3 Months in Vancouver

It's hard to believe that this week marks the 3 months since I got on a plane in Dublin and moved to Canada, it has just flown by so far. There's so much that I've done and seen since I got here and a lot of nights out but here's a few things that I've really loved.

Stanley Park and the Totem Poles.

The parks huge and has a walkway the whole way around the outside which is quite a walk but worth doing especially if the sun is out.

The sea wall going into the park and a cannon in the park that faces the water and goes off at 9pm every night. 

Watching the sun setting at sunset beach in English Bay.

 

This is literally the perfect spot to watch the sun setting and the beach is full of big logs to sit on and enjoy the view. Below of the sunset walking towards English Bay.

Seeing the city at night. 

The views of the city at night are really something. As you walk along the water the buildings are all lit up as is science world, the stadium and even the trees in Yaletown.

 

 

Birthday in Vancouver.

My birthday was in February and I wasn't in canada all that long. I spent the day with Family at Granville Island and went out for a lovely dinner. Of course being my birthday it poured down, just like at home. I had a great day, the meal was gorgeous and I got a gorgeous surprise of present from my family here and cards from home. 

A rainy Granville island. 

Whistler

The hostel that I was staying at had a whistler day trip that I decided to go on. We left early that morning stopping along the way at a few lookouts and waterfalls. 

When we got to whistler there was a few activities to choose from but I was definitely not brave enough to try the bungee jumping or anything like it so ended up going snow tubing. 

Snow tubing is so much fun I wasn't sure if I would even like it at first but after the first time down I couldn't wait to try the bigger lanes, the gondola up the mountain was the worst part or maybe going back down.

I loved seeing so much snow I have honestly never seen so much in my life and loved it even if i nearly fell over almost every minute.

Starting a new job and moving into a house. 

After a while it was time to get a job and a place to live. Within a couple of weeks I found a job and a place to live and moved in, until then I had been staying downtown but moved out a little so now I travel by skytrain everyday which is really handy for where I live and where I work. The most exciting part was unpacking and having drawers and a wardrobe to put everything in.

Paddy's Day.

Since I now have a job I spent my Paddy's day in work. I was lucky enough to have the morning off though so I went to the Blarney Stone pub in Gastown to meet Family for a gorgeous Irish breakfast before going to work. 

I released the day before that I didn't even own any green clothes so quickly ran into H&M on my way home to see f they had any green tops, lucky they did and I ended up getting a green jumper for $10. The breakfast was great with rashers, white and black pudding sausages and even some fried bread and scrambled eggs. I had a great morning and a sober Paddy's day but it was really good and different from anything I've done before and I even saw pitchers of green beer! That I've never seen before. 

Holi Festival.

 

Last Friday which happened to be good friday I went to a holi festivel. I didn't know much about t apart from throwing coloured powder at each other and who could have thought that would be so much fun.

I think I was mainly covered in red some even getting in my mouth yuck and got some strange looks from other bus passengers on the way home and on the skytrain. It took a while to wash it out of my hair and my white top is now pink but it was worth it.

My First Week in Canada

This is how I travel light!

I've been in Canada a week today and it's gone by very fast. I had a flight from Dublin last Friday to London then Vancouver. When I arrived in Vancouver I had to wait to be given my visa and then was on my way. I was met at the Airport by some family members and went to stay with them for the weekend.

Premium?? Ye don't think so unfortunately 

Saturday

On Saturday I went to get a new phone as mine didn't work her it was the wrong frequency or something. Most of the other Family members came over on Saturday for dinner and it was great getting to meet them all and I really enjoyed it. I have only ever seen pictures of some of them on Facebook or from my Granny when I was younger. While all the family where over for dinner I watched my first hockey match. I wasn't quite sure what was going on in it but  looks like a good sport unfortunately the Canucks lost.

Sunday 

On Sunday I went into the city and went to the Flyover Canada at Canada Place. It's a simulated helicopter ride over Canada. It even has mist and wind and smells too so it feels like you're actually flying over everywhere. The mountains looked gorgeous and it's given me great ideas of places I would like to go to. If you're going to Vancouver I recommend going to this I really enjoyed it even though I'm usually a nervous flyer and afraid of height I was fine on it.

