Quote:
Originally Posted by montsnmags
I was only there for a couple of days, but I really loved what little I saw of Vancouver. It reminded me of Sydney. It had that same outdoors-y vibe, friendliness of people, lovely water-based geography, surrounded by bush and mountains...it was just a little bit cooler than Sydney, and the mountains were a tad more impressive.  I think I could live quite happily in Vancouver, if I wanted back into city life.
Cheers,
Marc |
Thanks Marc. Stanley Park is a great park, 100 acres surrounded by water in the middle of City. There is a seawall walkway/bike path that goes around the whole park. Many a Sunday I've spent doing the quick 10 Km circuit on the mountain bike. The in-line skatters are usually cussed at and are often recovered at the side of the path with broken limbs.
The park also has a great Rhododendron Garden and when in full bloom it is spectacular. Rhodos and azaleas grow like weeds here, very little care needed.
The road trip to Whistler is one of my favourites. Whistler/Blackcomb Ski Resort just got voted, again, the best ski resort in North America. They are just completing upgrades to the sea-to-sky highway in time for the 2010 Olympics. About half way thru the trip is a village called Squamish, a beautiful retreat nestled on an inlet with mountains on 3 sides. We were looking to buy a small place there but as usual we were about 2 years behind the speculators. Now we are looking on Vancouver Island where the population is less "dense".
Marc, we also share a seagoing explorer, Captain Cook. There is a bronze statue of him in the inner harbour at Victoria. The pigeons and seagulls (which we call sh-- hawks) have usually fouled his head. One of his crew who kept journals of the voyages has the same surname as mine so there are a few islands with the same name as me(him).
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivaldirules
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Butch*a*rt Gardens is world renowned. It was established in an old quarry as a hobby of the wife of a successful local businessman. It is near Victoria, the Provincial Capital, where I lived for 10 years. I visted the garden several times, it is always changing and I think is open all year round.
People often ask me why Vanouver isn't on Vancouver Island. I dunno, blame Captain Vancouver.
Vancouver has the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. All the green thumbs go there in the spring to buy their local and exotic specimens.
Cheers all, thanks for taking the time and interest to respond.