British Columbia – Page 2 – The Hidden Panorama

The Butchart Gardens – A Magical and Refreshing Garden

When I did Victoria and The Butchart Gardens tour, the last stop in our itinerary was The Butchart Gardens. After coming from Royal Museum in Victoria, we went straight to the garden. At first, I don’t really know what to expect in the garden which of course plants and flowers, but I had this high expectations because the garden is part of a tourist itinerary tour.

We arrived at the garden, I walked from the entrance, along the way I saw the gift store and I decided to look inside. While checking out things, I ended up shopping some souvenir stuff. When I got out the store I looked around, I immediately like the ambiance of the place then I passed the cafe and visitor centre. Next, I saw the big name of The Butchart Garden but I bypassed it as lot of people stopped in the area to take photos and I knew I it will take sometime before it cleared out with people, that’s why I decided to take photos once I’m done with the garden which I did before leaving the garden.

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I followed the track from the start point of the garden which starts from the big name “The Butchart Gardens”. Along the way, I saw Snail Fountain, Roses and Orchids until I saw the sign the direction of the Sunken Garden. The first part of the garden that I visited was the beautiful and amazing Sunken Garden. The view from the top was lovely. It’s like a magical garden place, it’s really a refreshing scenery.

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Sunken Garden

I went down as I was excited for what I saw, then I walked along some tracks in the Sunken Garden. I saw shrubs, towering trees and Quarry Lake where I got scenic photos of it. After reaching the corner side of the garden, I found the Ross Fountain. I spent few minutes in taking photos of Ross fountain and then continued strolling the garden until I saw a statue of woman.

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Ross Fountain

After enjoying my eyes in Sunken Garden, I moved to Rose Garden where I found a lot of beautiful and colorful flowers. I did a lot of up close and personal photos of some flowers that I found in the garden. There is a nearby fountain as well that I saw in Rose Garden and it’s called Sturgeon Fountain.

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At Rose Garden

Sturgeon Fountain

After enjoying the fountain view I continued my wandering in The Butchart Gardens until I entered in another type of garden called Japanese Garden. Here the design of the plants, trees , flowers and overall atmosphere in area was oriental and I amazed on the picturesque of the garden.

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At Japanese Garden

I kept my pace and move along until I saw the Star Pond which surrounded by flowers in its edges. Then, I walked again up to the Italian Garden.

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I was fascinated with my walk in the garden, beautiful and colorful flowers with green grass, plants and trees compliments each other made the garden even better. While inside I felt I were in a magical place and I felt I was a princess which lives in a wonderland, well that’s just for a moment.

Greater Vancouver, British Columbia’s Islands, Vancouver Island and Float Plane

Even I was tired from full and jam pack places that I had seen during my Whistler tour, I was still excited for another day tour just to see more of British Columbia. As I checked and compared tours available for Vancouver Island in the end I booked myself for Victoria and The Butchart Gardens which includes Whale Watching and Float Plane. The tour might be quite pricey compared with other Victoria tour but I wanted to experienced a lot and see a lot in one day as I am not sure if I will be given another chance to come back in Canada in the future.

From my hotel in Kingsway in Burnaby, I traveled to downtown of Vancouver by taking bus #19 from the nearest station in the hotel which is WB Kingsway FS Melbourne St and went off at EB W Pender St At Burrard St. From the bus station I walked towards Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre until I reached the station of the float plane that will bring me to Victoria in Vancouver Island and I flew to the island via Westcoast Air. I decided that time to choose the float plane instead of regular ferry that goes back and forth from Vancouver to Victoria so I can see the islands from the top on the way and to save time so I can spend the morning time in whale watching.

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At Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre

It was the first time that I took a float plane. From the station I met the other tourist, one were senior couple and one are middle age couple, then we introduced ourselves to each other but honestly I can’t remember their names. Traveling in a seaplane or floatplane was a challenge because I thought before we travel it will be the same with regular commercial plane that was silent but to my surprise it was not. The propeller sound from the front of the floatplane was quite loud and the plane was just small where all sounds around the plane can be heard inside. At first I was not comfortable but when we were at the top and I was able to see the Greater Vancouver, lots of islands, Vancouver Island and surrounding body of water which is Georgia Strait I felt excited and relieved . I just thought that even the sound was not so nice, I did enjoy the sceneries that I was able to view from the float plane.

