We were up early as we wanted to catch the SkyTrain and get into the centre by ten-thirty. We had a very important rendezvous with a long lost aunt who nobody in my father's family knew existed until a few years ago. A plea for help turned up in a local paper in Norfolk which was passed on to one of my uncles still living in the area. One thing led to another and now the two families are eternally connected despite the vast distances which physically divide them.

The SkyTrain was quick and efficient, so we had time for a coffee and a quick internet check on the way down Granville street. Our meeting point was on Granville island, just over the bridge, a walk which looked a simple five minutes on the map. Our stroll over the bridge became a jog when we realised that the bridge led us over the island into a different neighbourhood, where we would then have to double back on ourselves at ground level. Needless to say we were late.

We were finally introduced to my aunt's family and wandered in and out of the intriguing artisan shops as we became acquainted. Then over lunch in a comfortable gothic-inspired restaurant we compared notes on the family, swapping tales and coincidences.

There was more to come after lunch, a tour of the fantastic Granville brewery which involved a tasting session at the end. As a forward thinking microbrewery they offer limited edition brews which included a chocolate beer at Christmas. We walked away with an Irish Red which was the flavour of the month, but would have gladly returned for a sample of the ginger beer that was scheduled for release later that season.

Slightly listing from the two pints of Granville island IPA at lunch and the three-beer taster we sampled at the brewery, we strolled leisurely through the multicoloured market which tried to tempt us with delicacies of every nation. Our mouth drooled as we visually soaked up the varieties of sweet pastries and cookies on offer which our full bellies managed to restrain us from purchasing. We settled for a coffee instead.

The sun was still shining as we took the weight off our feet whilst being entertained by 'dyna-mikes' street performance comedy and juggling skills with flaming torches and chainsaws.

When the show ended we rewarded our entertainer for his comical half hour and parted company with my aunt with big hugs and promises to stay in touch. We set off to explore the rest of the city by water taxi.

A couple of hours later we ended up leg-weary in Gastown for dinner and had a task deciding where to eat as the restaurants represented every variety of cuisine imaginable.

Refuelled and giggly from yet more Granville Island beer we snuggled up and enjoyed our ride back through the 'burbs on the high speed monorail.