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A Week in Vancouver

We’re spending a week in beautiful Vancouver, Canada, celebrating Mike’s birthday and enjoying unscheduled time. It’s been terrific.

Mike’s never been to Vancouver, and I was last here in the early eighties with my friend, Stephanie. The city is as vibrant as I remember, but instead of staying in a youth hostel, we’re in a hotel. Walking to most places has been easy, and we’ve otherwise taken the local bus or train. I have loved being away from car culture for a while. 

Walking around Gastown, Mike posing with a steam-powered clock

We lucked out with the weather and only needed a sweater or light jacket most days.

Mike’s birthday coincided with warm, clear skies and a fun adventure: time at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver. We boarded the free shuttle at Canada Place, and within 15 minutes, we entered the lush green park. Storyboards and artifacts from the early days describe the evolution of the bridge. Here’s a blurb from the website:

“The park has a rich history, getting its name, Capilano, from the Squamish Nation’s Kia’palano, which means beautiful river. The park’s story is one of engineering feats, appreciation for the land, and an eagerness to share its wondrous beauty with the world. It’s a testament to respect for cultural traditions and commitment to environmental conservation.”

https://www.capbridge.com

Crossing the bridge proved challenging in an unexpected way. The suspension bridge never stops swaying, making it impossible to cross without lurching toward one cable, getting your footing, and then inching forward before hanging on again. We could stop and look down below, but it wasn’t possible to linger with so many people traveling to the other side.

Once across the bridge, we were under a beautiful rainforest canopy with wooden walkways and gorgeous lush forest views. There are educational stations for children and adults, a chance to learn about raptors, and unlike the bridge, we could move at our own pace in an unhurried manner. We were there for a few hours.

We timed our return across the bridge so we could have a bite to eat before our next adventure: walking on a single-file walkway above the canyon, again offering magnificent views.

We’ve filled the rest of the week with a variety of activities, including an afternoon at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, where we spotted turtles, goslings, and the occasional fish. The collection of rhododendrons is extraordinary.

We laughed our way to the center of the VanDusen maze and back out. The maze walls feature 3,000 pyramidal cedars. Once in the maze, you can’t see the outer surroundings—such fun.

We attended Vancouver Writer’s Fest: An Evening with David Sedaris on Tuesday. I’ve long admired his writing and sense of humor, and we both enjoyed laughing out loud with a packed house at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Today we took a bus to Stanley Park where we walked along the shore, through wooded areas, pretty gardens and an outdoor cafe where we enjoyed salads and the view. Shortly after photographing the Great Blue Heron, the bird dipped its head in the water and plucked out a fish.

Our cozy hotel is home to a pair of labs, who lounge near the concierge desk for part of each day. I sent my postcards down a mail chute, a vintage relic embedded in the wall. One night, I indulged in room service, ordering chocolate cake to share, and a hot peppermint tea. We splurged on a dinner at the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant.

All told, it’s been the perfect time away, with hours of sunshine and fresh air, delicious food, and a slower pace.

33 thoughts on “A Week in Vancouver”

  1. It all looked spectacular! Travel BC’s advertisement harolds visitors with ‘BC super natural’ and it certainly is. That suspension bridge looks amazing, but I probably would struggle to cross it. Glad you had a fab visit!

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  2. It looks like you had a great time in Vancouver Alys. I love the choices you made on your visit. Whenever you return to the island let me know!

    Best

    Wilma

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  3. I remember many of those places well, and you wrote about the so well! Our high school class went to the suspension bridge, and a student lost their camera over the side. Still great fun, but it just goes to show you what can happen on a bridge like that with high schoolers. Glad you have great weather!

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    • Thank you, Jane. Though it’s a city of skyscrapers, it still feels green and open. The streets are clean, lots of small parks, trees, and gardens, people walking dogs, and a diverse melting pot, something I love about cosmopolitan cities. Mike has been reading about the different architecture, and the efforts to build sustainably.

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    • Thank you for your gracious comments, Laurie. We’ve made the most of every day, including sleeping late, something we rarely do at home. It’s feen a fun and restful time away, and yes, a memorable birthday. I hope your writing is going well.

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  9. HAPPY. BIRTHDAY, Mike!! It looks like you are both having the best time ever. I love the idea of a walkable vacation without driving. There is no youth left in me for a hostel. It would always have to be the hotel and if you add in the labs, it would be heavenly. Fuzzy love as a bonus. The suspension bridge would have to be viewed from one side. I’m impressed you both went over it. I’m sure it requires great balance. Glad to see you both having such a good time. Was that a beer Mike had? I’m always looking for a really good one. Hugs and love to you both.

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    • Thank you, Marlene! I agree with you on the hotel, but I must say that I loved staying in youth hostels in Canada, and throughout Europe when I was young. They were clean, well run, and affordable. I look forward to seeing the dogs each day (a black lab and a blonde one). They’re up in years, but they look relaxed and happy.

      Crossing the suspension bridge took real effort. I think it would be nice to cross with half the number of people at a time. Tickets for entrance are timed, but once there you can stay as long as you like.

      I’ll ask Mike for the name of the beer he had that night. He enjoys good beer and wine.

      Hugs back your way. xo

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  12. Good to see you taking time out and travelling a bit. You both look happy and relaxed in your photos! Many happy returns belatedly to Mike. Vancouver looks like a great place to visit. The greenery and those walkways and the bridge are all things that would appeal to me.

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    • Thank you, Cathy. You would enjoy Vancouver’s green spaces, botanical gardens, and parks. You would also love Butchart Gardens in Victoria, a short jaunt across the water. I’ve been four times now over many, many years. It’s extraordinary.

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  13. What a fabulous trip Alys and one you both deserved after some of the trauma you’ve gone through. You both look happy and relaxed.

    I’m a bit ambivalent about mazes, I get panicked. Last time I was in one was when the girls were small and, despite waving the white flag to be rescued, the youngest had to have a wee in amongst the corn (it was a maize maze) we’d been in it for so long.

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    • Thank you, Lynn. It was a relaxing week and a joyful time. We enjoyed getting away, and it was nice to escape with just a two-hour flight.

      I’m sorry to hear about your maze experience. I’ve seen some of the corn mazes, which can be large and meandering. The corn mazes I did with the boys were easy to get through.

      “Maize maze”…giggle.

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  15. Wow! I love Vancouver, we used to go there all the time when I lived in Seattle. Looks like you had some nice weather and your photos are awesome! Stanley Park! A hotel with dogs included – sign me up!
    I love David Sedaris too and have many of his books – that is fantastic you got to see him in person. Splendid trip and now I need to bring John to Vancouver someday since he’s never been!

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  16. Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Mike!! What a wonderful celebration!! Your time in Vancouver made so many special memories for your both. I always love reading about your travels, Alys. You and Mike are both wonderful at planning grand adventures… and taking us along! 🩷 Dawn

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    • Thank you, Dawn. I hope we’ve started a new tradition of traveling for our birthdays. Italy in October and Vancouver in May means we’re off to a great start. With spring and autumn birthdays, we’ll be traveling off-season! xo

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