Our New Place

To top our week off – we found a place to live! (and met many locals along the way) So – goodbye hostels, mice in the kitchen and people stealing Dave’s ham and off to…

It's in a suburb of Vancouver called Kitsilano ('Kits'). It's a 5-10min bus ride to the city.

To send us Christmas presents (vegemite and Muesli for Dan would be much appreciated so Dave can stop hearing about it), send us an email and we’ll give you our address and phone number. (Don’t really want to put it up on the web).

Sampling Canada!

Not only have Dave and Dan been seeing Canada…Much sampling of culinary delights (i.e. anything with maple syrup) has been done too.

Thanks Lewis for the maple syrup lollipops!!!

(Sooooo good!) Maple Syrup biscuits - Who wants a Xmas present?

Voted “Dan’s Number 1 Apple… Ever" (Seriously) PipG – this one’s for you.

It only took us a little over a week to get in a HUGE American-style brekkie… and at least a day to digest it!

Victoria (Capital of British Columbia)

The rush of Vancouver and the week of exploration deserved a mini break ;) So… Dave and Dan set off to the very British-style city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, in honour of all their friends in the UK.

Dave is impressed with Victoria harbour and the Empress Hotel. We of course, stayed in a hotel much better! (mmm – we wish!)

Dan and her flower boxes (another favourite of Dan and the Canadians)

Impressive photography by Dan of a castle must be noted. (No competition between us though!)

Yes yes – “aaaah”

For Harry P fans – This place was so much like “Diagon Alley” (Dan thought she could find a wand) and… Does anyone know what “Bubble Tea” is? (It’s everywhere here)

Dave all rugged up for the start of the winter – Yep – the chill really began this weekend.

The stunning Government House on the harbour (Photography by Mr David Stone)

Us trying out our new mini tripod so we could stop posing alone (and stop competing about photos!) We thought this was a good idea until the wind nearly blew over the camera!

Now this is a McDonalds! Where are the chandeliers in Aussie Maccas?

Dave admiring the giant fir trees on our first hike (you can’t see it very well but we were both completely soaked here after a huge downpour!)

Dave: “Just remember to keep it serious Dan”

Oh – and Happy Halloween!!! Victoria prepares the pumpkins. It took all Dave’s strength to convince Dan it wasn’t a good idea to help them harvest – even though Dan insisted it was in the spirit of the day.

Happy Halloween from Dan, Dave, the witch and singing skeleton!

Random Sign

Just a random sign we saw in Taiwan that we had to share!! This sign was next to a hanging-self-type device, hanging off the balcony in our hotel. Considering we were planning a nice holiday in Canada, we didn’t think to try it out.

Vancouver Update 2

Hello again from Beautiful British Columbia (as noted on all BC number plates)!

So…Since we met last time, our days have been filled with exciting explorations of “Van City” and its’ surrounds. From sunny (yes, there were blue skies this week) Stanley Park and its’ totem poles (Canadians love totem poles) to the ever popular salmon hatchery (!); from watching glorious sunsets on Sunset Beach (funny that) to viewing giant fir trees in the Coastal mountains… Our taste of Canada so far has been pretty 'awesome' (cue Canadian/American (they think there's a difference but buggered if we can pick it) accent again!).

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Totem poles...Excited?! (Dave is)

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See?

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Lapping up the sunset before the cold sets in

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'West End' and Stanley Park. We swear this is not computer-animated

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Sick of pretty scenery?... Look at our feet instead.

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The popular mode of transport here in Van City. Bathtub ferries!

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Canada Place Convention Centre with the stunning Coastal mountains in the distance (find us up there in a month on our skis!)

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Dan and her autumn leaves (becoming a big source of amusement to Dan, much to Dave's dismay)

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Photographer Dave gets artistic

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But Dan shows him up!... Agree? Maybe not?! (do you get the feeling there are some fights over what gets included??)

Welcome to sunny? Vancouver

It all began like this...


... in a hostel room in "Downtown" Vancouver (cue: Canadian accent). But, when Dave and Dan were relieved of their bags, it was time for...

(Drum roll)... The first cappuccino (note: no chocolate sprinkles!! But otherwise very good)

Then it was off for some exploring...Rain, no hail (yet), some brief shine, rain and oh - did we mention rain?

The Vancouver sunlight starting to get to Dan, or is it just her trying to fit in?

An exciting few days so far, but our travelling companion Bruce hasn't let us forget about home yet!

1 week to go...

1 week 'til takeoff, so Dan and Dave say farewell to Sydney with great friends, pancakes and real canadian maple syrup...

Dave says goodbye to some of the gang (including an extra special friend... thanks for the knee Waz!)

Dave, Dan, Mr Chris, Mr Lewis

Thanks for the lollipops and cake Lewis!

Pip and Em (aka the Pancake People!)

The lovely Jess, Bron, Pip

Em, Pip, Soph, Fiona escape the frenzy

Simon with only two beauties? (When there were so many to choose from!)

Dan says goodbye to good friends (Lou, Pip, Bron)

Rod takes it all in his stride, while Alex and Wendy look way too happy for our liking.

This is what losing two favourite paddlers does to Coach James...

Don't worry, we'll miss you too.

Thanks to everyone who made it along to make saying goodbye a lot of fun. It made us realise what a great bunch of people we're leaving behind.

But, as much as we'll miss all of you, who could pass up this adventure?

Keep logging on every now and then to find out what we left you for... See you in Canada!