After work I met Kelly and Zoey for drinks and dinner; my flight isn't to 12.30am.....well past my bed time, so I see no reason to rush to the airport. Plus it's such a beautiful evening being outside is much nicer than being indoors.
I take the airport express, quick and efficient, and within minutes of arriving am in the line for security. A few minutes later at the Qantas lounge. Aperol Spritz ordered and I'm all set. Vancouver here I come!
I'm literally asleep in the lounge so decide to leave and slowly make my way to the gate, stopping at the currency exchange along the way. The first announcement I hear on leaving the lounge is about my flight which is going to Vancouver then onto JFK.....fingers crossed it doesn't go the other way around!
Boarding is nice and easy - I'm sitting in the front row of economy and at the moment the only one. A lady hovers around the seat on the aisle then decides it's her seat. Result, this means no baby!! Finally it seems all passengers are on-board so we have an empty seat. Well that is for a few minutes anyway until a air Stewart brings another passenger up to check out the seat. Buggar she chooses to stay!
The pilot makes an announcement close to our departure time saying they need to sort out one small thing, which will take 5 minutes, then we are away. My eyes are closed but it does seem like the 5 minutes is a long time. Another announcement saying the same thing; then at 1am (30 minutes after we should have taken off) we are informed we need to exit and get onto a new plane. WTF?! I'm crazy tired, like everyone else on the plane and just want to get the show on the road. More mucking around and finally we are allowed to get off. Not before we are told the new departure time is at 2.30am......I have no words.....and from a gate on the other side of the airport. Got to love traveling!!
To be fair I do believe this is the first time ever that this has happened (and as we all know I've been on a flight or two) so I suppose I can't complain too much.
Thankfully there is a Cathay lounge right near the new gate so I high tail it. Repeating to myself "you cannot sleep in the lounge, you cannot sleep in the lounge".
2.15am I make my way to the gate and after having my passport and boarding pass checked twice (unfortunately no seat change...) I'm onboard - fingers crossed this time there is no issue! And quite honestly I'm so tired I might just stay onboard if there is. Unfortunately the extra lady from the earlier plane decides she will join us again.....buggar! Right come on let's get this show on the road.
Extra lady, as I've decided to refer to her as, gets out what looks like rosary beads and starts to play with them. While you are doing that love you can stop hogging the arm rest. Ooh let’s get the door closed so I can take a sleeping pill and go to sleep. I'm really cursing myself now for booking a ticket that you can't upgrade; what on earth was I thinking?! If only I could blame it on being a school boy error.
Finally we are on the move - 3.03am and we are pushing back from the gate. Woo hoo!
I manage to sleep on and off for about 8.5 hours, then pass the rest of the time watching a movie.
As we begin our descent I see the moon and stars reflecting against the water. Beautiful. On landing into Vancouver we are told its 16 degrees.....eeks alive I hope I won't freeze.
I get grilled at immigration (praying there is no note in the system about me and the U.S. Of A); how long are you here for? 11 days. What are you here for? A wedding. Is it your wedding? No it's a friend's wedding. How did you meet the couple and where are they from? I meet them in Singapore, we lived across the road from each other. The bride is Canadian and lives in NY. How well do you know them? Well I'm the MC at the wedding..... What do you do for a job? I'm work in HR for an investment bank. That must be fun? Yeah sure. When is the wedding? Sat 4th. So you have some time then. Yes time to get over my jet lag and write my speech. Then the standard questions on the current world viruses and if I've been to any of the countries. Passport is stamped and finally I'm on my way.
After collecting my bag and head outside I'm in a long taxi line that thankfully seems to be moving. And now it's my turn. The driver has the door opened which I think is so nice and gentlemanly but as I get closer I realize it's his door.....aah yes I'm in a country that has left hand drive. Whoops. Must remember that. It's fairly easy 15 minute ride to Tricia and Michael's. I get a list of a few things to see/do from the driver. Once we get to the apartment the fun begins, I think it's 3.30pm Sat HK time so hand the driver my phone and he follows the instructions - I'm in. Sleep is needed!
Saturday, June 27 I wake earlyish - managed to get about 6 hours sleep which is great. The street noise, which really wasn't much given how late I got in, did surprise me a bit. It's amazing how being on the 26th floor (in HK) you really don't hear much!
