The scene at the Vernon Greyhound terminal was a joke, thanks to the bumbling ticket booth operator, but everyone eventually got on the bus and we were off (an hour late). The 8-hour trip took us through Kamloops, Abbotsford, Hope and Chilliwack and although it was scenic and mountainous, it was hard to enjoy. I was so tired and felt so sick.
We took a taxi from the Greyhound terminal in Vancouver to Mel’s Uncle and Aunt’s house near Granville Island. Man, they could not live in a nicer area. They are right along the sea wall, which has to be one of the most scenic urban places in Canada, and are just a 5-minute walk to Granville Market. 
After a BBQ dinner, we took a walk along the sea wall with Mel’s cousin/amateur tour guide Kaleb. We saw some big birds.
We popped some of Rick’s jet lag pills and settled in to a normal night’s sleep. We felt a hell of a lot better the next morning. And there was a lot to be excited about- we were going to ARBY’S!! For two long years, I’ve been dreaming of a delectable beef n’cheddar sandwich, and it was everything I had hoped for and more. Arby’s was located in the Metrotown Mall, which is BC’s largest mall, and Mel was able to check something important off her shopping list: her shoes for the wedding. Later, Rick’s brothers and niece came over for a family BBQ, so we spent the night chatting and getting all the new Canadian gossip.
The next morning, Mel and I headed out on a mission: Operation Taiwanese Meatball. This was our favourite street food in Taiwan, and we haven’t seen it for sale anywhere since we moved. Thank you, multicultural Vancouver! The meat ball was great, and actually, everywhere we went the food looked amazing. Every style of food seems to be represented and we only wish we’d had more time to spend eating!! We've been so deprived!
We took a bus downtown and walked around a very red Chinatown.
Next we went to Gas Town. The streets were very historic-looking. That’s a gas powered clock there in the picture.
Catching some sun on the sea wall on our walk back to Rick and Barb’s.
Surprisingly, there are coyotes on the sea wall! WTF!!
In the evening we watched Big Brother and walked over to a park by the water to watch the International Fireworks Festival with Kaleb. It was Spain’s night and, at 30 minutes long, the show was pretty cool. Another sign that we’re back in Canada: the smell of pot wafting by every 30-seconds. Oh, BC.
After demolishing a bag of dill pickle chips, we tried to get some sleep. It was hard!! I was so excited about Vegas. But, in the morning, we crawled out of bed, packed up and then took a walk over to Granville Island Market for lunch.
This market is enormous and absolutely everything looked amazingly delicious. What we would’ve done for just one place like this in Korea!! For lunch we got a combo of perogies, chicken kiev and salad, which was interestingly served by a Korean family (Why don’t you set up a shop in Seoul? I know a lot of people who’d love you for it!!)
We got a big ass brownie and some coffee for dessert, and sat by the house boats on the sea wall for a while. Just like that, our super quick stay in Vancouver was over, and it was time to head to the airport. It was fun to check Facebook while we were at the airport, as everyone started to update “We’re in Vegas!” “The resort is awesome!” and “It’s goddamn hot!” I’m typing this up during our flight, and we’ll soon be there too! With 33 of our favourite people, and one special Elvis.
Vegas, baby!!
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