I’d arrived on the train nice and early so basically ended up with 4 days to explore Vancouver. After dropping my bags at the hotel (far too early for check in), I had some breakfast and then headed off to the VanDusen botanical gardens for a very nice wander. And a bargain at $16!

By the time I’d finished wandering, my room was ready (a much appreciated early check in) so after freshening up after being booted off the train too early for a shower, I then went in search of lunch before going to the Art Gallery in the afternoon. Still preferred the one in Ottawa!

I then headed to the waterfront and wandered through Gastown which seemed a very lively area before meeting some friends for dinner in Yaletown. There is so much amazing Asian food in Vancouver and so we went for sushi – delicious!

The next day I had a long walk around the seawall from Yaletown to Granville Island. It probably took about 90 minutes. One thing I’ve noticed in Vancouver is that on paths like this, pedestrians and cyclists are fully segregated which makes for a much more pleasant walk as I’m not having to keep and eye or ear out for cyclists coming past. The same is true in Stanley Park as well. And moreover, people respect it.

I arrived at Granville Island in time for lunch and went to Sandbar for some seafood which had been recommended to me. It was delicious and definitely a good recommendation. Coming out of the restaurant I bumped into some folks from the train – small world!

After a wander through the market, I headed back to Yaletown on the aquabus ferry which crosses the harbour to various stops every few minutes.

I went back to the hotel for what was meant to be a short rest but ended up being over 2 hours as I had a long nap!

I’d made a friend on the train and we met for dinner that evening which was nice. I don’t mind eating by myself, especially when I’m travelling but it is nice to have a dining companion.

The next morning started with laundry, only $9 again, a relative bargain I would say! Afterwards I went to the Bill Reid Gallery of Indigenous Art on my way to Stanley Park. Stanley Park is absolutely massive so I only explored a small part, on the eastern side to the Totem Poles and then around the seawall and back to the city.

Later that afternoon I went over to Kitsilano, to the Museum of Vancouver which was pretty interesting, and then meeting my train buddy for dinner and a slightly random evening watching an open air variety show put on by the local Chinese community. Certainly an interesting evening! And accompanied by a beautiful, if hazy sunset over the water.

My final day in Vancouver the next day and a change of hotel in time to start a group trip through the Rockies. Before the meet up in the evening, I spent the morning wandering around the Main Street area which seemed a pretty cool neighbourhood with lots of murals, coffee shops and eateries.

After a lovely sushi lunch, I headed towards Chinatown and the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden which was a surprisingly tranquil space amidst the hubbub of the city.

That evening I met up with the group who I’d be spending the next week travelling through the Rockies with. We had dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront as we got to know each other before the week ahead.

Overall I really liked Vancouver. I did a lot of walking, it’s a very easy city to walk around, there’s lots to do and there’s so much good food here. Next up, Whistler.