Granville Island is an oasis in the middle of a city

We had a fabulous time on Granville Island. We went twice in the same day. Since it is in the middle of the city, it is easy to get there. We went in the morning for shopping and exploring. We returned in the evening for a big family dinner at one of the brew pub restaurants.

Here is what the Visitor’s Guide says about Granville Island:

Imagine an island in the middle of a city. Now picture a place moulded by a fascinating history, buzzing with a colourful artistic community.

A living, breathing urban oasis filled with fine waterfront restaurants, theatres, galleries, studios, unique shops, cafes and the most spectacular fresh food market you’ve ever seen.

Add a vibrant and diverse mix of people and activities.

I have been to Vancouver many times and Granville Island is always on my ‘must see and do again’ list.

Spring comes early in Vancouver

I have azaleas in my garden and today I examined how many blossoms I might see …. in a few weeks.

The welcoming sign for Granville Island need a bit of sprucing up for Canada150

This year is Canada’s 150th birthday. I am really excited about doing lots of Canada150 posts.

Please send me your suggestions on what I should see and do for Canada150!

Do you try to ‘eat local’?

If you follow the blog, you know I don’t post about food. But the farmer’s market on Granville Island is really tempting!

There is a big movement on ‘eat local’ in Canada. However, spring is not a great time for ‘eat local’ in Canada. The fruits in this photo will be local in a few months.

You can ‘eat local’ with a fresh bagel!

You can ‘eat local’ at the bakery!

Build a chocolate store and they will come

Toronto’s beautiful waterfront is separated from the city by an elevated highway. Many studies have been commissioned to join these two disparate universes. Just do what Vancouver has done: build a chocolate store under the bridge!

Aboriginal arts are spectacular on Granville Island

After eating my way through the farmer’s market, we visited many stalls in the artisan market.

I have a beautiful souvenir from our trip: a hand-made silk scarf in my favourite colours. Every time I will wear it, I will remember our trip to Granville Island.

These knives are works of art

We loved the knives at this kiosk. The vendor was very shy about having his photo taken so I just focused on his art.

We wanted to buy ones of his knives, but we only had carry-on and did not think that this knife would make it through security!

This poster explains the process to make these knives

These pendants are made from the tusks of wooly mammoths

I absolutely love jewellery made from wooly mammoth tusks. You can wear something that connects the past with the present.

This poster explains where this artist gets his wooly mammoth tusks

This is the view of Vancouver from Granville Island

After a wonderful morning inside the Granville Island markets, we ventured outside. Even on a rainy day, we loved the views of the city.

Look at the little boats on the left and right of the big boat in this photo. These little boats look like floating bathtubs. They are ferries that run between the island and the city.

Emily Carr is my hero!

Emily Carr is best known for her work in her 60s. I am going to do a complete post on Emily Carr. For now, this is one of her paintings that I saw last fall at the Mcmichael Art Gallery, just north of Toronto.

On my bucket list is to spend a semester at the Emily Carr University on Granville Island.

I could go on and on about our experiences on Granville Island but this is the start of the Easter long weekend and I have much to do!