Category: Vancouver

Vancouver‘s Chinatown is a fantastic place to spend the day shopping, sightseeing, and sampling delicious Chinese cuisine. With striking architecture, beautiful gardens, and bustling marketplaces, it features a rich history that dates back to 1890, when early Chinese immigrants to Vancouver settled in Shanghai Alley. By 1898, the area was thriving, and even included the famous 500 seat Sing Kew Chinese Theatre, which was destroyed during a fire in 1947. In 1904, Canton Alley was created, and the convergence of the two created a vibrant area where music could be heard, shopping could be enjoyed, and political and cultural activities […]

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If you are like most divers, then you probably dream about tropical blue waters with an abundance of colorful fish and a rainbow of corals. Traveling north to British Columbia for the express purpose of SCUBA diving might seem a little odd at first, but once you find out more about the wonders that await beneath the clear, cool waters that surround the province’s coastline, you will probably find yourself feeling a bit anxious to get started. Incredible Marine Life While marine life in many cool water environments tends toward green and brown shades with an occasional flash of color, […]

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Magnificent sculptures, normally carved from Western Red Cedar trees by people indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, Totem Poles depict a variety of images which often evoke legends, commemorative stories, cultural beliefs, or shamanic powers. There are many different types of totem poles with variants that range from mortuary structures that contain grave boxes to simple pieces which artists have used as canvases for self-expression. There are many places in BC where you can view different types of totem poles – let’s take a look at some of the most popular. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC Founded in 1947, this […]

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Imagine yourself suspended in midair, high above a tumultuous river, with soaring canyon walls stretching as far as the eye can see.  This is only a small part of what you will experience as you explore; Hell’s Gate at Fraser Canyon is a place you’ll never forget. A Haunting History Located just 2

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So you’re stuck for ideas of where to eat in Vancouver.  There are many choices, but you might be wanting to impress a lady or man or boss or co-workers with your intimate knowledge of Vancouver. Perhaps you’re hopelessly stumped because you don’t want to do the same old same old. Here’s the list.  In no order with no attempt to rate anything because it’s up to you to decide what works for your situation. 1.  Hamilton Street Grill.  This is a Yaletown steakhouse plus more.  Owner Neil is always attentive as are his staff.  www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com.  Ask if he’s still […]

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For those of you who really love nature and natural places there is a ideal location to visit only minutes out of downtown Vancouver, and it isn’t Stanley Park.  Just over the Lion’s Gate Bridge and a bit west is Lighthouse Park; a place where the old trees still stand tall.  Lighthouse Park isn’t very large but it is packed with interest for nature lovers and people who love the great outdoors. Trip Advice: If the day is sunny and nice try the bus (Route 250, goes over the Lion’s Gate Bridge which is a thrill on its own), as […]

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I recently had the pleasure of taking a trip on Via Rail from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Vancouver, British Columbia.  Via has some amazing deals available this year, offering fares that are 70% off the regular price.  The train fare was less than it would have cost to make the trip on the Greyhound bus! After a visit with family in Saskatchewan, my daughter and I greatly enjoyed the train trip home to Vancouver.  The train we took was Via Rail’s flagship Western Transcontinental, the Canadian.  It travels from Toronto to Vancouver and Vancouver to Toronto three times each week.  The […]

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The first full week of my daughter’s summer vacation has ended and it was a busy one.  I took care of her and one of her friends during the week, and we trekked to various activities around the city. The day we chose to go to the Burnaby Village Museum was the only rainy day all week.  The rain didn’t bother us, as most of the exhibits were indoors.  The museum is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, so gate admission is free. The Burnaby Village Museum is meant to give visitors an idea of what life was like in […]

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Bowen Island is a contradiction.  It’s a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay but feels like miles and miles from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver.  In fact I suspect for most people, just getting to Horseshoe Bay makes up the bulk of the travel time. The island is about 6 km wide and 12 km long taking up about 49.94 sq. km.  Like the nearby Horseshoe Bay, which oddly is part of West Vancouver, it’s mountainous and lush.  There are about 3500 permanent residents.  There are both coniferous and deciduous trees on the island and when my family was […]

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It’s no secret that Vancouver loves Starbucks coffee shops.  The famous kitty-corner ones at Robson and Thurlow always seem to amaze people.  I prefer the “new” one at the north-east corner. Regardless, when you are in any of the seemingly infinite number of Starbucks in Vancouver, you should relax and smell the coffee, but also pause to enjoy the people. I’m not saying you will meet like minded people of the same cultural/religious/politic/sexual affiliation as you. I’m saying you are going to meet nuts. Not all nuts are bad nuts. (The scene in the Tim Burton version of Charlie and […]

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