As wonderful as cruising is, it has been lovely to step ashore and spend a few days in the delightful city of Vancouver. We have explored by bus and by foot, enjoying the tree lined streets and the beauty of the many garden, water and art features incorporated into all buildings. Vancouver has a lovely relaxed feel about it and has been listed in the top five of the world's most livable cities.

Although a bit overcast, the rain has held off and the temperature has been quite warm. The sun broke through on the second day making everything appear more lovely. For me, Stanley Park has been the highlight. This thousand acre urban oasis is edged by beaches, filled with colourful gardens and natural bushland of cedar, fir and hemlock trees, tranquil water areas and endless walking tracks. I love how Canadians value and appreciate and use their great outdoors.

The Indian totem pole area in the park was very interesting. The totems, some of which were carved as early as the 1880s, stand majestically on display among the trees at Brockton Point. Totem poles are unique to the Indians of the north-west coast of British Columbia and southern Alaska. They are carved from western red cedar and were never worshipped as some think, but rather tell tales of real or mythical events.

Fresh air and exercise makes one quite hungry. I'm afraid my plans for taking a break from eating between ships have gone down the gurgler. We have had some of our best meals here in Vancouver since leaving home. On arriving, the lovely Tina had left a parcel of Canadian goodies at our hotel to welcome us. (Last year Tina did a teacher exchange between her Canadian school and Woodridge, and she and Helen became good friends.) We sipped a delightfully mellow red from the Okanagan Valley and snacked on smoked salmon, local cheese and salmon jerky. We then ate in a nearby pub and had the best beef and Guinness pie you could possibly imagine, washed down by a cold pale ale. Of course, when you find something of excellence, you cannot ignore it, so we ate at the same pub again on our second night here. We were not to be disappointed as the shepherd's pie was as noteworthy as the Guinness pie, or maybe even better if that is possible. Lunch on the street was also good. Vancouver has a reputation for having great street food vendors and after eating a delicious smoked Bavarian hotdog with plenty of onions and mustard, I would have to agree.

Plans for the final morning include some last minute sight-seeing and probably some last minute food, then we are off on a flight to L.A.