I went for a 5km run along the water, beautiful running in the sunshine with clean fresh air, the mountains on one side. Aah this is the life!
I manage to leave the house just after midday; I feel like I'm about to fall asleep so first stop is picking up a takeaway coffee then I'm off and ready to face the day! I walk into downtown; it’s so nice being out in the sunshine with the mountains in the foreground. A stunning day!
As soon as I get over the bridge one of the first things I notice is the number of homeless/beggars around, definitely not a sight you see in Hong Kong (well the areas I go to anyway). One of the streets is shut off to cars and buses so there are performers and stalls. I'm assuming this is either due to the fact it's a summer Saturday or they're gearing up for Canada day on Wednesday. There are a number of people in red Canadian items of clothing - I need to get myself a red hat so I at least blend in a bit!
I enjoy just wandering, popping in and out of shops. Loving seeing the brands I remember from NY! Wow things seem "free" compared to shopping in Hong Kong.
I stop for a late lunch at one of the many places I've been recommended - The Flying Pig. It doesn't disappoint.
I start to wander home, passing so many more people wearing red and Canada items. In the end I ask two girls what's going on - Canada v's England in a soccer game. In the end I take the sky train a few stops then walk, decided to do this so I know what I'm doing on Tuesday when I head to the airport.
I get home around 4.30pm and could so easily go to bed.....just a tad too early! I really need to stay up for at least another 4 hours. Let's see what happens.
I drag myself out of the house at 6pm (after having a wee nap) to head to Gastown, yes that really is the name of the area! I manage to get myself to the bus stop from memory but then am wondering what bus number I need to take.....luckily there is a bus driver sitting there waiting for his shift to start so he helps me. I ask if the fare is $2.75; yes. Do bus drivers give change? No. Hmm this will be interesting as I have $2.25 or a $20 note. Don't worry he tells me, just get on and say all you have is $2.25, I'll be surprised if the driver says no. If you are lucky it might be my bus. Great!! A few minutes pass then the bus arrives, which is mine and his - result! After he chit chats to the driver I get on and say "I only have $2.25", he replies 'sorry the fare is $2.75 (my face drops...), only kidding'. Great I'm on.
I'd been recommended a place to go for cocktails so off I head. On walking in (just before 6.30pm) the bar is packed and it looks like all the tables are taken. Buggar. Ooh well let me enter. The guy that greets me asks how many, one, 'ok I know we have a spare seat so stand at the end of the bar and I'll be back'. Result. Within 30 seconds I have a seat. Now the hard part, what to choose to drink. Selection made - Gastown Swizzle, Bloom Gin, Lillet Rose, passion fruit, fresh lime, fernet-branca. One sip is enough for me to realize I've made a great decision.
So it's now 7.17pm and I'm onto my second Gastown Swizzle and it's still light - love day light savings.
I decide to try another recommendation for dinner (Ask for Luigi), but on arrival am told the wait is at least one and a half hours. Hmmm no thanks. I'll come back another day. So instead I wander back in the direction I came from and somehow got chatting to a couple walking in the same direction. They pointed me to the Italian place instead of the beer place so off I go.
Now I know it's hot and crazy humid in Hong Kong but boy oh boy is it hot here - the dry heat! And places don't seem to have a/c which is something I'm struggling with. Unfortunately there is only space inside.....fine I need to eat. While I'm trying to decide what to have a couple walk inside to leave, yes thanks I'll take their table. Result!!
I decide to take the bus home and prior to leaving home earlier had done some research on where to get on it. Problem was it was now getting dark and no bus. Bad planning on my behalf to be out this late but hey ho. At last one arrives and we're off.....stopping everywhere it seems! I'm the first stop after the bridge then it's a quick one block to the apartment.
Observations from today - there are a LOT of homeless people; it's a wear whatever you want kind of city and its very distracting walking down the street being able to understand what everyone else is saying. Ooh and why on earth don't places, buses and houses have a/c??!!
I wake at 4.45am......nice, NOT! (on Sunday, June 28, 2015) It's going to be another hot hot day. I'm in no rush to do anything so waste time on my iPad.
I manage to drag myself out of the house just after 6am and head down to the Seawall to run - this time I head in the opposite direction as yesterday. Given I'm 2.5 hours earlier than I was yesterday it's much cooler and there is hardly anyone around. I get to as far as I think I can go then turn back, running past the place I started until just before the science world. 50 minutes - woo hoo!! I have breakfast nearby before walking home along the Seawall (30 minutes). Thankfully I have coffee to keep me awake as I'm starting to fade....this only gets worse as I get home.
