THE SUMMER CRUISE: VANCOUVER, B.C.
Date: June 25, 2015
Time Start: 7:00 a.m.
Time Finish: 11:55 a.m.
Cruise From: Point Roberts, Washington (USA)
Cruise To: Vancouver, B.C. (Canada)
Engine Hours Start: 171
Engine Hours Finish: 176
Weather/Sea Conditions: Blue skies, sun, calm morning, some haze, 90's
We are up at 6:00 a.m., early for us! This morning we are cruising to Vancouver, B.C. We'll soon be in Canadian waters, so our courtesy flag is mounted atop NORTH STAR and will fly as long as we are in Canada. We are leaving early, before the winds start picking up in the Strait of Georgia. Sunglasses are already needed, we are in for a beautiful sunny day.
Our cruise takes us way off shore. The delta of the Fraser River extends far out and is very shallow. We need to go around it. There are lots of crab pots to watch for as well as crab boats and small fishing boats. This is obviously a productive fishing area. The water is super calm. The water of the delta is a rich muddy green color.
Time Start: 7:00 a.m.
Time Finish: 11:55 a.m.
Cruise From: Point Roberts, Washington (USA)
Cruise To: Vancouver, B.C. (Canada)
Engine Hours Start: 171
Engine Hours Finish: 176
Weather/Sea Conditions: Blue skies, sun, calm morning, some haze, 90's
We are up at 6:00 a.m., early for us! This morning we are cruising to Vancouver, B.C. We'll soon be in Canadian waters, so our courtesy flag is mounted atop NORTH STAR and will fly as long as we are in Canada. We are leaving early, before the winds start picking up in the Strait of Georgia. Sunglasses are already needed, we are in for a beautiful sunny day.
Our cruise takes us way off shore. The delta of the Fraser River extends far out and is very shallow. We need to go around it. There are lots of crab pots to watch for as well as crab boats and small fishing boats. This is obviously a productive fishing area. The water is super calm. The water of the delta is a rich muddy green color.
As soon as we have a good connection with the cell phone, we make our call to NEXXUS for customs clearance. We also call ahead to Coal Harbor Marina in Vancouver and reserve a slip for tonight. All set, we are officially in Canada!
We have lots to enjoy as we cruise today. A tug and barge. floating logs with seagulls hitching rides on them (need to avoid these!), a red stern trawler with nets far behind, more fishing and crab boats, and hazy cutouts of mountains against the sky.
We have lots to enjoy as we cruise today. A tug and barge. floating logs with seagulls hitching rides on them (need to avoid these!), a red stern trawler with nets far behind, more fishing and crab boats, and hazy cutouts of mountains against the sky.
We round Point Grey to Burrard Inlet, and it is starting to look city-like. Vancouver has such a great setting, with mountains rising high above the city. The inlet is filled with ships waiting to unload their cargo. We head to the First Narrows and the Lions Gate Bridge. Lovely Stanley Park surrounds the bridge.
We pull into our reserved slip at upscale Coal Harbor Marina. It's big city time! High rises, mega yachts, sea planes, Canada Place with a cruise ship, all at our doorstep, WOW! This isn't Swantown! Just check out our neighborhood!
We fix a gourmet lunch to enjoy in the cockpit while we take in our amazing surroundings, then it is time for a walk to check out the neighborhood. We are right next to the waterfront promenade, and the people watching is terrific. What a lot of activity around here! Lots of restaurants and park facilities, too. We treat ourselves to gelato on this hot afternoon. It is a sizzling day, reaching 90's.
We take a few shots of our marina, where NORTH STAR has some classy companions!
After some down time, we can't resist another walk to enjoy the summer evening. We soak in the atmosphere of this vibrant setting, enjoying everything from the violinist to the Olympic torch to the lights coming on in the high rises above us.
Date: June 26, 2015
Vancouver, B.C. layover day
Weather: Hot! Mid 90's, blue skies, using our fan!
