I JUST GOT BACK FROM VANCOUVER - OMG

[Lindsey]

I loved, loved, loved it! Thanks to those of you who made suggetions regarding what to do during the three days we were there. The first day we went to Granville Island-incredible. The second day we rode bikes all day in Stanley Park - probably one of the funnest days I've ever had - I felt like a kid again (on my 46th birthday!) I'm now on a mission to fix my bike since my "inner child" has been rekindled. The third day we were off on a tour to the Butchart Gardens and Victoria Island - there are simply no words to describe any of this. The Canadians are so mellow. I loved watching CBC (the news according to Canadians). If any of you have a chance to go - DO IT!

[trof]

1. In a year

I'm going there for a wedding.
Can't wait.

[wryter2000]

2. I so want to go to Vancouver (nt)

eom

[arcane1]

3. I spent a mere 3 nights there 2 years ago...

and I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, back to the states!


I'm almost afraid to go back, for that reason alone! :-)

:toast: to BC!

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Vancouver Island, you mean.

The city on it is Victoria.

That became our favorite city in the world the moment we first drove into it. We've been back once and meant to go again this year. (But then I got laid off. Thanks, Georgie, you slime-eating s.o.b.) Next year, we hope.

That whole part of North America is beautiful, and Vancouver Island may well be the most beautiful area there.

[Maple]

6. No the city of Vancouver

with Stanley Park.

[ironflange]

37. No kidding

I lived in Victoria for three years in the early '80, and still miss it. Good thing it's not too far for me to visit from time to time.

[cherryperry]

5. I agree, Lindsey!

I love Victoria Island! But there really is a different culture in Canada, isn't there?

Yes, everyone needs to take a visit!

[izzie]

7. Once spent a few days there then took Can train to the East Coast.

What a trip, one of the best I ever had.

[HEyHEY]

8. Glad you dug my town!

Always feels good! Where did you eat?

[Lindsey]

9. I SO dug your town!

We ate at a variety of places but the one that stands out is a place called Bin 941. The vibe was incredible and the meal is actually a series of appetizers that you share with each other. We ordered around five and I have to say it was the best combinations of taste I've ever experienced. GOD - I'm already trying to figure out how to get back there. Hey - my friend and I were playing a game while we were on the awesome ferry on the way to Victoria Island: "Name famous Canadians": (I'm not sure how right or wrong we were)
K.D. Lange
Peter Jennings
Shawnia Twain
Michael J. Fox
Matthew Perry
Chris Issac

Who else?

[HEyHEY]

11. yep

John Candy
Jason Priestly
Katherine O hara
Dan Akryod
Rick James (unfortunatley)
Gordon Lightfoot
Neil young
Burton Cummings - The whole band the Guess who actually
Bryan Adams (see rick james)
Joshua Jackson
Pamela Anderson
David Foley
Alex Trebeck
William Shatner
Norm Macdonald
Joni Mitchell
Ryan Styles
Martin SHort

it goes on and on...... ;-) more than you'd ever imagine. We basically run hollywood!

[CanuckAmok]

16. Rick James is American...

He fled to Canada after deserting the US Naval Reserves.

Come to think of it, he's a good candiate for President!

[HEyHEY]

18. Oh

I thought he was from Toronto

[CanuckAmok]

20. He wishes!

Nope, fled to Yorkville (Toronto) in the late 60s, when he was 17, MPs in hot pursuit. Joined the Mynah Birds (w Neil Young and Bruce Palmer, who would go on to form Buffalo Springfield), and returned to the US in 1977.

Yes, I am THIS bored!

[CanuckAmok]

15. MMMMM...Bin 941

Next time you're here and in the mood for Tapas... La Bodega, on Homer Street near the South end of the Granville Bridge. Best Patatas Bravas and Sangria west of Barcelona!

Other great Canadians:

John Candy
Michael Myers
Morley Safer
Salter Street Films (producers of Michael Moore's works)
Oscar Petersen
Bruce MacDonald
Kids in the Hall
the Rheostatics
Carole Pope...

[SaveABug]

10. The Asian restaurants can't be beat anywhere

in the world. A beautiful city. The first time I drove it, I was a little confused with the lanes - different directions for different times, but managed to get through it. I've been there half a dozen times, and love it love it love it. Glad you had a good time.

[Lindsey]

12. I'm bummed that we didn't get to any of the Asian

eateries. I'm not sure why. It was just such a whirlwind trip.

[SaveABug]

13. Hey - there's always next time!

god, I love traveling. There are some beautiful places, but Vancouver is definitely one of the most incredible in the world.

It is like a magnet drawing me back - you'll be there again someday!!!

[Lindsey]

14. I'll be back for sure - no Dote (I LOVE the accents)

Also, the weather was Chamber of Commerce, picture postcard PERFECT.

