Sunny Vancouver

Although it doesn't have the reputation for it, we have finally found the sun, in Vancouver of all places (along with the obligatory rain too). Fortunately, we have scored most of it on the weekend and have been able to get out and enjoy it.

To start with, this is where we now live.
Vancouver is a densely populated city, especially where we live. There are houses, but they house lots of apartments. Ours is pretty standard, a big house divided into 4 apartments and a basement suite. We are in the basement. We are sharing a 2 bedroom place with a guy studying at the local university, UBC. It's got everything we need, is in a great neighbourhood and is a big step up on our house in Fernie or Felix. We are happy.
It's got a great little grassy courtyard out the back which is a bit of a luxury around here. It gets a lot of sunshine and is not too boxed in by surrounding buildings.
Our room is great, apart from being a little dark, as it is on the side on the house. We have a bed (again, a step up on felix and the holey air mattress) and some great hardwood floors from around the 1940s. The sun shines in brilliantly through the living room and kitchen, at the front and back of the house respectively.

Spring has sprung in Vancouver. I was most impressed with the lack of snow, with it being replaced by green, green grass. Thanks somewhat to the Vancouver rain. Also flowers are everywhere. The tulips (so I learnt) are particularly impressive.Gratuitous photos. In hindsight we were actually lucky to see them as now they are all dead and gone.

Vancouverites (as they are known) are super active people and are out and about in these early days of spring. Volleyball, gridiron, frizbee, hackey-sack, tight-rope walking and cheerleading (Yes, it's not that far to the US) are all evident on the packed beaches and parks. (The above photo is a little earlier in the day when it was not so busy, but still shows the nice park next to the beach)
Our local beach, Kitsilano Beach, with the CBD in the background, Stanley Park of the left and the local mountains in the distance with snow on top.

On a final note, the end is feeling near as we finally booked (and unfortunately paid) for some flights home this week. So mark it in your books, we will arrive in Brisbane on September 19, 2008.