A few remaining pics of China there allows me some closure with the place that leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Time heals all wounds and questionable travel experiences, and I'm sure in a few months, possible years, I'll look back on the place with fond memories...or something like that anyway. It worked for India!

But now, to Vancouver. Its been a great introduction to a place that gets over 2m rain annually, to arrive and have blue skies and high 20's every day. Until today - I'll allow one day of rain I suppose... Lets see, arrived Wednesday but after the flight etc, don't remember too much of the day, come to think of it, Thursdays also a bit of a blur. Friday I did a town tour out to the foot of Grouse Mountain, which is Vancouver's closes of 3 really close ski mountains. There is snow still on it now, and man, what a skyline... Our local guide Erik (the Viking - native Norwegian) took me and a few others from the hostel on n amazing stroll through he forests just outside Vancouver, explaining as he did so that Cougars are in the area, but have not been known to attack a group of 6 or more people. We were 36, so naturally I was disappointed with our diminished chances of spotting something interesting, that moved anyway.

But the scenery was amazing. This is the area they have come to dub North Hollywood, so all you old X Files fans - I was there...We wandered through forest with massive trees about 550 years old with moss hanging from every limb, as the waterfalls keep the air fairly moist to keep everything incredibly green. It was so inspiring that I decided to come back the following day and climb Grouse Mountain.

Grouse Mountain can be conquered by one of 2 methods. You can catch the gondola up for an incredibly un-scenic ride if you're crammed into the centre of the car, or you can climb up an elevation of 850m in 2,9km of almost vertical stairs. I chose the latter, as I think all this fresh air is getting to me. It was busy, busy, busy. Some people were actually coming down, suggesting that they'd started at 9am, just for something to do on their Saturday morning! The average climber takes 1.5 hr, so I guess I'm an average climber as that's how long it took me to the minute! There were some spectacular views over Vancouver city, and on south into Washington State where the snow capped mountain ranges were clearly visible.

I got my first glimpse of Grizzly Bears, albeit through wire, as there is an orphanage on top of the mountain. There is currently no rehabilitation and release policy on orphaned bears in Canada (surprising) so the two 6 y.o. bears there are now permanent Grouse Mountain residents, while the keepers work on the red tape to get release programs up and going.

Sunday I ventured over to Granville Island which has a great little market happening, and today, I'm sitting, watching the clock tick laboriously by as I wait for my folks to get back into town for what I'm sure will be a big exciting, possibly emotional reunion! Unfortunately I'll be working on my resume to fill in the time, which obviously means that work will be just around the corner! Hopefully that will be as easy as the 15 minute wait for my Social Security number (Centrelink could take note of that!!!)