Vancouver 2

Week 3 Back in Vancouver for weekend. Weather has turned grey again although we had a calm crossing from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. It was a bit of palava getting on the express bus as nearly every foot passenger had the same idea. It made for a cosy journey. We are now back on foot but managed the HoHo bus. It took us through Stanley Park and then on to a stop near Granville Island. We decided to get off there as we had had enough of the driver droning on. Granville Island was quite interesting from the point of view that it had some very up- market stalls and shops. The market sold all sorts of fruit and veg and there was also quite a few cheese stalls. The island had been an industrial one and there was still a cement factory near the sea front. The market shops and stalls reflected the the art, culture, food, and 1st Nations history of the area. After an enjoyable couple of hours avoiding the rain, we returned to the bus stop to find that our previous driver must have completed a whole circuit because he picked us up. We lasted to the Urban Winery where we felt it was necessary for another welcome stop for beer and wine tasting. Later had a meal in Yaletown followed by what was supposed to be 'one last drink' in the bar next door to hotel! Very friendly bar staff. Turned out to be great end to the evening especially after a couple of very quiet nights in Nanaimo. Sunday was very wet. We couldn't face another Ramada breakfast so went to diner across the road. We made a decision, whilst standing in the rain at Canada Place, to take the shuttle bus to the north of vancouver to go on the suspension bridge at Capilano. Best decision we have made so far this holiday. A great place to visit with walkways up in the rainforest, a long wobbly suspension bridge and a cliff walk. By the time we had finished the sun had come out which was an added bonus and we got to keep the 'stylish' yellow ponchos that were given out free. The downside of the visit was that when we went to catch the shuttle bus back, Graham, our droning driver, had switched from HoHo to shuttle. Lovely long walk in the sun in Stanley Park in afternoon. Had an early night in order to be up early on Monday to get the Rocky mountaineer train