Day 2. Early morning start was easy, as we still felt like we were on UK time. Straight down to the CN Tower. Because it was so early, it was really quiet and peaceful on the observation deck. The glass floor is being renovated, so we didn't have to make any decisions about being brave enough to walk on it. We went up to the highest level, the Skypod. The whole structure is designed to sway in the wind, up to half a metre. There's a hermetically sealed plumb Bob in a glass case, where you can see the sway. It was only swaying by a few millimetres when we were there. The views were amazing. Sad to say, it was quite hazy, so the distance we could see was limited. Plenty to look down on though. After our visit, Pam rested while I did a whistle stop tour (get it?) of the Railway museum opposite the tower. Some historical engines and wagons to look at. We did a slow walk back to the hotel, via Union Station We were still in recovery mode from t...
As usual, I didn't sleep that well, anxious that I should wake up in time. Had a decent breakfast at the hotel, and walked out of the door- to rain- I wasn't expecting that. I jogged the half mile to the event start. All the event facilities were inside the Poznan World Trade Center - a collection of exhibition halls. It had been set up just like the London Marathon expo, with a stage, stalls and lots of stuff you can buy. I'd picked my number up yesterday. It was great to wait for the start inside the dry and warm - unlike all the other races I've been in. There were the usual long queues for the loo just before the start. My estimate is about 10,000 were taking part. It all started on time in near perfect weather. Slightly cool, with just a very light rain. The course was completely flat, with great support all along the route. From the crowds we got the usual whooping, but their version of "well done" is "Bravo", heard all the wa...
An early morning start with breakfast at Tim Hortons meant we could do a Hop On Hop Off trip round the whole downtown area of the city. First stop was the beautiful Chinese Garden in China Town, the only formal Chinese Garden outside of mainland China, in recognition of the massive contribution Chinese workers made to the establishment of modern day Canada. On the way to the Vancouver Lookout tower, is this steam driven clock! From the Vancouver Lookout: panoramic views of the city. Then on to Stanley Park, a really well cared for urban park, 10% bigger than New York's Central Park. Totem poles seem to be revered in British Columbia. There is a definite feeling of respect towards the First Nation,the indigenous peoples.
Very much transporting to a different way of life up there I'm sure, their routine life a little different to ours.
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