This was technically my first SOLO trip outside the country, though I visited Puerto Rico by myself in May which is technically within the USA but everyone speaks Spanish there, and I literally speak 0 words in Spanish. Meanwhile everyone in Vancouver speaks English with Northern accent. In my first trip to Seattle this July for climbing Mt Rainier, I made plans to visit Alaska after the climb. In my second trip to Seattle in August to attend a mountaineering training course, I decided to visit Vancouver after the course, and this is how it went …
Saturday 08/19/2017
I took a bus from King Street Station in Seattle to Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. The bus left at 10:45 AM and arrived in Vancouver at around 3 PM. I stayed at C&N Backpacker’s Hostel on this trip, which was only a block away from the bus station near the China Town.
When checking into the hostel, I asked the receptionist if everyone spoke English (info I should have known already, but I just wanted to make sure). After settling in, I went out to get food and to explore with no set plans other than craving for spicy food.
Sri Lankan Food at Canara Sri Lankan located inside the International Shopping Mall
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FlyOver CANADA is a ride that takes you over a journey across Canada, going over locations such as:
- Near Twillingate, Iceberg Alley, Newfoundland
- Riviere Rouge, Quebec
- Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Churchll, Manitoba
- Blue Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia
On my way back to the hostel after taking a trilling ride on FlyOver CANADA, I walked past Gastown Shopping District, and made a plan to do some shopping from here before returning to Seattle, which never happened.
Sunday 08/20/2017
- Woke up late, left hostel at 1 PM, had burger for lunch, then coffee and donut from Tim Horton
- Decided to visit Stanley Park; took a bus to the entrance of the park
- Visited the following:
- Vancouver Seawall
- Totem Poles
- Brockton Point Lighthouse
- Beaver Lake
- Lions Gate Bridge
- Prospect Point Lookout
- Siwash Rock
- Third Beach
- Burrard Inlet Viewpoint
- Second Beach + Swimming Pool
- Lost Lagoon Lake
- Stanley Park Seawall English Bay
- English Bay Beach
- Inukshuk
- Sunset Beach Park
- Edgewater Casino
- Walked back to the hostel along the coast line with lots of amazing views
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Monday 08/20/2017:
- I took the 9 AM bus to Grouse Mountain, which is located in Northern Vancouver, and took The Grind trail to the top. The Grouse Grind is a 2.9-km (1.8-mile) ascent, with an elevation gain of 853 meters (2,800 feet) with 2,830 steps.
- It took me 1 hr 45 mins total with breaks. Started at 10:01 AM, finished at 11:46 AM; the best time for women I believe is 36 mins.
- I spent about an hour at the top, ate lunch, etc.
- Then took the Skyride down the mountain. They do not allow hiking down for safety reason.
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- Once I got back down, I took a bus to visit Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. There I explored a waterfall, a 60 feet waterhole, and the suspension bridge. I assumed it would be less crowded than the more popular Capilano Suspension Bridge, but due to the fact that Lynn Canyon Bridge was free, so it was heavily crowded. I chose to visit this park because it had extra bonuses such as a waterfall and swimming opportunity.
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- Once back in downtown, I took a separate bus to Granville Island to visit the Public Market. I bought my dinner from there and ate it while sitting by the deck, enjoying some fresh ocean air. I also bought some tiny grapes, not sure what they are called and they were so delicious.
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- I took a scenic walk along the coast to get back to my hostel. I was SUPER tired by the end of the day and my feet were hurting. Ouch! 🙁
Tuesday 08/21/2017:
- Took 6:30 AM bus back to Seattle. Arrived in Seattle around 11 AM. I went directly to the airport taking the Link trail and checked-in my backpack with the ariline. My flight was at 5:30 PM; so I did not have to be back at the ariport for my flight any earlier than 4 PM. I spent the remaining free hours in downtown Seattle prior to my flight back to NY’s JFK.
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