"Sleepy City" Vancouver by nigelw6443

Vancouver Travel Guide: 3,950 reviews and 8,219 photos

Taken on my first flying lesson - Vancouver

It became home.

I arrived in Vancouver late august 1990 after spending a long flight from Bangkok, via Tokyo and Seattle. Then a bus ride up I5 and into Vancouver city centre.

I had read about the city and had seen many pictures, but I wasn't sure what to expect after just having spent 9 months trotting around Asia.

Of course if you have been to Vancouver you will no doubt be aware of the joys of E. Hastings and Gastown. Thanks to LP I found myself booking into the Spinning Wheel Hotel on Carrol Street, it was the cheapest at $40.00 a night. I had $500.00 dollars and had to find a job, so I thought @ $40.00 a night that won't last long. I managed to find a job within a week and negotiate a long term rate at the hotel. This kind of thing is normal so you can negotiate a rate for a week, two weeks, a month etc..
Anyhoo, this sorted I actually got friendly with the staff who were a bunch of young punky types. I even worked at the desk a few times too. Anyway that is another story.

After spending 4 months here I ended up making my way to New York via Greyhound. A nice 4 day journey in December. A little cold cold travelling across the Prairies to say the least!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cheapest place in the World for sushi or Chinese food
Cons:Cannot smoke in a bar or pub?
In a nutshell:An easy place to be

Last visit to Vancouver: Oct 2000
Intro Updated Nov 17, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (43)

THe House Wine is Jagermeister! Nightlife (5)

This is a fairly new bar to the Vancouver scene but is already getting a reputation for itself. The bar is friendly and... more travel advice

Lions Gate Bridge Things to Do (16)

Whenever you leave vancouver by road heading north you must always take the Lions Gate Bridge which exits Vancouver from... more travel advice

Souvenirs Shopping (3)

Steveston has many craft and souvenir shops and the prices are a bit more reasonable than shopping on Robson or Gastown,... more travel advice

Trolley Bus! Transportation (3)

For a tour around Vancouver why not take a trolley? City Attractions Tour: Join us for our popular City Attractions... more travel advice

Restaurants (7)
See All Happy hour!
Favorites (2)
See All Lynn Canyon
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All The White Caps

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Spanish Banks beach
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Bears!
Hotels (1)
Quite noisy

Comments (22)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Jan 12, 2009 at 2:43 PM

Interesting tips from your four months in Vancouver. I like the story of Gassy Jack Deighton. I've only been to Vancouver once, and for only four days not four months, but I may have reason to return at some point.
Reply
- Report abuse
d3com May 19, 2007 at 1:21 PM

http://www.stevestonvillage.com has nothing to do with Steveston, as it's just a link farm, but this one does: http://www.StevestoniVillage.com
Reply
- Report abuse
RickinDutch Aug 9, 2006 at 10:20 AM

Nice job on YVR. Obvious the city deserves a longer visit next time. Thanks for the visit to my home town! And congrats on your wedding(s)!
Reply
- Report abuse
JessH Mar 5, 2006 at 12:21 AM

Schoenen Guten Tag, Nigel ;-) Really enjoyed your tips & photos, and hope to visit someday myself! So... who will you be cheering for at the World Cup this summer...? LOL! Greetings from Dubai / Jess
Reply
- Report abuse
unigirl Jun 23, 2005 at 4:30 PM

Great overview of my home town!
Reply
- Report abuse
JetlagCity Jan 26, 2005 at 1:50 PM

Really enjoyed your intro here, and got a good laugh out of the Elvis Orca! I can't believe I've never been here even though it's right across the border!
Reply
- Report abuse
CALSF Nov 18, 2004 at 1:20 PM

Nigel, great tips on Vancouver. I visited in 1997 and stayed at the CP Hotel at The Waterfront-nice views and great location. Vancouver is SF's sister city as they are so similar in lots of ways.
Reply
- Report abuse
Sandi-2004 Nov 14, 2004 at 2:48 PM

Very nice pgs. I haven't made it to Vancouver but you might enjoy my pg on Victoria. I especially liked your photo of the steam clock, street & people--excellent composition & very engaging.
Reply
- Report abuse
Azhut Aug 15, 2004 at 4:33 AM

Ciao, good page of Vancouver, I'd like to visit it, thanks for sharing :-)
Reply
- Report abuse
K.Knight Jul 22, 2004 at 2:55 AM

Great page, you are right..the Vancouver aquarium in Stanley park was fantastic. G'day from Australia