If you try something once, you’re just interested. If you try something a second time and you still enjoy it, you know it’s a great thing. So, I’m here to report that whale watching was even better the second time! (more…)
If you are interested in Totem Poles (and who isn’t?), you have two distinct possibilities to see them firsthand in Vancouver. B.C. One option is “free” near the entrance of Stanley Park (see our September 28 blog). The constant rumbling of tour buses stopping in the parking area is an interesting juxtaposition of ancient cultural and modern forms of pollution …
I’m sure the original First Nations population of British Columbia would have been appalled, or at least confused by the throngs of tourists snapping photos and taking videos of the assembled collection of Totem Poles in the park.
The other option for seeing Totem Poles and other collections of First Nations art is not free, but without the tour buses.
Approximately 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and an interesting drive through the suburban area of south Vancouver, is a quieter and reserved observation of the creations of the First Nations peoples.
(First Nations – - – refers to the over 600 aboriginal bands of peoples of Canada.)
A large collection of over 35,000 artifacts are housed at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) located on the campus of the University of British Columbia. Today’s building is far more complex than its humble beginnings in 1949 in the basement of the University Library.
The current museum was designed and built in 1976, holding collections of not only First Nations artifacts, but that of the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Most well-known for its Northwest Coast collections, the MOA exhibits large sculptures in the Great Hall.
These large wooden sculptures of red cedar are representative of several First Nations communities such as the Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Oweekeno.
Even a thousand years ago, guys were telling fish stories…
"Really guys! The fish was THAT big!"
Every once in a while, you might have the opportunity to savor a really fine, skillfully prepared, exquisitely tasteful meal. I had that incredible experience at a hotel restaurant named Zin in Vancouver, British Columbia.With an advertised “$2 Bites” and some coupons handed to us for wine sampling, we ventured into Zin, not knowing what we’d discover. What we encountered was incredible.
Every piece of travel material on Vancouver mentions Granville Island as a great place to go. We agree. Even on a rainy day, we found Granville Island with its Public Market a great opportunity to eat, see and experience.
The Public Market has several large buildings where the same vendors have been for years. The variety of products sold range from gorgeous produce to cheese to flowers to pastries to tea to – well, you name it!
Gorgeous produce arrayed at Granville Island's Public Market
There are also food stands where you can purchase burgers and other food, ready made, even from buffalo. Almost every ethnic food variety is represented. Bagels, pizza, teriyaki, fish (fresh and cooked) and almost too many choices! (more…)
We were staying in the downtown area on Robson Street – the center of commerce…
In our downtown hotel location on Robson Street, there are shops (like Guess, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger) with upscale names and glamorous window displays. The prices were glamorous, too, except for a modest Chinese Restaurant, Hon’s Wun-Tun House, which whipped out our food very quickly for takeout. The menu was enormous and we had a hard time choosing, but the prices were generally under the $10 (Canadian) price range for each entrée.
In contrast, we spent considerably more – $40-plus with tip – at O’Doul’s (Listel Hotel) for a corned beef hash and Eggs Benedict breakfast.
Sculpture on Robson Street
A sculpture, appearing to be a whimsical orange twisted wire, was in front of O’Doul’s. We saw other interesting art around Vancouver. (more…)
Vancouver, a major city in British Columbia with a population of over 2 million, has an amazingly diverse group of neighborhoods. We never saw any rundown homes, but we did see many panhandlers, especially in downtown areas. (more…)
First up on our Vancouver itinerary was a visit to the third largest park in North America, Stanley Park…
When the people of Vancouver British Columbia established Stanley Park in 1888, they created more than just a park. They provided a place for their citizens – and visitors – to enjoy the country right in their own city.
Totem Poles in Stanley Park - signify legends
By Guest Author Peggy Bradshaw
I was amazed at the size of the big white ship docked at Vancouver, B.C. We had flown in and were ready to board for our 7-day cruise through the famous Alaskan Inside Passage. Traveling with two other couples, we had mini-suites with balconies side by side on the Dolphin Deck, Deck 9.
Cruising from Vancouver Photo by George Bradshaw
