Sunday, 21 May. Vancouver

 I hadn’t factored in a number of huge cruise ships when I wandered down to the Hop On Hop Off bus this morning. There were people everywhere and I had to queue for the bus. Some Canada geese were enjoying the water in a fountain right beside our queue. 

Only waited about 20 minutes before hopping on and completing a circuit. This told me that I should have plenty of time to get to Granville Island in time for the boat.

Whizzed back to the hotel and added another layer of clothes before returning to Canada Place, where I had to do the check in for the Rocky Mountaineer. Basically this meant picking up my ticket and being given luggage tags.

Then it was back onto the HOHO and off to Granville Island. It has markets with food and crafts as well as various entertainers, and it was packed with people enjoying a Sunday outing. Found some soup and a bench to sit on and people watch. At 2.15 it was time to board the huge catamaran that was to take us whale watching. 

Once away from the built up areas we put on a lot of speed and I was very glad of my fleece jacket, coat and beanie. The wind was really cold. We must have travelled for nearly an hour before the boat slowed right down in the spot where a whale had been seen. Sure enough he was still there and we were treated to some lunge feeding, where he pops up head first, as well as the usual arching back and fins. I took many photos but only a few actually had whale in the shot. 

The sea was amazingly calm for us and we had a bit of sun, which was lucky as the forecast had not looked great. Racing home was really cold and I added gloves to my frozen hands. Nearly forgot the bald eagle sitting on top of a lighthouse as we neared town.

Caught a taxi back to the hotel as we didn’t return until 6.30 and the HOHO had stopped running by then. A much less glamorous meal tonight in the hotel restaurant and once again I am looking forward to bed.