Evening

I did indeed get one of the tiny boats back, which was very fun and extremely faster than walking, 30 minutes to 2 minutes. I returned to the hostel tired but triumphant, but not before aiding an old woman who was lost.

For the rest of the evening I read my Dice Man book, which is excellent and very addictive. At 10ish I made some instant noodles to munch while reading.

I can has photos?

It would appear I'm developing a taste for tea. After the International Village, I waltzed to china town, slightly wonky, and played in the Andy Livingstone park for a while, on the water stepping stones. I randomly stumbled across the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which although costing $10, was really nice and I even got free chinese tea. I made a rat as well, using paper, scissors, glue, pencils, pipe cleaners and a fuzzy ball for the nose. I made his eyes wonky, which the woman there agreed gave him "character" but she also initially thought I was a "really big kindergarten kid". RK was suspicious of her intended use for the rats so didn't make one. I wandered around China Town for a bit, but it was a bit run down and there was an overlap with the crazy people from E.Hastings.

I headed to pacific boulevard because it sounded cool, past the BC stadium, but all around was a bit like a construction site. So I went inland and enjoyed walking through Yale Town, which has lots of expensive boutiques and the such like. Went through David Lam Park and along beach avenue where I discovered a little boat show.

Hmm, this is starting to become a list of places I visited *sighs*. Feel free to skim read. In my wise state, I decided the best course of action was to go across to Granville Island via the bridge. Unfortunately, due to its ridiculous height, meant I had to backtrack vastly to get up on the bridge and then I ended up deep in South Granville. Once I finally made my way back to Granville Island, I spent a few hours wandering around the public market and all manner of tiny shops. Found an amazing looking sushi shop tucked away, but I was far from hungry, plus I should save the monies. I tried to find an interesting book in a cool shop, but it was all meh, I might try again in a bit. Currently drinking some crazy herbal tea and listening to a cool guitar player play some Tom Waits, or someone....

I think my plan is to get one of the crazy bath tub boats across the water. I should skidaddle as either me or the guy at the table next to me really stinks.

RK convinced me to get a chinese, so I got spicy garlic pork and chicken in black bean sauce. Very nice, except the mountain Dew had no Caffeine! Sounds like someone is warming up a Microphone for something, time for investigation....

Down with Solo Travel:

I don't believe you've met my traveling companion yet, his name is Roadkill Panda:
We got off to a rough start but our friendship has been firmly cemented after a complex incident involving a megaphone, half the population of Sweden and a plate of oysters. Needless to say, we now get on like an orphanage on fire. Unfortunately, he tends to be rather blunt when faced with new or scary situations.

Some people may claim his name is "Pandamonium", but RK, as I like to call him, denies this ferociously, or as ferocious as a flattened, bamboo eating endangered species can be. He is a perfect companion though, rarely questioning my decisions and happy to split up for periods of time.

He is also pocket size.

It would appear that many places in Vancouver fail to open until 10 or 11. And even more places are still being building, including "International Village" which I am in now. I've been wandering haphazardly through downtown Vancouver. I was happily skipping along until I glimpsed something further ahead:

"Holy Moly, there's a mountain at the end of the street"

I carried on, and eventually got to Canada Place, and the bay/inlet (Burrard Inlet?), where, just across the water, was North Vancouver and a load of whopping big snow topped mountains. Crazy!

I wibbled along the coast, towards GasTown, which turned out to be quite nice and quaint, though mostly souvenir shops with life size mounty bears. The GasTown Steam Clock was the main attraction, which was basically a steam powered clock that looked similar to Little Ben (near London Victoria). Further on was maple leaf square, which was quite nice. I was gonna cross West Hastings to China Town, but it looked a bit dodge so I backtracked, on the flipside and circled around. Now in International Village, where most of the shop areas are empty, but there is some form of Chinese Mark for Chinese New Year. there's also a large amount of people standing around, looking slightly confused. I might treat myself to lunch as they have Indian, Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Maccy D's. Anyone that chooses McDonald's automatically loses at life.

I was wondering why I felt a bit rough and tired, then I remembered I'm allowed jet lag. Luckily, coffee is the cure for all ailments.

Except insomnia *glares at Shing*

mmmm peanut butter bagel and orange juice, a perfect start to the day. Last night I had a small wander around nearby and bought some food, including soup. Woo! After realising I had no map and was getting tired I found my way back to hostel. Vancouver looks quite nice, though as I've heard so much about the drug and homeless problem I keep judging people so. The street nearby has it's fair share of starbucks but also has may Chinese, Indian, and Japanese restaurants/shops. There's even a Safeways?!

I slept moderately well, though I did manage to knock my bottle of water over quite successfully. Today I'm gonna explore downtown, though with my excellent research skillery I know to avoid East Hastings.

Not sure this apple should be brown.... but it tastes alright.

This trip, I have decided to actually vaguely budget, and in true plageristic style, I shall set 30 (Edited as I mistyped) quid a day as sir Rex did.

I forgot bananas hurt my soul.