Wednesday, May 22, 2024 – Vancouver, Canada.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Vancouver, British Colombia, located in Southwest Canada.

VANCOUVER, CANADA
SCENIC VIEWS, MILD CLIMATE, AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE

Boasting mountains, sea, culture, art, and so much more, many cities claim to have it all, but few can back it up, like
Vancouver. Famously livable, just visiting this highrise city – surrounded by staggering natural beauty – is a thrill.
Offering all of the creature comforts of an ultra-modern, worldly metropolis – even downtown has a hint of mountain freshness to its air – and part of Vancouver’s appeal is how easily you can swap the skyscrapers for whale-filled oceans
and mountain-punctured skies.

Head up to the Vancouver Lookout Tower for the ultimate 360-degree views of the city, glistening amid the beautiful
embrace of the beckoning wilderness beyond. But what to see first? Art lovers might choose the Vancouver Art Gallery
or the Contemporary Art Gallery.

Nature lovers might rush for the ferry to visit Vancouver Island – where they can encounter grizzly bears, whales, and orcas. On the other hand, culture vultures will probably head for the sights and sounds of Canada’s biggest Chinatown. From steaming dim sum for lunch to Chinese apothecaries offering herbs to soothe any illness, it’s all here thanks to the migrant workers of the 19th century.

The one-of-a-kind treasure of Stanley Park brings wild wonder and natural beauty to this cosmopolitan city’s doorstep,
and the pine-tree-clad park offers isolated trails and incredible views. Wander the Seawall that encircles it – a 20-mile
coastal path, full of joggers, whizzing skaters, and wandering couples. Grab a bike and cycle between Coal Harbour and Kitsilano Beach. You can top up your tan on the shore as you soak in the glorious views of the mountains and cityscape from the sands.

GRANVILLE ISLAND PUBLIC MARKET
The Granville Island Public Market is the jewel in the Island’s crown and one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions. It is an indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of colorful food and produce stores, showcasing handcrafted products and the very finest in unique gifts—all fresh from the ocean, the oven, or the field.

SIGHTS

Stanley Park
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver Aquarium
Bloedel Conservatory
Vancouver Art Gallery
Science World

Today’s Excursion – Vancouver City Highlights

We experienced the highlights of Vancouver on this orientation tour.

Sights seen along the way will include:

Robson Street, Vancouver’s most famous shopping street, is set in the heart of downtown. It is a three-block commercial mecca that includes premier fashion stores, fine dining, and amenities.

Vancouver’s Chinatown is the third largest in North America and home to more than 30,000 people of Chinese descent. Authentic architecture, exotic cuisine, and colorful specialty shops make each turn down the narrow alleyways unique.

Drive through Gastown, the original site from which modern Vancouver evolved. The varied shops and boutiques make the area a popular shopping district. The famous steam clock fills the air with music every 15 minutes.

Stanley Park is a lush rainforest in the heart of the city. This 1,000-acre park teems with wildlife and natural beauty. The park was created in 1889 and is named after the Governor General of Canada (who was also responsible for the Stanley Cup Hockey Tournament). Stanley Park houses an aquarium, rose garden, cricket fields, an open-air theatre, and the First Nations Totem Poles. The thousand-acre park is bound by a three-mile seawall, which also serves as a bike path.

Once an industrial area, Granville Island is now home to craft studios, artists’ galleries, theatres, a brewery, and a public market featuring handcrafted products, unique gifts, and street performers. Many of the buildings have retained their original timber beams and tin roofs.