A City of Contrasts

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Sunday May 11, 2025

Fun Facts about Vancouver

• The California Roll, a popular type of sushi, was actually invented in Vancouver.

• The cosmetic treatment with Botox was invented in Vancouver.

• Vancouver is known as "Hollywood North" for its involvement in film and television production.

Vancouver sits between the North Shore Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. This area was inhabited for thousands of years by the First Nations of the area, the Musqueam, the Squamish, and the Tsleil-Waututh. Vancouver is recognized for its cultural diversity and inclusivity. The city boasts a mix of cultures, languages, and traditions which are seen through its diverse food, festivals, and community events.

Our trip began on Saturday, May 10. We flew to Vancouver and then took a Lyft to our hotel. The driver was a young man from India who has travelled and lived around the world. He gave us some fascinating input into Vancouver and the various areas, and cultures, in the city.

Since our ship was unable to pull into the dock for boarding until early evening, we took a Hop-on, Hop Off Trolley to see the highlights of Vancouver.

One of the things Canada is known for is the friendliness of their citizens. We have found that to be true, both in our travels to Canada, and when interacting with Canadians on other cruises. For this trip we wondered if, due to some tense political exchanges between our countries, we would notice any difference in how we were treated. In order to calm any Canadians that might be upset with Americans we wore the buttons below.

Let's just say that those buttons generated a lot of laughter and conversation! We did, however, learn that not all Canadians are known for their friendliness...

By the way, they are not called Canadian Geese....the correct name is Canada Goose!

Traveling around Vancouver there are many contrasts visible. The large port and harbor is next to a city with a variety of old and new architecture, and a part of the city is Stanley Park, which is larger than Central Park and full of beautiful plants.

Architecture

Modern building that looks like a Rubrics cube, across the street from a building designed to look like the Colosseum in Rome.

Below, a building with a green roof and unusual architecture and the Lion's Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge which was partially funded by the Guinness Family.

Stanley Park:

A few final pictures:

For some reason I thought this sign was very funny, especially its placement in this location!

Drugs such as marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, meth and MDMA are legal in Vancouver, under specific conditions.

And finally, here is the map of our trip so you can picture where we are as we post.

Today we are sailing through the inside passage, specifically in an area called the Seymour Narrows.

Tomorrow we arrive in Ketchikan, Alaska! We hope to see Alaskan wildlife, birds, trees, and wildflowers! Karen's camera is charged and ready to go!