Capilano Suspension Bridge, Salmon Hatchery and Grouse Mountain - WOW!

Today the plan was to get up early as we were going to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver.  However, Terry and James slept in until 9:30.  That’s holidays right?!

We finally got moving and hopped in the Dodge heading to Capilano Park which was a 20 minute drive away.  It was also Terry’s first real drive since we’ve been here and he handled driving on the other side of the road extremely well!  It’s weird sitting in the front passenger seat – it makes my feet go all funny as there is normally a brake on that side. 

It was a perfect day to visit the park, around 25 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  Everyone else thought it was the perfect day too as when we arrived there was a very big line to get in!  The line moved quickly and before we knew it, we were walking along the suspension bridge.   The bridge is 137m long and sways quite a bit when you are walking along it.  The other visitors were in awe of the kids as they walked straight on and practically ran up and down the bridge.  The view was spectacular and whilst we didn’t see a lot of wildlife, we were in awe of the tall trees.  The Douglas Fir was the main species however there were Maples and Red Cedars as well.  We then went on a treetops adventure walk through the canopy and then completed the cliffwalk. 

We then drove to the nearby Salmon Hatchery.  We got to see all stages of the life cycle and it was interesting to see how the salmon continue their uphill battle to their spawning ground.  I kept thinking how tired they would be as they kept trying to swim against the man-made current.  They were jumping up one metre walls and would not give up.  It’s crazy to think this is instinct.

A few people had told us to go Grouse Mountain so onwards we drove and it was the highlight of our day.  My motto is ‘do it once and do it well’ so we bought the Ultimate Family package which included a gondola ride, the Peak Chairlift which takes you to 1.25km above sea level and then up a working turbine in the world’s only glass view pod.

Talk about cram people into the Gondola, it was packed!  We then had a look around the first level before riding on the chairlift all the way to the top.  The view was spectacular and we were really lucky it was a clear day.  One of the workers told us that you can’t always see down onto Vancouver due to fog.  Up the turbine we went and although the view was amazing it was pretty hot in there so we didn’t stay long.

We then walked down to see the two resident bears, Grinda and Coola.  One of the bears was in a water hole and was playing with some reeds.  We got quite a shock how big they were and they put on quite a show for the crowd.

Happily exhausted, we headed for our apartment after a massive day. Tomorrow we HAVE to be up early as we are starting our drive into the Rockies and we only have one day/night to explore Whistler.   We have all fallen in love with Vancouver and have gotten the dollar out of the day! The kids fell asleep in minutes and I won't be far behind them.

Things of interest:

·      * We have seen so many flashy cars driving the streets and hundreds of yachts and cruisers at the bay.  Terry is just loved looking at the cars.

·     *  At the supermarket everything comes in big packets – you can’t buy small anything.  Much like the US.

·      * We were told by a Canadian that Aussies say ‘I reckon’ a lot – in the same conversation I said it!

·      * The 10c piece is smaller than the 5c piece.

·      * Vancouver is really well set out however it is very expensive!

Driving the Dodge

Lions Gate Bridge

 Capilano Suspension Bridge

Treetops

We realised halfway through our walk that Terry and Will were dressed the same.  For someone who is so teenager cool - this hurt big time!  We all laughed for ages!

Maple Tree - not cold enough for syrup, only from trees in East Canada

Cliffwalk

Salmon Hatchery

James meets an American Pika - who then chases him!

The snow capped mountain in the distance is in the US

On the chair lift

In the view pod

Overlooking Vancouver

My what big claws you have!

My what big feet you have! 

One big bear

Shaking off the water

Heading back to the apartment.  Lots of traffic for a weekend.

Exploring the City!

I woke up this morning at 7am and then I realised - I was in Vancouver!  Everyone was still asleep so I quietly got up, made a coffee and did a quick clean of our apartment.  We are staying at the Times Square Suites and Tripadvisor was right once again - our two bedroom apartment has everything we need and is in the best location.  My challenge over the next 5 weeks is knowing where everything is in our many suitcases and bags – if this is my biggest challenge - bliss!  Waiting, waiting when will my family wake up?  They must have been exhausted for everyone slept until 9:30am – over 13 hours!

