June 2, Canada here we come!

There are a number of lines on the bucket list already ticked, but one which is still outstanding is "See Grizzly Bears in Canada". Let's see if we can fix that.

We are ready and  Air Flights are all locked in. Let's go get that tick!

Departing 16th June, Melbourne to Dallas Fort Worth for a transit stop, then onto Vancouver.

Vancouver is currently17 hours earlier than Melbourne/Sydney.

Average temperatures about 15 C, lets see what it actually is when there. Should be snow still on mountains and a blue sky great for photos. (Providing the Canada fires slow down, a lot of haze currently)

Grizzly Bears:

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in mid to late March. Females with cubs emerge later, in April to early May.

So they should be looking for tourists to eat by the time we arrive.

June 16, Day 1 Travelling

8am pickup

Great start, car was a $250,000, 7series BMW. Nice.

Breakfast at the airport after easy check-in. 

Qantas said their service was now back to its pre pandamic days, they were right. We leave 45 minutes late.

14:42 hours flight to Dallas. Customs and immigration were a nightmare, 1:45 hours.

Just as well it was a 5 hour wait until next flight.

4:30 hours to Vancouver. Fortunately customs immigration and bag pick-up all quick.

Overall 32 hours travel.

Arrive at Vancouver hotel. (11:20pm Canada time), 16:20 next day Melbourne time

Tired puppies !

HOWEVER! A great surprise when we got to our room.

Our bestest friend Jo had arranged a little arrival present.

How good are you.

June 17, Day 2 Vancouver

See me with a bear behind!

Our hotel is opposite the docks where they board the big ocean liners so wandered over for a look.

Two boats in both carry 6500 passengers, don't think I could handle that many people on a boat. Impressive if that's your thing.

Then a walk to Gastown, to see the famous gas clock.

Keeping perfect Tokyo time, not sure why it's 11am here in Vancouver.

Built in 1977 by Raymond Saunders and Doug Smith, the clock was originally built as a monument for local merchants as well as to keep local homeless people from sleeping on the warm steam grate it was built on during the cold weather.

Still feeling a bit jet lagged so time for a short rest.

After a small rest, more sights.

I need a beer

Departure time for the ships

June 18, Day 3, Capilano Park and Stanley Park.

Up early to beat the crowds, Capilano Park is a short drive over a large bridge to the other side of the bay from where we are staying in Vancouver.

As you can see it is known for its suspension bridge.

Being there early, not at all crowded.

The other side had tree top walks through the forest.

Then one of the locals told us the bridge is getting crowded and starting to sway.

Time to head back, Carol not being to sure about the sway.

I made it! Told you I could. But George can do the cliff walk.

Time to check out the totem poles

Back over the bridge and through Stanley Park where we find even more totem poles. Obviously on special at the local hardware.

Next stop is the Granville markets in the centre of Vancouver. There is good stalls arts and crafts and big crowds. But it was a colourful thing to see. You could walk past the cement works or catch a colourful water taxi.

Long day, tomorrow the Rocky Mountaineer