Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Welcome to Canada! Eh!

We flew into Vancouver at 4:45am on Monday morning and both cleared customs easily (phew!) and took a taxi into Downtown to our hotel.  We decided when in Hawaii that we had far too much luggage and spread out far too much to share with 6 others at a backpackers hostel.  The hotel also added the benefit of security, free wifi and tv.  Having dropped off our bags we had 5 hours to spend before checking in.  First stop Starbucks... sound familiar?!? We then walked across town to visit Roger Stadium.  For those of you who haven't heard of it, it is home of the Vancouver Canucks, the local ice hockey team.  Another visit to Starbucks... then checked into our hotel for an afternoon sleep.  That night we dined at the Steamworks Brewery Co in the harbour room, with a view over the harbour at night.

On Tuesday we slept in... sound familiar?!?!  Tuesday afternoon, AWESOME!  We bused in to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park.  Absolutely beautiful!  Tall green trees, cliff faces, the Capilano river, Christmas decorations, tree houses and the suspension bridge.  This is exactly what I thought a typical Canadian forest would look like.  It was raining slightly in the area but that meant when we got half way up Grouse Mountain, it was SNOWING!!!!  After taking the cable car to the top, we arrived in a winter wonderland!  A beautiful log cabin including several restaurants, outfitters, gift shop, theatre, beautiful open fire and a decorated Christmas tree 2 storeys tall!  Outside included Santa's workshop with Santa and his Elves, two of his reindeer, ice skating on a frozen lake and the entry to the slopes.  Absolutely incredible (and freezing cold!)!

The Capilano River

Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

Photo with Santa Billy at Santa's Workshop Grouse Mountain

Snowing at Grouse Mountain

Ice Skating on the frozen lake at Grouse Mountain

On Wednesday, we were back at Rogers Stadium for a guided tour.  As it turned out, a private tour of the stadium as we were the only ones booked in for that tour time. We even got to watch the Vancouver Canucks in training.  Great introduction to the NHL.  We also went to Canada Place right on the river for great views back across downtown and across the river to the snow capped mountains.  We also caught the bus over to visit Vancouver's Stanley Park.

Rogers Arena - Vancouver Canucks

View from Canada Place

Stanley Park

Thursday, we had another lazy day.  We spent another day sleeping in and sorting out and sending some mail.  In the afternoon we went to see 'My Week with Marilyn', a way to keep warm.  For dinner we went to Roxy's Burgers on Grandville and watched the Canucks game on the big screen.  I was secretly wearing my Montreal Canadiens shirt on underneath all my layers.

Friday morning we checked out of our hotel and taxied it to the airport for our transfer to Whistler.  Whistler to come next post!

Luv Always

Heather



PS I spent quite a bit of time attempting to track the location of the Fringe set (my favourite tv show) on twitter however the first confirmed location was on the day we were leaving for Whistler.  Plus the location was a long way from downtown, $100 each way via taxi.  Thus did not get to set this visit, I will stalk the set next time I'm in town!!