Tag: #vancouver

Travel Story: Part III—When the World Came to Vancouver ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry11 Comments

Beforeword: I recently traveled home to Canada and visited Vancouver, British Columbia. The trip was epic. I intended to publish it as one seamless feature with subheadings. But it turned out to be quite substantive. Instead it is presented in three parts but written as a single story. You’re invited to read all three as the seamless feature it’s intended to be.

Start here👉 Part I: Vancouver—Where Nature Takes Centre Stage

Followed by 👉Part II: Vancouver—Beyond the Skyline

As if Vancouver itself wasn’t lively enough, my visit coincided with one of the biggest sporting events on the planet—FIFA World Cup 2026—that made the vibe electric!

Truth be told, I don’t follow football.

But that turned out not to matter in the slightest.

You didn’t need to know the offside rule, the tournament standings or the names of the star players to become caught up in the excitement. The energy was simply too infectious to resist.

One of my favourite discoveries was pairing good food with good football.

An afternoon at Cactus Club Café in Coal Harbour became the perfect example. Perched along the waterfront, the restaurant offered panoramic views of Burrard Inlet, floatplanes taking off from the harbour, and the North Shore Mountains rising in the distance. It was quintessential Vancouver—excellent food served against a spectacular natural backdrop.

Then, just outside, another spectacle was unfolding.

CTV—Canada’s largest privately or commercially owned network—had transformed the nearby plaza into its Crave Fan Zone, broadcasting live throughout the tournament, also using the North Shore Mountains for its backdrop.

Television cameras swept across the crowds while commentators analysed the day’s matches only metres away. Every few minutes, fans erupted into cheers, waving flags, banners and scarves in the hope of catching a few seconds of television fame.

From my hotel I was also able to bask in the World Cup excitement.

Located on the route to the BC Place Stadium, I found myself at the centre of the action. Team buses passed by under police escort, greeted by cheering supporters lining the streets. And poo-up post-game street rallies.

This was unlike anything I had experienced before—the excited chants of fans, rhythmic drumming, whistles, the unmistakable drone of the occasional vuvuzela, and even the wail of police sirens became part of one continuous soundtrack.

On match days, the city transformed.

Hours before kick-off, supporters flooded the streets dressed head to toe in their national colours. Colombian yellow, Argentine blue and white, Swiss red, Belgian red and black—it felt as though the world’s flags had come alive and taken over Vancouver’s sidewalks.

Restaurants overflowed.

Pubs filled long before the opening whistle.

Strangers became teammates for ninety minutes. I joined the singing, celebrated the goals and embraced the shared joy that sport has a unique ability to create.

BC Place hosted World Cup

Vancouver hosted seven FIFA World Cup games. I was there for two — USA vs Belgium and Columbia vs Switzerland.

Inside and around BC Place, the organisation was remarkable.

Hundreds of volunteers welcomed visitors with genuine warmth, patiently answering questions, directing crowds and ensuring everything flowed smoothly.

Security was visible without feeling intrusive. Mounted police calmly patrolled alongside officers on foot, all of whom somehow still found time to smile for thumbs-up photographs.

Yet beyond the football itself, something else caught my attention.

Canadian pride

Perhaps it was the significance of hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events. Perhaps it was the geopolitical climate that made us Canadians even more eager to celebrate national identity. Whatever the reason, there was a confidence and patriotism that felt different.

Maple Leaf flags fluttered from balconies, businesses and lamp posts. Oversized football sculptures and giant player installations became favourite photo stops throughout the city. Everywhere I looked, signs proudly declared:

“The World is Watching.”

And Canada was ready. Not with boasts or extravagance. Instead, it welcomed the world in a way that felt unmistakably Canadian—with warmth, efficiency, inclusiveness and quiet confidence.

That, more than anything, became my lasting impression of Vancouver.

Earlier in the week I had stood beneath towering cedars, crossed a swaying suspension bridge, watched salmon fight their way upstream and found myself face to face with grizzly bears.

Now I was watching hundreds of thousands of people from every corner of the globe gather peacefully to celebrate a shared love of sport in a country I call home.

Both experiences revealed: British Columbia has found a way to embrace modernity without surrendering the natural world that surrounds it. Canada, in much the same way, has built a nation that strives to celebrate diversity without losing its own identity.

In a world where strength is too often measured by volume, dominance or displays of power, Canada offered a different lesson:

  • Its strength is quieter. It’s found in civility over confrontation.
  • It embraces openness over exclusion.
  • It protects nature while embracing progress.
  • It welcomed the world without forgetting the people and landscapes that came first.

