We were last in B.C. around 25 years ago and it is good to be back. Our intention this year was to head to Vancouver Island first and explore the rest of the province later. But our first stop was Vancouver.
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While in the Vancouver are we stayed in an urban RV park. The sites were small and paved. Suitable for a short stay. |
Stanley Park is a must-see while in Vancouver. Located on the Vancouver downtown peninsula, it is a well-maintained park surrounded by water on three sides. The area was originally used by indigenous people. The park itself is 405 hectares. In comparison, it is 1/5 larger than New York City's Central Park (340 hectares) but it is half the size of London's Richmond Park (960 hectares). We spent a whole day walking around the park and we had lunch on the sea wall and had a nice view of the City.
If you are going to explore the whole island it is best to do it on multiple days. We only had
one day. We mainly stayed in the bottom right corner of the island as seen on the map.
Walking along one of the many trails in Stanley Park
Showing the beautiful canopy of trees in the park.
Lord Stanley threw his arms to the heavens, as though embracing within them the whole of 1000 acres of primeval forest, and dedicated it "to the use and enjoyment of peoples of all colours, creeds, and customs, for all time. I name thee Stanley Park."
Wooded area with stream. The park is densely forested with
old growth trees numbering up to 1/2
million trees, some reaching over 249 ft.
A view of the City of Vancouver from the walking path in Stanley Park
The Marina and City of Vancouver.
Another view of the City from the walkway.
The Totem Poles in Stanley Park are a main attraction.
The collection of Totem Poles in Stanley started in 1920
and represents a number of indigenous nations. Some of these
original totem poles were carved as early as the 1880's. They
are made of western red cedar and each one tells of a real or
mythical event. They are not idols nor were they worshipped.
Each carving has a meaning. To learn more about the meaning
of each totem pole click here
View of shoreline and seawall.
The Vancouver Seawall is located on the perimeter of the park to prevent erosion. The seawall is the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Construction of the seawall started in 1917.
James Cummingham, a master stonemason, worked from 1931 until his retirement. He
continued to supervise the construction until his death in 1963, long before the wall was finished in 1980.
I was sitting on a bench looking out over the water.
This man passed by right when I took a picture.
Nice effect!
This is the unique lighthouse on Brockton Point
With the harbour in the background.
The Girl in the Wet Suit is reminiscent of the Little Mermaid
in Copenhagen. See below. This statue was a gift to the
Vancouver Park Board from sculptor Elek Imredy in 1972. She
represents Vancouver's dependence on the sea.
The Little Mermaid statue.
Sculpture outside the entrance of the Vancouver Aquarium.
We went on a walking tour of Stanley Park. Above
is our tour guide who was very good in telling stories about the park
The first stop was the Zoo. It was built in 1962 and in the 1970's it was famous for its polar bear exhibit. Today, the only remnant of the old zoo is a large concrete grotto where the polar bears had entertained crowds until the 1990's. In 1994, when plans were developed to upgrade the zoo, Vancouver voters instead decided to phase it out when the question was posed in a referendum. The zoo was closed down in 1996 and the animals were either moved to the petting zoo area, the Vancouver Zoo or to other facilities.
The Stanley Park Zoo closed completely in 1997 after the last remaining animal, a polar bear named Tuk, died at age 36. He had remained after the other animals had left because of his old age. The polar bear grotto, often criticized by animal rights activists, was to be converted into a demonstration salmon spawning hatchery but that did not last and now the abandoned grotto is just a reminder of the past.
This beautiful Memorial sculpture called "Shore to Shore"
is carved in cedar then cast in Bronze and is a tribute to
the ancestral connection between the area's aboriginal and
Portuguese communities.
As with most memorials, people make a donation and your name is engraved on a paver and set
in a wall or path. This Memorial is no different. All round the Memorial are pavers with names.
One stands out from all the rest: "Why are you wasting your time reading this brick! Look up!"
So true.
Hop On, Hop Off BusJust like most cities, Vancouver has a hop on, hop off program and like all programs who may have a wonderful guide or a not so good one. We experienced both. When they are good you get to hear all sorts of stories about the area.
Granville Island is Vancouver's artistic and cultural hub. While taking a tour on the Hop on Hop off Bus, we hopped off at Granville Island. Formerly an industrial manufacturing area, it was named after Granville Leveson-Gower, 2 Earl Granville. It is now a shopping district which is steeped in a rich industrial and maritime heritage. The charm of the area is its unexpected mix of uses. A daily market, food shops and restaurants along with artisan studios and shops are found in the area.
