Vancouver, Day 1.

The non-stop flight from Newark to Vancouver on United was about 6-hours and uneventful. Vancouver Airport is very nice, with lots of Native American art and a waterfall.

Welcome to Vancouver Airport

The Canadian Line train connects the airport to the city center for $7.50 per person.  The Yaletown stop was across the street from the OPUS Hotel, which had my Executive Suite ready for the early arrival (love it, thank you!). For lunch. I tried the local street food specialty: a Japadog! My “Kurobuta Terimayo” is made with Kurobuta Pork, teriyaki sauce, fried onions, Japanese mayo and topped with seaweed. Delish. Note to self: they have a NYC location at St. Marks Place...

Next stop was Chinatown to explore the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese gardens (very serene Chinese gardens in the heart of the city). 

Then I strolled through the Gastown neighborhood to see the Steam Clock. 

As I continued along the waterfront, I saw Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Century’s sailaway. 

The waterfront area is stunning, with snow capped mountains across the harbor.   

Lego killer whale on the Vancouver waterfront

I also visited a few hotels including the Fairmont Pacific Rim (love the public space, can't wait for the room refurb next year), Four Seasons (lovely, of course) and Hotel Georgia (surprisingly wonderful).

The day ended perfectly dining on the waterfront terrace at C Restaurant on by the False Creek Yacht Club. Their sustainably-harvested, local seafood creations were inventive and delicious. I enjoyed the

-->Seared Scallops Appetizer with English pea ravioli, bone marrow croquettes, sauce veirge, lemon ash. My entrée was Line Caught Ling Cod with braised kale, smoked & pureed artichoke, fried clams, and romesco sauce. And the Lemon Dessert ("lemon meringue pie" lemon mousse, lemon curd, shortbread) was the perfect finale to a wonderful first day in Vancouver.

Here's a link to my Photos of Vancouver.