We have now arrived in the lovely city of Vancouver and really looking forward to exploring it over the next week. Disembarking the ship this morning was an easy process but finding our suitcase was a little more difficult, but once found we quickly made our way through customs and outside to our waiting ride to the Douglas Hotel. This is a boutique hotel that is attached to the Marriott and thank goodness there was someone to show us where to go because reception is on the sixth floor. Our room was not ready, of course, because it was only 10 and check in time is 4pm. However we were keen to go for a long walk so we put our suitcases into storage and set off.
First impression of Vancouver - I Love It! It is well laid out and I don't think I've seen a greener city. There are lots of areas set aside for parklands and every street is lined with trees. I also saw plenty of high-rise buildings with trees growing at the top. We were going to head to Granville Island first but the wind was very strong and cold along the waterfront so we will probably do that another day. The concierge had given us a map of Vancouver and we saw that there was a place marked "Vancouver Lookout" so that is where we headed.
Vancouver Lookout is below a revolving restaurant that is around 30 stories high. The glass lift that took us to the top was a bit scary for Philip who is not fond of heights but I found it great. Once you step out into the circular viewing platform and you see the whole of Vancouver laid out below you and you can clearly see how big it is (population 2,657,000). We had views to the mountains that are popular skiing fields in winter and views to the ocean. Even our ship, that is having a refurbishment while here in Vancouver, was sitting proudly below us.
After the lookout we went looking for the Gastown Steam Clock. It was actually very easy to find and we kinda stumbled upon it. It is amazing and we could have stood there for ages watching and listening to it. Every 5 minutes it drops a ball and sends out a whistle and every quarter hour it sounds the Westminster chimes. We weren't there for the hour but apparently that is a loud whistle.
We had walked around 7km by this time so we were feeling a little peckish and just a couple of blocks from the steam clock we found a terrific Italian restaurant. OMG the food was to die for. I ordered the Soup and Salad with meatballs on the side but Philips order of Seafood Alfredo Fettuccine had me drooling. As soon as we were seated a small loaf bread was brought to the table along with garlic butter. The bread was straight out of the oven and so delicious. Philip ordered a local beer but I stayed with water and our whole meal cost us $50. Very cheap.
I was pleased that it was a couple of kilometres back to our hotel after lunch so that we could walk off the huge lunch. Our room was eventually ready for us at 2pm and we are now settled in and won't be eating any dinner tonight! Tomorrow we are going to do the "Hop on Hop off" bus to get a better feel for the layout of Vancouver.
I just wanted to share with you a photo of "brunch" on board the ship yesterday. It was a very lavish affair and it was hard to chose what to eat. I didn't actually have anything from this table but it just looked so lovely.
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