Vancouver is a little quieter this morning, with just a few early morning joggers and walkers along the promenade. It's a work day and we picture the exodus from the high-rises with everyone heading to their jobs or other daily activities. Not us! We're cooking up breakfast on NORTH STAR, Spanish omelets. After days of yogurt and granola, this is a treat to have a hot breakfast.
Near us, the big yachts are getting their daily cleaning. They have crews that seem to do nothing but clean all day long. What a lot of costly maintenance! And they do sparkle from bow to stern.
Vancouver, B.C. layover day
Weather: Hot! Mid 90's, blue skies, using our fan!
Vancouver is a little quieter this morning, with just a few early morning joggers and walkers along the promenade. It's a work day and we picture the exodus from the high-rises with everyone heading to their jobs or other daily activities. Not us! We're cooking up breakfast on NORTH STAR, Spanish omelets. After days of yogurt and granola, this is a treat to have a hot breakfast.
Near us, the big yachts are getting their daily cleaning. They have crews that seem to do nothing but clean all day long. What a lot of costly maintenance! And they do sparkle from bow to stern.
We are walking the short distance to Stanley Park to visit the aquarium. It takes about 20 minutes, following the shoreline promenade and passing the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. The aquarium exhibits are colorful and well done, with lots of focus on the coastal fish of British Columbia. There are talks and demonstrations throughout the day, and lots of hands on activities for kids. The popular beluga whale show is still a big attraction, along with feeding times for fish and marine mammals on display. We are pleased to learn how much effort the aquarium puts into research.
Today we need to break out our small electric fan to stay cool on NORTH STAR. Temperatures are in the mid 90's, and we seek shade to stay cool. Luckily there is a breeze.
We have a reservation for dinner at Carderos, a waterfront restaurant next to the marina. We share a delicious appetizer of mussels in curry broth, followed by salads with local B.C. salmon. Then, with another warm summer evening to enjoy, we stroll the promenade to Canada Place, enjoying the views, people, and once again the serenade by the violinist. It is late when darkness finally falls and the glass towers light up with the moon shining above them.
We have a reservation for dinner at Carderos, a waterfront restaurant next to the marina. We share a delicious appetizer of mussels in curry broth, followed by salads with local B.C. salmon. Then, with another warm summer evening to enjoy, we stroll the promenade to Canada Place, enjoying the views, people, and once again the serenade by the violinist. It is late when darkness finally falls and the glass towers light up with the moon shining above them.
Date: June 27, 2015
Vancouver, B.C.
Weather: Sunny and hot again!
We are up before the rest of the city awakens. By 8:30 we have showered, had a delicious breakfast of bran muffins and lattes at Villagio bistro across the street from the marina, and walked to Robson Street for groceries. There are LOTS of restaurants, as well as a Safeway and Whole Foods on Robson, and it is a 15 minute walk from the marina, along tree lined streets. We are thankful for the shade as the sun is already hot today!
Vancouver, B.C.
Weather: Sunny and hot again!
We are up before the rest of the city awakens. By 8:30 we have showered, had a delicious breakfast of bran muffins and lattes at Villagio bistro across the street from the marina, and walked to Robson Street for groceries. There are LOTS of restaurants, as well as a Safeway and Whole Foods on Robson, and it is a 15 minute walk from the marina, along tree lined streets. We are thankful for the shade as the sun is already hot today!
NORTH STAR is fully provisioned once again, water and fuel tanks are full, and we are ready to leave this glass city. It has been a lovely stay here, and we can't complain about the exchange rate either - U.S. dollar is $1.20 here! This is the most we have ever paid for a marina, $78 Canadian/night, but so worth it for the ambiance and access to a wonderful part of Vancouver.
We finally mount our new burgee made by Kathy Wilson. I also like the "North Star" flag on Atlantis, moored to our stern. Atlantis is the cleanest boat ever, with a crew going over her from stem to stern daily.
We finally mount our new burgee made by Kathy Wilson. I also like the "North Star" flag on Atlantis, moored to our stern. Atlantis is the cleanest boat ever, with a crew going over her from stem to stern daily.