Blogs from North Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, North America - page 6

People often ask us why we moved to Vancouver - or rather, why we chose Vancouver specifically. To be honest, we based it on those annual surveys that consistently proclaim Vancouver as the “Most Liveable City” in the world. When we got here, faced with problems of bed bugs, $8 minimum award wages, astronomical rental prices, high taxes and constant drizzling rain… we wondered what the heck the surveyors at The Economist were on about. But I think we have finally figured it out. They conducted the survey during the Canadian summer. It really is a different place here when you are a) employed b) not earning minimum wage c) you have a home and d) the sun is shining. We only had one of those going for us this time last year, so I guess ... read more

According to Julia, I snore. Loudly. I refuse to accept this as truth but woke up in the morning vaguely aware of getting an elbow or two in the ribs the night before. Oh the joys of sharing a bed. My friend Mike lent us his car and so Julia and I ventured out to Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver. Most tourists head to the Capilano suspension bridge but why fight the crowds and pay a small fortune when you can do the same kind of thing for free!? The suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon is scary, exhilarating and set in the most beautiful woodland. We went on a lovely hike to ‘twin falls’ and once again were in awe of the beauty. As with most canyon hikes, the trip back was exhausting. I ... read more

Hi everyone, so it's been 2 days since my last entry, what have I been up too??? Where to start? Yesterday, I did the Hop On, Hop Off tour, only to get down the street and find I had left my camera back in my hotel room. Couldn't believe it. Anyway, continued on with the tour taking everything in, I knew that I'd beable to get photo's later on, my pass was for 2 days afterall. So, I was taken all over Vancouver, heading down Robson St, the main shopping street here then down to BC Place Stadium which is where the football is played, unfortunatly, it was closed as I found out today when I walked for ages trying to find a way inside lol. Anyway, we then headed through China town and Gastown, which ... read more

Hello Everyone! So I am all set up here (on my computer/the internets) and ready to write to you for the next three months. I will be heading to Southeast Asia with SFU Field School to study the ethnic minorities/politics/everything about the area. The field school will go from Thailand to Laos to Vietnam and following I will most likely be traveling (with Tyson and Linnaea and whoever else we pick up) to Cambodia and southern Thailand. Then Tyson and I will head for a quick jaunt to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur before flying home. This is the current plan, let's see if I actually stick to it. I hope that all of you enjoy following my adventure and have a fantastic few months while I am away. I look forward to seeing everyone when I ... read more

Travelogue - Day 2 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Hello everyone! Friday, September 18, 2009 - continued… Friday in Vancouver continued for us after we all rested a bit and then went down on to the lovely outside patio overlooking the marina and the pool here at the Westin Bayshore where we played some Euchre and the guys have now taken the overall lead in games 3-2. Christie and I will have our work cut out for us now for the rest of the trip! Keep your fingers crossed for us girls! After we played cards for a couple of hours, we decided to take a walk over to Stanley Park, which is right next to where we are staying. The sun was about to set in the west and the sweeping clouds against the blue sky ... read more