Aug. 7th, Vancouver, Biking through Town

Another day with beautiful weather. Barbara and I spent the morning and early afternoon riding rented bicycles through town. If anything even more people ride bikes compared to the number of joggers out there. And the scenery is simply stunning. Renting a bicycle is easy: There are plenty of shops all over down town to choose from.

Our bicycle path through Vancouver

Our immediate goal was heading to Stanley Park. Initially we went the wrong way because we did not realize that the park had to be rounded counter clockwise. But the signs were unmistaken at the 2nd beach swimming pool so we had to retrace and then follow the correct direction.

Final Bike Tweaks before going along English Bay

Granville Island as seen across False Creek from Vancouver Downtown

Stanley Park 2nd Beach Swimming Pool: A beautiful Place to swim and incidentally also the Location were we realized we had to retrace and go counter clockwise around Stanley Park.

The initial retrace went along the same path we already walked more or less yesterday.

Stanley Park Nine O'Clock Point: View of Canada Place and northern Part of Downtown Vancouver across Burrard Inlet

Stanley Park Nine O'Clock Point: Coal Harbour and Downtown Vancouver

Stanley Park: View to the North with Lions Gate Bridge and Northern Vancouver

In the northern part of Stanley Park it became clear why one way traffic was enforced. The path became relatively narrow between the sea and a cliff. But riding a bike was no problem.

Stanley Park: View from underneath the Lions Gate Bridge towards Brockton Point.

Stanley Park: Some of the more "narrow" bike path sections.

Stanley Park: View west from one of the Break Spots with a Bench. The bike path follows the bottom of the cliff.

Stanley Park: View of Northern Vancouver from a Break Spot.

We decided to have lunch at the 3rd tea house. Mind you, initially it was a break at the 3rd beach and then we decided to see what the tea house looked like: It looked very inviting and the meal was good.

Stanley Park: Our view from the 3rd Tea House Dining Table.

Stanley Park: 3rd Tea House

Afterwards the question was what else to see and bike too. We decided to have another look at the Kitsilano Beach and go around False Creek one more time. And it was simply enjoyable again. The only additional area we packaged in at the very end before returning the bikes was Yaletown (sorry, no pictures. Maybe Barbara has some, and if so I may add some later). Yaletown appears to be more or less a place of about 2 or 3 streets packed with bistro's and micro breweries. But we did not have time to try them out.

Vancouver, False Creek: Very decent Living in Apartment Houses. No wonder if the square foot prices are up there if such an environment comes with it. There is no such thing in Ottawa.

Vancouver, False Creek: Very decent Living. And this is definitely only one of plenty appealing Places I saw in Vancouver.

Vancouver, View from southern False Creek towards Downtown Vancouver.

After returning our bicycles mid-afternoon we teamed up with Margaret again and went to Mountain Equipment Coop to get the missing remaining gear. Afterwards we spent the whole evening preparing and repacking our gear for the west coast trail. It was close to 21:30 when we made it to a Thai restaurant close to our motel. The meal was good and we were happy to find a place this good that served food so late.

Our Meal at Nahm Thai in Surrey BC