Now that the congregation of Lincoln Road United Church has chosen to close their church, and the building, I'm told, has been sold, it is time for this blog to also come to an end.
This is the final post for this blog. Thank you for your kindness and support, and God bless.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
And So Home ...
Up very early (my flight was at 7 am), and off to the airport. It was a grey and rainy morning and our taxi driver said that now that the rain had started, it wouldn't stop. Seems our timing was perfect!
Was it worth it? Indeed it was! I might have gotten a few things out of order, but I know that it is no mistake to say that this trip was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be, and so much more!
Was it worth it? Indeed it was! I might have gotten a few things out of order, but I know that it is no mistake to say that this trip was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be, and so much more!
Stanley Park
Our second day on Hop-On Hop-Off we planned, among other things, to take the included Stanley Park excursion, and a trip to Granville Island (ferry ride also included).
The bus seemed to be late and so we walked down to the ferry for Granville Island, and hopped on board. In case you haven't been there, the ferry ride is about five minutes long. There is a bridge, but it was not conveniently located to our hotel, and it lacks the appeal of the small passenger ferry. Granville Island has a large number of shops, many owned by artisans, so it is a very interesting place to wander.
Then back to the bus stop - and this time we didn't have to wait long before we got a ride to Stanley Park where we switched from one coach to another ... the second one took us all around the Park, stopping at Prospect Point where we could see the features of Lions Gate Bridge, as well as other park features. There was even a musician playing lovely music while we wandered around the point.
Then back on the bus to continue our tour.
At the transfer point, we could get up close and personal with more sequoia.
We also took the opportunity to walk around Stanley Park on our own, and then went to a spot where we could hop back on the bus!
This was the worst day for weather ... treating us to a few sprinkles, but no real rain. It didn't stop us from enjoying our day - or the gardens!
The bus seemed to be late and so we walked down to the ferry for Granville Island, and hopped on board. In case you haven't been there, the ferry ride is about five minutes long. There is a bridge, but it was not conveniently located to our hotel, and it lacks the appeal of the small passenger ferry. Granville Island has a large number of shops, many owned by artisans, so it is a very interesting place to wander.
Then back to the bus stop - and this time we didn't have to wait long before we got a ride to Stanley Park where we switched from one coach to another ... the second one took us all around the Park, stopping at Prospect Point where we could see the features of Lions Gate Bridge, as well as other park features. There was even a musician playing lovely music while we wandered around the point.
At the transfer point, we could get up close and personal with more sequoia.
This was the worst day for weather ... treating us to a few sprinkles, but no real rain. It didn't stop us from enjoying our day - or the gardens!
Hop-On Hop-Off
While we were on the Rocky Mountaineer we purchased tickets for two days of unlimited use of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus. We had decided that we would use them on our return trip to Vancouver. We also were delighted to discover that one of the 23 stops was very close to our hotel. So we set off for a day of adventure, looking forward to seeing even more of the city.
Our plan was to do the complete ride ... we had to get off the first bus at its point of origin, not because we were required to, but for other reasons. It turned out to be one of the best decisions. When we came back to that stop we discovered we had one of the best drivers on the run. He had trouble keeping to the schedule because he had so much information to share about his city. He was a delight, and we learned far more from him than we did on the previous bus, or on subsequentones. Lucky choice!
At the end of our day we went to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The Garden is a classical scholars garden, and we arrived just in time for the last tour of the day, so we learned about the balance of Yin and Yang, and how that is achieved in the Garden. We also learned about the life of a scholar and how the Garden, AND the building around it was designed to reflect the accumulated wisdom and philosophy.
We ended our tour with a tradional Chinese tea tasting, in a room with a display of traditional, hand sewn, hand embroidered Chinese opera costumes (very dear to a stitcher's heart!)
Yes! ALL done by hand.
Our plan was to do the complete ride ... we had to get off the first bus at its point of origin, not because we were required to, but for other reasons. It turned out to be one of the best decisions. When we came back to that stop we discovered we had one of the best drivers on the run. He had trouble keeping to the schedule because he had so much information to share about his city. He was a delight, and we learned far more from him than we did on the previous bus, or on subsequentones. Lucky choice!
