Vancouver

The ship approached the city, and I could already see the skyscrapers. Sitting on the 14th floor buffet deck, with huge glass all around, it as surreal to move slowly into the dock. I stayed still as the ship moved from isolated nature into a big city hub. After all this nature it was a bit of a surprise. As if I expected another small Alaskan town, with wooden buildings and gift shops. Instead Glass and steal stood proud. Buildings were Beautiful, with lots of interesting architecture. The buildings were not too crowded and had their share of greenery.

We stayed in the downtown area, felt like being back to NY, just much cleaner and with extra green. People were nicely dressed, girls were feminine with style, not anything too avanguard, but with care. I think I’ve been too used to the casual bay area, to flip flops and shorts. I was pleased for the change, enjoying some fashion in the air, a combination of the US with Europe.

We walked to Stanley Park, the central park of Vancouver, and enjoyed the park surrounded by water, views of the green “golden gate wanna be” bridge and a totem park. I seem to have a fascination with the totem poles. I love woodwork, the animal figures, the tall and thin structures, and wings. Something about their simplicity, a sense of power carved out of a tree trunk.

English bay was a long stretch of beach with some grassy areas along it, people getting some sun, chatting, having a picnic, or like us, just people watching. Still comparing to NY, I thought of Battery Park on the weekend, just that this was a Monday! I guess it was sunny enough that it was a reason to declare holiday. We loved the sun, but in reality it was 21c, and that was one of the warmest days in the year. If only there were more of these days a year, I would really consider moving up there.

We strolled down Robson Street, and felt a bit like in the Soho. OK, I do prefer the Soho in NY by far, but it was a good wash for the eyes. Stores, boutiques and people excited about their shopping. Bought nothing, but enjoyed being the observer.
Vancouver is filled with great restaurants, and in the eve we were delighted to dine at a fusion tapas place. The tapas were like a mini buffet; I still got a variety of tastes all served to the table, in fun trio platters.

The next day we went to Granville. We took it easy, acted like locals, shopped at the market, ate over the water, wondered the shops and streets, and listened to some of the street performers. We saw the classic Chinese garden in China town; the garden allows me to surrender. I love the style. No flowers, lots of rocks, trees, like ginkgo, pine and maple, and architecture that blend in as part of the grand scheme. Not huge, but everything has its place, all blends into one harmony of yin and yang.
Chine town is always a place I like to pass through, if only to get a good meal. Some sticky rice cakes filled with black bean paste arrive steaming out of the bamboo steamers, round and sturdy. A great rice noodle soup with veggies and a real dark thick soy sauce, such a difference from the Japanese version. The flavor is rich and consistency is syrupy.

We stroll down Gastown, along the cobble stone streets, shops are cool, and it’s where the town started, probably not as cool back then, but truly lovely these days; flowers over old lampposts, a steam clock, and tourists. What can you do? We all want to find the quaint spots of town. The view from the look out tower down the road was nice, getting an eagle view of the city towards sunset, to complete the day. The next day we visited the Vancouver Gallery and saw some local art as well as some modern art, bringing me back the itch to create.

Vancouver is a fantastic city, and the people seemed to be very kind and nice. Worth the visit!