Report from Alaska Part IV: Vancouver!
Our cruise ended in the fantastic city of Vancouver, BC. I had been here once before for a weekend and was just as impressed again on this visit. It’s a cosmopolitan, vibrant, diverse and thriving city with a moderate climate and a great personality. I could easily live there.
Vancouver is a major port city and the setting could not be more picturesque: majestic snow-topped mountains surrounding a glimmering blue bay and island. The architecture is fascinating and so different from anything I’ve seen in the US — kind of more Asian-y? The World Cup was in it’s final matches and even though Canada was already out, everyone seemed to be completely engrossed in the matches because it’s such an international place.
We took a hop on/hop off bus tour around the city which was a great way to get our bearings. At one point we were in a somewhat more sketchy part of town and the guide said, “This part of town attracts some of our citizens who are going through challenging times. Canadians are doing all they can to help them get back on their feet. Should you encounter one of these people, greet them with respect and you’ll be fine.” Wow!
We stayed at a fantastic hotel in Vancouver — the Wedgewood, situated in a very walkable neighborhood with great shopping, cafes and restaurants. My room was absolutely perfect - serene and home-y. I honestly could have stayed in there all day, even though we had a whole city to explore!
