Just thought I would let the board know that Canadians have voted Vancouver as the best city to visit in Canada. In the winter we are known for the fact that you can ski on the mountains in the morning and go sailing on the ocean in the afternoon. For those of you travelling this way, we still which is unusual have some snow on our mountains.

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Originally posted by mid life traveller:
Just thought I would let the board know that Canadians have voted Vancouver as the best city to visit in Canada. In the winter we are known for the fact that you can ski on the mountains in the morning and go sailing on the ocean in the afternoon. For those of you travelling this way, we still which is unusual have some snow on our mountains.

Oh, MLT, it's a gorgeous city, how could you miss with a city set between the sea and the mountains? It's beautiful.

Thanks Brenda. We end being rather proud of our city even though there are some sore points as keeps getting pointed out on the news each night as the world habitat conference is going on.

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Originally posted by mid life traveller:
Thanks Brenda. We end being rather proud of our city even though there are some sore points as keeps getting pointed out on the news each night as the world habitat conference is going on.

First time I went out to Vancouver, 1970, and I stayed at the Bayshore Inn. I was at a conference, and requested and got a room facing the Mountains AND what I thought was the Pacific Ocean--I was so excited, but then I was told it was Coal Harbour, and the Straits of Juan da Fuca (is that right, or am I dreaming, and I don't have a map at my side) and that the real ocean didn't start till the other side of Vancouver Island. Never mind, I had water and boats, and more boats, and very early the next morning, experiencing that time lag one gets with the 3 hours difference, I got up must have been just after dawn and walked over to Stanley Park (I was young and perhaps a bit dumb doing that). It was deserted but I walked and walked and listened to the birds. Later on a tour of the city I got to see the magnificent British Properties and the wonder that is the bounty land UBC occupies and then SFU up that mountain side. Been back for conferences several times but nothing matched that first trip on my own walking through Stanley Park with the flowers blooming while we were still back home in the middle of Winter. Should have moved there then. Aah well!!!!

Gee .... I thought it was voted the best city in Canada to visit because you live there mid life traveller!

Thanks Tammie for the compliment. No it is voted the best city for the shear beauty of the city. We have a lovely surrounding. I believe at one time we were tied with Rio De Janerio as the most beautiful city in the world.

Hey MLT, you gonna have room to put up Brenda, Tammie and me, for the 2010 games...charades is an olympic sport, isn't it?

I just checked with the Olympic Committee and it is happytraveller!

You are welcome mid life traveller!
We would LOVE to come and visit you and sleep over ... and talk about your beautiful city and .. play a game of .... (rhymes with parades!)

Ht, Brenda and TAmmie. You haven't heard the latest news about the 2010 Olympics. All the natives of Vancouver are running away and leaving the city to the Olympic crazies. We have been told by our esteemed Olympic committee that we should rent out our houses. We might even get rich doing that. Just think how many Trafalgar tours we could go on then.

Then why don't we all fly down there ... you can rent out part of your house to us (you have to stay though!) and we'll all take in the Olympic festivities together!

I waiting to see if they close down the university for the games. There is talk that all universities and schools in the lower mainland will be closed for the duration of the games. Environmentally friendly. If they do close down, I'm out of here. I am not a big fan of crowds and one of the event areas is just up the road from where I live.

Mid Life Traveller,

I agree with you Vancouver is a beautiful city and a wonderful holiday destination and only a short Ferry ride or plane flight to Victoria on Vancouver Island, what a beautiful spot.

Thank you Missie. It was nice to know that someone agrees with us locals. The flowers in the parks right now are just gorgeous. Now the ferries are something else. For anyone who has to travel them frequently, it is a grin and bear it situation. I am not fond of BC Ferries. Too many trips to the Gulf Islands.

I lived in Vancouver (or Maple Ridge actually) for a year (worked as a Nanny). I loved the place (exc ept for the rain). I used to spend hours every weekend tripping around on buses and the sky train exploring every nook and cranny. I loved Stanley Park and Capilano, and the Lynn Valley. Maple Ridge was beautiful too although a long trip in and out of the city. I live in Christchurch (NZ) which is also set between mountains (the Southern Alps - Lord of the Rings territory) and the ocean. The mountains aren't as close as Grouse mountain but you could certainly still swim and ski on one day if it took your fancy. Can't wait to return to your awesome city if you were to tell me Shania Twain was doing a concert there tomorrow I'd be on the first plane out of here!

mid life traveller,

I was amazed at the line up for the ferries at both ends, I am pretty sure our tour bus was booked on a ferry which is why we got on quickly, but there was a huge line up and our TD (who just happened to live in Vancouver) said that not every car in the line would get on the next ferry either.

We were travelling on a Friday just before the long weekend so that may have accounted for it.