Vancouver

August 10th  2013

Hop-on, Hop-Off

Since we had a left over voucher, we decided to try the Hop-on, Hop-Off bus. Boarded one block from our hotel. Drove through Chinatown again and got off in Gastown.

 

 

 

Gastown is the oldest section of Vancouver. It got its name from the founder  “Gassy Jack” Deighton who received his nickname because of his penchant for spinning tall tales and talking without end. Gassy Jack built the first saloon in town.

 

By the 1930s, Gastown had become a slum as the new town of Vancouver was built around it. In the 1960s it was converted to trendy tourist-oriented businesses. There are lots of restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and places to buy Canadian souvenirs. 

 

Gastown's famous landmark is the steam-powered clock. The clock was built over a steam grate as a way to prevent street people from sleeping on the spot during cold weather.

Every half hour people gather around to hear the steam driven whistles produce the Westminster chime.

The place was hopping at 11am. Barbara made a bee line for the shops. She was so delighted to find a plethora of stores with modern style furnishings that she forgot (almost) to check out the clothing shops.

She found a decoration piece made of a wood base with dried pussy willow sticks protruding about 5 feet and accompanied by 2 round wood balls at the bottom (to balance out the piece ). I pointed out it was too big and fragile to pack in the car ... 

 

Then we boarded the Hop-on, Hop-Off bus and got off at Aquatic Park. Took the ferry to Granville Island to have lunch at The Bridges Restaurant while watching the boats. Turns out this was a VERY expensive restaurant with a very limited menu. I was shocked at the $25 price on the Fish & Chips. She said it was made with fresh Halibut. The fish may have been fresh before they cooked it but was very tough when served. This dish tied for the worst Fish & Chips I've ever eaten. However, the French Fries and tarter sauce were decent.  

 

Returned to South Vancouver via the ferry and walked to the Art Museum only to find the door boarded up. Back on the Hop-on, Hop-Off.  As we passed the Art Museum we noticed the doors on the other side of the building were wide open. Unfortunately, it was too late to get off the bus.

We stayed on the bus for 40 minutes seeing more of Vancouver and Stanley Park. Got off at our hotel where Barbara informed me she wanted to buy the wood ball with branches sticking out the top. Off we went back to Gastown. The shop was very happy to see us and wrap up this unique piece of “art”.  

After that I told Barbara she owed me a glass of wine and some quality people watching. Water St. Cafe was the perfect spot. To bad we didn't discover this restaurant on Monday.

 

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