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. 

Jericho for lunch.

DsD3 had told us about the Jericho Sailing Club in Vancouver and said that the view is worth a visit...so we decided to lunch there one day.

On the drive there, DsD3 pointed out some bird boxes in a suburban street...

Talking of birds...look at the 'welcoming committee' that greeted us as we pulled into the sailing club's car parking area ?

And we saw this rather unusual vehicle in the car park as well...

Soon we were climbing the stairs to the deck of the club which overlooks the water...

DH enjoying the view...

And Nik and I were checking out the view too...

The view of the city...

Shipping...and look! A seaplane!

DH loves these little planes and so many flew over while we were there at the club. ( we found out later that many of them are flying cargo, a few are Joy flights and others are passenger charters) 

West Vancouver stretching up the hill...

Later we went for a walk along the jetty...

No children around...so I got to play! 

Burnaby Village Museum...

Today we visited an attraction that had free admission. After paying an average of $35+ or so each for admission to other attractions we expected this one to not have much to look at. We could not have been more wrong! Burnaby Village Museum is exceptional; it's well looked after, it has many exhibits and lots of activities for families with children. It recreates a village of the 1920s.

First up...a photo opportunity with moustaches...lol. The cylinder on the far right held a selection of moustaches to choose from. 

Then we walked up the hill to the 'farmhouse'.

It had a lovely garden at the side...

In the main bedroom the bed was covered with a vintage quilt...

The kitchen had a washing machine...the copper cylinder.

While I was taking a closer look at items on display, these 2 were relaxing on the front porch...

Our next stop was in the garden to admire some 'livestock' and some 'wildlife'...

A bit closer to see the plants...

Then there was a rather large veggie garden that was thriving...

Then it off to the Vorce Tram Station and then to the tram shed...

I then walked on a bit ahead to take photos at the little wooden church...

A street of shops...

The General Store was so jammed packed with goods...

The gadget on the bottom left is a cheese wedge cutter...

The Apothecary shop...

The Garage...

Some more shops...

The Blacksmith's Shop

The Carousel 

These 2 got a ride; I was the photographer.

We went into the old movie theatre where I was entranced by a silent movie starring Charlie Chaplin.

I just had to stay to find out whether Charlie's character ended up with Georgia, the girl he lusted after even though he was a 'tramp' as usual. He did win her in the end! I was surprised how much I enjoyed the movie! Lol.

We toured the old schoolhouse and chatted to the docent on duty there to answer questions etc.

I think there at least 45 seats and we found out that it was a one teacher school in the early part of the 20th century...imagine all that marking and preparation! As I was there, I gave a small lesson on handwriting...:-). The writing and printing styles were very similar to the old Queensland printing and cursive. 

We also checked out a musical exhibit...a player piano...

Old record players including ones that played the cylindrical records...

In the old bank I tried to use by Visa Debit Card to get some Canadian money...

The bank had this big old safe/vault...open and not a cent inside!

We also looked through a grand old house called Elworth...this is an impressive front verandah!

The rooms and furnishings were lovely...

The kitchen in Elworth was dominated by this large wood burning range...

Perhaps one of the mist interesting places in the village was the newspaper office...we got to see one of the old letterpress printing presses working as it printed book marks. The woman 'manning' this exhibit was very informative and interesting. 

And this is the place where we relaxed with a cup of coffee and DH and I shared a scone.

So we had all this fun for free! I highly recommend it if you are visiting Vancouver.