Why did I decide to go to Vancouver? Not because I knew there were cool climbing spots or amazing natural landscapes or because it's a very modern city. I got my plane ticket about 10 days before flying over to Vancouver because first of all my dad was staying at her friend's house, therefore I had a couch to sleep on for free; second because I got a pretty cheap roundtrip flight from San Diego. ($260.00 USD); and finally because as a freelancer I can just take my laptop and my camera anywhere and continue working (just like I am right now writing this at Breka Coffee Shop on Robson St. Downtown Vancouver. 10/10 would recommend btw). It was one of those impulsive traveling decisions that I always think about too much but never regret.

Stereotypes were right! Canadians are really nice (for the most part). The maple trees on the streets, the mountain views, the parks, hikes, the ocean views…. Everything is beautiful!

The day after I landed, I decided to go up to Grouse Mountain. It took me about an hour to get there by public transportation. First took a bus, then the seabus, then another bus and I got there. All for just $2.40 CAD.

My dad and I went hiking up the mountain, both carrying our cameras and stopping often to take photos of the fascinating forest views. The regular hike to the top is 3km (2 miles) up but we got distracted and took the wrong path that lead to another path that was very steep. We ended up walking around the mountain and then up again a total of 8km (5 miles) going up in elevation over 1km (.6 miles). It was sort of tiring but very gratifying once we were at the top where there's some activities like a Lumberjack Show, the Skyride, bear sightseeing (through a high voltage electric fence), drink a beer or coffee and have some snacks.

We took the Gondola back down for $15 CAD right after sunset, which oddly happened at 21:20. It had the most amazing views or Vancouver. From afar you could see the city and if you looked down, you'd see a very dense forest, I visited Vancouver in the summer but I'm seriously thinking about coming back on the Fall when the trees have red and orange tones or the winter when everything is covered in snow.

(Click to enlarge)