Reuniting with my cousin.

Today I leave Vancouver and fly out to Edmonton, where my cousin will pick me up and we'll head to Calgary.

Booked a taxi for 5.30am and loaded the bags into the boot.  Arrived and checked my bags.  Pink one, as it was untouched, was OK.  The black bag, however, was 7kg overweight!!!  What the?!?!?!  How could I have bought 7kg worth of stuff?!?!?!  Everything I did purchase, souvenir wise, was small and light.  I was dumbfounded.  Regardless, I had to pay and was slugged $78CAD on top of my checked bag fees, which I knew I had to pay.

As I was super early, I grabbed my coffee and a muffin and waited near my gate until it was time to leave.

Thankfully it was only a short flight as the seats were damn uncomfortable.  I had an empty seat next to me, so I was able to stretch out a little and snooze, seeing as I got up early.

I misunderstood my cousin and thought he was waiting for me at the gate, as he told me where he'd be.  I looked around...nothing.  I'd wait a few more minutes to see if he'd come in case he was running late...five minutes later...still no cousin.

So thought I'd go grab my bags and message him when I got there.  And there he was, waiting for me in baggage claim.  Oops!  I was so happy to see him as I hadn't seen him for two years when he was last in Australia.  He brought a London Fog for me...good cousin LOL.

Bags came out quickly so grabbed them and we made our way to Calgary.  Where he lives, he's four hours from Edmonton and eight hours from Calgary, so thought whilst kinda in the area, we'd do Calgary then make our way "home".

Unfortunately it was raining again, which limited the things we could do.  Stopped at Cross Iron Mills (approx three hours from Edmonton), as we were both a little peckish and he needed to buy some stuff.  The Levis store caught my eye and I had to check out the prices.  Ended up buying two pairs for $100CAD.  Hope they fit cos I didn't try them on!  I just went off the size I was currently wearing (30), though I think I should've gotten 29.  Oh well, I'll just have to wear a belt.

Arrived in Calgary about 45 minutes later and as it was a little too early to check in, he showed me a bit around Calgary, albeit from the car due to rain.  Showed me where the Calgary Stampede is held and where the Winter Olympics were held in 1988, which is also where the Jamaican bobsled team competed and there's the original bobsled out front.

Went back to hotel and checked in.  As shops were open till 9.00pm, we went to dinner at Boston Pizza at Chinook Centre then a quick look around, as stores were almost closing.

Fingers crossed the weather tomorrow will be better.

Days 5 & 6: Whistler.

THURSDAY

Waking up, I looked out the window to see it was raining.  Noo!!!  I didn't come prepared for rain, meaning I had no umbrella.  Luckily I was able to borrow one from the front desk.

I did want to walk to the bus terminal (20 mins) but seeing as it was raining, train it was.  Only had to go one stop but it was quicker.  Picked up my morning coffee from Starbucks then went to the bus terminal.  Departed at 7.30am and it rained the entire trip to Whistler 😢, so not much to really see out the windows.  I snoozed a bit...what else could I do, plus buses somehow do that.  Must be the gentle rocking?

Arrived just before 10.00am.  Found my way to my accommodation for the night.  Unfortunately, room wasn't ready yet, so again left my bag then went to have a look around Whistler Village, despite the rain.

Through the mist and rain, I could see the snow still on the mountains.  Whilst at Whistler, I want to do the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.  As today's weather is up to shit, hopefully tomorrow will be better, otherwise I don't know what I'd do.  No point in going up to the top if you can't see anything, right?

I don't know how many laps I did in the rain of the village to kill time before checking in.  I thought there would be more?

Returned to hotel and was able to properly check in.  I had booked a Crystal Single room and was somehow upgraded to a Crystal King room....wow the bed was MASSIVE!!!  Unfortunately I didn't have a view but dammit who cares, I had a huge arse bed and a shower all to myself (at the YWCA in Vancouver, I was sharing with the next room).

Was again undecided what I wanted for dinner as I didn't want to venture too far.  Ended up at the Old Spaghetti Factory downstairs.  I was able to order a kids pasta and salad.  Even that meal was huge for a kid.  Managed about half of both.

As I only had a thin jacket, that wouldn't suffice for up top so bought a windcheater.  Even though I did bring a thermal skivvy and my fleece tights, a thin jacket just wasn't going to cut it in the cold.

I did plan on going out again to check out the Village all lit up but it was cold, still raining and as the sun goes down late, I couldn't be arsed waiting.