P.S. this post was started in 2024 and I am now finishing it. A lot has happened in between. More to come!
Tall building in downtown Vancouver. A view
through the bus roof windows and the rain.
The unique architecture of the Central Library.
In the harbour was docked this Disney Cruise Shop
"Curiouser and curiouser". Disney characters keeping everything ship shape.
Bev standing with a painted bear.
Painted storage tanks. What a great way to display art.
The Market had an abundance of fruits, vegetables
and other products displayed beautifully.
Many sculptures are exhibited throughout the island.
Vancouver Harbour Tour:
We had a steam boat tour of the harbour. We saw the marina, downtown, seals, and Stanley Park. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the tour.
The paddle wheel that drove the boat forward.
View of the marina with buildings in the background.
Al and Bev enjoying the afternoon on the water.
The Digital Orca is a 2009 sculpture by Douglas Coupland.
The sculpture depicts a killer whale created by black and white cubes,
creating a visual effect as if it were a pixelated digital image. The
sculpture has a steel armature and aluminum cladding.
To me it just looked like a whale made with Lego.
A view of the city and the docks for the Cruise ships.
A view of the lighthouse at Brockton Point in
Stanley Park from the water
Capilano Suspension Bridge:
The Capilano Bridge is a private facility and is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River. The current bridge is 140 metres long and 70 metres (239 ft) above the river.
We spent a lovely day there exploring the forests, walks and treasures exhibited along the way.
What a beautiful forested area.
Old wood stove for those chilly days.
In 1935, the local natives were invited to place their
totem poles in the park adding a native theme.
Here is an example of some of them.
Other native artifacts are on display.
The Cliffwalk was added as an attraction in 2011 and follows a granite precipice along Capilano River on a labyrinth-like series of narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms through rainforest vegetation. With 16 anchor points in the cliff supporting the structure and open grated walkways, Cliffwalk is not for the faint of heart! It also includes interactive exhibits demonstrating the need for water conservation.
A view of the Cliffwalk from the Suspension Bridge.
Looking out into the forest as you walk on the Cliffwalk.
The Cliffwalk also includes interactive exhibits demonstrating
the need for water conservation.
The original bridge was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay.
It was originally made of hemp ropes and a deck of cedar planks but in 1903 the
ropes were replaced with wire cables. The bridge and the park have had several owners
over the years. In 1956 the bridge was completely rebuilt.
In the background you can see all the people walking across
the bridge to get to the other side where the Tree Top Adventure is located
Over 1.2 million visitors came to the park to walk across this bridge in 2022.
We are now trying to cross along with many, many others.
A line of people are walking back.
Looking over the railing of bridge to the Capilano River below.
Looking over the other side of the bridge to valley floor and river.
Once across the bridge you are asked to, "Open your senses to your surroundings and discover what the rainforest means to you. Open your eyes wide and take everything in -- from towering trees to tiny, beautiful insects. Use your imagination to see beyond what is in front of you. Pause. Breathe in the crisp forest air -- how is it different than being in the city? Listen closely for the sounds of the forest and you will hear a whole new symphony."
In the back ground you can see a foot bridge high up in the trees.
The Tree Top Adventures opened in 2004 consisting of seven foot bridges suspended
between old growth Douglas Fir trees. The foot bridges can be as high as 30 metres
(98 ft.) above the forest floor.
Go this way!
Crowds of people are entering into the Tree Tops. Some are brave and walk with
confidence while others can barely make it to the next walkway due to fear of heights
An exhibit of a flying squirrel who inhabits the forest.
Fungi and trees. Love it!
Al walking ahead looking into the forest.
Try counting the rings on this slice of wood!
The first time I was introduced to a Banana Slug.
I learned that, "after a heavy rainfall you might notice large yellow slugs
called Banana Slugs on the forest floor. They use their tentacles to sense
their environment, detecting light, movement and chemicals. Banana
Slugs also have 27,000 teeth on their long tongues that they use to eat
small plants and grasses. Their slime is so thick that they can move along
the blade of a knife without getting cut."
To learn more about Banana Slugs Click here to see a previous post.
Looking into the tree tops.
What a beautiful creature!
Walking....
walking...
walking...
and walking high in the forest!
Cities have many places to visit that have beauty, history and life. In Vancouver and area we explored so much. Does your town or city have areas that you can explore and enjoy? I bet it does. Remember to "Open your eyes -- use your imagination -- Pause and breathe -- Listen -- Enjoy"
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