January 2007

24 Hours in Vancouver

by Martina Priadka

9:07 a.m.  

I stood in the sunlight, leaning against a tree watching as thousands of people rushed passed and milled around the busy shopping district as it began to open.   I balanced a coffee in one hand while trying to keep the melted Gruyere from oozing through the bottom of my breakfast crepe.   I started the minute after checking into my hotel. Vancouver is a bustling city full of great food and sights and I didn't want to miss any of it. With only 24 hours there was not a minute to waste.

10 a.m.

Starting my daylong adventure with Stanley Park as my goal, I hopped on one of the city tour bus lines.   These buses run throughout Vancouver, stopping at each of the districts.   You can by a one or two day, on and off ticket, which allows you to stop at any area you are interested in and then get on another bus when you are ready.   It is also a great way to get acclimated to the city.   This is one of those things that, if you live there, you just don't do unless you have guests in town but are surprised to find out all the things you never knew about your own hometown once you do.

10:20 a.m.

Chinatown.   This seemed like an intriguing area to wander through and the thought of picking up some fruit for a park picnic got me off the bus.   The streets were mostly lined with electronic and souvenir shops in between the market stands.   This was definitely Chinatown as I looked around at the signs for dim sum, tailors and foot massage. There were even older women walking around in the red tourists hats of Mainland China.   Where did they get those?

I saw the fruit stand I was looking for and picked through some nice lychee, pomelo and dragon fruit.   I was going to have a great picnic.  

After a little more window-shopping I decided it was time to head for the bus.   Just one quick stop in a shop that was selling cargo shorts.   Only minutes after stepping up to the display the owner came over to help.   "Do you have these in a size 4", I asked.   She sized up my backside and frowned.   She shook her head and said, "No, Chinese size only" while making an up and down streamline gesture with her hands.   Hmm, good thing I was having fruit for lunch.

2:30 p.m.

Finally arriving in Stanley Park I enjoyed my picnic in the Rose Garden surrounded by over a hundred different varieties of flowers. The sky was clear blue except for the occasional pass of a flock of Canadian Geese.   Once satiated and sufficiently rested I decided on an afternoon hike.   I started from the visitor's center so I could take a few photos of the bay and then found myself exploring the 400-hectare park on a path lined with gigantic cedars. The smell of the pine was intoxicating enough that I did not mind getting lost a few times along the way.

4:45 p.m.

I could have spent all day in the Park but I did have a trip to Granville Island on my list of things I must do in a day.   No more time for smelling the roses, I got in a taxi en route to one of the best markets around.   I arrived to find stall after stall of fresh fruits, flowers, cheeses and crafts.   I had to stop and sample the Burrata, my favorite Italian cheese. Breaking through the firm outside to get to the decadent creamy center is heaven.   But one taste had to be my only temptation since I had dinner plans in the not too distant future.   A little bit of jewelry shopping and then a stop at the pier to watch the water taxis, enjoy an espresso and take in the gorgeous Vancouver sunset.

8:00 p.m.

After a luxurious fig bubble bath and a quick change I was ready for dinner.   The recommendation for fabulous Indian food was Vj's (veej's).   I am a true lover of Indian food and have enjoyed it all over the world but the concierge at my hotel assured me I have never eaten Indian like this before so I was eager with hunger and anticipation.   Vj's does not take reservations and when I arrived I was informed that the wait was up to three hours.   Good thing the wine selection was wonderful, the weather perfect for waiting on the terrace and the hostess came by often with canapés to keep teasing the hungry guests into waiting it out for the main attraction.  

10:40 p.m.

When I finally got a table I ordered a dish the owner would love to take from the menu but says when he tried there were near riots. The "Lamb Popsicles" are succulent pieces of lamb resting in a mushroom cream curry and are delightful.   One of the waiting guests, who called himself Mr. Nickels hovered nearby and eventually helped himself to one of mine.   "I will pay you back when I get my table," he winked.   Impressive. Vancouver natives are so friendly.

1:15 a.m.

I arrived back at my hotel and cannot believe the day is already over.   There is still so much to see and do.   I will just have to book a trip back and this time make it longer than a layover.

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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