Another weekend, another road trip! This time to Vancouver, BC to celebrate our 32nd Anniversary. As luck would have it, the same friend that owns the Victoria condo also owns a condo in Vancouver. And it just happened to be available for a spur of the moment getaway!
Bright and early we are off.....
The Coquihalla Connector....I always feel like I'm on top of the world here....
This mountain is on the Coquihalla Highway....it's a shear rock face...
Extra lanes coming into Vancouver meant no traffic jam like most other times!
My first time on the new Port Mann Bridge as we enter Vancouver.....
We turn off on Grandview Highway, onto Cambie Street Bridge and end up at Barclay Street....just 2 short blocks from Robson Street, in the heart of downtown Vancouver. After going through 2 security gates and having to scan the key fob several times, I nervously hit the elevator button for the 33rd floor. I have no idea if vertigo is going to overcome me when I see how high we are. We open the door and holy s**t......what a gorgeous place!!!
The views are beyond spectacular! We face English Bay and Stanley Park.....even with the clouds it's amazing....
The guest bedroom....
The master bedroom....
Quite a nice view from the potty!...
We drool and smile for a few more minutes and then we're off to explore! We used to live in Vancouver and love to come back for visits, but it's been almost 4 years since we've played tourists. First stop is the just opened Victoria's Secret, on the corner of Robson and Burrard.....apparently the largest store in North America. Having been opened for just 3 days, it was still a bit of a madhouse inside. And I think Vince was probably the only fellow in there, other than the doorman! So, I put him to good use and had him wait in line while I shopped!
Vince is hungry, so we wander a bit along Robson Street and stumble upon Cactus Club...sounds good! Maybe we'll try this tomorrow.....
Friday just happens to be Martini day...woohoo.....I had a very delicious 'Flirtini'....so refreshing and really easy to guzzle...ooops, I mean sip!
We order calamari and sweet potato fries.....both delicious!
A bit more shopping, mostly of the 'window' variety, and we make the short walk back to our condo. Excited to see the blue skies and sunshine! A little more tour....
Just can't stop looking at the view....
Vince soaking up some rays....33 stories closer to the sun!
After some nice relaxation, we're off to Spanish Banks to enjoy the sunset....
Turning around, the view of the city....
It's been so long since we've enjoyed a holiday together that we're out of practice with selfies....forgot to look in the right direction! Oh well, we're happy!
Sunsets are always amazing....
After seeing the last rays hit the horizon, we make a short drive to Banyen Books.....so many useful 'self-help' books. Surely I can find something that I need! Overwhelmed, I remember the 2 foot stack of books next to my bed at home that I should read first and we leave empty-handed!
Off to a very special place with a lot of memories....Simpatico's! When we got married on August 29th, 1981, we moved to Vancouver 2 days later. As we began unpacking boxes late at night, Vince decided he was hungry and off we went to a restaurant that a friend had recommended. I thought it would be closed since it was so late. Nope! The place was jam packed and busy! We ordered their famous whole wheat pizza, topped with ham, mushroom, pineapples, tomatoes and feta. Lots of feta! It was incredible and the rest, as they say, is history! While we lived in Vancouver, we went there often...embarrassingly often! Then when we moved away, every time we came back either for holiday or 17 years of BC Children's Hospital visits with our son Jason, we always went to Simpatico's. Other than a few decor changes, it hasn't really changed. The menu is identical, although the prices aren't! But it's still a very reasonable priced place to eat and the quality remains the same as well. And of course, our favourite waitress is always happy to see us every time. There really aren't a lot of places like this! So, if you're ever in Vancouver and want some great Greek food, go to Simpatico's! Simpatico Restaurant Website
We take our time over our meal, thinking back over 32 years of togetherness and the roller coaster of life! Simpatico takes us back to the very beginning.....love you babe...
To be continued......
Happy anniversary Doris! Wishing you many, many more happy, healthy years together. Thought of you two weeks ago , my girlfriends and I upgraded to the Presidential Suite at Iberostar Beach! Pics on my Facebook page. Your pics are wonderful. Spent sometime recently in downtown Chicago. I love cityscapes.
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