April 16 - Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto
Monday evening April 15, I flew from Boston to
Toronto. Before boarding the train at
about 11:15 Tuesday evening for departure at about
11:30 for Vancouver, Tuesday
found me in Toronto as a tourist. In my
wanderings, I encountered Ripley's Aquarium and
decided to check it out.
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22:48:32
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There was a scale on which aquarium visitors could
weigh themselves and calculate their value as if
they were tuna fish instead of human. If I
were a tuna, I'd be worth almost $3500!
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12:38:25
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Divers were wielding toothbrushes to clean elements
of the exhibit.
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12:59:59
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13:00:12
2019:04:16
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13:00:47
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I wondered what effect the 'Emergency Stop' button
would have.
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13:02:46
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13:14:55
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13:32:22
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13:32:42
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13:33:04
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Hey Kids, you'd better behave or we'll send you to
the Fractionator!
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13:33:18
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13:34:40
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13:36:45
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13:39:35
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Echoes of 'Back to the Future'.
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13:43:42
2019:04:16
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April 16 - CN Tower, Toronto
Per Wikipedia, the CN Tower was the world's tallest
free-standing structure for 32 years until
2007. It is now the ninth tallest
free-standing structure in the world and remains the
tallest free-standing structure in the Western
Hemisphere. I wasn't planning to ascend it,
but when I emerged from Ripley's Aquarium, I was
right there at the base of the tower. So I
went up it.
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13:54:54
2019:04:16
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13:55:04
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13:59:03
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13:59:09
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The Indoor Lookout Level is located at 346 meters
(1,135 ft).
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13:59:21
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14:00:54
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14:01:27
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14:02:33
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14:03:20
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14:04:18
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14:05:21
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14:07:13
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14:07:48
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14:08:55
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14:09:02
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14:10:22
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14:10:41
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14:12:48
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The Glass Floor and Outdoor Observation Terrace, are
located at an elevation of 342 meters (1,122 ft).
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14:12:59
2019:04:16
The Outdoor Observation Terrace is aggressively
screened, but open to the outdoors; chilly and
breezy that day.
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14:16:14
2019:04:16
Looking down past my shoes through the 'Glass
Floor'.
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14:16:37
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14:17:08
2019:04:16
I did not visit the Toronto Railway Museum, but
there was a partial view of it through the 'Glass
Floor.
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14:19:16
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14:19:33
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14:19:51
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14:20:42
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I appreciated that the 'Glass Floor' was designed to
'withstand the weight of 14 large hippos.' I
wish I'd been there the day they tested it; that
would have been a great photo!
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14:29:18
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14:29:27
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14:31:12
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For an additional fee, brave visitors could put on
harnesses and take the exterior tour, as shown on
the continuously running promo video...
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14:31:15
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14:31:20
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14:40:43
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This appeared to be an actual photograph. I
wondered how long the photographer had to wait for a
horseman to show up in the right position.
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14:41:32
2019:04:16
'Are we extinct yet?'
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15:25:58
2019:04:16
The CN Tower and a truck emerging from the wall of a
building.
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April 16-20 - 'The Canadian' from Toronto to
Vancouver
'The Canadian' departed Toronto about 90 minutes
late, at about 11:30 PM Tuesday April 16. The
Canadian shares the track with freight trains and it
stopped frequently to let fright trains pass. For
that reason, the schedule is explicitly considered
rubbery, and travelers are encouraged to anticipate
delays and late arrivals/departures for the few
planned stops. There were only 3 planned stops
of more than an hour: Winnipeg (2 hr), Edmonton (1
hr 15 min), and Jasper (3 hr 30 mins). I only
got off the train in Jasper. there were a few
other shorter planned stops and a number of stops to
accept or discharge passengers.
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17:56:21
2019:04:17
The first day we traversed endless snow-covered
scrub forests of Ontario.
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17:59:17
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17:59:21
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15:58:39
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By the second day, there was little snow. Tan
views of the prairie dominated the landscape.
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17:00:44
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17:12:47
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14:03:27
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14:04:20
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14:08:07
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I didn't spend much time in the 'Skyline Car'.
I thought the views from the main, lower level of
the train were just as entertaining.
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14:08:23
2019:04:19
It was easy to spread out with a computer or a book
while the scenery passed. There was a
self-serve coffee/tea station. I enjoyed many
cups of coffee.
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14:08:36
2019:04:19
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15:33:52
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15:33:59
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On the third day, everyone was excited when
mountains appeared, beginning about lunchtime.
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15:36:15
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15:36:35
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15:51:13
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15:52:48
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April 19 - Train Stop in Jasper, Alberta
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16:38:45
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16:38:53
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16:42:52
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16:52:00
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16:55:10
2019:04:19
Your guess is as good as mine.
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16:56:41
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16:57:38
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17:03:59
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17:04:19
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17:04:45
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17:05:35
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19:43:49
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April 19-20 - Back on the Train
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20:31:45
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The last car of the train was the 'Park Car' with a
comfortable bar and upstairs viewing area. Use
of the Park Car is restricted to first class
passengers at certain times.