Terry and I walked up to Hertz and picked up our car that will drive us to the Rockies in a few days time.  We have an all leather interior Dodge.

We came back to the apartment, and all four of us made our way back to Stanley Park which is our closet pick up point for the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus for a tour of the city.  The loop takes 2.5 hours .  We ‘hopped’ off at a ferry stop for a quick ride over to the Granville Markets.  Well being the market queen, I know my markets.  Whilst they weren’t as big as I expected, they didn’t disappoint with a fantastic selection of fresh produce, arts, crafts and food court. 

James was on a mission to find Gelato and had many, many stalls to choose from. Will was on the hunt for cherries - all of the berries were stacked in little castles. Terry spied the Bratwurst as soon as we walked in and showed great self-control not to buy one straight away!  I chose a salad taco.  We chilled out on the wharf in the sun and listened to a busker whilst dodging some of the biggest seagulls we had ever seen.  We stayed around 3 hours and James said his legs were tired – I think Terry paid him to say this.  The truth is, the boys and Terry get sick of going to markets whilst I could stay all day! With a three to one vote - the boys win - we then found the bus stop and finished the loop of the city. 

The weather is sunny, around 22 degrees.  We have been lucky - the week prior Vancouver had extreme rainfall and the rain is due to set in again the day after we leave.

By the time we ‘hopped’ off the bus again it was nearly time for dinner so I went on the hunt for pizza for the kids.  The street we are staying on has many, many restaurants right on our doorstep.  The kids happily scoffed their pizza in the apartment whilst Terry and I decided to go out for a nice dinner.  Just across the road from our apartment I had spied a French Restaurant, Left Bank.  It had great reviews on Tripadvisor so we decided to check it out.  The food was incredible, the highlight the short braised ribs.  We getting used to tipping again too.

After dinner, we went back for the kids and we all went for a stroll around the streets.  It was Friday night and the streets were packed.  A lot of the restaurants have long lines spilling onto the streets and there is all different types of cuisine on offer. 

Terry and I have decided Vancouver is like Nelson Bay on steroids with a bustling seaport.   The city is amazing however is living up to its name as one of the most expensive cities in the world! 

On the bus

Decisions, decisions!

Chocolate & Salted Caramel

Salad Taco 

Starting to riot - all 3 have had enough of the markets!

Time for a walk around Granville Island

Big kid

Really had enough....no energy

Time to go - look who has their energy back!

Friday night Robson St - our apartment is in the background

Finally we are in Vancouver!

We woke up around 6am and were all excited – today was the day!  We had a nice, relaxed breaky, packed up the room and headed to reception to check out.  Then all of a sudden I realized we had been a little too relaxed and we were starting to run out of time to check in for our flight!

I really don’t know what I was thinking! 

We did the quick bolt to the Virgin counter and the line was a mile long to check in.  I spotted a staff member and said that I was a little worried we might not make check in.  The look on his face said it all!  He told us to bypass all of the line and head straight through to the end counter and they would fast track us through check in.  The lady on the counter said she would give us priority through customs and we were to head there immediately - the plane was going to begin boarding in 30 minutes!

The kids were stoked – no waiting in lines for them!  We did the fast walk to customs, James was saying, ‘I can’t believe this’ in relation to going on the holiday.   All I could think was ‘I can’t believe this either!’ although I was referring to the fact we were running sooooo late!

In customs Terry starts cracking jokes with the guy on the desk – no small talk we’re not going to make it! We get pulled up through security as we’d left a water bottle in Terry’s bag in the panic.  Now we were not allowed to touch the bag and had to wait while security searched it.  I then got pulled over for the explosives test –  come on!  The guy who did the test told us a short cut through the airport to the gate – we were starting to break a sweat!

Well we made it to the plane just in time to start boarding.  What a whirlwind start to the trip!

The 13 hours seemed to take forever!  We arrived in LA bleary eyed and ready for sleep – but we had a five hour wait before our next flight to Vancouver.  It took 1.5 hours to get through customs and get our luggage.  I’ve never had so many checks - not only did I look fancy with my new flash travel wallet that my workmates brought me, it was so useful and I used it many, many times on the very first day! Terry, Will and I all fell asleep at the airport.  Little Jim wasn’t too tired and played guard with our luggage.  We boarded our flight to Vancouver and we all slept all the way.  As we neared Vancouver Will was really excited - he couldn’t wait to hear the accents.

Finally we touched down in Vancouver – nearly 24 since we arrived at Sydney Airport.   I had arranged a transfer to our hotel and at the time I made the booking, I could pay an extra $10 for a limo.  Well, as you know my first preference is to travel by limousine, and I thought it would be a good surprise for the kids.   The limo was the biggest one I had ever travelled in.  The kids were stoked!   Will thought he was a rock star and James was playing it down although he was inwardly chuffed.

We checked into our apartment and within an hour we hit the pavement to check out Vancouver.  We are staying on Robson St and restaurants, shops and Stanley Park are right on our door step.  We found a fantastic Italian restaurant and then headed to Stanley Park to walk it off!  Terry and James went back to the apartment and Will and I went to Safeway to buy supplies.  We walked up and down the  supermarket aisles checking out all the different brands of food.   We then smelt something amazing and followed the smell to a Waffle Shop – dessert for Terry and James. 

The boys crashed out in minutes with Terry not far behind.  It was such a big day travelling and I can’t believe I am now sitting here in Vancouver.  I can’t wait to explore more of the city tomorrow, Vancouver is such an incredibly beautiful city!

Exhausted - nearly missed the plane!

The trip got a whole lot better for all of us - iPod chargers!

Fancy travel wallet - worked a treat!

Now that's a limo 

Better start creating Apps boys if you want to travel like this! Will is particularly impressed.

The happiest of all to reach the hotel - Terry Marlborough!

No time for rest Terry - we are off to explore Stanley Park!

 

The boys fooling in the park

Robson Street - our apartment is in the background.

Dinner - finally a decent meal!

 Checking out the supermarket

The Marlboroughs are ready to go!

Wow - what a day!  I can't believe tomorrow we will be on the plane heading to Canada.  A year of hard work is about to pay off big time!

We managed to leave by 4:45pm and arrived at the hotel just before 7:30pm.  In my most enthusiastic voice, I announced at Reception that is was 'MY 40th BIRTHDAY TODAY, any chance of an upgrade please?" Well, unfortunately all of the family rooms were booked HOWEVER, as it was 'my special day, we will shout you and your family drinks in the bar.'  Not exactly the result i was after but hey, the offer of free drinks was not a bad start!

We headed to our room - overlooking the airport which is perfect for the kids.  We had made it to the room with 2 minutes to spare before my favourite trashy show The Bachelor came on.  Now, as you girls out there will appreciate, this show i could not miss - final 5 to 4!  So I decided to skip the free drinks, order room service and chill out with my champagne and Bachy.  Hey when it's your birthday, the kids and hubby know not to complain!

Tomorrow we take off at 9:50 am for LA, we will then transit to Vancouver.  It will be a massive day travelling for just under 24 hours.

Look out Canada, the Marlborough's are coming!  I can't believe we are on our way!

No school for 5 weeks!

 Fluffy scored a start!

And we're off!

My idea of the perfect birthday - Room service, champers and The Bachelor!

Cheers! 

The day has come - 40 and the big trip!

Testing 123....

Well, the day has finally come.  Not only have i turned the Big 40, we are leaving Newcastle to start our Canada/US trip.

Now the challenge for the holiday is, how many upgrades will Bel score?  'It's my 40 birthday trip, any chance of an upgrade!'

Stay tuned......