Updated by PaulArrived in Vancouver to find our hostel tucked away somewhere nice and peaceful just behind the red light district. You know you’re always in an interesting part of town when you need to ask a hooker for directions!
After a quick dinner and drink we headed to bed for an early start tomorrow - heading up the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler mountain.
After a scenic stop to go and chase some waterfalls (despite advice to the contrary from TLC) and lunch by a lake (a Lumberjack sandwich!) we arrived at Whistler in time to plan some hiking, biking and climbing. First on the agenda for me was a ride up the Peak-2-Peak gondola across two mountains - great views and spotted two bears running up the side of the mountain. The snow at the top of the mountain was great fun - building snowmen in June is a new experience! Anna stayed down in the village to have a drink and wander around.
We headed out to the lakes by the hostel where the rest of our group was staying for a campfire singsong and barbeque. As much as we would have loved to stay there the night, we had a luxury ski lodge waiting for us back in the village - who said backpacking around the world had to be roughing it?! The rooftop hot-tub was soon to become my new favourite place in the world!
The next morning saw us go our separate ways - I’d somehow managed to sign up to go Zip-lining through the mountain forests, off the top of Giant Redwoods, 200ft in the air - whilst Anna went for a gentle hike across Garibaldi Park! The zipline was fun and by the end of it I was going off the platforms upside down. Anna on the other hand turned her stroll in the park into a close encounter with a bear just 10ft away. See the pictures of this by clicking the link below.
We originally planned to be in Whistler for 2 days but extended it to 5 as it just seemed so much nicer than Vancouver. All the Ski tracks used in the winter for the Olympic games were turned into bike tracks for the summer - this suited us just fine - possibly the first time I’ve ridden a Mountain bike actually on a Mountain!
Back in Vancouver we decided to eat out and grab a few drinks in the historic Gas Town quarter of the city. Discovered a restaurant called The Spaghetti Factory - four courses plus unlimited drinks for only 12 dollars - the place was packed! Here’s a business idea that needs to be exploited back in the UK!
After a day spent cycling around Stanley Park we decided to go to play some pitch and putt. Turned up to find that 40 Japanese tourists had just got there before us and were waiting on the first tee! I don’t think the maximum 4 players per group rule was in force here!
After another night spent in Vancouver it was time to head to the station and catch the Amtrak train down to Seattle. My advice to anyone thinking about going to the West Coast of Canada? Spend as little time in Vancouver as possible and get out to Whistler ASAP!
After a quick dinner and drink we headed to bed for an early start tomorrow - heading up the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler mountain.
After a scenic stop to go and chase some waterfalls (despite advice to the contrary from TLC) and lunch by a lake (a Lumberjack sandwich!) we arrived at Whistler in time to plan some hiking, biking and climbing. First on the agenda for me was a ride up the Peak-2-Peak gondola across two mountains - great views and spotted two bears running up the side of the mountain. The snow at the top of the mountain was great fun - building snowmen in June is a new experience! Anna stayed down in the village to have a drink and wander around.
We headed out to the lakes by the hostel where the rest of our group was staying for a campfire singsong and barbeque. As much as we would have loved to stay there the night, we had a luxury ski lodge waiting for us back in the village - who said backpacking around the world had to be roughing it?! The rooftop hot-tub was soon to become my new favourite place in the world!
The next morning saw us go our separate ways - I’d somehow managed to sign up to go Zip-lining through the mountain forests, off the top of Giant Redwoods, 200ft in the air - whilst Anna went for a gentle hike across Garibaldi Park! The zipline was fun and by the end of it I was going off the platforms upside down. Anna on the other hand turned her stroll in the park into a close encounter with a bear just 10ft away. See the pictures of this by clicking the link below.
We originally planned to be in Whistler for 2 days but extended it to 5 as it just seemed so much nicer than Vancouver. All the Ski tracks used in the winter for the Olympic games were turned into bike tracks for the summer - this suited us just fine - possibly the first time I’ve ridden a Mountain bike actually on a Mountain!
Back in Vancouver we decided to eat out and grab a few drinks in the historic Gas Town quarter of the city. Discovered a restaurant called The Spaghetti Factory - four courses plus unlimited drinks for only 12 dollars - the place was packed! Here’s a business idea that needs to be exploited back in the UK!
After a day spent cycling around Stanley Park we decided to go to play some pitch and putt. Turned up to find that 40 Japanese tourists had just got there before us and were waiting on the first tee! I don’t think the maximum 4 players per group rule was in force here!
After another night spent in Vancouver it was time to head to the station and catch the Amtrak train down to Seattle. My advice to anyone thinking about going to the West Coast of Canada? Spend as little time in Vancouver as possible and get out to Whistler ASAP!
As they say in Canada - You’ll have a great time - eh?!
To See Photo's click the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25778&id=100000021481670&l=513e6ab7d6