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Greater Vancouver Sceneries

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British Columbia’s Islands and Vancouver Island

Last Hours in Canada – Vancouver Airport

After my half-day and last tour in British Columbia which was the North Shore Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, my bus tour dropped me off at Vancouver Airport which located at Richmond. Here I met my colleagues assigned in Vancouver team and another one assigned in Toronto team.

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All the three of us took sometime to catch-up for everything happened to us while staying in Canada, we chat about who were the people that we met in the team, who we thought were really good in their job, who looks good, who was accommodating and a lot of stuff. We spent sometime to walk a little bit around the airport and we took some photo of us and the place as our memories. All of us told each other how we were really going to miss this beautiful country of Canada and all of us wished if we can go back again.

Passing Vancouver Downtown

Honestly I was not able to spend a lot of time walking around Vancouver itself, as I was fully preoccupied of arranging my tour and five days were not really enough to see British Columbia.

BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver at Georgia Viaduct

Telus World of Science in Vancouver Downtown at Quebec St

I got a few chances to see some of Vancouver Downtown. First was when I came from Whistler Tour, next when I was on my way to Victoria in Vancouver Island because I went to the Floatplane station at Coal Harbour. Then when I was came from walk in Stanley Park. And the last chance was while I was inside the bus on my way to the airport in Richmond flying back to Manila.

Canada Place (captured near at seabus station in Vancouver)

Vancouver Lookout at Cordova St near Burrard St in Vancouver Downtown - I'm on my way to the Airport — Vancouver Lookout at Cordova St near Burrard St in Vancouver Downtown – I’m on my way to the Airport

Vancouver Centre Mall at Vancouver Downtown - I'm on my way to the Airport — Vancouver Centre Mall at Vancouver Downtown – I’m on my way to the Airport

Pacific Centre Vancouver Downtown - I'm on my way to the Airport — Pacific Centre Vancouver Downtown – I’m on my way to the Airport

At Howe St looking towards Toronto Dominion Tower and Vancouver Ceter Mall Vancouver Downtown – I’m on my way to the Airport

All the chances were quite unplanned because I was just passing by Vancouver Downtown, as I was already came from some tour or some place. All chances was not really intentional because of the situations at that time. Even all those were just unexpected chances I was able to see some places in Downtown.

From North and Vancouver

My North Vancouver tour was officially over after we left Grouse Mountain. Before I joined the tour that day, I did checkout in my hotel because after the tour, the bus will drop me off at the airport and because of that all my luggage were in the bus as well.

In my tour as I wished to experience more and see more because I had few hours left before flying back to Manila, I was happy that the tour includes a seabus ride to cross Vancouver Harbour from North Vancouver to Vancouver.

The trip started at Lonsdale Quay at North Vancouver and then the ferry crossed Burrard Inlet or Vancouver Harbour. Along the way I had time spent viewing the coastal side of Greater Vancouver. I enjoyed the whole trip. After exiting the seabus, the bus tour was waiting at the Waterfront station. The seabus experience was the first time while in Vancouver.

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Vancouver Downtown and Vancouver Harbor (captured while at seabus) on the way to Waterfront Station

Vancouver Lookout Tower at Harbour Centre

After returning to the bus, a realisation came to my mind that I had few hours left to see more of Vancouver, that’s why on the way to the airport I enjoyed Vancouver Downtown inside the bus.

I still wish I can come back in Canada in the future.

Cleveland Dam

During my last tour, the third itinerary I had in North Vancouver was Cleveland Dam. As I walk out the bus and walking approaching the dam, the surrounding areas were really lovely. The natures that encompassing the Capilano Lake or Capilano Reservoir were magnificent that made me really adore it. I felt how natural the place was and felt to believed the water flowing in the dam were indeed fresh.