Showered then chilled for the evening and prayed tomorrow's weather would be better, especially for P2P.

FRIDAY

SUNSHINE!!!  Yay, so happy to look out my window and see sunshine.  I didn't dress completely as I didn't want to overheat prior to going up to P2P.  Bought my ticket then went to get my morning Starbucks and waited for the gondola to open.  It was about 7deg in the village.

Made it to the top and had to get properly dressed as it was a little bit chilly, probably around 2deg.  But wow.....what a spectacular view.  Sun was out so everything looked amazing.  Went inside to get a hot chocolate to warm up a bit and in just 15 minutes, the fog had rolled in and made everything look dreary.  Lucky that moved on quickly and it was back to sunshine.  Was going to walk a trail but it was a bit slushy and I didn't have proper footwear and didn't have any spare shoes with me in case I got soaked.

Made my way back down the mountain then decided on lunch.  Lots to choose from but couldn't go past El Furniture Warehouse, where EVERYTHING on the menu is $4.95.  For me, that's a bargain and how could I pass that up?!  Ordered a burger and fries.  Fries were meh and the burger was OK, although I could only manage half.  What do you expect for $4.95.

Still had a bit of time to kill before my bus back to Vancouver left at 4.30pm, so bought a few more souvenirs.

Arrived back in Vancouver at around 7.30pm and returned to my room....and did the washing.  Fun!  Killed time by watching Criminal Minds.

I wasn't look forward to repacking the suitcase but had to be done.  The pink one remained untouched but my black one had to be rejigged to fit the few things I bought.  Dunno why, but I had to extend it to ensure everything fit.

My week in Vancouver, alone, has come to an end as tomorrow, I'll be flying to Edmonton and will be staying with my cousin and his family for three weeks.

I was scared about travelling alone, as I'd never done so before but surprisingly, I did well.  Did feel a bit lonely at times, especially when sightseeing as I'm used to having other family with me but I couldn't exactly sit in my hotel room all day/night by myself, could I?

Could I travel alone again?  Possibly but I always prefer to travel with others to share the experience, as it's more fun.

Day 4: Vancouver.

Howdy folks.  Whilst not technically my last day in Vancouver, as I'm not leaving until Saturday, I'm going to Whistler on Thursday and won't be back until late Friday, so today will be last minute sightseeing and souvenir shopping.

I had been asked by my cousin if I'd had a London Fog yet, but it has to be from Second Cup (think Gloria Jeans).  What is that you ask?  I had no idea either until he told me.  It's Earl Grey tea with foamed milk and vanilla syrup (think cappuccino but with tea LOL).  I was a bit iffy about trying it as I'm not tea drinker, but I thought what the heck.  Well, yum!  Also had a whole wheat Blueberry and Lemon Scone for breakfast.

Last night I decided that I would do a harbour cruise to see Vancouver from another viewpoint.  Once again, it was a perfect day for a cruise.

Walking back up Robson Street, I passed several bike hire shops and I was undecided if I would hire a bike for an hour and ride around the Seawall.  I went to Safeway around the corner to get lunch and think about the bike.  I was on my way back to the park to have a solo picnic, again walked past the bike hire and then backtracked.  Bugger it, I decided to hire for the hour so I could go around the entire Seawall.  I'm glad I did it as the sun was out and there were heaps of people doing the same.

Dropped the bike back and walked Robson Street again back to the hotel.  I couldn't be arsed washing my hair so booked myself into the DryBar at Nordstrom for a wash and style, so my hair would look fresh for the next few days.  Went back to my room to have the rest of my dinner then head back to Gastown to pick up a few souvenirs.

Walking back, lost my way and kind of ended up near Chinatown, which I did want to see but was told to avoid it as it's not like it used to be.  Found my way back somehow and you wouldn't believe it, after all the beautiful days of sunshine, it started to rain.  Bugger that, my hair would get wet!  Luckily it was only a light drizzle.

Packed my overnight bag because tomorrow...I'm off to Whistler!

Day 3: Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon.

Good morning folks!  Exploring Vancouver continues and today I'm checking out Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon.  Took a ferry then a bus to get me to Grouse Mountain.  Once again, the sunshine was out.  I was so excited that I was going to see snow!!!!  Bought my ticket then caught the Skyride  to the top, taking in the sights as I ascended.  Had a bit of a look around the bottom of the mountain then caught another chairlift to the very top.  What a spectacular view.  Despite there being snow, it wasn't cold.  Had another look around, took a few photos then went back down.

