Canada – Vancouver
Our first port of call in Canada is Vancouver. We land here a few days before Christmas, so that we still get something of the pre-Christmas season. On our arrival day, the temperatures are unusually warm for this time of year at + 4 degrees. There is no snow yet. The airport is only a few kilometers north of Vancouver, so we can reach the city quickly. Already on the approach through the suburbs, we observe the typical residential structure of Vancouver: small, neat single-family houses, all of which make a well-kept impression and have been individually styled by their residents with Victorian columned portals etc. Downtown again offers a completely different picture with its jagged skyline against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.
For the next day we have planned an exploration tour through Vancouver. Most Canadians name Vancouver as their desired place of residence. The city is beautifully nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Rockies. They can be reached in about an hour from Vancouver. Vancouver enjoys a high recreational value and is filled with a lively life. You will find a distinct cultural scene, a diverse selection of restaurants and plenty of opportunities to spend your money in the chic boutiques. The city is home to 1.8 million Vancouverites.
A must-see is Stanley Park, located just a few blocks from downtown. The forest area was founded in 1888 and reforested with old hemlock firs. In the eastern part of the park, mighty original totem poles are erected, which refer to the former lords of the country. From here, the view extends far over Coal Harbour Bay to the city centre. There is also an aquarium in the park where you can admire beluga whales. Stanley Park is 404 acres and is located at the end of Georgia Street on a peninsula. It is one of the most popular destinations in all of Vancouver. Trails and bike paths lead through the rainforest. A promenade leads directly along the sea around the park. Numerous picnic areas and sunbathing meadows invite you to linger. Because of its size, the park does not seem overcrowded even with high traffic on weekends. The park is named after Lord Stanley, the then Governor General of Canada.
Just to the right of the park is Coal Harbour, a small inlet. In earlier times, coal was indeed loaded here. Today’s “coal” consists of the magnificent yachts of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. When the weather is nice, a huge forest of masts is reflected in the still water in front of the city skyline. Both seaplanes and SeaBus ferries depart from here. From Stanley Park, you can cross the Lions Gate Bridge to North and West Vancouver. There, the modern apartment buildings grow up the mountain slopes. Here is also the entrance to the marina and you have a beautiful view of the incoming and outgoing ships.
In wonderfully clear weather we visit the harbour on the Burrard. The former warehouses have been converted and many shops, boutiques and restaurants have settled. In addition, artisans, painters and potters have settled here. The offer is huge and is not only used by tourists. Nautical souvenirs and old nautical charts are also offered. Now, at Christmas time, a different music band plays on every corner. A colorful mixture of Dixieland, jazz and Christmas music will be played. In the shops and restaurants, even in the fast food outlets, the Christmas spirit can be felt. On the other side on Pacific Boulevard is the Canadian Pavilion (Kanada Place), built in 1986 on the occasion of the Expo, which is now used as a convention center. This is where the big cruise ships dock and where a number of luxury hotels are located.
From Queen Elizabeth Park we have a great view of the surrounding mountain scenery of the Coast Mountains. The park is located on a 150-meter-high hill in Vancouver’s otherwise almost flat cityscape. The Vancouver skyline in front of it looks quite tiny in comparison. At the top of the park is a glass dome of a greenhouse of the Bloedel Conservatory. As darkness falls, we find a small honorable company in the park. The sculptures are a popular photo motif. When we reach the city again after our excursion in the dark, a sunset presents itself to us with bizarre reflections like at the Arctic Circle. The temperature has now dropped noticeably. Over the car radio we hear that heavy snowfall is forecast for the coming day. Hopefully we will be able to take the flight to Calgary.
