WEDNESDAY | Our nerves and anticipation had reached boiling point by the time we arrived in Squamish for lunch at the Howe Sound Brewery. Beers and fries ordered we logged onto the wifi and our fears were confirmed. No one had come through on airbnb with a place for us to stay. So over the course of our meal we kicked into gear our back up plan and locked in the Sylvia Hotel for that evening and a 1-bedroom apartment in Gastown for the following three nights.By the time we'd navigated the roads into Vancouver and located our hotel we were both exhausted. The stress of the day had drained us both and so a easy dinner at Pho Goodness was on the cards. It required a small walk for our hotel up through the LGBT community of Vancouver, Davie Village. The restaurant was modern and the food was fresh and delicious. By the time we strolled home the sun was setting over English Bay Beach, a perfect ending to a long exhausting day. THURSDAY | There was no time to waste sleeping in today. We checked out of the hotel and wandered up the road to Starbucks for a quick and easy breakfast & coffee hit. Then it was up the road to English Bay Bikes to hook ourselves up with some bikes for a morning ride through Stanley park. The 10km bike bake snakes around the outside of the park and leads you past the Lions Gate Bridge, the north shore Mountains, the Rose Garden and via the Vancouver Rowing club. We pedalled happily along the path, stopping to soak in the views, spot a couple of seals and to avoid the uncoordinated hordes of other bike riders. So enthralled with riding once the park lap was complete we headed down along the shore to Sunset Beach. We were disappointed to have to bid farewell to our bikes but lunch on the patio at Beach Bay cafe was beckoning us. We enjoyed fresh seafood and I also tuckered into a refreshing Moscow Mule before it was time for us to make our way across town to check into our airbnb. After navigating through Vancouver, sans a sat nav, we left the car in a parking station and headed up the busy main throughway of the Gastown area. The airbnb we managed to lock in was hosted by an interior decorator, which was evident from all the art and knick-knacks that filled the space. For the remainder of the afternoon we happily hung out in the space, enjoying the comfort of a home and the knowledge we didn't have to move locations for the next few nights. Before we could head out for dinner we first had to move the car a few blocks down to the an area with free parking. We locked Christian up with caution but took comfort that the bag of shit that ash had run over whilst parking might help keep the unsavoury characters at bay. For dinner and drinks we snagged a patio seat that overlooked the main Gastown Intersection at Chill Winston Gastrolounge. Working our way through their religious themed cocktail list we tried an array of drinks as we watched all the locals coming and going. The hip and trendy sec of the area were coming in dolled up pre-gaming before their night out. They were contrasted against the homeless and drug-induced locals who hung around, asking for money and verbally attacking people just wandering past. The sun was just beginning to set as we headed home for the evening, keen to have an early night after a day of adventure. FRIDAY | We kicked off our day just a couple of doors down from our apartment at Smart Mouth Cafe. Loaded up with energy from our coffees and breakfast sandwiches we began to wander into downtown Vancouver, via the local Gastown retail shops. Over the course of the next couple of hours we strolled in and out of the shops. After purchasing a suitcase we jumped into a taxi with all our newly acquired purchases and made the small trip home. We ditched everything back at the apartment then headed up the street to Momo Japanese where we ordered a feast for lunch. We indulged in everything our hearts desired and the result was very full stomachs. Keen to walk off the tummy ache we hit up the supermarket for dinner supplies then hiked down to make sure no one had stolen our car. They hadn't. Then it was back home to chill for the afternoon. I popped down to Soft Peaks for a mid-afternoon snack. They specialise in soft serve made from local, organic milk that are topped with extra flavour. It was exactly what i needed to tie me over till our homemade dinner of Quiche and Salad. A meal that should have been simple but the lack of plates and any cutlery in the house made for an interesting meal. SATURDAY | Given we'd spent the previous day locally we decided to head out of the main part of town today and head east to check out West Point Grey and in particular UBC ( The University of British Colombia). Tucked right on the point you have to drive through the grounds to get to Wreck Beach, a well known for being 'clothing optional' We sailed down the 500 steps in the early morning heat and what awaited us at the bottom was a bustling beach filled with patrons of all shapes and sizes. Despite the diversity there was one demographic (white, male, over 50+) that had taken up the 'nudist' option in droves. They peacocked up and down the beach, flaunting their shaven groins, massive balls and tiny willies at anyone in eye line. A few other people stripped off, including a younger African American dude who was dancing up on a log, having the time of his life. A group of uni friends braved the freezing water and headed into the ocean for a frolic, sans bathing suits. Our eyes having been well and truly over-exposed we made the trek back up the steps, just as the police were descending down. We stopped in the nearby suburb of Kitsilano for lunch at Aphrodite's Organic Cafe. Our meal of eggs Benedict was wonderfully scrumptious. We drove through the Vancouver burbs before abandoning Christian in the car park and hitting up more shops in the local Gastown area. The summer sun was out in force so before heading home to pack we swung by Soft Peaks for an afternoon treat. For our final night in Vancouver we ventured off to the Alibi Room. The wait for our table was half an hour but worth it upon realising the beer menu was extensive. We ordered a flight each along with a couple of share plates for dinner. After sampling the bars offerings went another couple of rounds that came courtesy of the bar as they needed us to move tables. Our new table had us seated next to a odd-ball couple, the female of the pair spent their drinks drawing her partner and smudging pen all over her face, which he failed to mention to her. Needing to be up and functioning in the morning to catch the ferry to Victoria our stay at the Alibi Room wasn't nearly long enough. So just as everyone was kicking their night into gear we were wandering home, keen to hit the hay ahead of a travel day tomorrow. SUNDAY | The streets of Gastown were dead quiet as we made our way along them to the car garage. The roads were empty as we made our way to the ferry terminal. We passed via the ticket booth easiler and then lined up in our car row and waited. We must have looked like seasoned ferry catchers as a old dude pulled up beside us and asked for directions. Apart from helping him we snoozed until the horn rang out and it was time to drive aboard (around the parked car who's owners had wandered off and were showing no signs of hurrying back despite the inconvenience they were causing).
0 Comments
|