Our last full day in Vancouver began early with another delicious breakfast at the Central Bistro with I and M. They were also staying at The Sylvia. Then we hopped aboard a bus to UBC and spent most of the day at the Museum of Anthropology. There were some new exhibits to explore since our last visit. In the late afternoon we headed back downtown to Chinatown where we wandered a bit waiting for Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie to open. This was our second time there and what a treat. Since we were so early, we were seated at a great table. Every dish was superb and the desserts were divine. Best to go early or quite late, but also well worth the wait. As we ate so early, we were back at the hotel just after 7 so decided to walk through Stanley Park to see the Bright Nights display. This event is a fundraiser for the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund. Entrance to see the lights is by donation, but there is a fee to ride the Christmas Train. We didn’t ride the train, but it was still really fun! The strangest compilation of lights and displays I’ve ever seen, most looking like they had been donated from the long-forgotten corners of garages. The children there that evening were so loving it. There were great snacks for sale, live music and Santa was on hand for photos until 9 pm. Another fabulous day, perfectly festive!

One of my favourite little bits of MOA.

One of my favourite little bits of MOA.

Many decades of Yuletide decor represented. If I had more time in Vancouver I would love to research all the pieces to see how far back they go!

Many decades of Yuletide decor represented. If I had more time in Vancouver I would love to research all the pieces to see how far back they go!

These beautiful vintage reindeer were tucked away in a quiet part of the display.

These beautiful vintage reindeer were tucked away in a quiet part of the display.

This sweet little miniature village was one of my favourite vignettes.

This sweet little miniature village was one of my favourite vignettes.

Upon returning to the west end, we took a short walk along the sea wall then back to the hotel to prepare for our evening out under the grand chapiteau for Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna. We had a lovely walk through the west end and ate a very delicious light dinner at ShiZenYa on Hornby Street. Nice sushi, a lot of vegetarian options, organic greens and brown rice, and Ocean Wise fish. The night was crisp and dry so we decided to walk to the venue which is at Concord Pacific Place at the old Expo site. Along the way we watched people skating on the outdoor rink on Robson Street, just below the Art Gallery. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the smell of popping corn, the buzz of excitement, and the beauty of other patrons who had adorned themselves in Cirque-worthy outfits. Our Victoria friends M and I met us there and we all enjoyed the show so much. A quick sky train/bus ride back to the hotel just in time for last call at the Sylvia lounge. I had a boozy hot chocolate; the perfect end to a perfect day!

Late afternoon light plays with clouds and reflections on English Bay.

Late afternoon light plays with clouds and reflections on English Bay.

Photo does no justice to the wonderful meal at ShiZenYa. We will definitely eat there again.

Photo does no justice to the wonderful meal at ShiZenYa. We will definitely eat there again.

Absolutely magical outdoor skating right downtown.

Absolutely magical outdoor skating right downtown.

Festive, warm and friendly in the lounge at The Sylvia.

Festive, warm and friendly in the lounge at The Sylvia.

Our third day in Vancouver was completely magical. Spent a good part of the day with my old chum, the extraordinary gentleman writer Mr. Ken Hegan. Ate a hearty meal and then partook of some Christmas shopping on West 4th Avenue. We were privileged to finally meet Kyle, a hound of some renowned, whose vivacity and affectionate nature won our hearts immediately. The coolest sighting of the day:

Day3aBills

Day3bBills

Day3cBills

A second wonderful day. Had a relaxing sleep-in at The Sylvia, which we love, delicious breakfast at Central Bistro, fascinating tour of the Vancouver Art Gallery, extra delicious hot chocolate at 49th Parallel in Kitsilano and wonderful dinner at Nuba on Hastings. Picture taking failed me today, but check out all the links!

Super rich and strong hot chocolate, beautifully presented at 49th Parallel.

Super rich and strong hot chocolate, beautifully presented at 49th Parallel.

Left Victoria this morning for a few days in Vancouver, visiting friends and taking in a Cirque du Soleil show called Amaluna. Bright clear day in Victoria and gorgeous stormy day in Vancouver. We enjoyed poking around on Granville Island, especially at Circle Craft, and had another amazing meal at our favourite: Vij’s. Also a great visit with a friend who has just started a new life in the big city. We’re proud of you LJS!

Burr, chilly wait for the bus this morning, but so clear and beautiful!

Burr, chilly wait for the bus this morning, but so clear and beautiful!

The festive lights at Granville Island.

The festive lights at Granville Island.

