British Columbia ~ Canada (Days 39 to 42)
Day 39 - Vancouver!
Day 40 - Vancouver!
Day 41 - Vancouver to Victoria!
Day 42 - Victoria! (Ferry to Port Angeles)
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Day 39 - Monday 8 September
Vancouver!
HI Jericho Beach Hostel
and view from the hostel!Click for bigger pictures!
The day started out really well. I walked up the hill to the bus stop and caught a bus into town. I found the library and booked time on the Internet at 2pm. Before setting out to explore the city, I had a nice coffee in the library building which has a huge curved atrium.
I caught a bus to Stanley Park at the western end of the city. The day was perfect - sunny, mild with a light breeze. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk around Stanley Park. I went about half way around and then cut back across the middle of the park. It was great walking through dense and rather dark forest. I saw some racoons, a very picturesque lake covered in water lilies, and many beautiful gardens. After a bite to eat I made my way back to town.
Lake in Stanley Park
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Unfortunately, the Library had a policy of no email. What a waste of time! I had to send an email to a firm in Perth that was having trouble with my software package. I had rather a stressful time looking for an Internet cafe. After lots of indecision and lots of walking, I eventually found a place right next to Stanley Park. My stress levels were up because of all the time I had wasted.
After calming down a bit I walked over to Sunset Beach in English Bay. The late afternoon sun was quite warm and after walking around for a while , I sat and had a beer in a place that overlooked the beach. I was going to stay there and eat but decided to head back to the hostel instead.
English Bay - Vancouver
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After a very ordinary meal at the hostel cafe, I went up to 4th Ave for a beer. Unfortunately, I was feeling a bit lonely at this stage. The only conversation I had all day was with a young local woman while we waited for a bus for half an hour.
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Day 40 - Tuesday 9 September
Vancouver
I had a very quiet day today. I was feeling a bit low. I went up to the University of British Columbia and then to Wreck Beach. The track down to the beach was long, very steep and it passed through some rather dense forest. However, the beach was awful! Dirty sand, dirty water and dirty old men (turns out this was a nudist beach). On the beach were hundreds of washed-up logs - a feature of beaches around here. I walked around the headland and then found a path back up to the road. I then walked through the grounds of the University enjoying the gardens and the views - very nice!
After a coffee at the University, I caught a bus to Alma Street and found an Internet cafe that was recommended to me. There I had one of the tastiest lunch-time meals since being away - a toasted focaccia and salad. I sent off a few email messages.
Later in the afternoon I went Granville Island under the Granville Bridge. There are lots of shops, restaurants and markets there, mostly with a nautical theme.
At sunset I went bought a couple of beers and some peanuts and went down to beach near the hostel and sat and enjoying the warm evening, a cold drink, and watching the locals do their stuff.
Jericho Beach - Vancouver
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That was about it for the day. I had a very quiet night and decided to leave for Victoria early next morning.
Link to Vancouver Events
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Day 41 - Wednesday 10 September
Vancouver to Victoria BC
I liked Vancouver but I wasn't really happy here for some reason. Last night I decided I would head off to Victoria on Vancouver Island. I was actually making my way to the Olympic National Park in Washington State - one of the places I most wanted to visit on this trip. I left the hostel at 8:45am and caught several buses to the ferry port south of Vancouver. I met Lisa from Melbourne (Fern Tree Gully actually) who was also traveling to Victoria.
The ferry ride across to Vancouver Island was magnificent. After a short while into the trip, we navigated a route through several islands. It was very scenic as the islands were very close to each other.
Ferry to Vancouver Island
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After docking at Swartz Bay, there was a one hour bus ride into Victoria. We arrived at the hostel at about 2pm. I checked in and went for a walk. Well! What a beautiful city! I walked solidly for about 3 hours and shot off a roll and a half of film. I made my way around the harbour and then up to Beacon Hill Park where there were some magnificent gardens. I also came across some wonderful totem poles
Empress Hotel and Queen Victoria Building
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Totem Poles
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On my way back I passed a memorial to Princess Diana so I picked a flower and placed it with many others. I felt very sad.
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I had a very quiet night - a few beers, fish and chips and then a bit of TV. I was dog tired!
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Day 42 - Thursday 11 September
Victoria to Port Angeles
A ferry to Port Angeles was departing about 3pm. I decided to make a quick trip out to Butchart Gardens. A friend had recommended that I should visit there. I was very impressed. The gardens are colourful, beautifully laid out and extremely well maintained. Apparently they have about one million visitors a year. I saw my first Redwood Western Cedar - a magnificent tree, and so big for just 64 years old.
Butchart Gardens
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After walking around for a while, I had a coffee and spent quite a bit of money buying souvenirs in the shop.
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After the bus ride back to Victoria, I grabbed a late lunch, sent off some emails, picked up some US cash, and returned to the hostel to collect my bags. I left a note for Lisa who I hadn't seen since we checked in together two days before. I wondered if she had taken ill. I then walked down to the Coho Ferry.
HI Hostel Victoria and the ferry!
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Link to Victoria Tourism
The trip across the Juan de Fuca Strait to Port Angeles was rather special. It was a fine afternoon with just a light breeze blowing. The Olympic Mountains grew bigger and clearer as we neared the port. My first view of snow capped mountains on this trip.
Back in the USA! Port Angeles was larger than I had expected. It was also very quiet there - this being the end of the tourist season. I found the SPA International Hostel without much trouble. It was located upstairs above a spa and massage relaxation centre. I waited for a while before Bryce came to let me in. He was from Vail in Colorado and was working as a tour guide for a month or so. He was soon to make his way south to San Francisco by bicycle!
There was only one other person staying at the hostel (apart from Bryce). Vivienne from Seattle was on a retreat - looking for peace and quiet. The dormitory consisted of one large room containing white cane chairs, small side tables, a fridge and about 20 old wringer washers and other collectables. Beds were - "grab a mattress and put it anywhere!" It was very quiet both at the hostel and in the town.
I was feeling good. Many years ago I had read about Olympic National Park in National Geographic and since then had planned to visit some day. And now here I was!
Tomorrow - Olympic National Park
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