North America | Travel Well, Fly Safe

Things That I Have Learned In Victoria, Canada

“He’s got this thing about Canada. He says it’s like America only with health care and no guns, and you can live up to your potential there and not have to worry about what society thinks or about getting sick or getting shot.” Ruth Ozeki

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. It was incorporated as a city in 1862. The city is named after Queen Victoria. Victoria lies on the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the Pacific Coast.

It is called the “city of gardens.” The famous Butchart Gardens opened in 1904, are only about a twenty-five minute drive from downtown Victoria.

Approximately 1,500 hanging baskets adorn lampposts throughout the City of Victoria each summer

Victoria’s Inner Harbor is the heart of the city. There are historic buildings and a lot boat and seaplane activity on the water.The Royal BC Museum and the BC Parliament Buildings are all in this area.

The food in Victoria reflects the local ingredients and flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Victoria’s rich farming regions and coastal waters yield an abundance of produce and seafood, particularly shellfish and salmon.

When someone in Victoria says oot and a boot, they mean out and about.

Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest commercial street in North America. It is located in Chinatown – the second largest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco.

You can get to Victoria via ferry. Float planes come from all over including regular scheduled flights from downtown Vancouver.

Forty six percent of people in Victoria walk, ride or use public transportation to get to work.

It’s an outdoorsy place with hiking, biking, kayaking and sailing. It is the cycling capital of Canada.

The world’s largest totem pole was raised in Victoria in 1994 as an homage to Victoria’s native history.

The architecture and tea and crumpets at the Fairmont is a reminder of the British heritage. Cuppa tea anyone?

Fly safe,

JAZ

Things I Have Learned In Vancouver, Canada

“I’ve been to Canada, and I’ve always gotten the impression that I could take the country over in about two days.” Jon Stewart

Vancouver is named after George Vancouver, a morose sounding guy who hated the place. ( Opening to the Northwest Passage – monument to Captain Vancouver in Vanier Park)

Thirty five per cent of Vancouver’s population is foreign-born (the highest figure for a city in the world). It has the highest proportion of Asians in any North American city.

Greenpeace was started in Vancouver – just in case you thought it was started by vegans in San Francisco.

Sun Yat Sen Gardens (named after the Chinese revolutionary) were the first authentic classical Chinese gardens ever built outside of China.

Chinese gardens employ principles of Feng Shui and Taoism, to achieve harmony and a balance of opposites. Craggy rocks, for example, are juxtaposed against delicate foliage. Water is also an important element of the garden. It is an oasis of peace in the beautiful city.

Vancouver ranks third in the world as the best city to live in.

This is a great eating city. Their specialties are seafood, local cheese and fresh produce. There is excellent Asian food as well. Don’t miss the Granville Market which is an entire island near downtown filled with crafts, farmer’s market, and specialty food vendors.

The Vancouver (YVR) airport has free WiFi.

Vancouver has the highest real estate prices in Canada.

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest and much used park.

Set against an urban seawall there are miles of trails, bike paths, beautiful beaches, gardens, monuments, sculptures the first nations totem poles., local wildlife, food, natural, cultural and historical landmarks.

You can’t buy beer or alcohol in the grocery store.

The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG)) is the fifth-largest gallery in Canada. Its permanent collection is about 10,000 pieces. . There are always interesting exhibitions as well and is a nice break from all the outdoor activities.

Vancouver is North America’s second largest port. (after New York)

Vancouver is the second or third largest film production centre in North America. It is second to LA in television production & third behind LA and NY in feature film production. This is due to favorable tax concessions to the industry, the year round mild climate, and Vancouver’s wide variety of locales. Most productions are American. Most Canadian productions are in Toronto.

The Twilight Saga was filmed in Vancouver.

Gastown was the first settlement in Vancouver. Today it has a lot of tourist shops, First Nation galleries, and pretty street lights. The main activity seems to be taking a picture of the steam clock.

Vancouver has the largest crime rate in Canada but still well below many American cities. This is due to the large number of drug addicts who live here.(because it is the third best city in the world to live?)

The city has less than fifty murders a year. Some of them are criminals killing other criminals. You can’t make this stuff up.

Fly safe,

JAZ