The delights of a day in Vancouver...Burrard Bridge, Kitsilano and a cruise

Nice day at TBEX11, the travel bloggers conference. I managed to get in morning and afternoon sessions but still get in a long walk from the convention centre to Kitsilano.

I stopped at Japadog on Burrard, the place made famous during the Olympics. Gotta admit it wasn't any
better than okay. I like Japanese food a lot and love hot dogs, but prefer in the future to keep them separate thankyouverymuch. I walked up Burrard, past the cyclists and the joggers, admiring the bridgework and the art deco-looking designs and all.

I'd driven over the Burrard St. Bridge many times but Sunday was the first day I'd walked it. It's a great way to see the city's harbour and the skyline and the exercise is good. Better if you don't eat chips and salsa and drink a Corona on a patio in the sun in Kitsilano, but still...

I'll be doing something more on 4th Ave. in Kits at a later date, but suffice to say it's one of the coolest streets in town.

Later, the folks at AMResorts put on a fine harbour cruise, taking us out under the Lions Gate Bridge, past Stanley Park and English Bay and under the Burrard Bridge to the start of False Creek. We had to turn around at Granville Island but it was a great time. There's something about being out on a boat that's simply wonderful. Great views, fresh air...

A bunch of us who didn't feel like stopping the evening at 9:30 walked down to Gastown and tried some wicked drinks at The Diamond, which has a great bartender (I HATE the word mixologist; it's so pretentious). One of the drinks, which I DID NOT try, had bourbon, vanilla and, wait for it, milk. No thanks. I had a sidecar, with bourbon, cointreau and lemon. Delicious.

It's got a great vibe, with exposed brick walls and cool overhead lighting that appeared to have tiny, wrought iron deer heads. Very East Coast in feel and probably better than any bar I've been in Toronto, not that I get out much in my own town.

Been staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, which is quite modern but a great spot. Cool-looking doormen with fedoras and big, grey-black suits and overcoats and a terrific lobby with a glassed-in fireplace and beautiful people at the glitzy, modern bar. I think pop-rock singer Tyler Stewart was here on Saturday but not sure.

The big deal here, of course, is the Canucks. More on that all day at the star.com. And, naturally, I'll keep an eye on the Air Canada situation as I'm supposed to fly home Tuesday. Yikes.