Found my way to the bear habitat and hiding between the trees was a bear!  A real life bear.  Unfortunately s/he was sleeping but I finally saw a bear!  I could hear the lumberjack show going on, so made my way down there to watch a "competition" between two "lumberjacks".   Was a funny show, plus one of the "lumberjacks"......hello!

After the show, I went and got a Beaver Tail.  No, I didn't eat roadkill!  It's kinda like a churro meets donut meets pastry.  I settled on plain old cinnamon sugar (other flavours include Lemon and Sugar, Nutella, Salted Caramel and of course, Maple).  Once again, delicious!

Even though I have not really had much to eat, everything I have been having has been delicious LOL.  What can I say, I love my food 😆.

After Grouse Mountain, caught another bus to take me to Lynn Canyon.  I chose LC over Capilano Suspension Bridge as LC was free, whereas CSB had an entry fee.  I'm not being a tightarse with my money, but I'll take free things over paid things where I can and according to folks on Trip Advisor, LC is just as good as CSB.

The LC Suspension Bridge sits 50t above the bottom of the canyon.

There are signs everywhere through the park, warning of black bears.  Thankfully I didn't see any otherwise I'm sure I would have pooped by pants.

After the bridge, there were two paths: Twin Falls Loop and then Thirty Foot Pool Loop.  Did TFL then the TFPL.  There were a lot of people dipping their toes in the water, so of course I did too.  It was FREEZING!  My feet were turning red from icy cold water.  Dried off and walked a bit further to the Thirty Foot Pool and there were people swimming there.  Maybe they were used to the cold water?!  Anywho, the water was a spectacular green colour.

Then I looked up.....dreaded stairs to get back to the top.  I should be used to them, seeing as we did so many walks through Hawaii and a shitload of stairs, but I still hate them.  No option really, is there?!

Time to head back to the City, so waited for the bus to take me back to the ferry terminal.  Decided on Whole Foods for dinner.  It was way down the other end of my hotel and a decent walk.  I wanted to take a bus but all of them were full.  Bought enough so I'd have enough for dinner tomorrow night.  Ended up walking as again, every bus was full.  At least I'm getting my FitBit steps in!

I was yet to decide what I'm going to do tomorrow as I had done the main things I wanted to see.  I'm sure there are a lot more things to see and do in and around Vancouver but losing a day threw a spanner in the works.  Oh well, I'll decide tomorrow.

Day 2 - Granville Island and Stanley Park.

After a restful nights sleep, I woke up and had my breakfast which I picked up from IGA yesterday, iced coffee and a mini croissant.

Found my way down to the False Creek Ferry dock and waited for the ferry ($4.50 one way) to take me to Granville Island, which is a peninsula and shopping district known for its public market, brewery and artist community.

I loved browsing the fresh produce area and of course, the sweets.  All looked absolutely delicious.  I was tempted to buy the Nainamo Bar but I somehow resisted.

After the market, I explored the rest of the area, filled with other little stores.  I was trying to kill time before lunch, as it had been recommended to me to go to The Keg, which is where I had my first Canadian beer, a Molson.  Wasn't bad if I do say so myself (me, the beer connoisseur lol).

After lunch, I caught another ferry to take me across to the Aquatic Centre so I could catch a bus to take me to Stanley Park.  I must say, public transport in Vancouver is a breeze.

I had plans to walk the Seawall but was confused about the distance LOL....I read somewhere it was 9km, then somewhere I saw 27km....the latter of which I found out later was 27km of forest trails within the park....hey, gimme a break, I still have jet lag!  Any who, I walked a bit of the Seawall then took a forest trail to Second Beach, walked to Third Beach then backtracked.

Once again, the weather was perfect with the sunshine out all day.

Caught a bus to take me half way to the city then walked around another shopping area with Nordstrom, Old Navy and the like being in the area, so had a quick look around to see if any worthy bargains.  Not at Nordstrom but ON had some good deals...but need to refrain from shopping as I have no luggage space currently, as I have a suitcase full of gifts for family, which once offloaded...hello shopping!

Time for a coffee to perk me up so I thought I'd check out Tim Hortons.  I heard the donuts there are delish so naturally, I had to try one.  Decided on a "latte" and I had a maple donut...coffee was, well, I've had better but the donut certainly made up for that.  Yum yum yum!

Back to my room and had the rest of my dinner from last night.  Showered and early bed as tomorrow I'm off to Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon.