Farewell Canada! Sunday 23rd August

Sadly it was time to say farewell to Canada today, after a fantastic couple of weeks exploring Alberta & British Columbia.
We departed our hotel after breakfast & despite the best efforts of Air Canada to disrupt plans (changing the type of aircraft & 'canceling' the flight) the group were able to check-in without major problems & begin their journey home.

A Note from Declan:
I really enjoyed touring Western Canada with you all for the past couple of weeks.  Many different factors go into a tour's success, some of which we can control & others which we can't.
We were definitely very fortunate with the weather, enjoying something of a heat wave in places & not much rain at all, & this definitely helped us in enjoying a great tour.
We also enjoyed the services of an excellent, friendly, & flexible driver in Fabio.
And not least you were a great group - superbly punctual, flexible & optimistic, adventurous, & fun.  Thank you all for your excellent company.  I hope to travel with you all again some time - Europe, America's National Parks, Peru..???

First Nation art in Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver at Leisure - Saturday 22nd August

Today was left entirely free for travelers to explore Vancouver at their own pace & to enjoy their last day in Canada to shop, sightsee, relax or whatever took their fancy.
Many gathered at breakfast to discuss their day's plans, then set off in different directions - walking  to the Harborfront, riding the 'Aquabus' to Granville Island, watching the steam clock in Gastown, pampering themselves in Yaletown's spas, etc.
We all rendezvoused this evening for a farewell dinner by the Marina, one last chance to chat, reminisce, etc, before traveling home tomorrow.

Vancouver's North Shore - Friday 21st August

We boarded our bus this morning for an excursion out of the city, just across the Lion's Gate Bridge over Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver.
Our first stop was Capilano Suspension Bridge - though the name disguises jut how much there is to see & do there.  We began with an introductory tour, then crossed the bridge itself & took a nature tour.  After that the group split up to climb the 'treetops trail' through the rainforest canopy, brave the overhanging 'cliffwalk' or just enjoy some old time music.
Our second stop was Grouse Mountain, the huge massif that overlooks the city & allows residents to ski after work in the winter months!  We rode the cable car up (an 8 minute ride on the largest gondola in North America), then enjoyed free time to take in the many attractions atop the mountain - a grizzly bear habitat with two orphaned grizzlies, an entertaining lumberjack show & an amazing raptor display, etc.
Back down the mountain we returned to the city, our last ride with our excellent driver Fabio.  At the hotel it was time to say farewell to Fabio as he began his journey home to Calgary.  We have one more full day in Vancouver before it is time for us to head home too.

Tomorrow:  A totally free day to explore Vancouver at leisure, meeting for a farewell dinner on the last night of our trip.

Historical tour at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Totem poles

Crossing the bridge...

The 'Cliffwalk'

Ascending Grouse Mountain...

...into the clouds!

Lunch atop the mountain

Farewell Fabio

Welcome to Vancouver - Thursday 20th August

We departed Victoria this morning at our usual time, beginning the journey to Vancouver, the final destination of our tour.
With a little time to spare we made a stop en-route at a 'Tim Horton's', Canada's most popular coffee chain.  No trip to Canada would be complete without stopping at a 'Tim's' at least once.
Our ferry crossing to Tsawwassen, near Vancouver, was as smooth as on our outward journey, & we arrived in the Vancouver area in perfect time for lunch at the Granville Island Public Market.
The market, in repurposed industrial buildings on a reclaimed site, are a major Vancouver attraction, offering a wide variety of foods, crafts, etc, with something for everyone.
After lunch we met our local guide Jenn, who took us on an afternoon introductory tour of Vancouver, showing us both residential neighborhoods & the sights of Downtown Vancouver, including the beautiful green spaces & views of Stanley Park, the beaches of Kitsilano & English Bay, the urban scenery of Yaletown, Gastown & Chinatown, & even a traditional Chinese garden.
At the end of the afternoon we checked-in at our excellent hotel, the Westin Grand, in a great central location, for a 3 night stay in Van City.

Tomorrow:  Discovering Vancouver's North Shore.

Exploring Granville Island's Public Market

Choosing lunch in the market

Market dining, inside...

...& out.

 Modern art, Vancouver-style

Vancouver's Chinatown's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden

Stanley Park city views...

...totem poles...

...& North Vancouver views

Queen Victoria, Flowers & Killer Whales! - Wednesday 19th August

Today was a full day in & around Victoria, to discover the city's many & varied attractions.
Our local guide this morning was Nico who, along with his son Fabiano, took us on an excellent 2 hour tour, seeing neighborhoods (including the second oldest Chinatown in North America, fantastic scenery, feeding harbor seals, viewing totem poles & a Scottish-style castle, & more!
After saying goodbye to Nico we drove out of the city to nearby Butchart Gardens.  Created in 1904 from a discussed limestone quarry, the gardens are an incredible achievement, benefitting from the ideal climate here to bloom magnificently throughout the year.
This afternoon & evening were entirely free.
About half the group chose to go whalewatching in the hope of seeing orcas, most in the larger (& likely smoother) boat but Ella & Declan opted for the evening zodiac ride.
The afternoon boat proved not so smooth once the wind picked up, with many passengers (but not our group) getting very wet & some a little nauseous.  Most importantly though they enjoyed great sightings of orcas close to their boat & returned with quite a tale to tell.
Ella & Declan departed just as the large boat was getting in - in time for the zodiac captain to inform his passengers that it was going to be 'very bumpy' out there.  The first few minutes were a little nerve-wracking, but once everyone was used to it & confident in the boat & captain it turned out to be great fun - & with more great orca sightings too.

Breakfast at the Best Western Plus Inner Harbor

Judy, Judy, Judy!!!

Sea & USA views

Hand-feeding harbor seals at Oak Bay marina

Victoria's Scottish-style 'castle'

Incredible Butchart Gardens

Preparing for a rough ride on the zodiac!

First glimpses of orcas!

Other whale-watching boats nearby

Whale!

Bumpy, wet, windswept.. but fun!

British Columbia's Parliament Building