Eric and I agreed to a laid back celebration for our wedding anniversary a couple weeks ago. Homemade cards and a home cooked meal sounded perfect, we had said. I whipped up a killer meal and we were just about in heaven stuffing ourselves silly.
Eric kept asking me when we could open our cards.
“How about at the end of the night?”
“You don’t want to just open them now…? I can’t wait for you to see my card!!!”
“Really? Mine is nothing to write home about…”
After dinner, and more pestering by Eric, we finally opened the cards.
My card was taped closed and it read: “TOP SECRET! Do not open!!!”
Amused, I carefully pulled off the tape so I could open the card. Eric watched in anticipation. The inside of the card read: “We’re going to British Columbia!!!” along with printed pictures of Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler pasted all over the card. There was a road map with dates and everything all plotted out!
It was just about one of the best surprises I’ve ever had. Tears welled up in my eyes as I lurched across the couch to hug him silly.
We talked about going to B.C. earlier in the summer, but we were both too busy to take time off. I just gave up on the idea and hoped we’d make it next year. Little did I know, Eric was planning this trip for weeks, staying up late at night to plan while I slept. He researched, booked the hotels, read up on restaurants, and planned a few things to do in each city.
“Wait, there’s one condition!! You have to agree to a few things I’ve planned…”
“Ok?”
“Zip-lining, cliff walking, and suspension bridges!”
There’s always a catch!
So here we are, two weeks later, enjoying a wonderful time in the beautiful British Columbia. Can you believe it’s my first time in BC? Eric has only been to Vancouver once on a business trip, but didn’t get to explore much at all. We’re staying in Vancouver first, and soon off to Victoria and Whistler. I’ve passed two challenges with flying colours, although I’m quite scared for the 5 zip-lines I’ll be flying down in Whistler!! If I live to tell you about it, you’ll be hearing about it soon!
Here is a short summary of what we’ve been up to in Vancouver:
1. Hotel: Carmana Plaza
– Condo-style. Comes with complete full kitchen. Great if you like making breakfast or lunch in your own room before heading out. We’re on the 29th floor in a premium suite and have a great view (see above pics). Free wi-fi. Cons: The bed isn’t very comfy, it takes a long time for things to be brought up to the room, and parking is expensive and difficult to locate. The location of the hotel is great though and we’re literally steps from all the shopping on Robson. See detailed room pics in album.
2. Capilano suspension bridge and park
A fun, touristy park that features a suspension bridge, cliff walking, treetop walking, and gorgeous scenery. I have a ton of pics from the trip – so be sure to check them out in the album!
3. Granville Island
This is a must-see! There are all kinds of artsy shops, including a large indoor public market. It was absolutely packed when we went on a Friday, off-season, so get there early as parking can be tricky to find.
4. Shopping
Our hotel is steps to a lot of great shopping on Robson and surrounding areas.
5. Exploring Gastown, Kitsilano, Yaletown districts. Be warned – navigating the city is tricky for a tourist!!
6. Food highlights include Nuba (a lovely Lebanese restaurant), Naam (a 24 hour vegetarian restaurant with huge portions and line-ups), Samosas at Buddha-Full, smoothies and juices throughout the city. Acorn restaurant is still on the list too.
Still planned?
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Photography of cityscapes
Stanley Park
Anything we’re missing?
If you’re interested in seeing what we’ve been up to so far in Vancouver, here’s an album I put together below! [Apologies in advance for the uneven formatting – something wonky is going on.]
More to come soon…
As a few people have suggested, definitely check out Las Bandidas on commercial drive if you’re in the mood for some vegetarian/vegan mexican food :) And if you’re looking to get a good workout in, try the grouse grind. The view up top is wonderful!
Hope you’re enjoying your stay here :)
Nicely done Eric! My hubby and I hope to get to Vancouver very soon… it’s been way too long and there is so much I want to do! I’ve never been to Whistler, that is a must. Looking forward to more posts of your trip!
Love Granville Island! So many supertalented artists, especially goldsmiths. Would love to do a studio/gallery tour there this fall. Thanks for sharing your trip!
I live in Vancouver (in a suburb actually) and we just went to Whistler a couple of weeks ago for a 3 day getaway. One of my favourite places!! make sure you take the gondola or chair up the mountain (either one) and take the Peak 2 Peak gondola over to the other mountain. There are wonderful hiking trails on both mountains. My husband even convinced me to take the peak chair up Whistler mountain- I was white-knuckling it, but the views were breathtaking. I couldn’t face the zip-lining but I know people rave about it.
Make sure you go to Dubh Lin Gate Pub. It’s near the base of Blackcomb in the bottom of the Pan Pacific Hotel. We always have a great time there. They have live music and fun atmosphere. Another place we discovered is Elements Tapas restaurant. Look it up, I can’t recall exactly where it is, but it’s in the village. Super interesting food!! So nice to try small portions of a bunch of different foods. We loved it. Let’s see, what else? Do you like cycling? Rent bikes and try out the mountain bike trails. So fun and all different levels, some easy, some more challenging. Our bikes aren’t even real mountain bikes and it was fine. Have a great time. I can’t wait to go back!!
