#326: Tojo's ang Granville Island (pg 755); Vancouver's Top Restaurants and Granville Island Public Market (2nd Ed pg 917)

 

Half the fun of Granville island is getting there..... by ferry!

My two younger girls posed on the ferry in their lax jerseys to support their respective teams which were both competing in big tournaments without them back home.  

Going from Point A to Point B with no traffic and views like this?  Yes, please!

We made it!

Let's go inside and check it out!

Roaming the stalls and absorbing the color, the options, the smells and the variety!

Lots and lots of variety! 🤣

Fresh fruit galore!  🍒

Time to sample the goods...

Gorgeous weather with tummies filled with delicious food.  That's my kind of day!

Verdict: I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Granville Island.  I enjoyed getting there, I enjoyed exploring all the options, I enjoyed eating the goods, etc.  And it's definitely something I would recommend to those going to visit Vancouver, especially during the Spring and Summer and early Fall.  But it's not necessarily something you need to do before you die.  

#325: Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

 

June 23, 2023

There was a massive influx of Chinese into Vancouver in the 1980's and 1990's when many left Hong Kong due to fear of mainland China taking over.  Vancouver's Chinatown was born and became the third largest Asian enclave outside the Orient (only SF and NYC's Chinatowns are bigger).  

 Built in 1985, it is the first full-scale classical Chinese garden ever built outside of China.

Exploring the peaceful grounds

The pagoda, with roof tiles imported directly from China.  

Cost:  $12 CAD Oct - April, $14 CAD May - September

There are discounts for kids, students and families.  I paid $33.50 (American $) for our family of 6 to enter. 

Verdict: No.  I'm not quite sure how this made it into the book.  It was nice and peaceful and a welcome respite of the drug and homelessness problem currently rampant in Vancouver, but within an hour of enjoying the peace and tranquility, our four kids were ready to move on.  I thought it was lovely, but not only could I have died without seeing it, I don't even think it's a "must do" while in Vancouver.  We visited Capilano Suspension bridge park and Grouse Mountain, neither of which are in the book and both of which were a lot more scenic and exciting and fun and view-filled than this.