We also took a stroll along the sea wall which is a walking  and biking track that goes for miles around the outside of the city and Stanley park. We stopped for a bite to eat and a hot drink then headed back through Gastown to the car then drove to stanley park. 

I was so amazed at how big the park is. The view from there are amazing and you can see the Lions Gate Bridge from Prospect Point.

I have since heard that the bridge was actually built by Guinness. Oh I also visited David's Tea which is a tea shop that sells so many flavours I actually can't believe it.

Monday

On Monday I headed into the city where I'm now staying in a backpackers hostel. I also sorted out my new bank account which was a little easier then I thought. I settled in at the hostel and had a little look around the area. I have also discovered that there is a Sephora a few minutes away woop, this could be dangerous haha.

Not allowed in here with my card it's too tempting !!

Tuesday

Tuesday it rained all day but I didn't let it stop me, Sure it's only a bit of rain. I wandered around looking at all the huge buildings and ended up at Canada place.

I had a walk around and I think I was the only one there haha. I also went to Gastown which is really nice and saw the Steam Clock.

I was walking past it and it start to whistle a song. It does this every half hour and is a must see so my travel book says so I stopped to record it but the video didn't save so I went back a half an hour later. I know that sounds a little crazy but I had to do it.

I find this city very easy to walk around and not get lost in too much the layout is really easy to navigate and there are sign posts everywhere. I was soaked by the time I got back that evening, my coat had even started to soak through, as soon as I got in and changed I had a cup of Red Velvet tea. If you ever get a chance to visit David's teas try the Red Velvet and the Sweet lime they are amazing.

Wednesday

Wednesday was not so cold and dry out so I went so many places. I was up early and ready to see as much as I can. I went to Yaletown, Coal Harbour, False Creek, then went on a Hop on Hop off sightseeing tour. 

I also found this train carriage parked on the road on a track because why not. 

I did see a lot of already but it brought me to loads I hadn't been to ye. I also heard a lot of little facts about the place and  suggestions on where else to see. So it was worth it even though it was freezing on the bus. On the way back I stopped for a hot chocolate to warm myself up before going back to the hostel.

Not so great with the selfies

Thursday

Thursday I went to go to get my phone looked at as I can't make calls without my ends sound going. They told me to keep turning it off and on and see if it helps, it hasn't so I think I have to go back again.

Anyway after that I wanted to visit the museum but ended up taking a wrong turn. I ended up walking for ages down Davie street and eventually ended up at english bay then ended up at Stanley park.

There were some lovely ducs in the water that looked lovely until they came out of the water and chased me, then the seagulls followed, I had to run away fast. Here are some of the perpetrators before they wanted to eat me.

I went for a walk along the Lost Lagoon and what I thought was a cat looking at me was actually a raccoon which then tried to follow me. 

Here he is leaving 

I don't know much about racoons like if they are friendly for not so I didn't stay around it long .... actually I may have run away towards a group of people I didn't even know, because yes I am that random weirdo you sometimes come across.  

Even though I went completely off my plan it turned into a nice day I found some really nice areas I didn't think I would be gone all day but it was really nice. I did have to use my google maps app to find my way back and thanks to google I had to walk up a huge hill but was the most direct way back.

Friday

I made it a weeks so far and I've seen so much. I'm having a off all the sightseeing today. I have been very lucky not to have gotten jet lag but today I am feeling a bit tired probably from a busy week so today I am looking up some ideas I have had about what to do next or where I would like to go or live or work all of those things haha. 

I'm not sure if this means the same thing here!

When I went out for dinner I padded this bus and couldn't stop giggling to myself I'm such a child somethings. So so far I've settled in nicely apart from always forgetting the code for the door and have to ask at reception and only realising after being here for five days that I actually don't know the names of anyone in my room even though we talk to each other everyday or not knowing where the light switch is ( it's behind the coat rack ... clever).

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