To New Westminster
We set off early back down Burrard to the Sky Train station where we were planning to to catch a train to New Westminster to see our friends. We left early as we were unsure as to just how long the journey would take.
The Sky Train station was only a few blocks from Canada Place so we were pleased to have allowed the extra time for the walk. Purchasing tickets was very easy and we found that we could buy retired concession on a single ticket!
It was rush-hour so the train was busy. We were soon out of the underground portion of the journey and above ground. The train was driverless and we rattled along passing through the suburbs. The stops at the stations were quick and we were at New Westminster by 6.20 pm. As we walked out of the station we can hear cheering and shouting. The streets below us were filled with spectators watching a cycle road race around the closed streets.
The Boathouse for dinner
We were supposed to be meeting our friends on the street outside the station. Instead we walked to a side street and stood by one of the many road blocks. After 10 minutes of unsuccessfully trying to get WhatsApp working, a police lady on the road block approached us and asked if she could help. She called our friends to tell them where we were. Definitely kind policing in New Westminster.
We drove through the traffic jam to a nearby restaurant on the Fraser River. This was The Boathouse.
I had cod and chips plus a starters of two kinds of oysters and raw tuna tacos. My beer was local but I can’t now remember name its name. Together we shared a chocolate ice cream Desert for two shared between the four of us.
After dinner we all went for a walk alongside the Fraser River. The ferry boats were all tied up at the pier by the restaurant.
The walk took us past the condominiums that were right next to the river, under a railway line and then opposite the new apartments where are friends were moving to later in the year. These are the sunset images from the walk.
This was our last night in Vancouver and we reluctantly turned around and walked back to the restaurant to set off back to our hotel.
Back to the hotel in Vancouver
Our friend’s car had had something go wrong with it and its battery was flat and so it wouldn’t start. While they waited for roadside assistance we walked to the Sky Train station to catch a train back to Burrard and the city.
Our tickets this time were even cheaper as it was no longer peak time travel. We walked up and down the platform and then stood inside the dotted lines covered by the CCTV.
Once on the train we listened to announcements telling is that due to an emergency the stations past Burrard were all closed. In Chinatown we had an urgent announcement telling everyone to get off the train as it was now going back. We were not the only ones in our carriage to be confused and it took a guard on the platform to explain what was needed.
We crossed to the up-line side on the platform and waited. We could see a train approaching slowly on the up-line. The train was packed and everyone left it and rushed past us onto our train. We were then asked to board the new train. This train was running a shuttle service from Chinatown to Burrard and back. Any passengers going past Burrard would have to leave the station there and get on a bus.
As we walked back up Burrard, we were surprised at the number of people we past who were sleeping rough on the pavement.
Back in our hotel room we finished our packing and prepared ourselves to catch the Princess shuttle bus the next day to take us to the Island Princess.