Heading to the Vancouver Christmas Market

We are heading to the Nanaimo Departure Bay ferry to head to Vancouver for the annual Vancouver Christmas Market.  

Here in the port, as we wait, we are entertained by the cormorants hanging out on the pier.

Beautiful terminal with lots of food, gift shopping....and Starbucks!

Another option instead of ferry?

And we are off.....

Arriving at Horseshoe Bay north of the city of Vancouver.  

A quaint little village on the water.  Only $2.75 for a direct bus to downtown Vancouver.  The bus stop is right outside the terminal building.  Easy peasy.

Deb is definitely on the right direction for the Christmas Market.

Very similar to the Christmas Markets in Europe.  Food, gifts, drinks......yummy.

BBQ pork hocks.

A Merry Go Round.

Pork hocks and sauerkraut. 

Delicious cabbage rolls with sour cream.

For young and old...something for everyone.

These beautiful, realistic fruits are actually homemade soaps?

Debbie is loving the wooden craftsmanship of the Christmas ornaments. 

A souvenir mug filled with Cider.....

Our buddy who made the Cider.  In his german outfit.

A great place to hang out with friends and family and just enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas.

A wee little village built in the heart of downtown Vancouver.  It runs from November 21st until Christmas Eve.

Heading to our hotel.....I think we are in good hands in this city.....

A Christmas tree made of potted poinsettias.....beautiful.  Checking into our timeshare, Rosedale on Robson.  Little apartments right downtown.

Floor to ceiling windows.....yikes....but amazing.

The next day we headed back just hours before the cancelled the ferries because of weather.

A lovely trip back to the Island.

And we are heading back to Ontario.

Until we return....We love you Vancouver Island.....

An Early Morning Peek Outside

Saying good bye to my wee friends until next time we visit.

I look forward to seeing the little hummingbirds each morning.

The chickadees have been hanging out in the backyard.....

I will definitely miss this Stellar Jays hair do.

Salmon Fishing in Cowichan Bay

On the day that we went whale watching we came upon some very hard working salmon fishermen just off Cowichan Bay.

I love salmon......yummy.

I wonder if they would just give me one.....

Do you think they would smoke it first?  Cause that is my absolute favourite......lol.

Random Shots of Interest

A wee little pony we see each time we head to 

Cherry Point.  He has a friend behind him.....

There he is.  They are so beautiful.

No frost on the apples.....

...and a big frost on the same two apples.

Hiding from the paparazzi.......

Lots of frost this one fall morning....so pretty.

A new bird for my collection of bird photos. I believe he is a Northern Flicker.

Look closely through the apple tree?  This is right outside our home.  It is a good size buck.  Eating from the apple tree....until he heard me and jumped over the gate and was gone.

Neat trees on the island.  

It is beautiful especially when the sun hits it.  The tree seems to glow?