Whistler-Vancouver (2 of 2)

A few notes on the balance of our trip.

Part one was a visit to Whistler, BC, summarized here.

We drove down to Vancouver from Whistler on Monday 9/22, after hiking in the snow. Returned via the only route (Sea to Sky Highway, great views, e.g. top photo). Quite a bit warmer as we progressed. Checked into the Pacific Palisades Hotel (same place as we had stayed in 2002; beautiful views out over English Bay (second photo). We were there until returning to Phoenix on Thursday, September 25.

I think we will return regularly to this area, for reasons mentioned in prior post.

We also considered a day trip to Victoria - which is an entirely separate adventure - but decided to wait with this until we can spend at least one overnight on that island.

Here in Vancouver, we devoted lots of time to walking the city, eating and drinking. (Those activities are completely complementary: it takes lots of walking to build up the appetite for large lunch and dinner everyday. I can't believe how much ground we covered, PJ is a great sport for this kind of thing.

Highlights were:

1. Chambar (awesome Belgian restaurant from our last evening in town. Six entrees and 39 Belgian beers (including Chimay Blue). Huge crowd on a rainy Wednesday night. Fun seating right inside the door.

2. Banana Leaf (Malaysian; I had some kind of beef dish prepared in a curry/coconut milk preparation; Okanagan Spring pale ale)

3. Kirin (highly recommended Chinese food and it was great despite a cold, corporate-style room. PJ's kung pao scallops ruled)

4. Raincity Grill (emphasis on local ingredients, beers, wines; right by English Bay; right across the street from Banana Leaf)

5. Steamworks (we had a fun time walking to, around and through Gastown - touristy but nice; shops; the steam clock (per photo)) - this restaurant was a converted something or other old building with great views out over the water, microbrewery in the basement, interesting seating nooks upstairs, etc

Also rented bicycles (with helmets, mandated by local law) and toured the sea wall around Stanley Park; delightful weather that day, great views throughout (bottom two photos).

Whistler-Vancouver (1 of 2)

In 2008, we pretty much have not reached our goal to be less busy. In fact, it's been a pretty consistently too-hectic year. Anyway, we did manage to get away for a few days. After having enjoyed a visit to Whistler and Vancouver (British Columbia) in 2002, we decided to try it again.

BC is just right for our preferred travel - not too hectic or crowded; outdoor access; interesting food and hotels. In fact, it's pretty much ideal. This applies to both Whistler and Vancouver, though in very different ways.

Whistler was unknown to us back in 2002. It's a ski village just north of Vancouver. accessed via something named the "Sea to Sky Highway." Gorgeous area; the village itself is entirely an artificial construct built around skiing, with increasing summer activities. Nothing wrong with that, it's a great setting. Things are a bit in flux as they prepare (with Vancouver) to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. (This affected the road more than anything else we encountered. But the sea-to-sky is a rare road where delays are enjoyable.)

We traveled on Saturday, September 20 (ride to airport courtesy of MB). Due to making arrangements late, we had to connect through Denver. So a good chunk of the day was devoted to travel. On Sunday, we had planned to take the ski gondola up the mountain and do some hiking. But we decided to wait until Monday as the forecast was better. Turns out forecasts are just that. Anyway, Sunday ended up being a fun day - we walked the village (various areas), watched some NFL, found a restaurant (Ric's Mix) we liked (usual criteria: great patio, interesting food, nice beer and wine list (featuring local), and not a ripoff), etc. Shopped a bit in the various stores. Pretty much a perfect day of hanging around.

I include two photos above showing views from our room. It was entertaining watching the bikers ride down the course (click on photos to enlarge) - there were lots of them in town. The hotels are delightful properties, beautifully designed; you feel like you are in Europe or whatever.

On Monday we decided to take the gondola up the mountain notwithstanding snow showers and temps below freezing. Fortunately we had enough layers where comfort wasn't a big issue. Except when the wind was strong. It was quite an experience hiking from 6000 to 7000 feet in intermittent snow storms. Much colder and snowier at the top. Which is where the "Harmony Hut Tea House" is located - sounded like a great resting place, except it was closed for the season. Note the clocks showing time at previous Winter Olympics venues.

Back down for lunch followed by a drive to Vancouver.

Which I'll discuss a bit in the next post.