Arrived in Vancouver, after 4 hours stopping over in Auckland, 1 hour on the tarmac waiting for a new pilot for the plane, a draining 13 hour flight to Vancouver, a 40 minute wait with seemingly half of Australia's holiday workers to get through immigration, and a Cook's tour of Vancouver on the airport shuttle. Body clock is a bit out of whack and I kept thinking it was Thursday though it was still only Wednesday.

The hostel was packed to the rafters with mainly Aussies en route to work in Whistler. I went with my newfound best friend Lou (we met at Auckalnd airport) to explore Vancouver by night (well it seemed like night by 5pm), pick up Canadian phones which we dont know how to use, and get our bearings.

Was great to catch Pip at the hostel before she flew out to Calgary, and hang with some of the people who'll be heading up the mountain and sample some Kokanee Glacier Beer - everyone seems to be a liftie!

Thursday 27th was spent strolling around the Waterfront and Stanley Park (literally the WHOLE of Stanley Park), which was beautiful, if a little damp. Will definitely take a bike next time. Pity Beaver Lake had no beavers, but I can tick squirrels off the animal sightings list.

After making my way to Kitsilano on the very efficient bus sytem, (and blowing the lights in my friend's apartment - sorry Leo!) we hit up the Chill Winston at Gastown. Great food, expensive drinks but a nice cosy atmosphere. I can now say I've also seen the Steam Clock which I heard was a novelty (and so it is). Wasn't expecting the night to finish so early, but that's the way it seems to be in Vancouver.Was great to catch up with some familiar faces though and find out about life in Vancouver from those who've been here a while.

Pity it's raining Friday 28th, my plans to cycle around Vanier Park and along the sea wall to the University of British Columbia will have to go on hold till after winter now I guess. Meanwhile, it's gamusing chatting to the electrician to helped me try to restore power to the apartment last night before Leo got home, he's back to fix the toilet - but that was definitely not my fault I swear! (and now that I know there is a special switch on the circuit breaker and a particular light switch in the livign room to avoid, hopefully the power will remain in working order as well).

Tomorrow - if I can find my way to Pacific Central Station with all my stuff I should be on a bus to Whistler...