Alaska - Cruise Disembarkation Day in Vancouver Part 1

Since we started this journey as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska, disembarkation at the end of the cruise in Vancouver, British Columbia was unusual in that it meant ending in a city I'd also never visited. Aside from our Grand Med cruise the year before this, most of our city sightseeing was pre-embarkation because we'd return to the same city post cruise. I wish I still had the name of the private tour company we used and the price quote to share but all I can remember is that our guide was the son of the owner and his Dad emigrated to BC from Hong Kong. 

We booked a private tour for the two of us with pickup at the port. The young man, who as mentioned told us later was the son of the owner, arrived on time in a nice roomy SUV. Always a plus when you have several pieces of luggage. One of the most frequently visited places in Vancouver, especially by cruise passengers is the complex where your ship docks known as Canada Place. Our first stop on this tour was the top of the complex featuring the Vancouver Lookout and the Vancouver Lookout Viewing Deck. The Lookout shares space with the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant with slanted floor to waist high windows and telescope viewers to use. 

Our guide pointed out a few noticeable landmarks from this vantage point but I soon ventured off to snap photos while he chatted with Dad. 

And of course it didn't take long for me to spot a great view of the ship we just left, the Grand Princess.

One of the rare times you'll see an empty pool deck:

Hey, nice aft!

Our next stop was a visit to the city's historic Gastown district. We mostly drove around seeing the area from the car except for a photo stop at the town's historic antique style clock. It is partially powered by steam and whistles like a tea kettle once on the hour.

One of the recurring themes on these trips includes visiting something related to when the city hosted the Olympics. Our next stop this day was to see Vancouver's Olympic Cauldron, built for when Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.

Stay tuned for the next installment where we visit totem poles and take an unnerving gondola ride!