Vancouver pre-olympics

Vancouver has long been on our list of places to visit especially with its reputation for fantastic food. Our timing, just a few months before the Olympic Games has been a smart move. Flowers are in place, buildings nearly all built, windows washed and the city seems to be booming economically. Thgy should be...prices for everything seem rediculously high. Far more than the 4.5% differential in the value of our dollars...

We explore our new neighborhood and find a little wine seller shop. Prices here are incredible. A wine we buy for the Hotel Charlotte at $7 a bottle is being sold at the wine shop for $24.5o. We are unaware of any import/duty exhanges between USA and Canada, but with Canada's budding wine industry, perhaps this is exactly what has happened to boost sales of the Canadian wines.

We start the dining experience at a little place called La Bodgea, just a few blocks from where we are staying. Our host recommended it as an authentic Spanish Tapas restaurant. We agreed it was authentic, the food was fair, not outstanding, the ambiance was entertaining and refreshing.

We shared everything, a green salad, marinated artichoke hearts, seasoned shrimp, calamari and lamb shank, all small plates, but not too small. With a simple bottle of wine, the price was just under $100, tax and tip included.

The next day we spend traveling the water front with our Auqua-Ferry all day pass, $12 each. We head first from the Hornsby ferry pier to Granville Island and have a delicious breakfast, sausages, eggs, tomatoes and bagel, with Coffee, $18 tax & tip included.

We are earlier than the markets open and get on the ferry to the next stop which is called Monks, a seafood restaurant overlooking a marina and False Creek. Looks nice, but not open. They say there is a downtown area here to explore, but we don't see it and continue the walk along the shore to the next ferry pick up location. This takes us back over to the otherside and we explore a bit of Yaletown, looking for the perfect dinner destingation. The architecture of the whole town appears to be steel with floor to ceiling windowns all of the lightest teal, pale blue green color. At first it looks cheep and unkempt, like tarped boats in the nonrainy season. But as time goes on, the look begins to appeal.

Our next boat stop is ironically, the casino. We go in to see what it offers differently from what we get at our little casinon in Tuolumne. They don't have any fun video poker machines, no variations on the traditional game. Lots of pennies and some very busy blackjack tables, even though it is still morning. I try my luck at the boring video poker and win $6.50 on my $20 investment. This feels good and we cashout and head back.

We wait and wait for the ferry and none is forthcoming. Perhaps it is lunch time for them and they all take an hour off. Whatever the reason, we decide to head back to Yaletown on foot and off we go.

For to follow, must go back to bed!