"Vancouver - My first touch to the... " a Vancouver Travel Page by gubbi1

Before starting to Canada I have heard so much of this city. Everybody was telling me that I should definitely go there if I have the chance. Well, compared to European distances at first I felt that it is a universe away from Edmonton respectively Jasper from where I started off, but as a VT-member and following my member motto I decided to stay a week there. Now, after getting to know that place, I am really happy that I took that decision. Thinking on how to get there, I had the two options in mind: plane or bus. Plane is fast, but bus gives the opportunity to see much more of the beautiful Rockies. So I decided to take the bus between Jasper and Vancouver, which took me almost half a day. It was an interesting trip through the endless mountains and keeping an eye on my watch, which shows the altitude. So, the late evening I arrived at the central bus terminal in downtown Vancouver and took the taxi to the Pacific Spirit Hostel, which is located in the UBC. The bus travel was a great experience, which I can recommend.

As all recommendations for the town there is nothing I can say against it. I had six perfect days there and the opportunity to meet VT-member Salampeace and YVRDave. Thank you both for the days!

Vancouver is a great place to slow down. People are relaxed and you will adapt to it pretty fast, thats what holidays are about... right? Being used to walk a lot, you will be surprised how much of downtown you can reach by feet. Thanks to the superb bus connections, it is also perfect for those prefering to take public transport. In town there is a lot of water. The Pacific reaches in, giving it a very special atmosphere... also at night.
So will encounter the situation that trying to get to some place, the water is in your way. For these cases there are small boats connecting the sides of town. I can really recommend it.

Interesting in town is that there are different areas, which differ very much from eachother: Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown etc. Go and check out the town. You will enjoy it.

After a very short time I could feel that I will not manage to see all, that I had planned to see. So I decided to concentrate on some spots and things, and keep the others for some other trip. So I missed the whole Stanley Parc, and a trip to Whistler and the mountains north of town were completely out of discussion. Afterwards, being back, I have to say that I am happy about that decision, otherwise I would have seen all but nothing.

This is the symbol (called Ilanaaq) of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It symbolizes an Inukshuk. Taken from the Inuit, the Inukshuk was used as help for the navigation through the arctic region. In the cold northern environment people have to rely on eachothers help, so the Inukshuk further became symbol of leadership, cooperation, friendship and the human spirit.
You can also find one on the flag of Nunavut.

Several spots in town invite you to let your thoughts flow. Especially the many asian inhabitants brought their traditional art of building gardens to Vancouver. Great enrichment!