Whistler!!

Left the bouncy bed (full of Wingy's farts) in the backpackers early this morning to pick up the hire car for the rest of our time in Canada.  Another nasty experience with Canadian taxes/quoted prices.  What I thought was going to cost $271 cost $591 after they added all the taxes and insurances - and it is a lousy Taurus.  Wingy did very well driving on the opposite side of the road - we didn't even go the wrong way once and he drove all the way to Whistler.

Spent the morning in Stanley Park which is an amazing park right next to the city.  It has two beaches, many lakes, is a 10km round bike trip, has heaps of squirrels and ducks, with views of the city on one side and snow capped mountains in the background - fantastic!!

Included in the park is the Vancouver Aquarium which had really cool white whales called "Beluga whales" and the cutest otters.  Had starfish, piranhas and other stuff but the best bit was the whales.

From there we went to the Suspension bridge which crosses the rainforest and for a treetop walk in the forest.  All the trees look like the trees they use for Christmas trees that they cut down in the movies.

Proceeded to drive to Whistler (or at least Wingy did, I just took in the amazing scenery).  Yep ... now I feel like I am in Canada.

Am staying in the most amazing hotel in Whistler.  Our room has a king size bed, kitchen dishwasher and bathroom - a quality similar to the Grand Hyatt in Singapore - all for C$120 a night.  The cheapest we have paid for snow accommodation ever!!  ...no more bouncy backpacker bed tonight  :)

I love Whistler and I haven't even skied yet.  It looks like Christmas and there are shops everywhere .. lots of pubs and cafes too..

Am learning all of the American words:

• Gas station
• Toonies ($2)
• Loonies ($1)
• RV
• trailers - caravan
• washroom - bathroom
• pick ups
• quarter ($.25)
• cell phone

Tomorrow will be good ... I wonder if I will make the 11km run?