Exploring Vancouver - Part 2
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
After exploring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, I returned to Lonsdale Quay and took the SeaBus back to Waterfront Station. From there, I walked for about five minutes to Gastown to see the famous steam clock. The Gastown Steam Clock was built in 1977 by Canadian clockmaker Raymond Saunders as a way to cover a steam grate that was part of Vancouver’s underground heating system. Located in the historic Gastown district, it was designed to complement the area's Victorian architecture and quickly became one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. I arrived just in time, as the clock chimes every fifteen minutes using steam power. A crowd had gathered, waiting for the performance, and soon the beautiful melody began to play. Watching the steam rise and hearing the tune made it a memorable experience.
From Gastown, I took a bus to Stanley Park and rented a bicycle. I have always loved cycling since childhood, and I still enjoy it just as much today. I began riding around the Stanley Park Seawall, taking in the beauty of one of Vancouver’s most iconic places. I was lucky to see several cruise ships departing from the harbour. I also witnessed the famous Nine O’Clock Gun canyon and passed the Brockton Point Lighthouse. It was originally a 19th-century naval cannon (cast in 1816) and was later installed in Stanley Park in 1894 by the Vancouver Harbour Commission. It is fired every day at 9 PM as a time signal tradition, and it was once used historically to help ships set their clocks accurately and warn fishermen. Continuing along the route, I stopped at the Totem Poles, which represent the rich Indigenous heritage of Canada, and even saw many people enjoying a game of cricket nearby.
As I cycled farther, I reached Prospect Point, where I had a spectacular view of the Lions Gate Bridge. The bridge looked enormous, and I especially loved watching cruise ships pass beneath it. Continuing along the seawall, I came across Siwash Rock, a striking sea stack rising beside the pathway.
Stanley Park is wonderfully designed, with separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, making it easy to explore. I ventured into the interior of the park and visited the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, where colourful flowers were in bloom. Along the way, I passed Beaver Lake and spotted geese swimming with their tiny goslings.
The beaches around the park were equally beautiful, and I noticed many carefully balanced stone stacks created by visitors. At one point, I lost my way while trying to reach the Inukshuk and accidentally entered the city area, but I eventually found my bearings. When I arrived at the Inukshuk, I noticed many people gathered along the shoreline. Recent whale sightings had been reported near Stanley Park, and after confirming with another visitor, I joined the crowd and waited. To my delight, I saw the whale surface twice and blow water into the air. That unexpected encounter became one of the highlights of my entire trip. The Inukshuk in Stanley Park was created by Inuit artist Alvin Kanak from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. It is a symbolic stone landmark inspired by traditional Inuit guide markers used across the Arctic.
Afterwards, I spent some time relaxing at English Bay Beach, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching the waves. Eventually, I cycled back, returned my bike, and realized I had completed everything I had planned for the day. I made my way back to Waterfront Station, took the Canada Line toward YVR Airport to meet my ride, and returned to Kelowna by the end of the evening. With that, my Vancouver adventure came to an end.
This trip taught me that everyone should travel solo at least once. Solo travel brings confidence, independence, and the joy of discovering places and experiences on your own. Meeting new people, navigating unfamiliar places with nothing more than a phone and a sense of adventure, and embracing the unexpected are all part of the experience. I also realized how much can be accomplished in a single day without feeling overwhelmed although I happily spent the entire next day resting and reliving the memories of an unforgettable journey.
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