Vancouver is for lovers

Well, kinda.

Hm, Vancouver. What to say.

There are good things. And so-so things. More of the latter actually.

Good things:

*Taking the Sea to Sky Highway through the mountains and the most gorgeous views I've ever seen (in North America)

*Taking the coolest old mine tour. We rode an actual train through the mountain and saw what the miners did back in the day. The mine opened in 1904 and closed down in the 70s. Really, really cool but kinda spooky too. Also saw all the drills they had used and then panned for gold! All I got was rocks.

*Stanley Park-massive, beautiful park full of old oak trees and a sea wall that stretches around 75% of the park. Much hiking and biking fun could be had there had it not rained the entire time we were there.

*A cute little aquarium that lies in the park which included one really lonely porpoise and 4 beluga whales. Not much else though.

*Great dim sum. Better than NYC, no. But different and very tasty. Especially the tapioca pudding that was still warm and baked on top. No Mexican buns though. But thats ok.

*The Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel had beautiful views of the city and water/mountains. We had an awesome room on the 25th floor. Staff sucks though as they forgot to reserve us a table for our anniversary dinner and left us waiting for our car for about a half hour.

*Hiking in North Vancouver-we went hiking which was stunningly beautiful. I didn't much care for the suspension bridge though as I saw my life flash before my eyes. VERY scary!!


So-so things:

*A lot of homeless people. A lot. Really. I wonder what their unemployment rate is? And young homeless too. And agressive homeless who comes running up to you to ask for change.

*The whole city was made up of 20 and 30-somethings. Which is fine but as far as service goes we can't think of one time when service wasn't screwed up in one way or another. It seems they have a lot to learn.

*Rain. 4 days of rain.

*We ate all our meals in Vancouver city and chose what the guide books said was the best. Only 1 meal was very good. All the others were just average. I don't know if its because we are spoiled New Yorkers or what. But nothing really stood out except for a tapas place that was amazing.

*Where are all the people? Chinatown-deserted. Gastown-deserted except for homeless. Stanley Park-which we had read is always bustling on the weekends-deserted. Very strange.


In all we had a great time as our favorite thing in the world to do is travel together. And the West coast is beautiful and so different. Vancouver can be a great jumping off point but if you just stay in the city- it aint all that. Our best times were had in North Vancouver hiking & driving up the Sea to Sky Highway on the way to Whistler.

Next trip-hopefully Spain. 2005.