage to
get the car home after a very nervous Darryl negotiates driving on the road for the first time! Got a few honks but he is getting there. It is mainly the intersections that are quite different, and the light phases are short compared to ours. Still I think the drivers here are so courteous and patient - especially towards the pedestrians.
We bought ourselves a George Foreman grill to take around with us so we will always have something to cook dinner etc on. Some places only have a microwave - thats if there is a kitchenette available. So we try it out for dinner and make hotdogs. Pack all our stuff up tonight, ready to head off as soon as possible tomorrow. Finally onto our road trip!!! Yee Ha!
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