Wednesday in Vancouver

Praise God for sleep...it actually was almost 12 hours. Anyway we both felt so revived and almost normal (?).  Kwee made us a super brekky - blueberry pancakes with Maple Syrup; very yummy. 

Then we set off for Stanley Park which is a major attraction in Vancouver. It is a large area of bush on a sort of peninsula covered in Rain forest, just north of the CBD. A storm in December 2006 severed and destroyed over 10,000 trees but now it looks quite dense with tall trees so you can imagine how big it must be. 

The Vancouver area reminds us somewhat of Auckland cos everywhere you look there is water. 

We did some walks including one to see the Lions Gate Bridge where I could hear 'Meditation' being played so beautifully. As we walked nearer the sound it was a man playing a one-stringed violin type instrument. It was so lovely; he then played Canon! (The pic is specially for you, Jen!)

Dad bought us a (huge) walnut and maple syrup ice cream...mmmmmm.

We saw a blue Heron which apparently can disguise itself in various ways, also lots of Canadian Geese. 

We had lunch on one of the Points seeing many big ships waiting to come into the harbour. Coal, timber and minerals are some of the big exports from here.

Then it was to Grouse Mt. which is not too far from the CBD but spectacular. It is like a tourist resort and you get to it by going up 1100m in a gondola. 

Incredible views of the city as well as the rugged mountains near and far. We were struck by seeing Mt Baker which is in Washington State (US) and is over 4000 m high, covered in snow and appearing out of the mist, with the sun on it. 

Our first visit on Grouse was to Grinder and Coola -- two grizzly bears who have been raised from cubs in captivity. So Harry, here is your picture:

After the lumberjack show, we went on a second chair-lift to the top, where there is one of those useless bird-killing windmills (it wasn't turning). 

Great views, though!

The final thrill was the birds-in-motion show, all raptors. Memories of our visit to Taronga Zoo. Amazing. First was a bald eagle... Still young, so still has his top feathers (unlike some humans I know). 2 metre wingspan.

Then the horned owl, which was very cute (but bore no letters).

A ferruginous hawk

A turkey vulture named Judge Dredd. One of nature's garbage collectors.

Some kind of falcon (not a Ford)

Leaving the mountain after 5 hours, Ted drove us to Burnaby Mt, to watch the sun set over the water.

Pretty spectacular.

Then home for four tired tourists!