Before we get too far afield from trains, I wanted to share this photo of the locomotive CPR engine 374 that on May 23, 1887 pulled the first transcontinental passenger train into Vancouver station, thus linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada for the first time. The Rocky Mountaineer traveled the same route thru the west as this first train did 138 years ago.
Today, Vancouver is defined as much by water transport as it is by rail or car. We saw seaplanes, cargo ships, cruise ships, sailboats and this pirate boat.
We loved this tiny water taxi that ferried us around False Creek.
One of our favorite stops was Granville Island where we perused the fresh food market.
Granville Island Broom Co. makes all its brooms by hand. They carry every kind of broom except the Nimbus 2000.
Fresh pasta… good prep for our Italy trip. 😉
Speaking of food, Hannah and I ended our weeklong tour with an amazing dinner at Michelin-recognized Pidgin in Gastown. Above is the famous steam-powered Gastown clock.
Rice noodle salad with an onsen egg.
Skewered eggplant with tamarind glaze.
Sunday took me to Stanley Park, where I found myself walking alongside a bunch of people walking to raise money for Parkinson’s research.
If you would like to join me and the other walkers to support the cause.
The land that is Stanley Park is the former home of First Nations people. The totem poles honor their stories.
Western red cedar.
This bronze statue honors the link between a local indigenous family and their Portuguese grandfather who immigrated to Vancouver in 1860.
That about wraps up the first leg of my Canada journey. Time for Hannah to return to work, and for me to meet John and head over to Victoria.
