Yesterday morning we went to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The garden was smack-dab in the center of Chinatown with all the noise of construction and people going about their business. The garden was quiet and calm and we felt like whispering while there.
We took the advice of the very nice woman working at the garden’s gift shop to enjoy outdoor activities before it rains and went to Grouse Mountain.
This morning was overcast and we enjoyed breakfast at the Red Umbrella and sat next to two older women who seemed to have been friends for years. As we were leaving, one of the women said something about us having to endure their chatter but they don’t see each other very often. We let her know that it was no problem and we said good bye. The people here are so very nice. We noticed that in Tacoma and Seattle too. Must be all the clean air, delicious food and diversity of the population.
We’re in Victoria now and rode over on the largest ferry I’ve ever seen. When we got off the elevator from the parking level, I’m sure I looked like a rube. Stunningly huge passenger lounges and we just picked just one of them. The lounge on the other deck was huge too and had cafes, gift shops, etc. The seats were better than some airline seats I’ve been in. The sun broke out on our passage and it’s been beautiful ever since. The temperature is pretty moderate but there’s the incessant wind that makes it seem cooler to me.
Our hotel is on the waterfront but we face the city. We have a balcony so if I lean way over I can see the sails of sailboats. There’s a park to the other side and lots of green space, large trees and flowers.