Downtown

In our downtown hotel location on Robson Street, there are shops (like Guess, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger) with upscale names and glamorous window displays. The prices were glamorous, too, except for a modest Chinese Restaurant, Hon’s Wun-Tun House, which whipped out our food very quickly for takeout. The menu was enormous and we had a hard time choosing, but the prices were generally under the $10 (Canadian) price range for each entrée.

In contrast, we spent considerably more – $40-plus with tip – at O’Doul’s (Listel Hotel) for a corned beef hash and Eggs Benedict breakfast.

Sculpture on Robson Street

A sculpture, appearing to be a whimsical orange twisted wire, was in front of O’Doul’s. We saw other interesting art around Vancouver.

A totem-like art piece in downtown Vancouver near Gastown

Robson Street at night

What drove us nuts in downtown was the profusion of one-way streets. Trying to get back to our hotel after a day of sightseeing, we had to go round in circles until we hit the right combination of streets that would let us turn where we needed to be. We tried this three different ways and were beginning to despair that we’d get back. Driving in rush hour downtown Vancouver – not a good choice.

Almost to Gastown, Canada Place is a very photogenic sight with its sails and the attached building that makes it look like a giant ship.  Cruise ships dock here, a hotel is located in the building and commerce uses this as a focal point.

Canada Place - Cruise ship port and hotel with plaza/fountain in foreground

Yaletown

An area that has been renovated from warehouses, Yaletown is s center of cafes and shops with – we’re sure – pricey upstairs condos. (It reminded us very much of the Pearl District we had previously visited in Portland, Oregon.) There are one-way streets in the area, which make it essential to have a map or walk.

Yaletown - Chic street converted from warehouses

Kitsilano

A residential neighborhood, Kitsilano has established, upscale homes. Desirable, we could see that the neighborhood was well-established because of the landscaping. The neighborhood is described as “chic” in a Fodor guide. We whisked through on our way to the University and the Museum of Anthropology (see more on that in our blog tomorrow).  There is also a major park, Kitsilano Beach, with a pool and other recreational opportunities.

About driving in Vancouver

Much as we would have liked to take public transportation, there was no connection in all of the areas we wanted to visit, so we drove. Or I should say, my husband drove. And, he was not a happy camper. He was passed on many streets (while doing the speed limit or above), and found the lack of advanced notice on one-way street closings exasperating. At a merge, he found himself converged upon from both directions. A bit scary – and he’s a pretty formidable driver himself.

Granville Island

We had heard about Granville Island. It was a “must see,” impossible to get a parking spot in, crowded, and fun. Except for the impossibility of getting a parking spot – which was not true in our case – Granville Island was fun.

 
A little challenging to get to because of one-way streets, Granville Island signs finally appeared,  directing us. Our hotel concierge told us that a water taxi would have been the best way to get there because it was reasonable. He said parking would be expensive and impossible. We did find a free parking spot (with a three-hour limit) and had just a little challenge as we drove around until we found the spot right near the public market.

More tomorrow on –  Granville Island and its Public Market.

For the rest of the population, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is a fascinating diversion that gives you a rare vantage point high above the river and forest.  

When you enter the park (admission charge – about $30 Canadian per person for adults), you briefly see some totem poles, snack locations and a store, but the real reason you came is waiting for you.  

Step down from a platform area onto the suspension bridge and you will feel a swaying.   Look down the 200-plus feet to the water below and you will have a sense of just how high up you are.

Capilano Suspension Bridge - spans the Capilano River -over 200 feet below

The bridge is fairly steady, unless you have some high school-aged students who decide to jump up and down – strictly forbidden and nipped in the bud quickly – who cause the bridge to sway.   We crossed with little incident and very few people.  

A sense of perspective - high up

A friend who is fearful of heights and the wife of a man we met from Winnipeg were too fearful to cross, so they stayed on the entry side.  They missed a lot!

Treetops Adventure

After you walk across the bridge, your next experience is “Treetops Adventure,” a series of foot paths suspended from the trees – high up, of course.  Informational displays explaining that the trees have not been harmed allow you to  enjoy the experience of walking among the tree branches.    A collar bolted only to itself around the trunk allows the walkways and vantage points to be suspended to hold up the walkways.  

No tree is harmed in the making of this adventure! A collar supports and holds the Treetops Adventure's walkway in place without piercing the trunk.

You are up where you can hear the birds, see the forest and some of its creatures and get a sense of the life of the forest.  Displays also reinforce the knowledge that there is a symbiosis in the forest.  Even dead trees play their part in the life cycle.  When  a tree dies, it becomes the food for insects, a home for moss, a place where hemlock seedlings can take root.  Nothing is wasted.

Standing dead trees – “snags” – can become the home for eagle nests, which can be six feet across and weigh up to 1,000 lbs.

Walking along the path, we reached a section that had sunlight coming through the leaves.  Steam was coming off the wooden board rails since it had rained and the sunlight was causing it to evaporate right before our eyes.  

Signage seemed to be in conflict over which was the biggest tree in the forest.  We saw one sign that said “Grandma Capilano,” at over 200 feet, was the tallest and had lived for over 500 years; “Big Doug” was also labeled as the tallest at over 250 feet and over 300 years old.  We caught an oversight that none of the park staff had noticed.  In any case, these are very BIG trees.  

Cliff Hangar Walk – not scary

Our last adventure was walking the “Cliff Hangar Walk,” not scary as the name would imply.  Actually, it was a peaceful walk at ground level (the ground still being quite high above the river),  There were ponds stocked with trout and an avid little squirrel eating with a crowd watching.  

The abundance of old-growth trees certainly gives a human visitor a sense of how short their life is in comparison to the trees in the forest.  

Not to worry about the bridge holding up

One display showed how the cables that support the Capilano Suspension Bridge are extremely strong.  A sample and display indicated that the cables can support “up to 8 fully-loaded 18-wheeler semis.” 

Bridge supports up to 8 loaded semis - and many humans

Imagine, as when they first constructed the bridge that you were only supported by hemp ropes.  Then, I would worry.

And, finally…

Once back across the bridge, there is a large store with souvenirs of your experience.  I now sport a T-shirt proclaiming, “Capilano Suspension Bridge – Naturally Thrilling since 1889.”

It was fun!

(The bridge is not handicapped accessible, but a wheelchair can enter the park, just not get across the bridge or see the Treetops Adventures or Cliff Hangar Walk.)

www.capbridge.com

Tomorrow… Visit Vancouver neighborhoods