6th October 2022
Very relaxed after a long nights sleep last night, and no dinner, we were all ready for a hearty breakfast, and it appears we came to the right place. Breakfast included in our rate is a la carte with a good selection of dishes.
Sharon's Poached eggs with hash was a bit of a standout.
The eggs benedict was also great, mine with crab cakes was very special.
Johns omelette was also very good
Clearly, breakfast without potatoes in Canada is almost impossible, but it doesn't mean you have to eat them all.
Before we go anywhere the girls are concerned that our flight does not leave until close to midnight tomorrow, so a late checkout would be helpful. Of course a very late checkout on a Friday is pretty unlikely and the best offer is for a 1 pm checkout. In the end we agree to take one room, effectively for another night so we have somewhere to get fresh before leaving for the airport at around 9.30pm.
Fully sustained from our breakfast we plan to walk around the shoreline to catch the ferry to Granville Island. The walk takes us along English Beach and around into False Creek.
There is a building facing English Beach with incredulously has a mature tree growing on the top of the building. Obviously it is well anchored in case of strong winds.
Only a crow on duty today at English Beach
English Beach, with a great collection of driftwood in the foreground
Inukshuk Sculpture by the Sea (An Inuit Symbol)
We round the corner to leave the beach and head into False Creek, the home of Granville Island, an old industrial area redeveloped into a vibrant community and tourist destination.
We caught one of these cute little ferries which run every 5 minutes across to Granville Island for a return fee of $4.
Burrard Street Bridge looking from Granville Island with ferry in foreground
The island has lots of specialty shops selling touristy stuff, and many galleries representing artists from all disciplines. The are also a few buskers trying their hardest.
We wandered around the perimeter of the main area of activity checking out a number of the stores, but the real attraction here is the markets.
The Granville Public Market is a huge attraction and it is where all of the activity is. The display of produce and food items of all types is impressive, as good as you would see anywhere.
The patisseries attracted special interest from coupe of the team
This precooked French fare was also a bit irresistible
However we resisted many of the temptations and sat down to fresh bagels with Smoked Sockeye Salmon, onions , capers and cream cheese, which I washed down with a very acceptable local draft IPA.
On the way out of the market I couldn't resist buying some smoked salmon "nuggets", marinated in maple syrup as the perfect accompaniment for a nice cool pre dinner drink. It turned out to be a great choice.
On our way back from the Island we came across a local sculpture that looked to be a photographers favourite. They are big on sculptures here, but this one had some character and no deep message about saving the planet.
The geese were out again, oblivious to the busy crowds around them, clearly just focused on getting a feed before they need to cope with winter.
On the way back to the hotel, we made a booking at a nearby restaurant, Hook, for dinner. They have a good menu of seafood and other meat dishes.
It is still only mid afternoon, so after a brief rest back at the hotel, John headed off to get a haircut and beard trim and I went for a walk to Coal Harbour on the other side of the peninsula we are on.
This impressive apartment building is almost complete with harbour views
Vancouver has a lot more adventurous architecture than we saw in the East.
Coal Harbour is packed with leisure craft and not surprisingly so, as Vancouver must be the best harbour in Canada for recreational boating.
Dinner at Hook restaurant was pleasant after some pre dinner drinks and a snack at our hotel, which is only 5 minutes walk away. We enjoyed our maple syrup infused smoked salmon with our pre dinner drink.
Tomorrow is our last day in Canada, but we have a full day as our flight doesn't depart until 11.15 pm.
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