September 4, 2025

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Today we have the “day off”, although technically it is the last day of the Cosmos tour. Mary arranged a tour off of Viator; “Ancient Trees of Vancouver”. Although it might more appropriately be called Ancient Trees of Stanley Park, as that is where they all are. I arranged for us to have lunch at the Teahouse in Stanley Park. It is one of our favorite places to eat in Vancouver.

The Ancient trees tour starts at 10. So, we decided to walk to the meeting point, which is in front of the Teahouse Restaurant. Hey, it begins and end there. It is an easy 3.5 – 4 km walk from the hotel. Mostly downhill to the park and the flat along the seawall to the base of the cliff in front of the Teahouse. Then it is up the stairs to the Teahouse.

Along the way, just as you enter the park, is a bronze sculpture by Yule Minjin called the A-maze-ing Laughter. The patinated bronze sculpture is comprised of 14 different statues of men in various states of laughter. Each of the statues in about three meters tall and weigh over 250 kilograms. The artist’s own image “in a state of hysterical laughter.”

It was created as part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, which exhibits international contemporary works in public spaces. The sculpture was donated to the City of Vancouver in August 2012.  As part of the installation, an inscription carved into cement seating states "May this sculpture inspire laughter playfulness and joy in all who experience it." It is a fun piece of work.

We continued walking from there along English Bay and the sea wall. Past the saltwater pool where all the geese were having a bath and bathroom break. Disgusting, but I am sure they clean it up before they open it. It is a lovely morning and this is a really nice walk. There are a few joggers and bicyclists. The path is even divided between walkers and bike riders.

We get to Ferguson Point just below the Teahouse and see the steps leading up. Better to have steps at the beginning of the journey not the end, but that is the way it is. Up the steps to an open space on the cliff above Ferguson Point and in front of the Teahouse. There are a few tables and benches. We are a few minutes early.

In the open space next to the Teahouse there is obviously going to be a wedding. Lots of white chairs facing a chuppah. People putting out flowers. Several people nicely dressed. Apparently, this is now a popular wedding venue.

Just after it had gone 10 the guide showed up. He started the tour by telling a little about how Stanley Park came to be and why there are old growth or ancient trees in the park. Originally this was a military reservation, so no significant or commercial buildings. After the military left the people of western Vancouver were afraid if the land become available for commercial or residential development it would deflate the value of their properties, so they petitioned the government to turn it into a park.

We then spent the next two hours walking though the park looking at trees which were centuries old, and perhaps even a millennium for so in age. They are impressive and unless you know what you are looking for you would completely miss them. The guide was very good, knowledgeable and friendly. It was a tour well worth taking. He wasn’t quite done when we had to break away from the tour and head to lunch.

We got to the Teahouse right on time 12:30. Trying to keep with the Keto diet, I chose the sautéed garlic prawns with white wine, garlic, butter and herbs, along with the crispy tofu in soy chili sauce. Mary chose the heirloom tomato & burrata salad with balsamic glaze, arugula, flaky sea salt, toasted pistachios and basil-lemon oil. They were all excellent.

After lunch we took an Uber back to the hotel. We have a dinner reservation at 17:00 at Hy’s Steakhouse on Hornby. We rested up, played a game of canasta and relaxed. I even picked up some epsom salts at the pharmacy across the street and took a nice soak in the tub.

About 16:30 we headed out to the restaurant. It is basically a 1.4 km walk, mostly downhill, and with only one turn to get there. It was a nice pre dinner walk. We got to the restaurant just a little bit before it had gone 17:00. The place was all ours. We ordered dinner. I started with the seared jumbo scallops in passion fruit beurre blanc.

Mary chose to have the Caesar Salad which was made table side. The guy put on a great performance making the salad. I got a steak au poivre a black peppercorn crusted New York strip served with Hy’s brandy green peppercorn sauce. I substituted roast bell peppers for the potatoes. Just to spice things up I also got cauliflower gratin. Mary had a regular New York strip with a carbohydrate loaded potato. I miss those….

We decided to get dessert. We did so because we were having fun, and they would make it table side. Our choice was bananas foster. Nice ripe banana sautéed with butter, brown sugar and fresh orange juice, then flambéed with dark rum. Served over decadent vanilla ice cream. The show itself was worth the calories. I finished off my meal with a very well-made espresso.

After dinner we started walking back to the hotel. We got a little way and found a taxi to take us back the rest of the way.  It was a wonderful night.

Buonanotte e ciao

Enrico e Maria