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20:32:01
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20:32:15
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20:33:01
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20:34:16
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20:39:19
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21:06:10
2019:04:19
Tommy, on the left, and Mark, on the right, are avid
train travelers, having shared many train trips,
mostly in the UK.
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21:06:26
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21:27:46
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11:05:01
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11:35:54
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12:20:38
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12:20:43
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12:20:48
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12:26:03
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12:28:13
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12:30:02
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12:30:05
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13:14:42
2019:04:20
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14:35:28
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15:38:37
2019:04:20
I didn't take many pictures of the excellent food on
the train. Lunch and dinner consisted of two
or three seatings, and the menu for each meal
offered 3 or 4 choices. A waiter would bring
beverages from the bar if desired.
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15:38:50
2019:04:20
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15:39:01
2019:04:20
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16:15:34
2019:04:20
My cozy, one-person 'Sleeper-Plus' cabin had its own
toilet.
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16:16:00
2019:04:20
Storage for personal items and baggage was
limited. A curtain with straps could be
fastened to prevent items from toppling into the
cabin.
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16:16:18
2019:04:20
A small sink inside my cabin could be covered with a
fold-down flap.
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16:16:34
2019:04:20
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16:16:56
2019:04:20
A lid folded down over the toilet to serve as a seat
or table.
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16:17:35
2019:04:20
A comfortable bench seat was the main furniture item
in the small cabin. I was pleased to discover
that there was space underneath it for additional
luggage storage.
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16:17:46
2019:04:20
The bed, which I found quite comfortable, folded
down from the wall.
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16:18:44
2019:04:20
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16:18:59
2019:04:20
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16:19:13
2019:04:20
When the bed was down, it covered the toilet.
The sink, wastebasket, and small area of floor
remained exposed.
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16:19:28
2019:04:20
This fold-down latch prevented the spring-loaded bed
from retracting into the wall.
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16:19:38
2019:04:20
A recessed reading light in the wall served the
bench seat.
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16:20:57
2019:04:20
When one is inside the cabin, a sliding door can be
latched and locked. When one is out of the
cabin, it is secured by a heavy curtain which zips
down from the top.
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16:21:20
2019:04:20
Beside the door, a panel contained switches for fan,
ceiling light, and mirror light. There were
two standard 3-prong electrical outlets and an
emergency call button.
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16:21:43
2019:04:20
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16:21:52
2019:04:20
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16:22:09
2019:04:20
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April 20-1 Vancouver Miscellany
Despite published warnings that the train can arrive
late in Vancouver, I arrived at 3 pm, not 6 pm, on
Saturday 4/20. I suspected that the early
arrival was deliberate, intended to allow the train
crew to watch the critical hockey playoff game for
the Winnipeg team at about 5 pm. I was pleased
to have the additional tourist time on a pleasant
warm Saturday afternoon. I'd been told,
correctly, that a $10.25 daypass would cover
unlimited rides on the 'Skytrain' 'subway', buses,
trolleys, and the 'Seabus' ferry. It was
straightforward and painless to navigate the
unfamiliar 'Skytrain' to reach my hotel and check in
and then to return to the waterfront tourist
zone. The thrilling IMAX 'Flyover Canada'
experience had been highly recommended, and I was
able to buy a ticket and see it without a
wait. I found it a very worthwhile
experience. Photos were not allowed.
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18:50:22
2019:04:20
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18:50:47
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18:51:01
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18:52:09
2019:04:20
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18:54:23
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18:56:31
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19:04:11
2019:04:20
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19:05:52
2019:04:20
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19:42:53
2019:04:20
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19:43:03
2019:04:20
The 'Seabus' ferry that I would ride the following
day.
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19:44:24
2019:04:20
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19:44:33
2019:04:20
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19:47:41
2019:04:20
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19:49:18
2019:04:20
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19:51:05
2019:04:20
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19:51:19
2019:04:20
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15:00:20
2019:04:21
Sunday, I found a fine breakfast tuna melt with
chips and coffee.
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15:00:32
2019:04:21
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15:15:37
2019:04:21
A historic steam-operated clock.
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15:15:59
2019:04:21
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15:34:34
2019:04:21
Aboard the 'Seabus'.
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April 21 - Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
This had been recommended as a worthy tourist
activity. From the main Waterfront Skytrain
station, a 20-minute(?) ride on the Seabus ferry
then a 15-minute(?) bus ride, all covered by my
transit daypass, placed me at the entrance to the
park.
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16:20:02
2019:04:21
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16:21:48
2019:04:21
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16:24:20
2019:04:21
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16:25:12
2019:04:21
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16:25:41
2019:04:21
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16:26:10
2019:04:21
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16:26:30
2019:04:21
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16:27:04
2019:04:21
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16:27:30
2019:04:21
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16:27:55
2019:04:21
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16:32:42
2019:04:21
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16:33:53
2019:04:21
It was
Easter Sunday, and fairly crowded. But I bet
the place would be insufferable on a truly crowded
tourist day.