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Surrounding area of Cleveland Dam

After visiting the place, I learned that the river I saw in Capilano Suspension Bridge and Capilano Fish Hatchery were coming from Capilano Lake which being hold by the dam. The water in the lake was not still or stagnant water, I learned that a lot of rivers and streams are flowing down into the lake coming from surrounding mountains. The lake serves as freshwater to the lower area of Great Vancouver.

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Capilano Lake or Capilano Reservoir and surround mountains

I just realized as well that the Capilano Lake was the lake that I saw while I was in Grouse Mountain Skyrides. The Cleveland Dam serve as to hold the water in the reservoir and used to control the water spill down to the Capilano River.

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Capilano Fish Hatchery

It was my last day in Vancouver or let say my last day in Canada, though it was not a full day tour as I still went to office in the morning to say goodbyes to the Vancouver team, I was still able to arrange my tour in the afternoon. I booked a North Shore Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain Tour. The half day tour includes 4 places such as Capilano Fish Hatchery, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Cleveland Dam and Grouse Mountain.

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The first stop was Capilano Fish Hatchery. The location of the hatchery is just beside the Capilano River in Capilano River Regional Park. The river was the same river that I saw when we went to Capilano Suspension Bridge. When we arrived at the center, there was a personnel approached us and explained the process of growing the fish in the hatchery and that includes telling us that if the right time, they release the fishes into the river. But at the time we visited the place, there was no schedule of fish release in the river.

After spending time inside the center, I walked around the area of the hatchery and I was fascinated in the surrounding areas as I felt the nature is within the hatchery. And the Capilano River was really adorable. I fell in love with the river.

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Grouse Mountain – One of the Peaks in Greater Vancouver

I knew that Canada has a lot of wonderful mountains to offer that you can’t even count. I learned that since I went to Banff in Alberta province. While traveling in Greater Vancouver area, there were lots of places to visit that involves mountains as well and Grouse Mountain was just one of them.

Grouse Mountain is located at North Shore in North Vancouver, strategically located at the heart of Greater Vancouver. I learned that this mountain is popular for skiing during winter season and popular for tourist in any season. The great thing about this mountain is the overlooking of Greater Vancouver while at the top of it. It has skyrides where people enjoyed the surrounding scenic views without doing the difficult option of trekking the mountain.

Grouse Mountain skyride station — Grouse Mountain Skyride Station

The mountain was the last of the four places that we visited in North Vancouver as part of my more than half day tour, before my late night flight that day back to Manila. After the bus tour dropped us at Skyrides station, I hopped on in the Red Skyrides. During my rides to the top, I had a chance to see North Vancouver area. Like what I felt when I was in Whistler when riding gondola I got excited as I saw Capilano Lake, some part of Cypress Mountain and North Vancouver.

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After reaching the top of the mountain, I felt cold as I saw the surrounding with snow and iced which was a sign of winter season just over recently. Then I went where the grizzly bear can be seen, all people and myself had difficulty to see them clearly because they just keep hiding and hibernating in some branch of trees and logs in their cage, but I still I had a chance to see them though it’s just a quick one.

I spent sometime walking around the area and then I went back as per the timing we had in the mountain. I enjoyed my short trip in Grouse Mountain as another great places added to my discoveries. I rode the skyrides again to go back to my bus tour.

Stanley Park – Vancouver’s First Park

It was Monday, June 16, 2008. I went to the office at Burnaby for a day of work and training. Then I met new people whom a friend of my colleague in my team. Without any careful plan that night I went out together with new friends that I met after inviting me to a walk in Stanley Park. I can’t be in a tour on that day because I’m still officially in business trip. These new friends invited us in a walk as they were aware that I just arrived few days ago and they knew that myself and my colleague were flying back to Manila the next day.

I remembered that our walk in Stanley Park took us few hours as the park is huge. Most of stroll that we did was walking around the edges of the park.

