CAN: Vancouver Downtown

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver is a coastal seaport city that's the most populous in British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada. In addition, it's one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in the country with roughtly 30% of the inhabitants being of Chinese heritage.


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As my BFF and I stayed at Ramada Limited Vancouver Airport for the first few days, we had more than one opportunity to enjoy the scenic metro ride on the Canada Line from Richmond-Brighouse station to Marine Drive station. The rest of the stations, from Langara-49th Avenue to Waterfront, is underground.



Here's a video clip that I took when crossing North Arm Bridge over Fraser River before reaching Marine Drive station.


The city gets its name from George Vancouver, a British officer of the Royal Navy who explored the inner harbour of burrard Inlet in 1782 and subsequently gave British names to the various places in the area.



CF Pacific Centre is the largest mall in the downtown area based on the number of stores,
most of which are underground.


Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest of such galleries in Western Canada,
and it's the fifth largest in the country.


Jumbo hot dogs, anyone?


Who'd expect to see a bronze statue of a bull in town?
On another occasion, we walked from Yaletown-Roundhouse metro station to Vancouver Chinatown.

Is that an office building or a condominium?

I actually laughed upon seeing that construction sign.

BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium that served as the main stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Paralympics. Opened in 1983, the indoor stadium with an air-supported roof was once the largest of its kind in the world.



Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete who, with one leg amputated due to cancer, embarked on
a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research in 1980.
We walked past Beatty Street Drill Hall, a Canadian Forces armoury within a stone's throw away from Stadium-Chinatown metro station.

It's the home of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own),
the oldest military unit in Vancouver, as well as the most senior militia in the province.

The two tanks displayed, Ram MK II (above) and Sherman (below), are dedicated to
the memory of those who've served or are serving the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

After exploring the Chinatown area, we walked down Pender Street and eventually reached Victory Square.


Standing at 9.1 m, the cenotaph was unveiled in 1924 to commemorate "those who served
their King and Country overseas in the cause of truth, righteousness and freedom."

From there, we continued walking to Cathedral Square.

Enjoy a 360º aerial view of the city at Vancouver Lookout.
The observatory ticket costs C$18.25 (~S$18.85) per adult.

For the uninitiated, Scientology is a body of religious beliefs and practices founded in 1954.
It has, however, been involved in a number of controversies since its inception.


Opened on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 1900, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Built in French Gothic style, the cathedral is said to resemble the medieval Chartres Cathedral in France.


The pipe organ was originally built and inaugurated in the autumn of 1900,
which is the oldest romantic organ in British Columbia remaining in its original location.

Granville Street is a major street considered to be the main entertainment district.

BC Entertainment Hall of Fame was founded on 24 July 1992.


Orpheum is a theatre and music venue that's the permanent home of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Established in 1977, TELUS World of Science was formerly called Science World. It received a donation of C$9 million (~S$9.3 million) from TELUS, which is a Canadian national telecommunications company, in 2005.

We had the chance to watch Great Bear Rainforest at the world's largest OMNIMAX dome theatre.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." ~ Albert Einstein

Behold the view of the city across False Creek from the science centre.



Below are some photos that I took while we made our way to Granville Island.


St. Paul's Hospital is the oldest of the seven health care facilities operated by
Providence Health Care, a Roman Catholic faith-based care provider.

An interesting sight is Vancouver House, a condominium with 375 units.

Do check out the Vancouver-related entries in my food blog:
- Longliner Seafoods (Western)
- Salmon n' Bannock (Western)
- Sharky's Chophouse (Western)
- Tim Hortons (Western)
- The Templeton (Western and Mexican)
- Japadog (Japanese, Western and Fusion)
- Miku (Japanese, Western and Fusion)
- Phnom Penh Restaurant (Cambodian and Vietnamese)
- Prospect Point Bar & Grill (Chinese, French and Italian)
- Richmond Night Market

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