[CanuckAmok]

17. I'm thinking there should be a DU social in Vancouver sometime...

A great excuse to visit Vancouver, and most places, people will not only tolerate you criticizing the current Misadministration, they'll probably pick up your tab!

[HEyHEY]

19. I would so love that too!

[TrogL]

33. I'm going to be in Vancouver

End of September or early October

[HEyHEY]

35. Accent?

Decribe it..please..DO you mean the really fast, slurred talking with words like "ast" instead of "asked"

On edit: really, describe it I aminterested to know what it sounds like to outsiders

[ironflange]

39. hmmm

Chinese restaurants, yes, they can't be beat. However, on my last visit, daughter and I wanted Vietnamese food, and finally found a place after a long search. It was NOT very good, which really surprised me. Here in Calgary, it seems there is a Viet eatery on every second block, and I've yet to find a bad one. Dunno, maybe more Viet immigrants headed over the mountains than stayed on the coast.

[UrbScotty]

21. Glad you had fun, 23-year-old!

:-)

[CanuckAmok]

22. Lindsey, next time in "Soviet Canuckistan", you should visit...

...Winnipeg. I hear they have a world-class ballet!

[HEyHEY]

24. hayy-ooo

fore!

[ironflange]

38. Yeah, Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Just make sure you visit Winnipeg in December or January; that's when the city is at its best.

[DemExpat]

23. Way back in my 20s I had major fantasy/plans

to move to Vancouver.
For some reason, the location totally intrigued me.

I didn't make it to Vnacouver then, but still would love to visit!

DemEx

[HEyHEY]

25. As a vancouverite I was so mad when..

I bought Hunter thompson's "the rpoud Highway" There is a letter he wrote to an editor of the Vancouver sun. The sun was revamping into a progressive paper, and Hunter was trying to get a job here with it. Too bad the dink never gave it to him, I read a lot of HST work and I wish I could have read about some Vancouver adventures.


Stuff like this keeps me lifted cause I have been rejected before by editors..well so was Hunter and look now!

[Gato Moteado]

26. no mention of the -ahem- coffee houses?

nt

[Sufi Marmot]

27. You got lucky...

You could have been killed by ravenous urban coyotes, or at least a wayward rollerblader... ;-)

Glad you had fun!

-SM, Vancouverite...

[roguevalley]

28. Vancouver is fantastic

I went there during a world's fair once. Incredible fun
in a great town. Eat the food. Black forest cake to die
for. <G>

[Kat45]

29. I have some friends who live on Victoria Island

They love the place so much. Whenever they talk about it, it makes me want to go there--maybe I will someday.

[HEyHEY]

34. psst

It's "Vancouver Island" ;-)

[Coffee Coyote]

30. great news!

I love Victoria myself - very polite, friendly, and mellow. Hard to believe they can stay so unsullied so close to the US, but being on an island probably helps. I love the English vibe of the city.

Glad to hear all went well. :-)

[Ediacara]

31. If you have more time next trip

I suggest you take a week to visit Pcific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island's west coast. Absolutely fantastic beaches and forests and very few crowds. The tiny villages of Euclulet (yoo-KLOO-lit) and Tofino are very nice, and have yet to feel the sting of resortification. It's great there even in the winter, where you can rent a room at a B&B and watch the storm waves come in.

If you make it there besure to visit the bog. I know what you're thinking.... why the fuck would I want to visit a bog? It's surreal, absolutely. The bog is an area of forest without bedrock drainage on a bluff above the ocean. The trees are small and gnarled and it looks like you're walking around in a landscape of giant bonsai and assorted shrubs. The boardwalk loop will only take about 30 minutes to make the circuit and is absolutely one of the strangest and coolest places I have ever been.

Anyway, there's a whole lot more to Vancouver Island than just Victoria, and Vancouver itself.... I haven't even started :-) My "home away from home" that I haven't visited in three years unfortunately :-( Stanley Park and the West End make Vancouver absolutely the most fantastic city I've ever been to.

[Lindsey]

32. Thanks for the suggestions

I definitely took you guys up on them this time and you didn't lead me astray. I WILL be back.

[TrogL]

36. So did you make it to Wreck Beach?

inquiring minds want to know

[Lindsey]

40. HeyHey about the accents

Canadians tend to make their o's with the long sound. For example: "I'll be back, no doubt is "I'll be back, no dote." But no offense - I love it!

[Aristus]

41. Next time you're in Victoria, stay at the Prior House B&B.

It was amazing. My wife and I stayed there for the weekend of our fourth anniversary. I love everything about Victoria. She and I seriously discussed the possibility of moving to Canada in a few years. She loves the English-style atmosphere and warm, welcoming people, and I love the fact that Shrubya has no power there!

[Lindsey]

42. I agree with you on both accounts!

n/t