The second time I went here was on 2003.
Sparkling glass windows wink from urban high-rise buildings, reflecting the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds this man-made cosmopolitan center. Vancouver is a city on the edge, literally, poised as it is on the Pacific Rim, and also figuratively as home to an ethnically diverse population and variety of businesses. Combine that with temperate climate, an array of cultural activities, fine dining and a host of recreational opportunities and you have a terrific package! The quality of life is so good here.
Originally populated by First Nations people who found a wealth of shellfish and salmon in the surrounding waters, British Columbia was visited by Spanish explorers, and then charted for England by Captain George Vancouver in 1793. Ports were established for trading furs, and gold was found in the interior, but the riches of the region were eventually found in the timber supply. The first sawmill in 1863 paved the way for development and the migration of Europeans, Asians and Americans who profited from local industry. When the railroad came in the late 19th century, Vancouver’s future as a prosperous hub of trade was set.
The economy continues to thrive in Canada’s bustling Pacific hub. The tourist trade brings millions of visitors here each year while the film industry has discovered it as a prime destination as well, taking advantage of the mild climate, and using the bodies of water on three sides and the mountains of the Coast Range as locations that stand-in for a variety of places all over the world.
The weather also accounts for a long growing season, and local farmers produce everything from vegetables and fruit, to eggs, artisanal cheeses and wines that are offered in the region’s restaurants. The cuisine is reflective of the local ethnic blend of residents. On any given day you can sample Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian, German, Scandinavian and Pacific Northwestern appetizers, entrees and desserts. Restaurant choices are plentiful downtown, but also abound in all parts of the city. Coffee shops have sprouted everywhere, so there is always someplace to grab a cup of joe, a paper and an Internet connection.
Vancouver is as easy on the feet as it is on the eyes and palate. Walking the grid system of streets takes you easily from urban center to public park, to beach, attractions and back again. Each of the city’s neighborhoods (Gastown, West End, Chinatown, Kitsilano, Yaletown and others) has its own distinct flair and can be explored in-depth on foot. Vancouver takes pride in public spaces such as Stanley Park, whose seawall and suspension bridge should not be missed. Botanical gardens are many, and each is sumptuously adorned with flowers, trees, shrubs and grasses.
With mountains, rivers and the ocean so close, you’ll never run out of places to explore. Beachcombers delight in the groomed sands of English Bay and Kit’s, while the more adventurous can scuba dive or set sail in the harbor. Paddle your own canoe (or kayak) in the rivers; ski, hike or bike the mountain trails. The winter sports scene is so great in fact, that the city will play host to the 2010 Olympic Games.
Cultural expression is encouraged in Vancouver, and you’ll find symphony, dance, drama and opera playing to packed houses at the Orpheum, the Arts Club, the Stanley, the Queen Elizabeth and many other venues. Art galleries showcase established and emerging artists, museums preserve the past, and there are festivals and parades every month of the year.
In this friendly city, with hospitable residents eager to accommodate a visitor and show them all they need to know to enjoy their stay, the only challenge will be whether you have enough time to do it all. And if you don’t, there is always next time!