At the entrance of Stanley Park Aquarium

There were many things and scenic views that we saw while walking in the park. We started our journey from Stanley Park Aquarium which is the largest aquarium in Canada. We never went inside as we planned was to walk around the park and not inside the aquarium. We just took photos at the entrance of the aquarium as a memories in the place. Then we moved forward towards the walking trail facing Coal Harbour where Vancouver Downtown was visible. When I saw the area, I loved it. I got excited in the walk with a thought that the walk we were doing that time leads to some more discovery in the park.

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After enjoying sometime of panoramic views of Vancouver Downtown with Coal Harbor, we passed the 9 O’clock Gun and approach it shortly to had a glimpse of it since it was housed with rocks and metals which transparent to be visible outside for people who wanted to see what it looks like. We also stopped at Brockton Point Lighthouse where we spent some time to appreciate the place and played around the area.

Totem at Stanley Park — Totem-pole Display

Next, we found the Totem-pole display in the park. Staying for a while in Canada made me learn that even though most population in Canada come from Europe countries, in their history, they respect the local people before European discoverer came along. They call these first local people as First Nation and totem pole is one of the symbol of showing allegiance of the whole country to their culture.

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The walk continues and we had a beautiful sceneries of Vancouver Harbour and North Vancouver area. At this side of the park, I got a chance to see from a far one of the historic bridge in Vancouver which is the Lions Gate Bridge.

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At the walking trail at the Seawall in Stanley Park, we found Water Playground, which is a great place for fun not just for kids but for adults as well.

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We kept on walking at the edges or seawall of the park until we reached the bottom of Lions Gate Bridge. In this walk I had a chance to have up close and personal to the bridge. And I can say that the bridge is one of the magnificent bridge existing in the world today. The stroll continues until we witness the sunset at Burrard Inlet. After passing the bridge, we were facing West Vancouver and Vancouver Downtown.

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With Lions Gate Bridge Sceneries

After passing the Lions Gate Bridge, we got a chance to witness the sunset while walking the park. Along the way, we saw Siwash Rock and then we reached the Third Beach where we found many displays of stacked rocks nearby.

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Sunset from Stanley Park, looking towards West Vancouver

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Metropolitan Vancouver From Cypress Mountain

After Shannon Falls, we had an almost an hour in the road enjoying the sceneries along Sea To Sky Highway on our way back to Vancouver.

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Scenic Views along Sea To Sky Highway after coming from Shannon Falls

I thought that Shannon Falls was the last stop for my Whistler tour on that day. And yet we had another stop which was the last stop for the tour. We ended at Cypress Mountain Provincial Park. At first I did not know what to expect until I saw beautiful sceneries in the area. I can call the place a great lookout for the main reason that it has amazing location to appreciate the skyline and surrounding area of Metropolitan of Vancouver. The area we stopped in the park has a picnic area to enjoy time and great views. The provincial park is part of Cypress Mountain itself and located in West Vancouver near at Howe Sound.

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My Saturday ends so great for me. I had an amazing time for all the places that I had been to. I was satisfied that I had seen so much for one day. And I was really thankful for the wonderful chance that I had because I know I may not be able to do the same tour again in the future as I’m allowed to enter Canada once. I wish I will be to come back in the future in this beautiful nature country such as Canada.

Brackendale Forest and Shannon Falls

We went back in the bus after spending sometime viewing Tantalus mountain ranges at Tantalus Lookout along Sea to Sky Highway road. We hit the road again and after few minutes we stopped at Brackendale, which still part of Squamish.

We went out for a nature walk which is actually a forest walk. The forest we went in are actually part of a unique school in British Columbia, it is North Vancouver Outdoor School. Based from our tourist guide, the school introduces and teaches all about nature to young kids where the child experience outdoor fun activities. After hearing that from the guide, I wished that I was able to do the same thing when I was young since I love activities with nature.

Sequoia Tree

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North Vancouver Outdoor School

Inside the forest, we saw mostly of sequoia trees, some were at the ground, some are standing tall. We also found some flora and fauna along our trail while walking under tall trees. We also saw a narrow stream of water which looks canal and swamp like.

