We’ve made it at last! After hundreds of kilometers and several days on the road from Alaska, we finally arrive in Vancouver, one of Canada’s largest cities, and one that definitely has its charms. Lively, vibrant, full of flowers, and welcoming, our visit to Vancouver coincides with incredible weather, which certainly helps us fall under its spell. Perfect timing, as we’re on the lookout for a new place to settle after our trip 😉 (Spoiler alert after 2.5 years of travel: we ended up moving back to Montreal!).
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
After some stunning hikes in Squamish and Whistler, we still manage to find the energy to explore Lighthouse Park. This small park at the edge of the city offers a beautiful view of Vancouver’s skyline at sunset.
Then it’s time to explore Vancouver! But first, one big question: where do you sleep in a city this big? We drive through North Vancouver, winding our way through quaint little streets lined with gorgeous, luxurious homes facing the bay. Eventually, we find a quiet spot near a neighborhood park to spend the night. We enjoy a picnic as locals swim, play, and paddle into the evening. Then we discreetly slip into the car for a very warm night on a small parking lot.
Thursday, August 25
The city is hit by a suffocating heatwave. So we take refuge in a neighborhood bookstore, where we spend the day working in air-conditioned comfort. It’s not until 5 p.m. that we emerge. What now? On a whim, we decide to head downtown! After three months on the road, two of them in the least populated parts of North America, the Yukon and Alaska, we had almost forgotten what a big city feels like! And of course, 5 p.m. on a Thursday means rush hour. It takes us an hour to drive just 3 kilometers. Eventually, we cross the Lions Gate Bridge and reach Stanley Park.
Stanley Park is to Vancouver what Central Park is to New York: a massive green space filled with walkers, swimmers, cyclists, and runners. On this hot day, it’s packed with people. We stroll along the Seawall, a 28-kilometer (17 miles) path that hugs the Pacific Ocean and offers lovely views of downtown. We really like the vibe, especially at sunset.
Afterwards, we venture into the heart of Vancouver. Our Jeep rolls down the main avenue and weaves between towering buildings. It’s impressive. It’s beautiful. The setting sun reflects off the skyscrapers in a dazzling orange glow. The whole city buzzes with activity. On this warm summer evening, the wide boulevards pulse with people, music, lights, and blooming vegetation. We are charmed by the urban energy and ambiance. Makes us wonder how much does it cost to live here? 😀 At the foot of ski slopes, just a stone’s throw from the incredible Canadian Rockies we loved so much…
But above all, Vancouver has one major advantage over Montreal (which we also love): the beach!!! Yes, Vancouver has its feet in the water. As night falls, we head to the city’s largest beach: Jericho Beach. Waves, fine sand, picnic tables, people swimming, strolling, playing, eating, relaxing… It all has the feel of a seaside resort we hadn’t experienced in a while. We savor a delicious tomato salad and tzatziki by the bay, feet in the sand, in the dark. Pure happiness. With windows down and wind in our hair, we drive back through a brilliantly lit and lively Vancouver. For the first time on our trip, we sleep in a Walmart parking lot.
Friday, August 26
This morning, we have a mission of great importance: fix our top drawer. Lately, it’s been getting stuck, because a screw came loose from all the vibrations. It’s no small job, we spend over 3 hours on it! Thankfully, we’d planned ahead and settled in a hardware store parking lot.
Another thing we loved during our visit to Vancouver: the Persian grocery stores! We stocked up on fresh produce, delicious fruits and vegetables, plus pita bread and tzatziki. A real treat! 😋
After some shopping and a tasty burger at Five Guys, it’s time to catch the ferry.
Indeed, after our quick tour of Vancouver, we board a 1h45 ferry to Vancouver Island, where we’ll spend a few days. It’s actually the final stage of our Canadian road trip! After that, we’ll leave our adopted country behind and head off toward new adventures.
