It was great to be in Vancouver with Sarah. She used to live there so in just a couple of days I felt I got a real flavour of the city and glimpsed something of her life there.

I can see why so many people love Vancouver; a city with opportunity and variety, without the mania of many major cities. Also, it is beautiful - bluey mountains in the distance (but also feeling close) filling the gap between buildings on either side of roads. The calm sea - very much a part of the city - with sunsets warming the skies about it.

We only had one full day in Vancouver so hired bikes and cycled around the sea wall. It's a great way to see the city and was a great start to our trip up to Alaska.