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Vancouver

At one with the Killer Whale in BC

by Rico and the Fiddler

An October 2003 travel journal

Last Updated: May 10, 2004

Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
8
Reviews

Urban meets wilderness in one of North America's great cities.

We stayed at the Fairmont Harborside in Vancouver for five days. The corner rooms have a great view of the straight with the cruise ship terminal directly below you.

Vancouver is a beautiful city with the wilderness just minutes away in every direction. I have never seen the urban and the rural in such close proximity. Vancouver downtown is very walkable and the locals seem to walk a lot. Shopping of every kind is available as are restaurants for every budget and taste. We particularly enjoyed the Caravan for good Middle Eastern fare and the freshest falafel around. Salmon fishing in the fall is good, but not cheap.

Quick Tips:

Visit Victoria while you are here, but a day or two there is more than enough.

Best Way To Get Around:

You really do not need a car here, between the public trasportation, cabs, and your feet, you will be fine unless you plan to drive up to Whistler.

We had a large corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows on both walls -- fantastic views. The view through the large plate glass window in the bathroom made even sitting on the toilet inspirational.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 7, 2004

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 W GEORGIA ST Vancouver, British Columbia V6C2W6
1-604-684-3131

This is a very nice, centrally-located hotel with great city and harbor views. Our room faced the harbor and had floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, including in the bathroom. We had intended to switch to a B&B in west Vancouver after a few nights, but loved this room so much that we stayed. There were nice, special touches like local lore printed on wooden shingles for turn-down treats, great rosemary shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate in the afternoon, and a chilled bottle of champagne with a cheese plate upon arrival. Oh yeah, you can take out the staff Labrador Retriever for a walk in the park if you miss your canine friends at home.

The hotel offered easy connection to the Skyrail and all other transportation within walking distance.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 W GEORGIA ST Vancouver, British Columbia V6C2W6
1-604-684-3131

Steamworks

Restaurant

This place is a great, old bar and grill near the watertown area. There's good live entertainment most nights with karaoke some nights. It was good fun for all, not a young persons only or sports oriented-type bar and grill.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Steamworks Brewing Company Restaurant and Pub
375 Water St Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5C6
+1 604 689 2739

Stanley Park

Activity

Be sure to rent a bike and take a tour of Stanley Park. This park has something for everyone, including a pitch-and-putt golf course, the Vancouver Aquarium , art shows throughout the park on the weekends, and acres of coastal rain forest just blocks from your hotel.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Stanley Park
845 Avison Way Vancouver, British Columbia V5K 1A1
(604) 257-8400

Take a cruise in a large canoe like those used by the trappers who moved furs up and down the coast. The trip takes about four hours and includes a snack and drinks on a beach at the turn-around point. This is pretty hard work, so come prepared to paddle. The scenery is excellent with a good chance to see eagles along with other wildlife.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Whale watching

Activity

While in Victoria for a day trip, check with one of the many charter companies to see of the local pods of killer whales are in the area. This is a MUST DO if they are.

The tour boats are large Zodiac-style inflatable boats that put you close to the water and can move quickly to where the whales are. We encountered about a dozen whales on a perfectly still morning. Several of the whales came within 10 yards of the boat. Forget about Shamu or Willie; seeing these creatures in the wild at close proximity is simply amazing. The thrill that went through my body the first time we heard them surface and blow was incredible. This tour is worth every penny.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Vancouver Whale Watch
12240 2nd Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia
(604) 274-9565

This small museum packs a lot of fun. Get there early and you may get a private tour. In all, we held about 20 different live bugs from centipedes to tarantulas and scorpions. It way exceeded my expectations. Kids love this place.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Rico and the Fiddler on May 10, 2004

Victoria Bug Zoo
1107 Wharf St Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1T7
+1 250 384 2847

About the Writer

Rico and the Fiddler
Rico and the Fiddler
Misison Viejo, California

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