I enjoyed the walk in the forest, walking in the forest is one of the things that I really love to do. The forest is one of the place that you can get yourself technically inside or between natures. Every time I am inside the forest I feel relax, calm and serene which rejuvenate my mind. The ambiance of the nature felt so refreshing and the green surrounding made me felt so alive.

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Views near Stawamus Chief on our way back to Vancouver along Sea To Sky Highway

After walking tour in Brackendale, the next stop was at Shannon Falls. I consider this stop as similar to Tantalus Lookout, wherein a great scenery was really amazing. I can’t believe what my eyes saw. The falls was really beautiful and the water flows were quite extraordinary and I can imagine the great force on it that looks like the streams of water tried to race to each other to go down to the ground.

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Shannon Falls

Squamish – With The Chief, Canyon and Tantalus

Squamish was one of the significant place that we passed while we were on our way to Whistler. Before reaching the town of Squamish, we’re able to have a short glimpse of Stawamus Chief (or The Chief), The Chief is a granite dome and considered to be one of the largest granite monolith in the world.

Stawamus Chief (The Chief)

Next, to Stawamus Chief is Squamish town. Since I was inside the train and just passing by, I had a quick look at the nearby port and its surrounding area.

Squamish Port

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Around Squamish Town

Few more minutes passed and we reached the beautiful spot which later I learned that it is Cheakamus Canyon. The first time I saw some parts of the canyon, I was already amazed. There is a river beside the train tracks and discovered that it is Cheakamus river. Aside from the river, I never thought that I will find a beautiful canyon. The train followed the tracks within Cheakamus Canyon. I got excited when the train slowed down and I got a better view of the canyon. Around the vicinity, we crossed river, creek and lake, all the sceneries that I witnessed fascinated me. The water flow in the streams in the canyon was breathtaking and I felt great with the beauty of the nature that surrounds the train.

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Cheakamus Canyon

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Around Cheakamus Canyon

I honestly admired all the people involved in building the tracks in the early times. They made a great effort where to put the tracks of the train because I never disappointed for everything that I saw while traveling with Whistler train. They knew exactly the best spot where to be able to see the wonderful nature in Squamish.

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Cheakamus River

Another scenic view in the area that I saw was after we came from Whistler. The bus tour where I hopped on from Whistler Village stopped at Tantalus Lookout. The lookout is located exactly along Sea to Sky Highway (major road) from Vancouver to Whistler and vice versa. The lookout viewpoint is towards Tantalus Provincial Park where Tantalus ranges can be seen. The sceneries we’re all breathtaking, I never expected that few minutes stop in the highway was great indeed.

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Tantalus Lookout and Tantalus mountain ranges

Whistler – Warm Haven in Cold Paradise

Whistler becomes a buzz word while I was in Canada because the next Winter Olympics which will be happening in 2010 will be held in Whistler. I was so happy that I will be able to visit Whistler because I knew that I will not be around during the Olympic season. Before I even arrived in Vancouver, I had been planning my tour since I had only two full day weekends, two nights and half-day (just almost 5 days) to travel around British Columbia and I don’t want to waste my time just being at the hotel.

I was booked for Whistler Mountain and Forest Tour via Whistler Glacier Dome train last June 14, 2008. I booked the tour with Vancouver Landsea Tours and Adventures. Because the location of my hotel (Ramada Hotel) was in Burnaby, the tour company told me that they will not be able to pick me up from the hotel that I was staying. I was advised to go to Hyatt Regency hotel at Burrard Street. Therefore, I woke up early and went to the said hotel to join the group tour. After meeting my group, I was dropped off at the Whistler train station since my tour includes Whistler train.

Inside the Glacier Dome of Whistler Mountaineer Train (quite blurred)

Lions Gate Bridge (From North Vancouver District)

Vancouver view from West Vancouver

Bowen Island view from West Vancouver

Whistler train station is in North Vancouver railway station, this was where the Whistler train left Vancouver. From the station, we passed Lions Gate Bridge a suspension bridge that connects Vancouver to North Shore of North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

The train route follows the coastline of North Vancouver to West Vancouver near Marine Drive, then the rest of the tracks is almost parallel to Sea to Sky Highway. The trail seemed designed for a great train ride. The panoramic views along the Strait of Georgia, sceneries together with Bowen and Gambier Island from Lions Bay, Furry Creek and Squamish were really amazing.

