Carefree In Canada

In this season of road trip revival, Rahul Jagtiani narrates a drive in Western Canada that covered everything from world-class cities to quaint alpine towns.

- Rahul Jagtiani

A double espresso with a side of Vancouver Sun was just the booster I needed to power my blurry-eyed self back to life. I inhaled the sports stories, flipping through the pages backwards while I waited for my SUV at Avis car rental (avis.com) inside Vancouver International Airport on a busy Monday morning.

I had just touched down at Vancouver, and hadn’t slept a wink on the second leg of my journey, chatting away with the flight attendants as they sportingly offered tips on all the worthy places in this easy-on-the-eye West Coast city of Canada.

“I’ve driven on the other side of the road before. I can do this!” was my private self-affirmation as I tensely got behind the wheel. Jeez! Perhaps I needed another round of caffeine!

Stanley Park was the recommendation that first popped out of my notes folder. I could do with some fresh air and open space, and the 1,000-acre park offered these two things in abundance. Swapping my loafers for a pair of running shoes, I set out on a jog along the 8.8-kilometrelong sea wall, which forms a portion of the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path—the 28-kilometre Seaside Greenway— and is one of the top recreation spots in the city. “No wonder Vancouverites love the outdoors!” I thought, as scores of cyclists, joggers, and skaters whizzed by, taking in the crisp evening air.

A bit further into the park, young couples took selfies against the backdrop of the gorgeous rose gardens, families enjoyed leisurely picnics, and stately horse-drawn carriages ferried beaming tourists. Watching the world go about its life in this iconic park seemed to be the only acceptable way to end the day.