freakzspeaks

freakzspeaks

Saturday 17 May 2014

Vancouver highlights (August 2013) Part 2

Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden
It has always been my mum's dream to come visit Vancouver; so I decided to put Vancouver as the main itinerary during her 2-week trip. We spent one week in downtown Vancouver; in a relax pace enjoying the food, sceneries, people, shopping and everything else! If you followed my previous post (Vancouver highlights-Part 1), I chose to stay near Chinatown in an apartment I rented via AirBnB. We were right next to Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden. I would recommend visitors to visit Vancouver Lookout as the first place of interest. Summer in Vancouver is lovely (not too hot or cold or windy), so enjoy the beautiful weather! Just a summary of the walking distance from where we stayed (Taylor St. near Chinatown/Gastown):
1. Vancouver Lookout - 800m
2. Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off centre point (Water St.) - 750m
3. Waterfront Station - 900m
4. Canada Place - 1.2km
It's really not too far and Waterfront Station was the main train station that we use for most of the places we visited; including getting a cab! Of course, there are more high-end hotel options near Canada Place (mostly for cruise-shippers) such as Fairmont but why pay so much? And the place there is always crowded with people! 
Vancouver Lookout - See something familiar in the poster ?? KLCC Petronas Twin Towers (*proud Malaysian)
Waterfront Station : One of the lines goes directly to Vancouver International Airport, Downtown Vancouver and Richmond. Reach the airport within 25 minutes!
If you are a first-timer to Vancouver, the best way I would suggest to explore downtown is by using the Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off tour. The hop-on-off sightseeing route covers 20 stops; mostly at the main attractions in Vancouver. One-day and two-passes are offered; depending on your schedule, you can arrange according to your pace and flexibility. I would suggest you to take the 2-day pass; one day to cover the whole loop while another day to cover Stanley Park. *Tips : Do frequently check Groupon especially during the summer for deals from Big Bus. I got two passes for half the price and just top-up $10 for additional one day at the Big Bus welcome centre on Water St. 
Big Bus with partial open roof top ! Amazing weather ! Might get a little bit too hot later in the afternoon though.lols

So, basically my itinerary with the Big Bus 2-day pass was :
Day 1
Gastown (where we started)
Canada Place
English Bay Beach
Stanley Park (Vancouver Aquarium) $29/adult ; Seniors $20
Robson shopping district (where we ended)

Day 2
Stanley Park excursion ( a different loop compared to the main city loop)
Standley Park's Prospect Point-View of Lions Gate bridge
Granville Island
Here comes the Pink Bus !
Vancouver Aquarium : Lots of sea creatures and jelly fish. Just ok. Have been to better underwater aquariums
View from Big Bus during Stanley Park Excursion loop
A must-not-missed view at Prospect Point. Right : Claimed to be Best Ice Cream in town! 
Left: Gastown famous steam clock. Right : Granville Island (sunburnt face @__@)
Check out some of  my previous blog post of food we had :
8. Beard Papa's - Had this for supper one night.
Fresh and natural cream puffs with different flavors such as vanilla beans, Belgian dark chocolate and green tea. Puffs are baked, not fried and no preservatives used. I quite like the fresh taste of the whipped cream. Not a must-have item but if you happen to be on Robson St and care for a snack, do check them out.
Address : 548 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7
Website : Beard Papa's
Beard Papa's on Urbanspoon

You might also be interested with :
Vancouver Highlights (Part 1)
Vancouver Highlights (Part 3)-Bard on the Beach
The Official Richmond Night Market @ Richmond, BC
Explore Victoria, BC (4D3Ns)
To Whistler, BC on Rocky Mountaineer Dome Service

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