It was hard to leave Whistler, because we had so much fun. I could easily spent weeks there without getting bored. Also, this was the only city we knew we want to go to before taking the trip to Canada. I knew exactly what I wanted to do there and I hoped that my girlfriend liked it as well. Anyway, we had to leave and all we knew was we're going to Vancouver!
Squamish
We left Whistler early hoping that a hike could wake us up properly. My gf decided to ask what else was fun in the neighborhood and Squamish was their answere. The other tourist ensured us that this hike to Chief first peak was adventurous, excited and the view was amazing. These three words just turned into a nice a short story!
Adventurous:
Chief mountain has three peaks and are all accesable from the backside of the mountain. We choose the first one since we didn't have all day to hike. We wanted to be in Vancouver by the end of the day. In several high places there are short sections of "trail" that are so steep or slippery, that chains and ladders have been bolted to the rock for aid. The several peaks offer a view of the Sea to Sky highway 99 and the river below. The summits have no railings or safety installations, making it possible to fall off the face of the cliff. The fact that my gf hiked on sandals makes this a lot more adventurous, but she finished the hike without complaining 😁
View:
It might not be the best I've ever seen. How ever, if you hike for one and a half hour on a hike that make the knees of my girlfriend shiver like an earthquake, it doesn't matter what the view looks like! It was beautiful and we definitely took some time to rest and suck it all up! Photo's tell the rest of this story.
Excited:
It was on our way down when I see a man coming up with a tshirt saying: "Ask me for a story".
I was tired, my girlfriend was exhausted, but just before he past us I asked him to tell us a story. Oh that look on her face!
He turned out to be really religious and told as a five minute life lesson the way God himself would tell us.
Maybe not the best idea I've have ever had, but it made me laugh and a bit more excited for the rest of the trip.
Vancouver
If you have read my blogs, you know that cities are not our thing. Nevertheless, Vancouver is a different story. When driving down from Horseshoe bay, Vancouver starts to appear behind the coastline. There wasn't an option to stop the van, but the view over the city is perfect. The city itself is expensive and so was the RV-park where we stayed for the night. This didn't ruin our stay because it had everything we needed and more.
Here is what I think of Vancouver. What is well worth seeing in my opinion.
Granville Island market, which is not your ordinary market.
It a tiny village underneath a bridge which had lots of restaurants and small food stands. Live music makes it extra cozy whilst the market keeps on going with special deals everywhere. "Go fish"an excellent recommendation to have a proper fish and chips, just outside of the market. It can be really busy, but it is worth the wait.
Go fish
If you want to see at Vancouver at its very best, but don't want to spent your time walking to every highlight, take the city bikes and go where ever you want. As a Dutchman I have to like bikes and I do, very much if you like. How ever, not every country or city is made for riding a bike. At least not as comfortable as where I live. Still, I think riding a bike is the best way to explore a city. My back doesn't get painfull, my feet still live after a full day going from one sightseeing point to another and most of all, I'm a lot quicker on a bike then on my feet. Yes @mrprofessor, we thought of you during this trip. Although this is not a biketrip to have a post for itself. This is what we saw:
Vancouver city seeing
The Lions Gate bridge
Vancouver Island (teaser)
Since we didn't have more then three weeks in Canada, we booked our ticket for the ferry to Vancouver Island. The boat departs from Horseshoe Bay and takes about two hours to reach Nanaimo. We considered this day as a traveling day, because there was no other boat available other than the 7 pm boat. During the trip you have a beautiful view at the mountains and the city of Vancouver you're leaving behind.
And I'm already excusing myself for my cheezyness, but boy do I have a pretty women traveling with me threw life, don't I?
If you listen to the other tourist or the locals, everyone speaks about Tofino and Victoria. But I've read about Telegraph Cove in the north of the island. This a place where killer whales and hump back whales swim close to shore and killer whales are exactly the kind of animals I haven't seen in my life. I believe that this was my first reason to visit Canada after all. I tell you all about it in my next post! And of cours I'll show you more photo's because Vancouver Island is absolutely gorgeous.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Leave a comment, resteem and upvote this post. It is highly appreciated.
Or check out my previous post about Canada:
Canada part 1: https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@dboontje/travel-van-life-is-wicked
Canada part 2: https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@dboontje/travel-banff-national-park-and-it-s-lakes
Canada part 3: https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@dboontje/travel-canda-jasper-national-park-wildlife
Canada part 4: https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@dboontje/travel-jasper-beware-of-the-cold-with-32-c
Canada part 5: https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@dboontje/travel-canada-going-west-part-5
