#4 - Pacific Northwest Jaunt

Sometimes when it gets hot and sticky outside, and the mosquitoes and sandflies come over just to bite me, I like to imagine a vacation to the Pacific Northwest. My husband is from Seattle, so I've been there to visit several times. It's beautiful and has a nice vibe. I've heard wonderful things about Vancouver, as well, but haven't been yet! I think it's about time that I take a look at what the city of glass has to offer.


Wishful Vacation #4
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Why I imagine I would go to Vancouver:

Upon further investigation, I am a fan of a lot of what Vancouver has to offer - clean city, seafood, cool weather, incredible design. Vancouver is located in the province of British Columbia, and is the 8th most populous city in Canada. It is sometimes called the "city of glass" in reference to its many glass-faced downtown high-rises, most built in the 1970s.

When I lived in Los Angeles, I often heard Vancouver referred to as the Hollywood of Canada because of all of the productions that choose to shoot there. The port of Vancouver is large and active, and the city is a center of software development, aerospace, and bio-technology.

Image by Matthew Field.

The city has a densely populated downtown center, which is a feature that I love. I like when cities use smart urban planning to get the most out of the land without so much sprawl. The city planners also put a heavy emphasis on environmental awareness and sustainability. Love it!

Vancouver was the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I love watching the crazy winter sports on TV. I think my favorite is the ski jump!

Image from here.

Where I imagine I would stay:

I really want to experience downtown life in Vancouver, so I would stay at The Fairmont Vancouver. The hotel is gorgeous, even from the outside. The building first opened in 1939, just in time for a visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The hotel was remodeled in the mid-1990s.

I love the look of the Morningside Suite, which is on the 14th floor and has a parlor area overlooking the city. The color scheme totally makes me feel relaxed just looking at it. Check it!

What I imagine I would eat:

Vancouver has a large number of Japanese eateries, and I would definitely take advantage of that! I love sushi. It brings joy to my life that I cannot put into words. Seriously. So, I would like to spend at least one of my dinners in Vancouver at an incredible sushi restaurant. I choose Tojo's.

Of course I would have to have the omakase (chef's tasting menu). Omakase almost always means delicious food plus the excitement of not knowing what to expect! World-renowned sushi chef Hidekazu Tojo's omakase emphasizes local produce and seafood and includes cold and hot dishes.

Picture from here.

I'm so hungry just thinking about this delicious meal!

What I imagine I would do as a fun activity:

Vancouver offers a good assortment of outdoorsy activities, festivals, and cultural events. I would be looking forward most to a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. Why? Two words - beluga whales. My son and I have a thing for "Baby Beluga," and I think that those smooth white whales are just the cutest things. Have you seen a beluga? Well I will, when I go to the aquarium. I may even get to feed one! And I'm psyched! Can you tell?!

Photo of Delphinapterus leucas (beluga) at the Vancouver Aquarium, taken July 2005 by Stan Shebs

Beluga whales have excellent hearing and may be able to echolocate better than dolphins. They communicate with each other using an array of clicking noises. The blubber that insulates them from the frigid arctic waters is 10-15 centimeters thick!

Have you been to Vancouver or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest? Do you love sushi? Do you love beluga whales? Where should I "go" next?

Happy travels!

xoxo - Erika