Falls view from Whistler train Some photos while on our way to Whistler (along Sea To Sky Highway)

Scenic view near in Squamish

Riding in a train like that seems like a cruise because the dome train I took was more luxurious than the other carriage of the Whistler train. The travel was comfortable and enjoyable. I admired everything that I saw all the way from Vancouver to Whistler.

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Almost at Whistler

Whistler Village

Finally, we arrived at Whistler Village. Because I booked Whistler tour via train, I was separated in my group tour on the way to Whistler, they came to Whistler via tourist bus. I met the whole group and the tourist guide again in the village. I remembered that our guide told us that while we’re in the village, we have free time to spend and try things that we like. The group agreed to come back at the meeting place in a specific time.

Whistler Train Station

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Some snapshots in Whistler Village

While in Whistler, I grabbed the opportunity to walk within the village. I was able to reach lake called Green Lake and found out that it was the Whistler airport station. Yes, it is the airport because it’s not the same like common airport we used to, it is an airport for a sea float plane, where small plane flies but lands in water either in harbor or lakes.

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Whistler Airport at Green Lake (and its surrounding area)

Since the area is being prepared for the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2010, there were constructions going on in different parts of the village, but the construction activities did not hinder the normal operations in the village and tourist keeps on coming.

Blackcomb Mountain

After walking for sometime around Whistler Village, I decided to ride gondolas to reach the mountain summit. I saw Blackcomb mountain booth. I bought the ticket and went on queue for gondola. The gondola that I saw in the area are open type gondola because it is the rides of people who does the skiing in the mountain during winter season and because the winter was over, the same gondola brings tourist like me to reach the top of the mountain.

During my ascent to the summit of the Blackcomb mountain, I was able to see the panoramic views of mountains around the area. If I saw Rocky Mountains in Banff from the ground, I was overwhelmed because I witness different angle of mountains from the top. And because it was Spring season I saw some parts of the Blackcomb mountain that still have snow and iced which a leftover by Winter season. I was lucky that I was wearing winter jacket at that time because I experience the cold wind from the ground up to the summit. I spent some time at the peak of the mountain by taking photos, by just looking around 360 degrees and by appreciating all the things that my eyes reached. I never experienced a mountain like that before where it felt like the other surrounding mountains were so close to me. It seems they were all reachable and I could just grab them with my bare hands with the blink of an eye. I told myself how beautiful and great the place where I was standing.

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Panoramic Views at Blackcomb Mountain

I looked at my watch and decided to descend the mountain. I reached the ground of the mountain the same way that I reached the summit.

It was great to see a beautiful village surrounded by mountains. I was ecstatic and I never thought that a remote place like Whistler is a beautiful community covered by natures wonders. It was really a wonderful place for me. I really enjoyed my walk along the village and my rides in gondola. Discovering the place from the ground, from the sky and from summit made my experience memorable.

My group tour met together again. And in few minutes we left Whistler Village and we started driving back to Vancouver.

White Rock In British Columbia ?

I arrived in Vancouver the next day, Friday June 13, 2008. From the airport, I went straight to the hotel (Ramada Hotel in Kingsway Burnaby) then rested for a while. After sometime passed, I went to the company branch office in Burnaby Vancouver where I had a chance to meet the whole team there. Here I also met my colleague from who was assigned in Vancouver while I was assigned in Edmonton. After meeting people, my colleague and I undergone some hours of knowledge and training sessions with few people in the team. The day finished so fast and I never realised that it was almost evening.

Because there was Filipino team member in Vancouver and we somewhat closed to him since he was the one came to Manila and interviewed us, he offered us some time to see places nearby. We went to Surrey City and drove down to Vancouver-Blaine Highway. At first, I never realized that we were going to the border between US and Canada until we arrived at Peach Arch Provincial Park, the area wherein anyone can be in two countries in one time. There is a part of the park called Peach Arch that once you stand on it, it means you are standing in two countries at the same time. When I learned that fact, I was really excited, I never been to US and that was my chance to be in US for a short period of time. Once we cross the arch, we were already in US and once we cross back again, we were in Canada immediately. We spent some time for photos around the area until we decided to leave the place.

