Day 1 in Vancouver
Our first day in Vancouver and my original plan was just to visit Stanley Park and chill for the rest of the day.
Turned out I saw much more than I had planned for, thanks to my super driver and energetic Husband. We set off for Stanley Park around 9:30 a.m. and were again pleasantly surprised by how neat and livable Vancouver city is. There were so many restaurants, saloons and shops.
Drove past this snowman who's hugging a tiny teddy.
Stanley Park is huge, at 400 hectares and it's created in 1888. We took a drive around the Park, making stop at the Totem Poles where we saw flocks of Canadian geese.
We had brunch at Tea House at Stanley Park, a stunning restaurant overlooking a picturesque view of snow capped mountains and water. We took so many pictures at the field right in front of the restaurant as it's just so beautiful.
The staff at the restaurant were extremely friendly and helpful and food was fantastic. It was truly a wonderful dining experience. I could have just spend my entire day in this cosy and pretty restaurant.
Seong standing in front of Teahouse
The interior is just as photogenic.
Love it that we were the only ones there at first and had the whole place to ourselves.
I had wanted to take the horse drawn carriage tour but it was closed in winter. Hence we decided to take a drive around and ended up at Granville Island.
A lone snowman on the swing.
I almost could not feel my hands after building this snowman even though I just need to stack the two ready balls of snow on each other and shape it,
The public market was very neat and pretty with stalls selling hand made items to gastronomic delights.
Outside the public market was a pier, lined with very modern buildings on the other side. The seagulls plying the pier were the largest I've ever seen but they seem rather tamed since Ashley was able to run around terrorising them. Again the skyline makes a picture perfect backdrop for photographs.
Even the construction site looks so artsy.
We decided to head back for a little rest after this since the jetlag had set in. It was great that Vancouver is pretty small and our apartment was really centrally located. Everywhere seems to be less than 1/2 hour drive. Seong, Anna and Ashley were able to catch a nap back at the apartment while I explore our neighbourhood.
For dinner, we took a walk to Gastown and settled for the Flying Pigs. It seemed like a rather popular restaurant since it was full house. Food was not exceptional but still tasty. After dinner, we continued to walk toward the waterfront till we came to a Christmas market. Unlike Christmas markets in Europe, we had to pass an entrance fee to enter the one in Vancouver. I thought the atmosphere was not as festive as the ones in Europe. No smell of mulled wine in the air. :P
Us in front of the steam clock at Gastown.
Inside the Christmas market.
Father and little one in front of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Cauldron.
Most stalls featured handmade products or food.
Taking a walk back to our apartment.