Two of my old university friends came over to see family in Vancouver a month ago, and asked me to come say hello. As I wanted to take a quick bike tour of False Creek for a project I'm working on), I combined the two things. And added in a visit to meet another Vancouverite (The Marmot). In one day.
Travelling to and from Vancouver, in one day, by ferry is a lot of time sitting on ferries and buses and skytrains. I drove Schwartz Bay, and then went over on the 9 am ferry. I decided the 7 am was for the birds. Plus, the coach service into Vancouver is now a lot less regular. Which seems like a big shame, as it was cost effective way to get from Victoria to Vancouver, when ever you needed with out having to wait for transit at both ends. That turns a three hour plus journey into five hours or more.
The winning way is to take a float plane. Of course, that also costs more, but it is the best view of the lot.
I got into town around eleven thirty and hiked over to City Cycle Tours, and picked up a bike. Disc brakes, thick tyres, well maintained. I zoomed off over the Burrard Street Bridge and did the cycle path around False Creek from Kits to English Bay, via the Science Museum. A really fun ride. Mostly flat, lots of scenery across the Bay, and interesting sights.
Once in English Bay, I met up with my friends and their tiny baby. We had lunch at the Sylvia after a short walk around the local area. And then dessert at True Confections.
Where our friendship was put to the test.
Apparently friends don't let friends eat carrot cake. Not when sky-high towers of New York style cheesecake are on offer. Thing is, I really like carrot cake, and I've been told True Confections makes the best desserts in town. They are a dessert-only cafe, set up 1989 to serve just for the sweet course. And they've been going ever since. The space isn't that large, seating about 40 people. They don't take reservations. Just turn up, eat pie and drink coffee. A nice little niche, especially as you can often go to a great restaurant where dessert is just an after thought.
They weren't that busy, and made room for the bairn's pushchair, though we were kinda stuffed into one corner. But we had a good view of the street, and massive array of sweets. After much arguing about what to eat, and recriminations about carrot cake, we got some coffee, and drinks and food.
The Carrot Cake, I can report, is not worth losing a friend over. It is excellent. Just not the central blissful nirvana that would mean writing off close to twenty years of friendship. But after trying a forkful, they did decide they could at least see why it was a valid (if still questionable choice). It was moist, light and tasty, with a good slathering of cream cheese frosting on top.
The cheesecake was rich and glorious. Thick wodges of cake on a buttery biscuit base (yes!), served with a fruit sauce that combined a sweetness and tartness to balance the unctuous cake.
All very good. And friendships saved. And babies cooed over. And old times remembered. Great to see those guys again.
So afterwards, I headed back on my bike to the Tour shop, happy with some exercise to balance the calories of the day, and headed to see the Marmot on Main. We also caught up, and talked business and friends and the future. And she then graciously gave me a ride back to Tsawwassen in time for the last ferry home.
So you can do Vancouver in a day, complete the first stage of a work project, see two sets of old friends AND solve a bunch of puzzles for the Puzzled Pint. I just wouldn't want to do it every day.
It was a long day. But good for the soul.
True Confections, 866 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC
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