I'd arranged to meet Nic's brother Daniel which is what got me to leave the house! I decide to walk into the city to meet him, then we walk to Stanley Park. Seems like every other person in Vancouver has the same idea. As we get closer the number of bikes increase tenfold.
Stanley Park is a 1,001-acre public park in downtown Vancouver which is almost entirely surrounded by water. The views into downtown are great, as is the water. This really is the life. We just wander around, I’m loving the fresh air and blue skies.
After refuelling with a cold drink and watching some local teams play cricket we begin the walk back into the city - this time taking the more direct route, which of course is less scenic. After my exercise this morning direct is what I need! All up we walk for 2.10 hours, 10.48km.
We had been talking earlier on fish and chips so decide that is what we'll have for lunch; now to find somewhere that does that.
Aah to sit down - bliss! Food, even better. Cool water - heaven!!
There is absolutely NO way I'm walking home, but the fun begins trying to locate the bus stop (this is all due to the street closure). After what seems like 5km's of walking to locate the bus stop, I have it sorted and within minutes the bus arrives. Time to head home to relax! Being a tourist in the summer and walking so much is hard work :)
Tricia had told me Michael will be home around 6.30pm, Tricia was having to go to work for a few hours so we would meet her later on.
I managed to sleep for about 40 minutes which was much needed given I was up at crazy o'clock this morning. I know it's only day two but I could get use to this sleeping during the day fun!!
I was doing some research for my MC duty when Michael (and Allen their dog) came home. It's been a few years since we've seen each other so of course there was lots of chat.
We decide to give Ask of Luigi a try for dinner (great given I'd tried last night, although now the pressure really was on that its good). We drove into town, a small luxury for me!; parked then walked along. The tourist leading the way as Michael had never been there. We're told they can seat is right away - woo hoo! The smells wafting from inside are amazing. We are both starving, not surprising really as its well after 8pm (and the smells). The "right away" lasts 20 minutes, but finally we are in.
Ask for Luigo is a small restaurant, seats around 32-34 people; no reservations. Menu isn't large (thank goodness) but even then we struggle deciding what to have. I'd read on their website earlier about them serving Aperol Spritz (my favourite); so there is no need to think about what I'll drink! Drink ordered.
We decide on Fried Cauliflower and aioli (Dad you wouldn’t have wanted to share!) and crispy polenta and taleggio cheese for an appetizer - wow wow wow the cauliflower is amazing!!!
Dinner we share pappardelle and wild boar ragu and fusilli nero, calamari and ‘ndjua crumbs. While both were delicious, the favourite was definitely the wild boar. But in saying that I don't think I could manage a full plate myself as it is very rich.
We order takeaway dessert for Tricia then head off to pick her up from work. Not a way I'd like to be spending my evening, at work that is!
Monday, June 29- 15 years since I left the land of the long white cloud. WOW! What an incredible 15 years it has been; the places I've been too, the people I've met, the memories (some hazy, some not hazy enough). The travel blogs written.....
Anyway back to present day.
Being Monday morning the traffic is much busier than the previous two mornings; I don't hear Tricia and Michael leave and wake up thinking it must be 10am. No no 7.14am. A huge improvement on yesterday :)
I head out for a run along the seawall, my last one in Vancouver. It's another beautiful morning.
I manage to take Alan out for a few minutes before I leave the house. Putting on the harness doesn't go to plan so I stick with the lead only. Clearly Alan's aware I don't do this often as we take off down the stairs....its totally me being taken for a walk not the other way around!
The humidity is high today so I decide to take the bus into town, otherwise I'd be arriving needing a shower!
I have a few minutes wait before the bus arrives; I only had $2.50 in change so offer that to the driver - he accepts so I'm on. Then the wait begins for the new driver; where I get on is one of the points in the city of driver changes. Fun (or perhaps not so fun) fact for you all.
I have just under two hours in the city looking at clothes, definitely not my favourite pastime, before walking home. There seems to be a bit of a breeze now which makes the walk more bearable.
I head down to Granville Island, which is walking distance from Tricia’s and Michael’s. It’s a peninsula that use to be an industrial manufacturing area. Now it’s a hotspot for tourism and entertainment, with a concrete factory thrown in for fun.
