OUrALASKA - 49th state in the U.S. - commonly referred to as The Last Frontier and also the Land of the Midnight Sun (can attest to that!!!!). Since our 50th anniversary is in December (and really didn't want to go to Alaska in December), decided July was great time to go! Since over the past few years,we spend more time traveling in our motor home, and getting somewhat lazier, I called our travel agent to book it all - sea and land destinations. Instead of flying into Seattle, where many get on cruise ships, we decided to embark in Vancouver. We have never been to Vancouver, so thought this would be a good time for a couple of days exploration before embarking on Holland-America Cruise line.
   So after arranging for care of Thumper (he was not coming this trip) with our family and a friend of a friend's son, early July 11th we were picked up by our driver to take us to LaGuardia Airport

for our flight to Toronto, and then on to Vancouver on West Jet. Flights were good. Arrived in Vancouver, early afternoon.  We were booked into the Hampton Suites downtown (right near soccer stadium).  Since we were hungry, headed to nearest restaurant to hotel - Hobarts for lunch. Nice place and crowded. Lucky to get a seat - with world cup soccer playing every bar and restaurant with a TV was packed. After lunch, we walked around area for awhile.

  Dinner was at Original Joe's - up the street. Sport's bar restaurant - food was very good and our waitress was fun. Up early to start exploring Vancouver. Temps in the high 80's. It was hot! You can buy a transit pass that lets you "Hop On and Hop Off)

certain buses and trolley cars. Easy way to get around town.
  Our first stop was Chinatown.  The Chinese Garden - was our moment of Zen!!!!

After browsing a couple of shops, we hopped on a bus and got off in Gastown area. More shops and restaurants. Also a lot of filming was being done in this area. Cameras, lights, wires all over the ground, and baskets of flower baskets being placed all around the area.

Lots of filming for TV and movies, goes on in Vancouver.
  We had stopped at local restaurant called Neighbor. This is organic, healthy food!  Lots of salads, etc. Unfortunately, with the bout of diaverticulitis that I was getting over - healthy eating was a no-no, so we ended up the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch - pasta and bread worked for me. Skip was happy with the pasta with white clam sauce.
  Back on our Hop On-Hop Off bus, and next stop was the Harbor Area.

This is where cruise ships come in, where some of the upscale hotels and shops are located. Also where you can get ferries to go across to North Vancouver, Vancouver Island, etc. Also where you can get a seaplane to take a ride,

or to take you to a destination. Great area.

   Dinner was back at Original Joe's and the Italian Gelato shop for dessert. Busy day!!
   Friday - up early and headed to Harbor area again to take the SeaBus over to North Vancouver. You had to get tickets at the kiosk. Had trouble figuring it out, (Ship inadvertently gave an $11,000.00 tip for ride - which he immediately cancelled!!). Thank God for a few guys from Ohio who helped  figure out the kiosk. Waiting for the ferry, is like waiting for the subway in New York.
Ride over was about 15 minutes.

  North Vancouver has a market area and shops. Had lunch at the Crepe Bakery. Also some high hills to climb if you wish to leave the harbor area. On the way back to hotel, went through a residential area where the locals have their own garden growing on a corner plot.

  The bus driver was very nice and made a slight deter dropping us off in front of our hotel. We immediately stopped at coffee shop on premises.

Really great coffee and also prosecco cooler!  Fun day.  Tomorrow we head to harbor to board cruise ship and start heading to Alaska!!!!