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Home › Entertainment

Entertainment | 04/25/2008 8:13 am

Mary Wells Takes You on a Virtual Trip to Vancouver

Photo Essay

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Crystal Buildings

9 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Olive Oil
Yikes, I was there last June and was so disappointed in it. I thought it was very seedy, dirty and so 1960’s dominated (cheap) architecture. Gastown- watch you don’t walk one block too far. Pole dancing, Xrated shops everywhere. We did have some wonderful meals. Enjoyed the big market. But would never go back.
By Olive Oil on 04/25/2008 9:05 am
GEORGE WU, A.I.A.
Olive—- It is sad that you did not go to other parts of Vancouver when you were there.—- the experience I had with Chicago and Boston in 1956. I was there only in the poorest sections of the cities, the slums. Of course I was also very disappointed like you are with Vancouver. Similarly, China is another example. If the tourists ever visited China, and saw only the slum areas, certainly, the impression of China could not be more disappointing! Just remember that every thing in life has more than one facet of it!—-dancewu(dot)net
By GEORGE WU, A.I.A. on 04/25/2008 4:54 pm
Amelie Poulain
That’s like saying LA sucks if you only went to South Central. Sorry you missed the highlights. Gastown is where ALL the homeless/drug addicted are and the rest who can barely afford shelter are housed in the seedy hotels near that neighbourhood which is in the process of being gentrified. Its an awkward place for tourists to understand. Sorry you had a bad experience.
By Amelie Poulain on 04/25/2008 1:47 pm
Olive Oil
We traveled all around and stayed in an area across from the bridge that took you to the big market. That was where we saw all of the X-rated places. We were on the street with the very popular Greek restaurant Stepho’s or something like that. We were taken aback and we live in the city and vacation to all kinds of cities. Anyway we still love Canada. Vacation often there. And Victoria was pretty.
By Olive Oil on 04/25/2008 2:40 pm
Amelie Poulain
Ooooh. You were in the West End ! This is a high density urban area right along English Bay area. Yes. there are a lot of older hi rise apartments there. And a very very dense gay community. Ah. THOSE sex shops! Well you know Vancouver is Canada’s San Francisco in more ways than one. I can see that it would make you uncomfortable.
By Amelie Poulain on 04/29/2008 11:37 am
Michael Salling
Aloha Mary; these virtual tours are a godsend for me. When I finally am in the position to travel I’ll have a better basis for choosing. I’m still leaning toward Portugal (and Spain of course.)
By Michael Salling on 04/25/2008 7:42 pm
E B
This city looks like it has in all: Big city feel, proximity to nature (mountains and water), and beautiful views. There are sometimes when you go places and you only experience certain parts that paint your mind’s total picture - it’s best to remember that there’s more than meets the eye.
By E B on 04/26/2008 6:17 pm
Gail Marker
British Columbia absolutely knocks me out. There are so many gorgeous areas to see as well as Vancouver…. take a ferry and experience the out islands… or just hop over to north vancouver. All I have are wonderful memories of great visuals/outstanding experiences with food/fun/events… all good . Whenever any friends say they want to go somewhere new, I encourage BC………… what’s not to like.
By Gail Marker on 04/28/2008 10:18 am
Rebecca B
Just returned from family vacay in Vancouver. I was taken aback that every seedy highway motel in the US provides free breakfast and wifi and that was definitely not the case in our $200 per night hotel there. I guess it’s easy enough to pay for those when you save money with healthcare. Also, the exchange rate wasn’t all that friendly. But the people were wonderful. Gaslight was okay, Chinatown (third largest in N. America) was okay, lots was okay, but Stanley park was FABULOUS! High rise hotels with slammin’ views are pretty cool when you are a hayseed too.
By Rebecca B on 04/29/2008 12:43 pm