Peace Arch Provincial Park

Road to USA

Canada Flag Garden

USA Flag Garden

Peace Arch Garden

Crow found in Peace Arch Garden

Peace Arch

Next, we drove down along Marine Drive in White Rock, where we saw scenic bay views in the area. Here we saw Semiahmoo Bay, Pier, the city itself and even the legendary historic White Rock while walking around the area. The place is a western coastal area where there is a main road near the coast and along the road are restaurant lane that people can enjoy seafood with beautiful bay views. I like the place because the city that located near in any body of water such as sea, lakes or rivers has different atmosphere compared to urban cities.

Marine Drive at White Rock

Semiahmoo Bay Snapshots

Semiahmoo Pier from Marine Drive

Side Views Snapshot from Semiahmoo Pier

At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards the bay

Some small boats and yachts at Semiahmoo Pier

White Rock City View from Semiahmoo Pier

White Rock City View from Semiahmoo Pier with train passing by

Legendary and historical White Rock

At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards White Rock

Maple Tree (Famous Trees in Canada and why Canada has Maple Leaf on its flag)

It was a quick tour since we sneak out some time after work and the last stop we had that night was at restaurant (I can’t recall the name because the surrounding area are full of seafood restaurants) located at Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston Richmond, where we enjoyed seafood as our dinner and bay wharf views.

Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

I just like to create a simple blog about Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park which located in North Vancouver, at the province of British Columbia in Canada. Why I admired this park? I admired this park because I like the look and feel of a forest with a sense of tourist friendly. Why? Basic reasons: abundant tall trees, different kind of plants and of course the cold green color of the forest. And why I said it is tourist friendly? Because it has a friendly trails to trek which I knew built for the tourist.

Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park Collage

Entrance

Friendly Trail

While inside the park I found Totems and the area is called as “Spirit Stage”. Based on Canada history, Totems are important to the First Nation people in Canada.

Totems at Spirit Stage

Next to Spirit Stage is the popular suspension bridge (although this is not the original suspension bridge built before). It was renovated for the safety of the travelers like me. My favorite part , jumping while crossing the suspension bridge, the feelings were mixed like jittery, breathless yet exciting. Before I forget to mention, the river under the bridge is the Capilano River.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano River

During my visit I discovered that there are plenty of small and narrow suspension bridges inside the forest, these bridges are connected to one another using trees, they called it “Treetops Adventure”. I enjoyed walking in the Cliffhanger Boardwalk and I liked looking at the flowing river – the view was extraordinary. I also found some small swamps inside the park, these swamps made me remember that I am inside the forest. Not to mention also, I did not miss the Canyon Lookout to glanced the Capilano River in a different angle. Visiting this place was really worth for me since I love forest.

Treetops Adventure

Cliffhanger Boardwalk

Capilano River from Cliffhanger Boardwalk

swamp inside the forest

I like buying souvenir stuff that was why I enjoyed the shopping stores located inside the park and I bought post cards. There are also coffee shops and restaurants inside the park, they kept myself glutted.

I highly recommend to visit the park to anyone who loves nature.

Notes:

1. Plan to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ? Check more details here.

Address :
3735 Capilano Road
North Vancouver, BC
Canada V7R 4J1

Tours : There are lots of tours available that offers the visit in the park and it can be combination with other tourist spot too.

Not on tours? : The park offers free shuttle bus coming from Vancouver Downtown. For more details, please check here.

2. Directions

Using Bus

From Downtown, take bus #246 and get off at Stop#54391 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT WOODS DR. Then take, bus#236 and get off at Stop#54304 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT 3600 BLOCK.

Using Seabus

Take the Seabus from Waterfront Station, to Lonsdale Quay Station. Then take, bus#236 and get off at Stop#54304 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT 3600 BLOCK.

For more details visit, Translink.