Hi Mum and Dad and John hine, and lokting and weiying!

First impressions of Canada - smells like chlorine! After feeling very impressed with myself that I figured out the trains and got to the hostel perfectly without once walking the wrong way down the street or even looking like a tourist (a fellow traveller actually asked me for directions thinking i was local!) I got settled into my room where I came across 2 Canadian girls from Calgary. Together we explored Vancouver's Stanley park. It was a relief to have someone show me how to cross the roads. Within a few hours of being in Canada I had managed to stop traffic by getting confused as to whether or not I give way or if the car does (apparently in Canada the cars wait for the pedestrian, always) There I was standing in the middle of the road giving the signal to the driver to turn as the cars began to bank up. Yeah, they weren't impressed. I learnt my lesson well! I actually truly believed that the roads must be oneway as the cars were ALL on the wrong side, sometimes I get shocked to find a car 'driving itself' or the driver with their feet hanging out the window only to remember that the driver is on the other side... this realisation usually only comes after I've expressed this shock vocally or by pointing dramatically..

So I saw snow for the firsst time. It was about 5 mountains away though it was there! Vancouver was great! 22pieces of sushi for 5 bucks! glorious hanging baskets and cottage houses, ocean to one side, mountains and forests on the other. Though there are countless homeless people roaming around downtown. Stanley park was like Perth's Kings park (here Isaw my first squirrel!), Lynn Valley was beautiful; crystal clear water, valleys and forest hikes. And China put on a magnificant fireworks show.I saw a poster in the street (I got lost downtown ALOT) for an exhibition featuring Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Cassat, oh boy! I quickly got directions and spent the rest of the day in the gallery marvelling at the greatness of some of my favourite artists. Degas' pastels made me shiver, no print or reproduction could ever do him justice!

Sunday was a pride parade, one of the biggest in the world i think? On Monday we (6 others and myself) did the Grouse Grind. We'd read the Lonely planet earlier which said it'd take 90mins and decided these things always exaggerate, it'll only take an hour or so, we'll be right! ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I think my legs have increased width by atleast 10cm! Definately worth it though; there is a gondola that goes up but it just wouldnt have been the same! There we saw the very end of a lumberjack show, much to the disappointment of Tim (little german acrobat) who leapt off the lift and raced down the hill to see it.

On Tuesday Claudia, Georgia (two people I met at the hostel) and myself made our way by bus and ferry to Victoria (on Vancouver Island). It took about 4hours though the trip was very scenic. We passed through some of the gulf islands and saw harbour seals along the way. Victoria prides itself on it's British feel, of cottages paved roads, painted mail boxes, and fudge/candy stores! There are so many op-shops and second hand book stores, I could definately spend a significant amount of time here! Maybe not to settle down as there is a noticable segreation between the very rich and middle class. The city has such potential to be a favourite though the atmosphere created by the permanent locals isn't so nice sometimes..

Wednesday was a three hour bike ride up and down hills along the coast (another gruelling workout for the legs). I had to keep my wits about me as I tackled cycling in amongst the traffic. Georgia and I then went whale watching on an open boat. The orcas came right up close it was great. I'm not sure though whether or not the whales or the boat full of older middle aged American couples was more exciting! They definately fit the cliche!

And today I went kayaking! Full body workouts all this week!

Ok so thats all in the world of KingYin so far!