Labor Day Weekend found me in Vancouver, B.C. My friend Andi (the friend I visited in Budapest last summer) is there working on a movie and another friend, Paul (the friend I went to La Paz with for New Year's Eve) lives there. The weekend was full of fun but also mellow as we were all in need of rest and relaxation after hectic work weeks.
Saturday
We start the day with a late breakfast at The Elbow Room Cafe. Aptly names because you are elbow to elbow with your neighbors, this cafe exudes the old nature of the neighborhood cafe. The owners wait on you and will serve you your first cup of coffee but after that you are on your own refilling from a coffee urn near the front entrance. Before long we find ourselves deep in a political conversation with one of the owners and a neighboring table.
The afternoon is spent at the movies, "Hamlet 2" is our choice and we are all pleased with it.
Early evening we have dutifully lined up at Vij's . The New York Times boasts that Vij's is ..."easily among the finest Indian Restaurants in the world". And they don't take reservations. Dinner is served at 5:30 and if you are unlucky enough to miss the first seating, the second doesn't happen until 7:30P. While we wait to order we are treated to Chai Tea and an assortment of appetizers. We start with Samosas filled with lamb, beef and paneer and spoonfuls of dungeness crab in coconut and cilantro with candied beets. We choose three entrees to split amongst the three of us; grilled chicken in clove, garlic and tomato curry with red bell peppers and shallots in yogurt masala, beef tenderloin with almonds and garlic in tomato and yogurt curry and BC prawns sauteed in ghee, jalapeno peppers and cumin seen on pearl barley pilaf. It is all a delight to the tongue but we all agree that the beef tenderloin is the best of lot. Desert brings delicate chocolates infused with Indian spices created by a local chocolateier. Vij's has lived up to it reputation.
Stomachs full, we head out to the Richmond Asian Night Market . The event is free, but parking costs us $4. We wander among the vendors buying scarves, bracelets, sheets and sunglasses. A loud band played, not so well, at one end of the venue and salesmen call out as we pass trying to tempt us with their wares. The night is pleasant, even thought the market was a bit crowded for us.
Sunday
Today we head out to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. I have arranged with their media dept for a free pass and I am able to extend the benefit to both Andi and Paul. The Bridge, which is Vancouver's oldest tourist attraction, is still as thrilling as it must have been when it first opened 110 years ago. Spanning 450 feet across and 220 feet above the Capilano River, I find my adrenaline rushing as the bridge sways sideways under the force of all the visitors crossing it. On the other side of the bridge, the Treetop Adventures has seven suspension bridges suspended between huge Douglas fir trees. Nearly 100 feet above the rain forest floor, you get a squirrel's eye view of the forest.
We opt for dinner at a local pizza place and head to Paul's for movie night.
Monday
After a lazy morning we head out for lunch at the converted docks which are within blocks of Andi's apartment in Gastown. We load up my suitcase and take a driving tour of Stanley Park before heading to the airport.
Vancouver is a very beautiful city, full of personality. I hope to return soon and uncover more of her secrets.
