Vancouver-Canada

Vancouver – Monday, 23^rd May

We arrived early in Vancouver after a short cruise across the water from Victoria. We then boarded our luxury 4 x 4 car with another couple for a drive around Vancouver through Stanley Park and then on to Shannon Falls, North America’s highest falls in the Squamish Forest Reserve.

After leaving the falls we drove to Alice Lake to wander through the forest whilst our tour guide prepared our light lunch barbeque.

After a pleasant hour or so we then drove up to Whistler, which hosted last year’s winter Olympics. This turned out to be a magnificent stop, taking in the vibrant atmosphere of the village full of people who were there to ski, snowboard or ride their mountain bikes. (Andrew you must put Whistler on your list of places to visit).

We then returned to our car and drove back to Vancouver. En route as we were travelling in a convoy of four cars linked by walkie talkies, the first car spotted a black bear, so we all stopped swung the cars around to get a better view. After a brief stop at Cypress Mountain to take in the views we returned to our ship.

Unfortunately due to heavy traffic on the way back we arrived at our ship too late to look round town, so Jenny you had better clear out the spare room – we may be back.

Victoria-Canada

Victoria – Sunday, 22^nd May

Today we had planned a whale watching cruise, but felt that we had seen enough whales in Alaska to last a lifetime, so we changed our excursion to a trip to visit Butchart Gardens. This turned out to be a very good decision. Butchart Gardens was created about one hundred years ago in a disused quarry.

After two hours walking around the magnificent garden we were due to catch our coach and return to the ship. However, we decided we would like a little more time in the garden and also to visit a Butterfly garden nearby. After discussion with our tour guide we got off the coach and returned to the garden for a quick lunch before catching a shuttle bus to the butterfly garden.

We made our way back to the ship where we had dinner and as the ship was remaining in port until midnight Geoffrey decided to go back into town and try out his night time photographic skills.

Sitka-Alaska

Sitka – 19^th May

Today our stop was Sitka where we went on a Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest. It certainly lived up to its name. No soon had we boarded our fast catamaran and left the harbour area the captain spotted two bald eagles sitting on a rock. We then sailed around the Sitka Sound where the captain then took us to an area known as the Sea Otter Nursery where female otters and their pups swam amongst the kelp.

We then set off for the next location when suddenly the captain stopped and turned as he had sighted a whale, which was eventually identified as a grey whale as it resurfaced with its traditional curve and tail flip as it dived again for food. We were fortunate that no more than ten minutes later we encountered a number of humpback whales, which were feeding close to the surface with their tail fins thrashing around as they were catching krill. Pretty spectacular!!!!!

All too soon we had to move on to other areas, where we saw male sea otters floating around on their backs without a care in the world, and seals lazing on the rocks with many birds flying around. This was a very memorable trip.

On returning to town we wandered around the shops purchasing some painting supplies for our art class and then returned to the ship by tender. The day was so successful that we have decided to cancel our whale watching cruise in Victoria and replace it with a visit to Butchart Gardens and Victoria highlights.