Other than a brief overnight in 2002, I had not explored Vancouver before, so a couple of days upon arrival seemed a good way to start the Canadian Summer journey and get past the jetlag.
Firstly, Driving in Canada was fairly pleasant. With an afternoon checkin and an early morning arrival, I collected my rental, setup my GPS from home and dashcam mount for my phone and made my way to Stanley Park.
Stanley Park is massive, featuring gardens, monuments & landmarks, waterfront & an Aquarium. I parked near the Totem Poles and briefly considered renting a pushbike to explore further, instead choosing to walk the waterfront. If you have read before, I enjoy a good greenspace and appreciate cities that embrace a reserve.
Stanley Park was buzzing this Tuesday morning, people everywhere, walking, cycling and checking out the Totems and waterfront. The light wildfire smoke haze detracted from what was evidently a beautiful vista. From here I got back in the car and stopped further around the park to enjoy views across English Bay, before making my way to Queen Elizabeth Park near my airbnb.
I tend to research main attractions before I travel, laying out a loose itinerary, but normally don’t get too advanced on what I expect to find at these attractions.
I prefer the surprise, than holding too high an expectation which often leads to disappointment. Queen Elizabeth Park was a perfect example. The park & gardens were of course very nice, but the surprise was the Bloedel Conservatory.
Bloedel Conservatory is not huge, but home to a round of exotic birds in compliment to the gardens. As a parront to a Blue & Gold Macaw, I could not have been happier to see these obviously healthy birds (African Grey, B&G and Greenwing Macaws, Cookatoo etc) enjoying the enclosed environment.
Following day I visited the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, a broader walking space nearby my airbnb, before a drive to Lynn Canyon. Van Dusen was delightful, free parking, and a pleasant way to spend a few hours wandering around. The cafe on site was also better than usual.
Lynn Canyon, just north of Vancouver, was a way to ramp up some exercise. Parking was easy for mid week, accessing stairs down to the trails and well structured walkways & boardwalks to a bridge crossing, before circling back to the suspension bridge. A very enjoyable cardio and my first impression of what was many beautiful walks to come.
I headed back to my accom, out for a dinner and looked up my route to Whistler for the next day.