I have always loved Canada and had a fond appreciation for many high calorie food items that came from Canada, but let me tell you, I love it even more now-because it is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!
So Michele, Rich, Casey and I started off our trip last wednesday by flying into Seattle. We got picked up by our aunt and uncle and stayed with them the first two nights. In the morning before Casey and I headed to downtown Seattle Jacinthe told us a lot about my mom's childhood and my grandparents. I have always wanted to learn more about my mom's side of the family, her siblings and her upbringing and it was really fun to hear some stories from someone other than my mom. I learned that my great grandma and great grandpa were cousins, kinda funny! Also that it took awhile for my grandma and granpa to get married because my grandpa wanted to have what he needed to support her. That was a wonderful start to an amazing trip.
Then Casey had a wonderful day in Seattle. We went to Pike Place Market, walked around the shops and town, and visitied my uncle's work. I hate clam chowder, so Casey got "best clam chowder ever" for lunch, and Casey hates lasagna so I got lasagna for lunch. Casey was pretty bummed he couldn't finish off my plate like usual. Then Casey headed to a Mariner's game with Rolf (uncle) and I went and hung out with Jacinthe and Stefanie where I got go play volleyball.
The next day Casey and I got a taste of the Seattle transit system.. we jumped from bus to bus to make it up to Mt Vernon to meet Rich and Michele who were spending time with Rich's grandpa so we could continue our trip northward to Canada. As we were crossing the border into Canada we were already getting into trouble... did you know that pepper spray is an illegal weapon? Well, mine got confiscated... and Casey wasn't very hapy about it. First thing we did once we were in the country was hit up SWISS CHALET. I wasn't sure if the years of absence and the build up in my head over just a restaurant would meet my high expectations... but don't worry, it did. It was absolutely delicious! Worth the decade and a half of waiting. After swiss chalet we headed up to a mall where we went to RW and Co and roots.
Vancouver. Most of you who know me well, know that I'm kinda dramatic when I tell a story. Well just picture me saying this: VANCOUVER IS AWESOME!! Especially Stanley Park. We started off by heading to the granville island public market. That was really cool with a lot of different kinds of restaurants, tons and tons of fruit and a lot more. We got there just as it was closing so we didn't get to spend too much time there. Then we headed to Stanley Park. It's this absolutely breathtaking park that from the outskirts you look over water to downtown Vancouver. I would be skinny if I lived in Vancouver cause I would rollerblade/bike there every single day. We saw people using some really cool ski/rollerblade thingys. The park even had totem poles that you know Casey was very fond of. In the city they have it set up so there most of thier high risers are appartment complexes, and underneath them is shopping. Don't worry, this is one conversation we had:
Nicole: Michele! An RW and CO!!
Michele: RICH, stop, I want to go there
Rich: Didn't we just go there???
We walked up and down the very busy streets and got to try different foods and stores. We had chinese people serving us our food in both mexican and pizza restaurants. We went over some spectacular bridges and saw some really cool sky scrapers. On our way back to our hotel we were all talking about how tired we were when we drove by a nightime china town- we were all out of the car within seconds to check it out. Favourite part: Tuna and octopus balls. In vancouver we stayed in a very trashy hotel... where we needed our room key to operate the elevator and I broke the waffle maker at the continental barf-fast. We were so tired when we got back from a busy day in Vancouver that Casey literally fell asleep as his head hit the pillow. He was suposed to take a shower after me but he was gone... street clothes, shoes and all.
The next two days we spent in Victoria - also absolutly wonderful, except this time out room at Chateau Victoria got upgraded to a SUITE!! Let me tell you, for as trashy as our hotel was in Vancouver, it was nice in Victoria. And each couple got our own rooms! It was right downtown next to the very cool castle/hotel, the Empress (which we helped ourselves to a self-guided tour). We also visited the Capitol, the Buchart gardens, Craigborochchchchchchck (that's the correct way of pronouning the name) Castle, and walked around town. Three great finds/stops in Victoria were Fish of 5th (thanks to a recommendation from mike) , Market on Yates, and a delicious mexican restaurant (also run by chinese people).
After Victoria, we headed to Whistler. If any of you like Park City, than you will love Whistler... it's like Park City on some killer steroids. We did the "peak to peak" which consisted of taking a couple ski lifts up the mountain, a gondala to the top of a different mountain, then climbing that mountain even higher. There views were breathtaking. It was really fun to be in Whistler because it was definately the most relaxing part of the trip... besides going on a few walks (and running into bears-okay, maybe that wasn't so relaxing) we pretty much hung out at the condo and spent time with Rich's super cool sister and husband.
So if you got thru reading all of that, you can move on to the "writable downables" of the trip... this is only the very few we could remember:
-chinese hotel receptionist: "If you need in the garage, horn me"
-nicole: "should we ask her what restaurants are good" michele: do you speak chinese?"
-rich: "loonie=nooner=uni"
So basically....
Canada trip=2 flights, 2 ferrys, 1 rental car, 12+ bridges, 2 hotels, 1 condo, 2 bears,
