Whistler

Yesterday saw us on a bus heading from Vancouver to Whistler...a just under 2 hour journey. We were just going up there for a look around and then coming back to Vancouver later in the day.

We travelled along the coast in the first part of the journey...

Then we saw snow capped mountains...

At one stage the road travelled beside a fairly fast flowing stream...and we also caught sight of a train.

The upper village at Whistler seemed pretty busy to me but DsD3 assured us it was quiet compared to the winter months!

In many ways Whistler reminded me of Queenstown in New Zealand...a town of extreme sports and lots of young people! 

We did not participate in any of the sporting activities and even DsD3 was happy to 'hang out' with us...although we were tied to a bus timetable. After a family confab we decided not to do the Peak to Peak gondola/chairlift ride. At 2 and 1/2 hours long it would mean catching the later bus and a late arrival back at Vancouver. But more importantly, DH would not be able to join us as he has problems with heights and this thing was very HIGH. The third consideration was that the cost was over $60 Australian per person and we have paid hundreds of dollars in entry fees already this last week and fourthly, the young man on the ticket counter said that it would be extremely hot up there. 

So we had a nice lunch and just wandered around and there is plenty to look at!

Shops...so many!

Naturally I soon found some lovely garden beds and planters...

The Westin Hotel not only had nice gardens, but also a cooling waterfall!

Because it was such a hot day, we decided to catch an earlier bus...we had to race up to the stop. The bus had already gone but all buses have to do 'the loop' to turn around so we were able to catch it when it came back from turning around...phew! 

So here are some pics of the scenery on the other side of the road...

When we arrived back in Vancouver we found it was a lot cooler...and a nice breeze was blowing. 

Kitsilano Beach

Vancouver is blessed with having beaches close to the city. One afternoon we paid a quick visit to Kitsilano Beach.

This man entertained us with some Blues numbers...with vocals too. It was great!

Looking back towards the Surf Clubhouse...

Lots of logs to sit on...

I 'pulled up' a log too...to sit in the cool breeze and enjoy the view....

Busy with boating out there...

Another view...

As well as the beach and various games on the sand...there were also tennis courts. 

Lots of people enjoying a lovely beach and amenities. The new school year starts in a few weeks so families are making the most of the summer holidays that are left.  It is so strange seeing all the Back to School ads in the media. 

Walking around the town of Victoria...and some driving around too!

First of all we decided to have a closer look at Parliament House...so the walk took as past all those lovely gardens we saw the night before and a rather lovely sculpture.

This piece was made to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy in 2010. Before that, the Royal Navy took care of Canada.

I just loved this sculpture of a navy dad home on leave greeting his daughter and the pet dog looks pretty excited too!

The look of sheer joy on his face! Beautiful!

Not a good photo unfortunately, but in his bag he has a teddy poking out of a side pocket and a small gift box...presents for the little girl and her mum??

As we continued walking we also passed by a large mooring area...

There were even seaplanes!

We saw a number of totem poles like this one, dotted around the park surrounding Parliament House.

Some more gardens!

We noticed that there was a vignette presentation outside Parliament House in 45 minutes time...so we wandered off to fill in time.

We saw the horses that are used for the 'carriage rides'...

Statues...this one is Queen Victoria...

And even Captain James Cook has a statue in this area...

In the next block from Parliament House, we came across this...

Each of those shield/crests represent the Provinces of Canada.

So then it was time to stroll back at Parliament House for the Vignette Presentation.

It's quite an impressive building.

And we were soon seated on the front steps ready for the hourly vignette presentation. This gave us lots of information about the building and some of the history of British Columbia. It was very entertaining! 

The actor on the left was playing Francis Rattenbury, the architect of this building; he was 25 when he designed this grand place. The actor in the rather dashing full length red cape is playing Mary Ellen Smith, the first woman to be elected to parliament in British Columbia. 

By then it was time to wander back to the carpark before our paid up time expired! So then Nik drove us to  Craigdarroch Castle a stately home built by a 'coal baron'.

It was late in the day so we just enjoyed the house by walking around the outside of it. It was pretty impressive looking. 

Our next stop on Vancouver Island was a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens...but that deserves a post all of its own. So that will come next!