Two days ago, on a rainy and warm December 1, the city threw an outdoor party they called Snow Day. It was a well attended family event in Centennial Square with ice sculptures, large piles of “snow” (probably the Zamboni shavings from local arenas) for sliding and throwing, refreshments and a machine that periodically blasted snowflakes out onto the crowd. It was actually quite magical!

A beautiful snowflake rests on the edge of the fountain at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria for Snow Day.

A beautiful snowflake rests on the edge of the fountain at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria for Snow Day.

Our girl Taxicab was pretty happy we were home, altho she loves her cat sitter.

Our girl Taxicab was pretty happy we were home, altho she loves her cat sitter.

After a short rest at the hotel, we ventured out again, back to Musée des beaux-arts. Until January 20, they have a special exhibit: Once upon a time… Impressionism, Great French Paintings from the Clark. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 pm, the admission is only $10. It’s a beautiful show in a beautiful part of the museum. There were a lot of people visiting. It was wonderful to see pieces by Renoir, Pissarro, Boldini and one of my favourites: Danseuses au foyer by Degas. We wandered home admiring shop windows and bought some dinner and airplane snacks on the way back to the hotel. A memorable adventure to be sure!

We weren't sure if we could take pictures in the show, much less post them online, so we took architectures shots instead. The entire gallery is gorgeous, the old bits and the modern.

We weren’t sure if we could take pictures in the show, much less post them online, so we took architectures shots instead. The entire gallery is gorgeous, the old bits and the modern.

Stunning hallway.

Stunning hallway.

An elegant detail.

An elegant detail.

The Holt Renfrew Holiday windows were very beautiful.

The Holt Renfrew Holiday windows were very beautiful.

We want GJ to have this ensemble. The velvet jacket was over the top!

We want GJ to have this ensemble. The velvet jacket was over the top!

This would be a fun place to shop.

This would be a fun place to shop.

We headed back towards the hotel in search of sustenance. Our hotel was right beside the Notre-Dame Basilica, which is incredible, especially at night all lit up. Very near the hotel is a lovely shop and tea house called Ming Tao Xuan, which we had wanted to try since the moment we saw it. We sat down in the beautiful dining area, and were presented with a VERY extensive tea list. We chose two teas, a Green Pu-Erh and an Oolong, plus vegetarian dumplings and spring rolls. We were given instruction on how to pour each type of tea and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the tea and the snacks.

Notre-Dame Basilica.

Notre-Dame Basilica.

Our tea service at Ming Tao Xuen.

Our tea service at Ming Tao Xuan.

We woke up sad that this adventure was almost over, but the day was crisp and clear and we were excited to be out in it. After a lovely breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Sinclair (can’t speak highly enough of Le St-Sulpice Hôtel), we headed up to the Metro station. About 20 minutes later we were near the Montréal Botanical Gardens. It was open, but mostly prepared for winter so beds were empty and not too much to see; still a magnificent place to be, peaceful and quiet. It must be magical when all in bloom.

Sinclair Restaurant at Le Hôtel St-Sulpice.

Sinclair Restaurant at Le Hôtel St-Sulpice.

Les écureuils partout!

Les écureuils partout! Jardin Botanique Montréal.

Lovely displays of alpine gardens from different parts of the world.

Lovely displays of alpine gardens from different parts of the world.

Just to the right of this exquisite view, men in hip waders were removing the apparatus of a lantern festival a few nights before.

Chines GArden, my favourite. Just to the right of this exquisite view, men in hip waders were removing the apparatus of a lantern festival from a few nights before.

Lovely detail. I look forward to coming here again to learn about the creation of all these gardens.

Lovely detail. I look forward to coming here again to learn about the creation of all these gardens.

"Infinite Pleasantness" – yes please!

“Infinite Pleasantness” – yes please!

A beautiful pavilion.

A beautiful pavilion.

Art shot in the Japanese Garden.

Art shot in the Japanese Garden.

Winter sun makes for long shadows.

Winter sun makes for long shadows.

GJ caught me admiring a beautiful yellow witch hazel in bloom. We used to have an orange one, I just love them.

GJ caught me admiring a beautiful yellow witch hazel in bloom. We used to have an orange one; I just love them.

This was an interesting sculpture. The view from this chair is of hundreds of squirrels foraging for, and/or burying food.

This was an interesting sculpture. The view from this chair is of hundreds of squirrels foraging for, and/or burying food.

Twisty trees, shadows and reflections.

Twisty trees, shadows and reflections.

Swallow nesting boxes in the marshy area.

Swallow nesting boxes in the marshy area.

The vibrant colours of autumn have gone, and left these subtle, mysterious hues behind.

The vibrant colours of autumn have gone, and left these subtle, mysterious hues behind.