Lord Stanley after whom the park is named. He gave the land to the people to use forever! Top Bloke eh?

Totem Poles. If you look closely you can see a more modern one painted blue to look like builders lift.

A statue of a girl in a bikini. This was to represent Vancouvers dependence upon the sea. I think the flippers were perhaps not the best look for her.

A shack on some sticks.

Upside down Church.

Batman Bear!

12th August 2006.
After a long and mostly uneventful flight to Vancouver I should have slept and caught up with the lack of sleep and time differences but Vancouver just felt so laid back and friendly that I went to a bar called Doolans. I got speaking to a few people but for some reason everyone thinks I am Australian. I probably ended up a little bit drunk and went to bed shattered! The hotel I booked wasn’t quite what the advert said! The room smelled of wee, It was dingey and dark. There was no TV, was overlooked by a construction site and right below my window was a noisy pub. The man who checked me was really grumpy as well so I decided that I should go and find a new hotel. After stomping around a large part of Vancouver for the morning, I decided that although it would be more expensive, I would check into the Sandman Hotel. It sounds shady but it is part of a big chain and is like a Travelodge style. So, I am paying more but living in comfort. I should really be trying to spend as little as possible but something that my brother said to me has stuck with me about not having to slum it. So here I am! Maybe it is a little extravagant but it is my holiday so I want to enjoy it.

Vancouver is fantastic! Everywhere feels laidback! The streets are clean, tidy and everyone is super friendly! I think I will really like it here!

14th August 2006.
After a lazy day yesterday recharging my batteries and just mooching round the local area, I have looked through the list of things to do and decided that I would go to Stanley park today, to see the Aquarium. I thought I might walk so set off with a mind to have breakfast on the way. The walk by the quayside was really nice. I mean REALLY nice! Vancouver is stunning. I stopped off for steak and eggs with hash browns for breakfast and then walked on the sea wall to Stanley Park. It was very relaxing and the sun kept shining. Life doesn’t get much better than this! There are loads of roller bladers and cyclists hitting Stanley Park. On the walk there I was amazed at how much art is dotted around the streets. There is a thing about bears on the way and everywhere you look is a brightly decorated bear! I put a picture of the bat man bear for you! Other than bears there are sculptures everywhere. There were some dd ones too, like the upside down church and the shack on sticks! This really is a great city! Dead friendly and beautiful.

Found my way to the Aquarium but it was totally packed with families so I will come back during the week. Had a swim in the hotel pool and then went out towards Gastown for the night. Ended up back on Granville in a bar called “Buffalo”. They had a bucking bronco in the middle and the whole place was packed! Lots of fun! When that closed it was off to the Roxy where it was country and western night! Dad would have been proud! The music was still rubbish but it was fun!