Day 4 – Tourist Day in Vancouver &
Voyage Back to Japan

Kenji and Yumi wake up the next day full of energy and ready to explore.  After the hotel breakfast, they agree that they must walk along the Sea Wall around Stanley Park.  It will be great exercise, plus it is free.

The Sea Wall, which circles the perimeter of Stanley Park, took over six decades to complete.  It was well worth the effort as millions of visitors each year flock to Stanley Park just to walk the Sea Wall.  The circular route spans approximately 8.85 km, which makes Stanley Park one of the largest urban parks in North America.             Stanley Park is a beautiful evergreen oasis of approximately 1000 hectares, and meshes wonderfully with the spirit of the Olympic games.  In the words of Lord Stanley, governor general of Canada in 1989, at the dedication of Stanley Park,

“To the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs for all time”.            

Again, Kenji and Yumi are blown away by the beautiful landscape of Vancouver.  It takes them two and a half hours to circle the Sea Wall, and also make it back to their hotel.  This leaves them time for one last outing.  Upon talking with the hotel concierge, they agree to take his recommendation and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver’s oldest and arguably most famous tourist attraction.  Originally built in 1889, today’s bridge is the fourth of its kind at this location.  It is over 140 m across and close to 80 m above the Capilano River.  Surrounding the bridge is a living forest complete with an interactive display offering tree identification clues and fun and interesting facts about the landscape that is indigenous to British Columbia.

The hotel concierge was able to arrange our travelers with round trip transportation to and from the Suspension Bridge at a combined flat rate cost of $22 (no tip necessary).  Entry fee for the park costs $16.95 per person plus 14.5% tax.  They also spent $22 total for lunch.  Both Kenji and Yumi feel that the cost was well worth the great educational experience.

Now back at the hotel, Kenji and Yumi are truly sad for they must pay for their hotel stay and then make their way back to the airport.  Three nights accommodation cost Kenji and Yumi $675, plus 14.5% tax.

Yumi:     Hotels certainly are expensive.

Kenji:     Yah, It’s a good thing they are covering the cost for our transportation back to the Airport.

Four days is certainly not enough time to discover the wonders of this great province.  They have already begun to plan their next visit to British Columbia.  Certainly they want to visit other parts of British Columbia such as Prince George, Kamloops and Cranbrook.