Vancouver By Sea

Vancouver is very much about the ocean.

Obviously, there's the biggest port in Canada, apparently bigger than the next 5 biggest Canadian ports combined. However, it also has numerous parks and beaches, which even on a busy weekend still were not packed. 

True, the beaches are not what we're used to in New Zealand, but certainly welcome on a hot day. We can now tick 'swim in the North Pacific' off the bucket list. 

I should also note that, despite the local heat wave, the water is not what one would categorise as  'tropical'. No wonder Arctic whales are a common sight... 

As well as sampling the beaches, we popped into the Maritime Museum. This is quite compact with the main attraction being an historic ship, the St Roch. 

Or that used to be the main attraction... 

Getting back to the ship, it was originally built for the Mounties to service remote areas, but for a range of reasons ended up setting various records: first to traverse the Northwest Passage West to East, first to circumnavigate North America, and so on. I was fascinated and could have stayed much longer, others less so and couldn't wait to leave... 

How about some floating exhibits, surely they would impress? 

Apparently not... 

Well, what would work then? How about a pirate adventure? Now we're talking! 

Based on Granville Island, the Vancouver Pirate Adventure caters to children young and old. Pirate costumes are provided, suitable salty names assigned, then all aboard to be trained as pirates and to seek sunken treasure. 

The crew have a loose and well rehearsed script which they adapt based on audience reaction. Like a good Disney movie, the jokes work on one level for the kids, and an entirely different one for the adults. Basically, interactive improvisational theatre.

At various points, members of the audience are dragged into the storyline, which included the whole crew learning a 'pirate dance' 

Arguably none participated more enthusiastically as Mary who was given a 'Magic Sword' to assist putting down a 'mutiny' . The crew gave no explicit instructions and basically expected Mary to know to just stand and vaguely wave the sword in the air when given the nod. 

Mary was having none of that, and instead attacked the mutineer in a dazzling display of swashbuckling swordsmanship. The mutineer ran with the unscripted opportunity, making for hilarious theatre!

Sadly, I also didn't expect the vigorous swordfight, and by the time I had my camera out it was all over. On the other hand, it did mean I was able to capture the victory dance for posterity. 

All in all, one of those experiences that genuinely earn the title Fantastic Family Fun. Next time we're here we're going to have to book on the R18 adult version with Bring Your Own Grog. That would be a blast...

Sadly the time had come to say goodbye to Ben, Michelle, Chloe and Zach. 

Having said that, every cloud has a silver lining, and our next destination is Canada's premier wine growing region.

Not to mention the distilleries....