Alaska Jewel: Vancouver

Since NCL booked me on that great 11:45pm flight, I have the entire day to kill in Vancouver with no real plan. I need luggage storage and a way to get around town.

I ended up going to these people at the port that offer a Hop-on, hop-off ticket and baggage storage until 4:30. Just for baggage storage it would’ve been $10 for a small bag or $15 for a large bag. Then the bus ticket is $65. I think I paid $70-75 for the ticket and two bags.

I kind of wish it they kept the bags longer but maybe I can find a place to eat around here with my bags before going to the airport. They probably won’t take my bags at the airport until 9pm.

Bag storage is inside the parking garage and to the left.

And I am free until 4:30. Disney Wonder is on this side of the port. Norwegian Jewel is on the other side.

It’s been aboot a 10 minute wait for the bus here at Canada Place.

The guy in the Juneau hat is such a jerk. He was constantly trying to jump the line and screaming at his wife to get off of her phone.

This convention center has grass on the roof. It’s supposed to make it more energy efficient. 

I like that the roof is clear but narration is difficult to hear because the bus is loud and I don’t think the speakers in the back work.

Some buses have headphones, this one does not.

The bus driver talking about how much it costs to live here. She lives an hour away.

This is an old hospital that is set to be replaced and demolished. I think they should keep that building and do something else with it.

Gas is over $8 per gallon here and was over $10 per gallon. I think I paid about $3.15 before I left.

She’s ahead of schedule so now we have to stop for 10 minutes.

This is BC Place where they play football and soccer.

In front of the entrance is the Terry Fox memorial.

This is the library. It basically has a park on the roof.

This is Vancouver’s newest hotel the JW Marriott. It also has a casino. 

Rogers Arena is where the Canucks play hockey.

The globe is Science World.

We are about to enter Chinatown.

I almost saw a street fight over a bicycle.

This is the Chinatown Memorial Monument. It recognizes the Chinese Canadian railway workers and World War II soldiers.

This building was built as a warehouse in 1886. After the great fire it served as City Hall. In 1997 it was converted into The Warehouse Studio. Bryan Adams owns it. AC/DC has recorded here.

I wanted to get off in Gas Town to see the steam clock. Fortunately the bus stops just down the street from it.

I stopped by a little shopping center to use the bathroom. From there I had a good look at the ship.

Then I headed down the street to the steam clock.

That’s Vancouver lookout. If I didn’t have to pick up my bags at 4:30 I may have checked that out.

It was a 25 minute wait for another bus. 

This bus doesn’t have the speakers. It does have the headphone plug. But I don’t have the right headphones with me and I’m not sure these work because all of the screens are blank.

I think these people are causing a significant delay. We’ve been sitting here for 12 minutes while they talk to our bus driver. 

And we are on the move.

This is waterfront station. I’ll be coming back here later to take the train to the airport. 

Waterfront Station is pretty convenient to the ship.

And we’re back where we started at Canada Place. I’m heading to the park next. Hopefully I know when we get there because we skipped it the first time and there is no narration on this bus.

Now they’re playing a virtual audio tour. This is good. It’s loud.

The Olympic Cauldron.

You can rent bikes here if you want to ride the Stanley Park sea wall.

The park stop is still closed I have to walk from here.

They have carriage rides in the park.

Here are their snack bar prices.

And their carriage ride prices.

I’m heading for the totem poles.

I’ll be at the airport when this happens.

My timing was perfect.

Stanley park was built in 1888 and is 1,000 acres.

These are the rose gardens. 

Stanley Park pavilion 

The Stanley Park bus stop now open.

Stables are back in there for the buggy horses and mounted police.

This is a lagoon and a bird sanctuary. 

Apparently if you are here for the night and you have a Hop-on, hop-off ticket you can get an evening tour of both Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth park for just $15 at stop 1 which is Canada Place.

Broad Street Bridge

This is a former Canadian armed forces building

Granville Street Bridge

Of course Gastown is going to be the last stop because this driver is taking a break. I’m either going to have to wait for another bus, walk, or Uber.

Science World.

This is the Sam Kee building. It’s in the Guinness Book of World Records as the the narrowest commercial building in the world.

Now the driver is saying she’ll take her break at Canada Place. That’s perfect for me.

Parking wars

Now the driver says she’s not going to Canada Place.

I’m going to walk it.

I can see the ship from here.

I had to go into Canada Place a different way than I left it. But I believe that is my bag storage area over there.

I stopped by the men’s room to freshen up and change clothes. I don’t want to get on the plane tonight smelling like I went on a two hour park walk today.

The restaurant I’m going to is by the Olympic Cauldron so we’re getting a close up look.

A nice thing about this place is you can watch the sea planes take off from here.

They were able to accommodate me with space for my suitcase and charging.

And you can see the sea planes from the bar.

I can also see Disney Wonder leaving from the bar.

I grabbed one of their local beers.

And a burger and poutine.

Norwegian Jewel is heading out.

And I’m heading out.

This guy was here to greet me in front of water street station as I make my way to the airport.