Japadog. Japanese fusion hot dogs. They were so good that I didn’t even care that the name plays off a racial slur of my peoples. 😉 We ate Japadog three separate times. I kid you not. My favorite was the Spicy Cheese Terimayo. Also, attention New York residents – they are opening a location in the East Village this month. I’m jealous!

The coolest and oldest tree I think I have ever seen. 1,300 years old!

I loved how much nature existed in the city. We saw a rainbow near Stanley Park on our way back from the bridge, and couldn’t resist taking a few pictures of it. The leaves were changing everywhere we went.

After the Public Market, we stopped in at the Granville Island Brewing’s Taproom, and sampled some yummy local beer. We discovered that their Winter Ale was one of the most delicious beers we have ever tasted, and were promptly disappointed to learn that they don’t sell it in the U.S. 

Movember, baby!

At some point, we saw this amazing mural while we were trying to find the Canucks Team Store (don’t ask) at Rogers Arena. 

A trip to the Vancouver Aquarium was on L’s to do list. I wish we didn’t go on a Saturday when the place was mobbed, but, we managed to see some awesome sea turtles, and the most beautiful beluga whales! Also, the aquarium’s location inside Stanley Park (1,000 acres of nature IN the city) was perfect. We walked around the park for awhile after, and soaked in the views. 

A visit to the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology was on my to do list. I am waving my nerd flag, and I couldn’t be happier. I heart museums, and this one did not disappoint!  

We left our big camera at the hotel for a date at Salt Tasting Room. The menu consisted of wine, meat, condiments, cheese, and nothing else. The restaurant is located in an alley (literally), and L and I got lost (naturally). We ended up twenty minutes late for our reservation time, and dashed in while the host was about to give our table away. I was over this night before it even started. But then they brought me a glass of Pinot Noir, and all these plates of food. 

 

 And it was the best date we’ve had in years. Highly, highly recommended if you can find it without getting knifed in a dark alley. Kidding!

After we had successfully eaten our weight in cheese, we decided we needed a late night Canadian snack. So we headed over to Fritz’s European Fry House for some poutine! I have heard about poutine for years from L, and I felt compelled to give it a whirl. For those of you who aren’t familiar, poutine is french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Damnnnn it was gooey goodness. We got some kind of garlic dip, and cajun ketchup on the side. Time to unbutton the skinny jeans…

On our final morning in Vancouver, we shopped for some last minute gifts in Gastown, and made a quick stop at the Gastown Steam Clock. Word of advice: go to Gastown for all the touristy crap like t-shirts that say Vancouver on them. 

We bid farewell to a wonderful city, made our way to the airport, and promised to be back some time in the future. 

Thank you, Vancouver, for showing us such a good time!