Day 286, 16 April 2013, Vancouver, B.C. Skytrain/Bus to Steveston Fishing Village, Davie Village - Indian buffet, Stanley Park and spring flowers.
We had such huge fun with the travel pass yesterday that we bought another one for each of us and decided to take the Skytrain all the way to the end of the Canada line - a place called Richmond-Brighouse. Known for Asian food. Obviously going to have multitudes of sushi shops. We had just been discussing the honesty system of public transit tickets - there are no ticket barriers, but you will get hit with a fine of $173 if you are found in a "paid" zone and have not in fact paid. About two minutes after we said - Gosh - wonder how often they check tickets, a British Columbia policeman came by to do just that. Friendliest man you could hope to meet and even offered himself for a photo (see album). We got to Richmond and found there was really no there there - just malls. So took a local bus to Steveston - a fishing village, cannery and jumping off point for whale watching cruises. Quaint little town and lovely to have really fresh air - then back to the big city. Talked ourselves into an Indian lunch buffet in Davie Village - sooooo good. Have not had nearly enough Indian food on the trip (aside from when we were in England, where the national dish is curry!). One of the rules in Vancouver is all tourists must visit Stanley Park and make copious ooh-ahh noises. NotbeingGrownups not wanting to offend, tootled off to the park and it was indeed very pretty with masses of spring flowers and tulips (pictured). Back to the hotel and (you guessed it) - Packing Day. We'd left our big bag and skis at the Amtrak Station so it wasn't too hard - just had to make sure all our necessities and a couple of outfits were in our day bags - enough to cater for all eventualities during two days on a train. V.v.v keen to get all the luggage checked in and out of our hair. The hotel has been superb - have organised a wake up call, a taxi transfer and a bagged breakfast for our early departure. Going to have a red hot go at actually sleeping well prior to Travel Day.