At the end of our day we went to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The Garden is a classical scholars garden, and we arrived just in time for the last tour of the day, so we learned about the balance of Yin and Yang, and how that is achieved in the Garden. We also learned about the life of a scholar and how the Garden, AND the building around it was designed to reflect the accumulated wisdom and philosophy.
And back to Vancouver!
Up early and on our way to connect with the coach that would take us to the ferry and then on back to Vancouver. Our trip back was a little different. This time the top deck of the ferry was closed and so we couldn't be outside to enjoy the scenery as fully. We wondered if that might be because of the jumping incident on our previous trip, but when we met a sister ferry in the strait there were people on its top deck so obviously it was closed for a different reason. Once again, after we left the coach we thought we'd walk to the hotel -- a different one in a different part of Vancouver, this time closer to Stanley Park. However, this time we were very fortunate -- it was a reasonable and pleasant walk from where we'd been dropped off.
After checking in, we went out for a walk to suss out the neighbourhood and get our bearings. As is our wont, we found our way to the water, and walked along the walking path (not to be confused with the bike path/roller bladers' path if you want to remain upright!) along the beach of English Bay.
Stretched out on a rock, enjoying the sunshine -- a lone seal (or sea lion - I'm not good at telling the difference.)
It looked as though there had been a competition to build
inukshuks on the weekend. Not only was there an official full-sized
one, but in one area there were many valiant attempts with varying
success in one little nook of the park.
Then as we wandered along we watched a crew out for practice.
And just enjoyed the view!
After checking in, we went out for a walk to suss out the neighbourhood and get our bearings. As is our wont, we found our way to the water, and walked along the walking path (not to be confused with the bike path/roller bladers' path if you want to remain upright!) along the beach of English Bay.
Stretched out on a rock, enjoying the sunshine -- a lone seal (or sea lion - I'm not good at telling the difference.)
Then as we wandered along we watched a crew out for practice.
Walking Around Victoria
Another beautiful day, and so we set off to wander around Victoria before we went for afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel.
First, we wandered around the harbour, and then walked to the Johnson Street bridge. This bridge has been condemned for future use and so is being replaced. In the meantime, the bridge has been reinforced while the new bridge is being constructed. The bridge which is being replaced will ultimately be removed, but in the meantime it's a swing bridge that dates back to 1924, and is identified by its distinctive shape on the horizon of the harbour.
We walked across the bridge - the original is wood, but the wood is now wrapped in reinforcing cable and wire mesh.
Across the bridge we found a park, also overlooking the harbour, but from the other side, complete with totem poles.
Then back across the bridge, and through China Town:
And then back to the park area near the legislature building, and past the carillon to the park near the Empress Hotel.
Recognise this woman?
Just in case you didn't ...
Celebrating a birth perhaps?
Then on to the Empress for our afternoon tea.
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And then back "home" in time to catch the sunset on the water across from us.
The end of a lovely day!
Actually, I believe that I have conflated two days together here ... and I omitted our trips to the yarn shops ... and other incidental shopping ... though much of that took place on our final day in Victoria ...
So, next post will skip to the ferry back to Vancouver.
First, we wandered around the harbour, and then walked to the Johnson Street bridge. This bridge has been condemned for future use and so is being replaced. In the meantime, the bridge has been reinforced while the new bridge is being constructed. The bridge which is being replaced will ultimately be removed, but in the meantime it's a swing bridge that dates back to 1924, and is identified by its distinctive shape on the horizon of the harbour.
Across the bridge we found a park, also overlooking the harbour, but from the other side, complete with totem poles.
Then on to the Empress for our afternoon tea.
Actually, I believe that I have conflated two days together here ... and I omitted our trips to the yarn shops ... and other incidental shopping ... though much of that took place on our final day in Victoria ...
So, next post will skip to the ferry back to Vancouver.
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