Canadian Trip 2014 Day 3 Granville Island Market & Queen Elizabeth Park Vancouver

Another scenic and awesome ride on the third day.

Yes it was already the third day in Vancouver I just could not sleep well I had only a mere 4 hours sleep. The sky outside the window was already bright at 4.00am and I told myself to start cycling as early as possible.

So I took out the bike and headed for Granville Street where I planned to have my breakfast at the market.

Welcome to the Public Market of Granville Island.

I was early the market only opens at 9.00am some of the wet retailers were still preparing their stalls.

So I went loitering around the market and taking more pictures.

Most of the F&B stalls open at 11.00am and I wanted to try the Wan Tan Noodle but it was not ready. Meanwhile a cup of coffee to start the day.

9.00 o'clock is the opening if you do no want to waste time waiting.

Nice and beautiful scenery I enjoyed while loafing.

Inside the market.

At last my Wan Ton Noodle appeared in front of me, nothing like the ones in Kuala Lumpur.

Some of the corners of at the market.

I realised that there are certain streets dedicated for cycling with a bicycle sign at the road signs for a safer riding.

The map of the Park a place for horticultural enthusiasts located on the highest point in Vancouver covering an area of 52 hectares. It is beautifully landscaped with exotic trees, floral and fauna, also found at the park are a nice restaurant, tennis pavilion, pitch & putt and Bloedel Conservatory with a dancing fountain.

I had two difficulties to find the park, first was I could not see any road sign leading to the place and my GPS device do not have a Canadian map. I went several wrong directions but eventually got it.

The beautifully maintained park viewed from the top.

One of the markers to assist you to identify the several mountains view from the park.

The popular life size statues for photo taking at Queen Elizabeth Park.

A clock at the entrance presented by the Lions Club.

Bloedel Conservatory & the dancing fountain.

I was attracted by a cemetery named Mountain View Cemetery as I was riding back.

A place for Vancouver to remember.

Intentionally I extended my route to east side of Vancouver as I was heading back to West Hastings Street and somewhere at East Georgia Street I saw this mural of  legend Jimi Hendrix.

A simple "Siu Mai" for lunch at Canada Place.

Canadian Trip 2014 Day 2 Vancouver's Longest Bicycle Lane

A day after Canada Day I woke very early in the morning and was very eager to start riding in Vancouver. As for bicycle I have rented a Giant for the next 3 days and this white horse will be my partner in crime for an exploration.

Coast Coal Habour Hotel is located near the habour and there is a bicycle lane by the sea side for over twenty kilometres long. My plan is to complete this dedicated lane and take a different route back to the hotel.

The lower lane is for jogging and the upper lane for cycling, this is near the Coal Habour.

Brocton Point Light House of over a century old at a tip of Stanley Park.

Stanley Park with a size of 1,001 acres surrounded by water of the Pacific Ocean, the bicycle lane is built along the sea sides with amazing scenery.

Lions Gate Bridge that leads to North and West of Vancouver on the right. I want to cycle up there maybe tomorrow.

A narrow and unique bend.

Mimicking the Giant Laughing Statues at Morton Park right next to English Bay.

Granville Street Bridge to the Granville Island.

Boats and yachts seen almost everywhere at the waterfront.

The seawall at English Bay and Granville Bridge.

The big silver ball is the Science World British Columbia.

The fun of seeing, loitering and digging interesting places as I ride on.....

Vancouver Maritime Museum is also found at the west side of False Creek at the water front with a yellow white cute submarine at the outside the building.

Beyond the end of the cycling lane and at the vicinity of University of British Columbia I could see several museums such as UBC Museum of Anthropology and UBC Botanical Garden.

I did not expect it to be so strenuous with long climb and suddenly I felt not comfortable without bicycle lane.

After pushing myself up the gradient I decided to stop at a modern village for a good rest and refuel.

My lunch for $6.80 a takeaway mixed rice which charges by the weight. Sweet and sour pork, Thai curry chicken and mixed veggie. Not too bad for a "Chop Fun".

Chinatown Vancouver is the largest in Canada but I was not impressed with it. I see it as a place for the homeless and I don't feel safe with these vagants hanging around the area..

The transformation of Chinatown.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden 中山公园 the first Chinese garden built outside China with bridges signifying the understanding between Chinese and Western culture while promoting the culture of Chinese to the world.

The time was exactly 2 o'clock a group of tourists were gathering around this steam clock. I could hear the sound of the hour with steam coming out of the vent. Lucky me, I would have just missed this classic clock if not the prefect timing.

An interesting sculpture at Canada Place where I finally completed the balance of the bicycle lane at the sea side.