Looks like a great time! Fun pics and I laughed at your wonky formatting comment….I spend more time trying to figure out formatting on things that I ever thought possible! lol
I live in Vancouver and I absolutely love it here! Isn’t it gorgeous?!? If you do go to the Loving Hut food truck… maybe I’ll run into you – hehe I walk by it every single day!! If you are into hiking, you should check out Grouse Mountain. The hike is called “Grouse Grind” – it’s a fun work out!! It’s pretty close to the suspension bridge :)
Angela Im from Vancouver! Im so glad you get to enjoy the beautiful sights of the city!! There are some awesome restaurants there with great vegan option including one called the Naam Hope you enjoy your trip!
I spent a year in Vancouver, LOVED it there. You have to check out Urban Fare in Yale Town, the coolest grocery store, you’ll love it.
Vancouver is my favourite place in the world, loved it there! Make sure to do some tandem biking around the city :) And the zip lining is great fun in Whistler! Don’t forget a visit to the Aquariam in Stanley Park. And maybe a football game at BC place? :) So jealous of you being there! Of course a trip to lululemon on Robson!
You’ve already been to some of my favourites! I agree with previous posters, definitely check out Loving Hut food truck, Panz, and Karmavore! I’d love to hear what you say about Acorn, I haven’t been there yet. Enjoy this beautiful day!
Hi Angela,
I live in Victoria and i have 2 recommendations for you for awesome awesome restaurants….one for vancouver and one for victoria. The one in Van is called The Foundation and it has great veggie/vegan food, the service isnt great but who cares if the food is!! Their platters are so so good. Its best to go there for dinner as opposed to lunch as the menus are different. The one in Vic is called Cafe Bliss. Its all raw vegan and it is so so so delicious!!
Hope you are enjoying beautiful BC…its such an incredible province.
That view is incredible!! What a sweet anniversary surprise!!!
Vancouver is such a beautiful city to both live and visit. I agree with the person who said once your here you will never want to leave. I moved here 2 years ago now from Edmonton, Alberta for Culinary school and decided to make this beautiful city my home. False Creek ferries is another affordable attraction for visitors, you can hop on and go to Granville Island and avoid driving around in circles looking for parking, or take the loop around to each false creek. Deep Cove is another beautiful place to visit, they rent Kayaks there as well. Even taking the Sea Bus from Waterfront to Lonsdale Quay Market is another nice thing to explore. Have fun with whatever you do, it’s beautiful wherever you go.
He new restaurant scene in gastown is amazing! Hit up Cartems Donuterie on Hastings and carral St. They have vegan AND gluten free donuts! (And they are amazing. If they have a vegan “bee sting” …get it!) They also use local and organic products and list where their ingredients come from at the shop!
Sunday, there is a food cart festival on Hastings at The Waldorf hotel from 12-6 I think. Super fun scene.
Also? Nuba is my FAVOURITE!
Oh! Foundation is great. Also, Wallflower Diner has a full vegan menu, across from Foundation.
Walking from Kits beach to Granville island is a favourite.
I love Vancouver! It’s such an awesome place, i have been over twice from the UK and loved both visits… my favourite things i did there were a bike ride around Stanley Park and enjoying birthday cocktails in the Cloud 9 REVOLVING restaurant at the top of the Empire Hotel on Robson St!!
Eric is such a sweetie arranging this… my anniversary is in October so may keep this post open on my laptop for my husband to find… may give him an idea! x
Yay – you’re in my city! I can second the suggestions of Panz Veggie and Gorilla Food for sure. If you’re out and about see if you can find the Loving Hut food truck in Yaletown – it’s amazing! http://lovinghutvancouver.ca/Vancouver_LH/HOME.html
Have a blast! Vancouver is the best :)
In Vancouver, Gastown and the UBC campus are both worth a look. Gastown is full of cool shops and restaurants and UBC…well the views out to the water are amazing!!
Also, Lighthouse Park is in West Van, and it amazing!
Commericial Drive in Vancouver is a pretty cool area to check it. I think it was mentioned above, but the Grouse Grind is a fun hike with pretty cool views at the top and a gondola for the way down. If you make it out to Victoria and have a car consider checking out Butchart Gardens. I don’t know what it’s like at this time of year so maybe check their website first. Have fun!
Ohh wow!! What a lovely vacation you have had and have ahead of you!! Be sure to check out Cafe Bliss (a raw vegan restaurant,) Rebar (great veg restaurant with a cookbook!) and Lady Marmalade (for brunch/lunch) when you are in Victoria. Pagliacci’s is also amazing for lunch/brunch. The Tapa Bar is also really nice for appetizers (ie. tapas…) and cocktails! They are all incredible in their own ways. For a real feel of the ocean, head down to Ogden Point and walk/run along Dallas Road. It’s absolutely beautiful feeling the salty air and hearing the waves crash against the point. Have a wonderful time on the coast.