Vancouver
Ok here it is. Canada’s 3rd city, and possibly host city for the 2010 Olympic games. Must do my research better. (WINTER Olympics – and really it is only the hockey Olympic golds that matter!). Vancouver is smaller than Toronto and Montreal, but equally, a long long way. Over 3000 miles to Montreal from here. We are over on the other side of the country, 3 time zones away, with the Pacific ocean lapping the shores not too far away. Most people I meet that have ever been to Vancouver wax lyrical about it. Apparently cleaner, more beautiful and more scenic than Toronto, with better weather too… hmm. Battle lines drawn?! Maybe. But I like to think I go in open minded. Some observations about Vancouver.
The buildings are, compared with other cities, nothing spectacular. But don’t miss Canada Place, the site of Expo 86, which was, by all accounts, the best ever version of the Expo. The focal point of the building is a rooftop in a sail formation, with 10 points for the sail. One point for each province of Canada I believe (so they tell me!)
Despite comments about the buildings, the public library is really worth a look. A $30m building as part of a $100m overall project opened in 1995. Has a Roman theme, and has been designed as modern day coliseum. For its uniqueness alone, well worth the look.
The first thing you notice is the fresh air. I went at 7am to see sunrise at Stanley Park. While walking along the shore, you can smell the sea, hear the seagulls and even see seaweed on the stones below. Which reminds me. Is there anyone else out there who has ever eaten sea weed, or is this an Irish thing? (In Northern Ireland its apparently a ‘speciality’, but from my memories, was minging – sorry dad.)
Stanley Park is North America’s 3rd largest Urban park, and attracts 8 million people a year. 1000 acres, its focal point is probably the collection of totem poles in the middle of the park. Awesome. It is named after the 1886 Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley, who dedicated the park ‘to the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs for all time’. He made himself useful did that Governor General. In 1893, he created a trophy in his name for ‘excellence in hockey’. Its called the Stanley Cup, and it’s the biggest prize in ice hockey, for the winners of the NHL finals. (Biggest apart from the Olympic Gold, and yes, Canada are the proud owners of that right now.)
Another not to miss is the Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, which you can get to via the Seabus across the water and a bus up a short hill. Once there, you can walk the 2.9 km climb to a height of 1129m. Or, as I did, you can get the cable car up to the top. What a fantastic view down on the city below. And, to be honest, what a fantastic view from the city over to the mountain range. How high is 1129m? Well, its higher than any point in the UK. Which is high enough. And given that Vancouver is at sea level, imagine the view you get..
Vancouver is a city of islands, and the most impressive bridge is the Lions Gate Bridge which links Vancouver downtown to North Vancouver. A bit smaller than the Golden gate bridge. But similarly impressive in view.
Public transport is mainly electric buses, which would impress Sullivan, and a Skytrain, which is a monorail and links to the expo site, as well as the sports stadia and out to the southern suburbs. Pretty good.
One last not to miss is the Capilano suspension bridge, again in the north of Vancouver. It was built in 1889 to access prime forest lands to be protected from logging. 230 feet above the wet canyon below. 450 feet across. And feels less rickety than you would expect from a wooden bridge built 116 years ago. My advice? Hold tight and don’t look down!
Only 2 days in Vancouver was hardly enough to do the place justice, but then that was the same with Montreal. Vancouver is not like Toronto, it is much closer to nature, and with the forests, parks, hills and water being such an integral part of this city, there is probably something for everyone. And in the winter, there is skiing too. And the air is clean and fresh, blowing in from the pacific.
No wonder the inhabitants here work 15% less than the rest of Canadians. On the other hand, in 1976 there was an earthquake measuring 5.3, and experts say the area is overdue for a major quake, though they cant say when it will happen, or how strong (can they ever?). Rough with the smooth eh?
The buildings are, compared with other cities, nothing spectacular. But don’t miss Canada Place, the site of Expo 86, which was, by all accounts, the best ever version of the Expo. The focal point of the building is a rooftop in a sail formation, with 10 points for the sail. One point for each province of Canada I believe (so they tell me!)
Despite comments about the buildings, the public library is really worth a look. A $30m building as part of a $100m overall project opened in 1995. Has a Roman theme, and has been designed as modern day coliseum. For its uniqueness alone, well worth the look.
The first thing you notice is the fresh air. I went at 7am to see sunrise at Stanley Park. While walking along the shore, you can smell the sea, hear the seagulls and even see seaweed on the stones below. Which reminds me. Is there anyone else out there who has ever eaten sea weed, or is this an Irish thing? (In Northern Ireland its apparently a ‘speciality’, but from my memories, was minging – sorry dad.)
Stanley Park is North America’s 3rd largest Urban park, and attracts 8 million people a year. 1000 acres, its focal point is probably the collection of totem poles in the middle of the park. Awesome. It is named after the 1886 Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley, who dedicated the park ‘to the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs for all time’. He made himself useful did that Governor General. In 1893, he created a trophy in his name for ‘excellence in hockey’. Its called the Stanley Cup, and it’s the biggest prize in ice hockey, for the winners of the NHL finals. (Biggest apart from the Olympic Gold, and yes, Canada are the proud owners of that right now.)
Another not to miss is the Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, which you can get to via the Seabus across the water and a bus up a short hill. Once there, you can walk the 2.9 km climb to a height of 1129m. Or, as I did, you can get the cable car up to the top. What a fantastic view down on the city below. And, to be honest, what a fantastic view from the city over to the mountain range. How high is 1129m? Well, its higher than any point in the UK. Which is high enough. And given that Vancouver is at sea level, imagine the view you get..
Vancouver is a city of islands, and the most impressive bridge is the Lions Gate Bridge which links Vancouver downtown to North Vancouver. A bit smaller than the Golden gate bridge. But similarly impressive in view.
Public transport is mainly electric buses, which would impress Sullivan, and a Skytrain, which is a monorail and links to the expo site, as well as the sports stadia and out to the southern suburbs. Pretty good.
One last not to miss is the Capilano suspension bridge, again in the north of Vancouver. It was built in 1889 to access prime forest lands to be protected from logging. 230 feet above the wet canyon below. 450 feet across. And feels less rickety than you would expect from a wooden bridge built 116 years ago. My advice? Hold tight and don’t look down!
Only 2 days in Vancouver was hardly enough to do the place justice, but then that was the same with Montreal. Vancouver is not like Toronto, it is much closer to nature, and with the forests, parks, hills and water being such an integral part of this city, there is probably something for everyone. And in the winter, there is skiing too. And the air is clean and fresh, blowing in from the pacific.
No wonder the inhabitants here work 15% less than the rest of Canadians. On the other hand, in 1976 there was an earthquake measuring 5.3, and experts say the area is overdue for a major quake, though they cant say when it will happen, or how strong (can they ever?). Rough with the smooth eh?
posted by CBC at 8:56 am
4 Comments:
Yesterday I decided to read some blogs and found yours. Nice blog. I am trying to get ideas on the direction I should go and what it should look like
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Thankyou for reminding me of how beautiful Vancouver is. I don't get out much...but I know the beauty is there. Stanley Park has some beautiful beaches. I love it when the tides are low and you can see the starfish.
7:49 PM
Yes, but did you meet Bryan Adams?
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