The three of us decided to have pizza and beer for dinner and I shared my adventure of the day with the two ladies. The food was good so was the beer.

Good night Vancouver it was another awesome ride. Thank you!!!

A total distance of 52 km was achieved. I simply like it.

Canadian Trip 2014 - Day 1 A Long Day Up In The Sky

Jo and Sook Ying have been talking about it for the last few years and eventually it came true and I get to follow them how wondeful isn't it hahaha...... The first day was a long and tiring day three and half hours flying from KLIA to Hong Hong with 2 hours transit and eleven and half long hours to Vancouver.

We took Cathay Pacific Airline all the way to Vancouver with a flight fully occupied and it was kind of too many passengers at one time where stretching of limbs was at a minimum. The only comfort we had were the drinks, food and movies besides sleeping.....

Finally the long and stressful hours were over we reached Vancouver at last.  Let's not think of the going home journey now but think of what we are going to enjoy in Canada. My first impression of Canada was the mixed ethnics in uniforms and I felt at home seeing many oriental faces...what a mixed ethnicity.

After clearing the Immigration line without any difficulty we walked across the road to catch a sky train to check in our hotel. The ticket was $2.70 from Airport Station to Waterfront Station.

After 10 minutes dragging of our luggage on the road we found Coast Coal Habour Hotel and will be in the hospitality of the hotel for the next 4 nights.

Without wasting any time the 2 ladies went out to visit Chinatown while I went searching for a bicycle and got one from a bike renting shop. Vancouver I will be terrorising you for the next few days. The traffic system is different from Malaysia everything is just the opposite but I will try to get used to it and many times I did it wrong hehehe.

We did not realise it was Canada Day on our first day here at the beginning, the Canadians are really patriotic about their national day they really come out in big number to celebrate. I overheard 3 elderly men proudly greeting to one another "HaPpY Canada Day" even it was on the following day. Malaysia I think we do better by emulating this country.

I was informed that 10.30pm there will be a firework display at the Habour area and so I went to have a look with the bicycle. Just before 10.30 the crowd was getting intense and continuously flowing in to watch the fireworks.

HaPpY Canada Day!!!

Restoran Fu Man Tanjong Malim

It was near lunch time my mum would love to eat her meal on time and we were on our way back to Kuala Lumpur. The nearest place to have lunch was Tanjung Malim. In fact my mum remembered Restoran Fu Man where I brought her once after she described its signature dish deep fried salted pork belly. We reached Tanjung Malim about 11.30 plus and could see two Singaporean cars parked near it, pretty popular among the Singaporeans.

Fried fish fillet was good, mum was comfortable and paired well with her plain rice.

This was it the highlight of the visit crispy and juicy deep fried salted pork belly but not salty at all. Simply love it. In fact we "tapao" an extra portion back home.

Mrs. Chew, thank you for the delicious food and your pricing is reasonable. I wish you good business and we will be back.

Just next 2 doors away my mum and sis were busy buying local pastry while waiting for the food to be served. Well, this place has been marked and a good detour for a good meal and shopping.

Restoran Fu Man

31, Jalan U1

Taman Universiti

Tanjung Malim

Perak

Tel: 05-459-7620

GPS :3.683583, 101.530056

Restoran Chef Loke 陆师傅小厨 Taman Danau Kota, Genting Klang, KL

It looks like Chef Loke is going to break this jinx many have tried their luck at this premise and have failed. Judging from the patronisation over the last few months, I have tried the food and all I can say they are on! Yes the food is good go check this place out it is located at the junction of Jalan Genting Klang and Jalan Usahawan.

My mum is very picky when it comes to eating her meal and I have hardly seen her enjoying it so much. She really love this dish of Chef Loke. It's a steamed fish head (chopped into pieces) cooked with preserved soya bean paste and everyone loves it.

Simple homemade tofu yet delicious.

Choy Sum stir fried with sweet-salty pickled mustard veggie a popular dish by Chef Loke.

At the beginning I wasn't impressed with the look of these fried pork ribs but when I sank my teeth into it I could feel the sweetness and tender taste of a good dish. Thumb up!!!

Chicken cooked with fermented bean curb was something different and interesting and it took a while to acquire the taste.

You will never go wrong with him. Prices are reasonable and the portions are big. That's why the business is so popular.

Getting a table is not easy especially during weekends and public holidays but it's worth the while to be patient.

Restoran Chef Loke

124, Jalan 2/23A

Taman Danau Kota

Off Jalaan Genting Kelang

KL

Tel:4149-7977

GPS : 3.199764, 101.717787