Vancouver bound on another Ferry

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Next stop, Vancouver!

We opted to take the cheap way, bus to Vancouver. We are on a budget you know! So we need to start acting like it.

The bus station was an experience in disorganization. It was everyone for themselves. I had an older Scottish women behind me pushing the whole way. We were 6 people from the ticket counter, but if more than 6 inches got between me and the person in front, she was leaning into me. It is a shame when peolple are so stressed over traveling they find it very hard to relax.

So we fought our way onto the bus (luckily, we were much younger and manage to double team a few of them) which took about 1 hour to get to the ferry crossing from Vancouver Island to the city of Vancouver. It was a beautiful 1 1/2 hours across. The weather was awesome and we went by a whole bunch of Islands that were all dotted with homes. It looked like a great way to live, but from the looks of the homes, not very cheap.

We arrived in Vancouver a few hours later and found our way to the Barclay House Bed & Breakfest (So much for the budget). The Barclay House was located in the West End of Vancouver. This is a mostly residential area between Stanley Park and Downtown. Beautiful streets that were very clean and walkable. We headed for Stanley Park, which is the biggest city park in Canada. It is about 50% bigger than Central Park and full of huge trees and gardens.

Coming back from the park we ended up in an area that had a great beach (even saw someone swimming the next day) with people walking and hanging out. It is amazing to see this great beach with downtown skyscrapers a few blocks away. It really boggles the mind if you have been to a place like NYC where you would only swim in the rivers or ocean if someone forced you at gunpoint.

The next day we decided to take the hop on/hop off bus around town. We went to Vancouvers market with a big marina and tons of shops and restaurants. We walked up to the Tilly store (known for hats) where Dianne was helped by the owner. Then we went to Gastown and a few other areas, the last being the complete tour of Stanley Park. Of all three cities we saw, Vancouver is by far the most beautiful and walkable of all. A place with great diversity of people and environment.

The one downfall is living expense. Not that Seattle or Victoria were cheap. Dennis, the manager of the Barclay House, had a studio apartment for $1,200/month. The Barclay House was bought by the current owner for around $5 million in 2006, and Dennis said was probably worth $13 - 14 million know. You could find cheaper rent in the outlying areas and from what I could figure out the traffic was not like Seattle.

I think with so much water around and the mountains 20 minutes from downtown, how could you go wrong. It was just a very clean, safe (so I was told) and beautiful place to be. And what city can you go fishing, swimming and skiing all within 10 miles? Alright sign me up. Seriously though, if you had to choose a place to live regardless of your job, Vancouver would be at the top of my list.

The last thing I need to say is I will let you know later if it still at the top once I see some more of the world. So stay tuned.

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Photos

Ferry to Vancouver
We are on the sister to this one

Beach at English Bay
Less than a mile form downtown Vancouver. Beautiful beach!

Art in the Park
Statues all laughing a different way

At the Tilley Hat Store
John Tilley helping Dianne to get the best hat! It was a job and he was just the man.

Barclay Bed and Breakfest
Dianne with Art and Dennis the singing duo

Comments

[MbBurrill]

It's almost like being ther-NOT!
It's fun to read the updates and hear about your adventures. Sounds like a beautiful part of the world. Love to you both, Mary Beth

[Louise]

beautiful
Dianne, Great hat? Bruce did you get a sun hat to prepare for the tropics? Louise