Canada Travel Guide
Vancouver
Vancouver's nearly 2 million inhabitants live in a city almost unmatched anywhere for the beauty of its setting. With Ocean to the front and Mountains to the rear, Vancouver is stunning. As a base for exploring the great outdoors it is well placed but there are also great beaches and a compelling and cosmopolitan city life that is hard to resist.
Vancouver is a busy port and a major trading point within the Pacific Rim network. It is the place where goods come and go from the Far East.
Until the coming of the white man, the only people in the area were a small number of native tribes. Captain George Vancouver officially claimed the land for Britain, after some initial disputes between the British and Spanish, in 1792. The noble Captain did his duty then promptly sailed away, never to return. The area proceeded to grow steadily as an outpost of the empire but real settlement only began in 1858 with the discovery of Gold in the locality. Prosperity from timber and coal mining gave rise to further growth and the town was now named Granville. Vancouver came formally into existence as a town following the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1884. Since then, it has never looked back.
Where to Go and What to See
Gastown
This is where it all began. 'Gassy' Jack Leighton, a retired sailor, opened a bar in 1867 to serve the workers from the nearby sawmills. Business boomed, soon a second bar was added and a shanty village of sorts soon sprang up. This was the embryonic Vancouver. In later years the area became a run down district that attracted some of societies more marginal characters however, a regeneration programme started in the 70's, has seen historic Gastown rise again. Now the stately Victorian buildings play host to an assortment of bars, galleries and shops. The streets are paved with bricks and lined with old style lamps.
The Vancouver Museum
This museum is located on the site of the last Hudson's Bay Company forts and reflects a history of Vancouver and the neighbouring area. There are exhibits representing Vancouver since the arrival of the White man whilst the rest is given over to exhibits based on the 8000 years of Native American culture prior to this.
Aquarium Marine Science Centre
Over a million visitors a year pass through the gates of this aquarium cum research centre. Considered one of North America's finest aquariums the main attractions are the performing Killer and Beluga Whales. The keeping of these giant cetaceans has also attracted the ire of animal rights campaigners. This is appropriate given that Vancouver is the birthplace of Greenpeace. The aquarium is located in Stanley Park.
Stanley Park
The largest urban public park in North America is also one of the most spectacular. The sea surrounds the park, set in almost 1000 acres, on three sides. There are memorable views across to the city and the mountains beyond. The park is ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists and there are swimming pools and areas suitable for picnicking. A large part of the parks appeal is the fact that much of it is maintained in a wild state with marshland and dense vegetation. This makes it possible to escape to the wilderness just a short distance from the city centre.
The Museum of Anthropology
A well laid out museum that encourages a hands on approach to discovery. The main part of the museum is based around the local native peoples but also includes sections on the indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia and the Pacific. One of the museum centrepieces is the collection of native carvings, particularly the totem poles. The other main exhibit is a more modern carving entitled 'The Raven and the Beast'. Designed by Bill Reid - an artist of the Haida tribe - it depicts the tribal legend of mans evolution. The sculpture was hewn from a 4.5 tonne block of cedar and took three years to complete.
The Beaches
Vancouver has a number of clean well-tended Beaches. This is apt in a city referred to as the 'California of the North'. Not quite perhaps but the beaches can be lovely, safe and the sea is warm enough for swimming in the summer. The best of the bunch are probably either English Bay Beach or Second Beach. Windsurfers head for Jericho Beach.
Food and Drink and a Place to Sleep
There is a wide choice of hotels, all reasonably priced. There are also campsites and hostels available.
The choice of places to eat is good; there are many Chinese and Japanese restaurants. Greek, Italian and South East Asian cuisine is also well represented. Seafood restaurants are not numerous but the quality of those to be found is high. Salmon shows up on menus across the range. As with the hotels eating out is good value for money.
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