Today we hired bikes and rode around Stanley park (among other things). Having not been on a bike for a number of months, our back sides were in agony after a relatively short time. We pressed on regardless.Above is the Brockton Point Lighthouse with the Lion's Gate bridge in the background.
One thing you notice in B.C. and Alaska in particular is the obsession with totem poles! I know its native art blah blah blah, heritage.... Apparently, this cluster of totem poles in Stanley Park are part of the most visited heritage site in B.C.
After conquering Stanley Park, we continued along the inlet to the south of Vancouver Downtown to the far end. This "Golf Ball" was part of a World Expo & is now Science world. We chose not to go in because the write-ups on it didn't inspire us.
We continued around the inlet to Granville Island. I'm not too sure why its called an island because it isn't even nearly surrounded by water. The entire place is pretty much a big market. It's a bit like the Fremantle Markets back home. Some people really enjoy it, but its not my thing. I hate shopping and crowds so it has two black marks against it from me for starters.
After having a fairly average lunch there we headed back to town. We cheated by jumping on one of the little water taxis (see centre of photo above) that take you to the other side of the inlet for a couple of bucks. The way my rear was feeling, I wasn't about to ride the however many kms back around the inlet. We sat along the waterfront watching the world go by for an hour or so & happily handed the bikes back.
Overall, Vancouver is OK, but its more of a city of business than tourist place. I'm glad I've had a look around, but I would leave it off the list if I was short for time when travelling. Vancouver Island is far more interesting. We're off there tomorrow.