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16:34:04
2019:04:21
Travel across the bridge was frequently interrupted
as people turned to photograph family and friends
crossing the bridge.
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16:34:49
2019:04:21
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16:35:04
2019:04:21
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16:35:57
2019:04:21
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16:37:22
2019:04:21
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16:40:13
2019:04:21
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16:40:38
2019:04:21
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16:40:47
2019:04:21
I'd already enjoyed a nice tuna melt. I kept
my distance from the 'Beaver Balls'.
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16:41:15
2019:04:21
Most of the travel through the park was constrained
to wooden walkways.
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16:41:30
2019:04:21
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16:41:37
2019:04:21
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16:42:19
2019:04:21
A bear-proof trash container.
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16:42:46
2019:04:21
There was an elevated 'Treetops Adventure' walkway.
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16:43:10
2019:04:21
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16:43:24
2019:04:21
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16:43:42
2019:04:21
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16:43:51
2019:04:21
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16:44:17
2019:04:21
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16:44:38
2019:04:21
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16:45:03
2019:04:21
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16:45:16
2019:04:21
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16:46:05
2019:04:21
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16:46:13
2019:04:21
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16:46:33
2019:04:21
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16:46:48
2019:04:21
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16:47:15
2019:04:21
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16:47:48
2019:04:21
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16:49:01
2019:04:21
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16:49:40
2019:04:21
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16:50:31
2019:04:21
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16:51:26
2019:04:21
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16:51:58
2019:04:21
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16:53:39
2019:04:21
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16:54:56
2019:04:21
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16:55:39
2019:04:21
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16:55:51
2019:04:21
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16:56:13
2019:04:21
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16:56:22
2019:04:21
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16:57:58
2019:04:21
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16:58:16
2019:04:21
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16:58:24
2019:04:21
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16:58:55
2019:04:21
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16:59:46
2019:04:21
Three naturalists were displaying and describing big
birds, including a Great Horned Owl, a Harris Hawk,
and another cool raptor whose name I didn't catch.
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17:00:10
2019:04:21
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17:00:31
2019:04:21
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17:00:47
2019:04:21
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17:01:21
2019:04:21
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17:01:30
2019:04:21
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17:01:41
2019:04:21
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17:01:50
2019:04:21
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17:02:03
2019:04:21
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17:03:34
2019:04:21
I saw several of these 'metal mushrooms' on the
grounds. A staff member suggested these were
speaker enclosures used to broadcast music during
special events.
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17:04:08
2019:04:21
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17:08:35
2019:04:21
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17:08:43
2019:04:21
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17:08:56
2019:04:21
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17:09:23
2019:04:21
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17:09:40
2019:04:21
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17:10:26
2019:04:21
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17:11:49
2019:04:21
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17:21:02
2019:04:21
The 'Cliffwalk' was another entertaining feature of
the park.
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17:22:06
2019:04:21
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17:22:26
2019:04:21
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17:22:54
2019:04:21
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17:23:10
2019:04:21
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17:23:16
2019:04:21
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17:23:30
2019:04:21
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17:23:55
2019:04:21
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17:24:52
2019:04:21
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17:25:16
2019:04:21
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17:25:32
2019:04:21
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17:26:28
2019:04:21
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17:26:55
2019:04:21
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17:27:11
2019:04:21
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17:27:22
2019:04:21
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17:28:09
2019:04:21
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17:28:47
2019:04:21
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17:29:34
2019:04:21
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17:42:01
2019:04:21
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17:53:46
2019:04:21
I'd seen this sign while riding the bus to the
Capilano Bridge Park, and I tried to capture it on
the return trip, with partial success. The
sign said: "HOW DO I DISABLE THE AUTOCORRECT
FUNCTION ON MY WIFE?"
|
18:04:43
2019:04:21
Back on the Seabus.
|
18:05:24
2019:04:21
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18:05:33
2019:04:21
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18:07:47
2019:04:21
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18:07:54
2019:04:21
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18:39:19
2019:04:21
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April 22 - Granville Island Public Market
|
14:18:13
2019:04:22
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14:18:19
2019:04:22
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14:31:47
2019:04:22
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14:32:18
2019:04:22
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14:32:28
2019:04:22
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14:34:13
2019:04:22
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14:35:11
2019:04:22
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14:35:21
2019:04:22
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14:36:52
2019:04:22
|
14:42:16
2019:04:22
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15:04:02
2019:04:22
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15:05:39
2019:04:22
My lunchtime moussaka at the market.
|
15:05:48
2019:04:22
|
16:11:38
2019:04:22
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16:11:47
2019:04:22
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16:12:53
2019:04:22
|
16:13:49
2019:04:22
|
17:37:11
2019:04:22
A 'Cats-Only' vet!
|
17:49:41
2019:04:22
My final Vancouver tourist stop was at the Vancouver
Art Gallery.
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17:50:22
2019:04:22
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