Aug 29 - Vancouver, BC tour

  We had a 6 hour driving tour with our private guide, Eva.  Our first stop was at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  This was an amazing park, on the side of a steep mountain, with old-growth forests.  You cross a long suspension bridge, over a steep gorge, into the forest.  There are boardwalks through-out the forest, that are suspended from high up in the trees. They are very ecologically-minded, and no nails were used to build these boardwalks.  You get to walk throughout these huge, tall trees.  Quite the experience.  Walking back across the suspension bridge, with lots more folks crossing it, made it swing a lot more than when we arrived.  It was a bit challenging!  But we both made it.
  Then on to the Cliff Walk.  A suspended walkway hanging off the edge of the very high cliff on the edge of the gorge.  Incredible views.  And, we both managed to walk it!  Before heading across to the city, we stopped in the north side high-rent district of beautiful homes, on the hillsides, overlooking the Bay. Turns out many Chinese have purchased homes, and businesses in the area.
  The rest of the tour was pretty much in the Vancouver city limits.  There are a lot of different neighborhoods.  Each with its own history.  Parks and islands, that are all part of greater Vancouver.  We saw Chinatown (older generation of Chinese immigrants, versus the newer influx), Gasstown, the financial district, the homeless area.  We drove more thoroughly through Stanley Park, stopping at several of its diverse areas, including where they have an exhibit of Totem Poles.  A really interesting area was Granville Island, where they have a VERY extensive Market-- artist shops, and a huge public market, selling all kinds of local, fresh foods.  We took the local ferry across the harbor, and met up with Eva again over there --fun to see the cityscape, with mountains in the background, from the water.  Vancouver is a fast-growing city.  The majority of the high-rise buildings are residential, with more going up every day.  It is a very expensive city to live in.  A good 25% of the population is Chinese.
  All-in-all, it was a very interesting tour of the city.  And Eva was very knowledgeable of its history.  And, it gave us a good idea of the city.  However, if I were to do it again, I would prefer more of the scenic nature, surrounding the city, and less of the city itself.  I guess I just don't appreciate city life, as much as I appreciate nature.
  Due to the traffic, it took us an extra hour to get back across the border.  We were a bit frazzled.  Haven't driven in big city stop and go traffic for a long time,  Reminds me of why I don't live in a city.  When we returned, it was almost sunset, so we drove over to Semiahmoo Park, overlooking the Semiahmoo Bay, right near Blaine.  It has an isthmus with a narrow road and walking trail, jutting out into the bay, with water on either side.  One side looks west, and had a sweet, relaxing sunset.  We walked the isthmus, and sat for a while.  Then, returned "home".


Capilano Suspension Bridge Park photos:

Cliff Walk photos:

Granville ferry photos:

Stanley Park Totems photo:

Semiahmoo Park photos: