Aug. 6th, Vancouver, Walking through Town

Another nice and sunny day. We spent the whole day walking through town: Gastown, Chinatown, around False Creek, Granville Island, Kitsilano Beach, through downtown to Canada Place and finally along Burrard Inlet to Stanley Park and one quarter around it in the late evening. I guess, this served as a prep for the West Coast Trail.

Walking through Vancouver (thick lines), partially using the bus system (thin lines)

We had dim sum at the Floata Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown and I bought dried bell roots in one of the herb/medicinal shops for a future kimchi. Chinatown in downtown Vancouver is fairly large but nothing in comparison to the amount of Chinese shops I saw in Richmond (2 weeks later). The dim sum was good. Gastown wasn't so much my thing: Some old buildings and plenty of tourists staring at a watch every hour. It reminded me a Munich Marienplatz where everyone does the same thing. Since we already saw a lot of gardens the day before we only visit the free/public portion of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen garden. It is a decent Chinese garden.

Gastown Steam Clock

Shopping for dried Herbs to make a certain Kimchi in China Town

Street in Vancouver Chinatown

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park (Part of the Public Section)

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park (Part of the Public Section)

Barbara and me in the Sun Yatsen Park

Walking around False Creek gives a good sense about the size of Vancouver downtown. The number and size of high rise apartment buildings is impressive. And I judge the living quality in that area as superb: Plenty of bicycle paths and walking paths. Plenty of people jogging. The view from the apartment buildings over the creek with its yachts and power boats must be superb. No wonder why living in Vancouver is rated tops and highly priced. I think despite its supposedly sky-high prices Vancouver definitely has something going for it. Granville Island adds to this a collection of fresh markets, places to eat and a number of artsy and craft shops.

View across from False Creek somewhere near Telus Center

Typical Vancouver Downtown high rise Appartment Buildings across False Creek

Pianos for People to play are sprinkled all over Town.

Appartment Buildings with False Creek in the front

Granville Market Hall: Obviously we were thirsty.

Granville Market Hall

Granville Island is full of Coffee Places as well.

Granville Island: Even the most ugly Industrial Places underwent Beautification ...

Kitsilano beach offers a decent view towards the western side of downtown. Plenty of volleyball fields. Plenty of people on the beach for swimming too.

Kitisilano Beach: View across English Bay towards Stanley Park and Down. Grouse Mountain in the Background (I believe).

Kitsilano Beach: View towards North Vancouver / Horseshoe Bay.

Another Piano at Kitsilano Beach: And hey, even Margaret could be persuaded to play at this beautiful place!

After Kitsilano we went to Downtown with the bus and from there we walked to Canada Place and along Burrard Inlet to Stanley Park. Spending the time around sundown at Stanley Park looking towards the north side of Vancouver downtown was a superb finish to a cool day. We finished the day with a dinner at Milestones: Barbara was craving something typical Canadian like a "Burger" and I obliged. Not that a good burger is quintessential Canadian but still ...

Vancouver Canada Place in the evening Sunshine.

View across Burrard Inlet to a Portion of North Vancouver. Grouse Mountain is in the Background.

View across Coal Harbour towards Downtown (right) and a small Portion of the Stanley Park (left).

View from Stanley Park: Downtown Vancouver in the evening Sunshine

View from Stanley Park towards Burrard Inlet.

Stanley Park mirrored in Coal Harbour Water

Downtown Vancouver from Stanley Park in the evening Sunshine.

View from Stanley Park towards North Vancouver