November 30, 2004
Van Pan
This is a panorama of Vancouver from the North Shore. Also available as a QuickTimeVR.
And this is the opposite view, from Vancouver looking at the North Shore. QuickTimeVR also available.
Posted by Samer at 11:11 PM | Comments (0)
Transportation
I came into Canada by train, and I love this shot of the tracks as I headed down the Waterfront Station ramp toward what must be the coolest public transport around.
The SeaBus is a catamaran that takes you from Vancouver to North Vancouver, across Burrard Inlet. It is a cool 15 minute ride, and your transfer ticket is good for any of the public transportation, including the monorail. Just try not to sing.
Posted by Samer at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)
View from Above
Step off the elevator at the Vancouver Lookout and you have directions to a bunch of world cities.
You walk over to the glass and look down and you see this really cool city laid out below you (that's the Delta Hotel right up front).
I love this view of two of the coolest looking buildings in Vancouver. The domed building at the top right is the Sun Tower, and it was once the tallest building in the British Empire. The red and tan terra cotta building in the foreground is a beautiful old building.
Looking out at the boat-like Canada Place, you notice the building towering over it has a flight control tower. I believe this is the tallest control tower in the world, and the air controllers there cover the seaplanes and helicopters that are everywhere in this shore area.
Posted by Samer at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)
Granville Island
Took the bus to Granville Island, a small community in Vancouver. It seems the defining feature here is the bridge that runs over the island.
The boats at the marina as you walk under the bridge toward the Granville Island Brewery.
A nice side road leads to a neat little area where the water runs and the ducks frolic. And with all the rain, it is good to have a duck's back.
Posted by Samer at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)
Art?
As I wander around Granville Island, I come to an art "gallery". The display is a laundry room.
Now, I just don't get "modern" art most of the time, but this seemed to be a display of a room with laundry facilities and anyone who wanted to could make an appointment to come and do their laundry. Right. I still don't get it.
Posted by Samer at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)
Monorail
Every time I set foot on the SkyTrain, I wanted to sing the "Monorail" song from the Simpsons.
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail! ...
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
Luckily I managed not embarrass myself. The SkyTrain is really nice, and most of the public transport in Vancouver runs pretty well.
Posted by Samer at 09:46 PM | Comments (0)
Vancouver
Standing on the "deck" at Canada Place, the convention facilities built to look like a ship, you can look out towards North Vancouver. What a great view, even when it was raining.
I didn't get to go out to Stanley Park, but I did see it from Canada Place. It looks pretty cool, and I think it has official rain forest status. Imagine waking up and going for hike in the rain forest, then stopping off at a great restaurant for lunch, picking up a six pack a the brewery and trundling off for a skiing session in the evening.
Seagulls everywhere. I just like this picture, for no real reason.
I really love the Vancouver skyline and the architecture here. It reminds me a good deal of London, with some cutting edge buildings mixed in with older, more stately ones.
Did I mention that they made Canada Place look like a ship? Here are the "sails". It is a very nifty idea, and it os well executed.
Posted by Samer at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)