I'd been told about the Public Market so head off there first; on entering a whole range of smells (all good!) hit me. Now this is one of my favourite pastimes. Being hungry in here is both good and bad.
The selection of the fresh produce is amazing! And I'm sure expensive....if only I could remember what a pound is. After getting a small snack (delicious tomato, feta and olive bread) I meander my way around. Whilst it's not big I could spend hours (and millions) here.
Time now to go exploring outside.
Tricia recommended a place to go for a nice cold glass of cider so off I head. Bridges has a huge terrace out back which looks onto one of the Vancouver bridges (shocker!) and onto the water. Given the beautiful day there are people everywhere - both on and off the water. It's so nice and peaceful sitting here, and if I had a book I would be here for hours!
Around 4.30pm I start to fade, is it due to the cider? Or the fact that it's my normal time to nap and I'm out and about? I'd say the latter.
I head back home where Tricia and Michael are. Tricia and I decide to head to Kitsilano Pool for a swim; such a perfect day for it! Michael is taking Alan to an obedience course so we go on bikes (me on her one) which is great! Except Tricia is taller than me, yes no surprise really, so I'm like a yoyo trying to pedal. Lots of entertainment for Tricia! After finally locating a sewing store we are off :) and thankfully within minutes find a fellow biker who can assist to lower the seat a bit. Sorted! Now I love biking, but when you are biking on the opposite side of the road it's a whole lot of other concentration that is needed! In the end I give up and after telling Tricia just follow her.
It's around 6.45pm (on a Monday night no less) when we arrive at the pool. It's packed and there is a massive line to enter; I leave Tricia with the bikes and join the line. It's still so hot, not much longer to wait then I'm in the water.
Kits Pool is a saltwater swimming pool that is located basically on the beach. The views of downtown and the mountains are amazing. Never a view I would tire off.
We manage to find a spot on the grass, then head to the pool. Tricia to the swimming lanes, me to the "mucking" around side of the pool. On entering I'm surprised at how cold the water is. Hmmm now not sure if I'll be getting in. I wander around, up to my knees only, for a while then slower go deeper. No way my head is going under!! Time to retire to the grass and watch the world.
After Tricia had swam 1 km (amazing!) and relaxed we headed off to Granville Island to meet Michael for dinner. I'm absolutely loving the day light savings, but it does mean it's always a lot later than I think.
The number of people still out and about is amazing! People on the beach, swimming, huge yoga class, groups of people having picnics on the grass (some with BBQ's), people playing beach volley (so many courts), people playing basketball and people like us cycling. It's Monday night people - shouldn't you all be home getting ready for work tomorrow??!
We have dinner at one of Tricia and Michael's favourite restaurants; it does not disappoint! Someone made a comment to me before I left HK that the food wasn't anything to write home about in Canada, how wrong they are!
Tuesday morning (30 June) I wake to my alarm, never nice on holiday but I wanted to see Tricia and Michael before they left for work.
For some strange reason I'd decided to leave my packing to now, so unlike me but hey ho! Time to get on with it.
Tricia ended up coming back to the house shortly after leaving and decided to wait for me to drop me at Whole Foods (so glad I've only learnt this in Vancouver otherwise I would have spent the entire time there!) for breakfast. The Sky train, to the airport, is then across road.
On entering Whole Foods memories from living in NYC come flooding back to me. How I miss this place (and NYC)! Thinking the excuse "sorry I was at whole foods" might need to be used at the airport today. After getting coffee I start to wander around - heaven! Like NYC there is a salad bar which has breakfast options too; I'm set.
The Sky Train to the airport is nice and easy.
On check-in I'm asked if I want an aisle or window seat; I'm typically 99.9% of the time an aisle seat girl but given it’s the first time I've taken this flight I ask for a recommendation. The lady takes my comment as being the first time I've flown....yeah ok....and asks me to look at her screen. I'm informed how the aircraft has 3 seats on each side and that there is an aisle, middle and window seat. Wow who would have known?! This is amazing. Anyway moving on. I decide on a window seat and after paying for my bag (so annoying!) I'm all set.
I've had a wonderful time in Vancouver - made even better by seeing Tricia and Michael. I can definitely see me returning back here and even (wait for it....) living here. Gasp.
Banff, via Calgary, here I come!
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