Today we started
the second phase of our sabbatical—several weeks in Europe.
Leaving Auckland, we arrived in Vancouver on
30 June 2015 (Canada Time) after a 13 hour direct fight. We will stay in Vancouver for 3 days before
flying onto London.
Once we arrived, we stripped off our winter
woollies and slipped on our summer things and celebrated the brilliant warm
summer day and warm wind that greeted us.
I’ve been to Vancouver a couple of time
before and was able to show of my expert knowledge in getting us around by
catching the Sky Train for the 20 km ride from the Airport to Downtown
Vancouver.
This part of the Sky Train—The Canadian Line—was opened in August 2009. Generally, passenger train services
connecting a City’s airport with it’s centre are never economically viable, with actual passenger numbers
falling significantly below the best predictions Engineers can make. Fortunately for Vancouver—or the PPP owner who
funded, built and operate it—this Sky Train has reversed the trend. And it would need to. Because the Sky Train is fully automated, it
must be fully separated from other vehicles—no drivers, it is one of the most
expensive metro rail systems in the world to build. Because the Canadian Line passes through the dense
CBD, it was required to be located below ground within both cut and cover and bored
tunnels.
We took in a visit to Granville Market. Located on the water front, the market boasts
a delicious food from both bakery and deli.
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful
cities that I have visited, and it is fantastic to be back here—although this is the first time for me in
summer. The CBD
is surrounded by sea on three sides. The
city can boast of wonderful architecture complimented by numerous tree lined
streets, not to mention the many sea views.
Sorry, but we are having some technical
difficulties putting photos up at the moment—I will try and resolve this tomorrow.
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