As I left Vancouver, I had never been prouder to carry my Canadian passport. The occasion of the World Cup gave Vancouver the chance to represent Canada, and it did so magnificently.

2026 All Rights Reserved

Like what you see? To never miss a post click HERE👈 to subscribe & follow the blog. There’s more HERE👈 and on Spillwords, the Writers Club, Facebook & Bluesky.

💡 Only WordPress.com members can hit the “Like” button, but everyone’s welcome to share their thoughts in the comments. Thanks!

In creative solidarity, Dee

Travel Story: Vancouver Part II—Beyond the Skyline ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry3 Comments

Beforeword: I recently traveled home to Canada and visited Vancouver, British Columbia. The trip was epic. I intended to publish it as one seamless feature with subheadings. But it turned out to be quite substantive. Instead it is presented in three parts but written as a single story. You’re invited to read all three as the seamless feature it’s intended to be.

Start here 👉Part I: Vancouver—Where Nature Takes Centre Stage

Leaving downtown behind, I discovered another side of Vancouver.

The city impresses with its waterfront, neighbourhoods and skyline, but crossing Burrard Inlet into North Vancouver reveals why British Columbia is consistently ranked among the most beautiful places in the world.

To explore it, I once again stepped away from the conventional tourist route. Instead of boarding a hop-on, hop-off bus, I joined a small group sightseeing tour. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. The smaller vehicle created a more intimate experience, allowed our guide the flexibility to tailor the day to our interests and reached places larger coaches simply couldn’t.

Our first stop was Cleveland Dam.

Standing 300 feet high, the massive concrete structure stretches across the Capilano River, creating one of Metro Vancouver’s three protected drinking water reservoirs. Every day, this reservoir helps provide clean drinking water to nearly one million residents.

Yet for all its engineering significance, what struck me most was its serenity.

The water was impossibly still, acting like glass reflecting the surrounding mountains. Surrounded by towering evergreens the cool mountain air carries the scent of cedar and fir complemented by the fragrant roses. The stillness, the silence and the flavor in the air said more than words ever could.

Crossing the nearby Lions Gate Bridge added another chapter to Vancouver’s story.

Completed in 1938, the suspension bridge connects downtown Vancouver with the North Shore, toll free. Named after the twin mountain peaks known as The Lions, the bridge has become one of Vancouver’s defining landmarks.

If the airport introduced me to British Columbia’s relationship with nature, North Vancouver immersed me in it.

This started with the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Stretching 450 feet across the Capilano River and suspended 230 feet above the canyon floor, the bridge has been welcoming adventurous visitors since 1889.

Adventure, however, was not the word running through my mind.

Terror might be more accurate.

With my heart beat racing and knees buckling, I timidly stepped onto the swaying bridge. My tour guide encouraged me to pause for a photograph.

I convinced my shaking legs to stay still enough for the photo, and even managed to let go off of the railings long enough for it.

Hand over hand, wobbly step by wobbly step, I made my way across, alternating between looking straight ahead and stealing nervous glances through the gaps at the rushing Capilano River far below.

Once safely on the other side, I could pay attention to the surrounding Douglas firs and western red cedars—many hundreds of years old—towering over us. It made me think of how much more we need to protect nature.

Now back on solid ground I rewarded myself with a much-needed pause at the historic Cliff House Restaurant before browsing the Trading Post gift shop. My nerves had settled just enough for me to convince myself that perhaps I was becoming braver.

Or perhaps I had simply forgotten how frightening the next attractions looked from the ground.

Floating through a forest

The Treetops Adventure invited visitors to walk among the forest canopy itself. Seven suspension bridges linked towering Douglas firs high above the forest floor, offering a perspective usually reserved for the birds. It felt like I was floating through a forest.

Walking on the danger side

Then came the Cliffwalk.

If the suspension bridge had tested my courage, the Cliffwalk demanded even more.

I descended down the narrow walkway that hugs the granite cliff face, with sections extending out over the canyon on steel supports and glass panels. Once again, it became a slow procession of careful footsteps, tightly gripping the handrails. Every now and then, I reminded myself to stop gripping the railing quite so tightly and simply breathe.

The reward was worth every anxious step.

I survived and I have the certificate to prove it!!! 

Our journey continued to the Capilano Salmon Hatchery.

Each year, thousands of salmon return to these waters after spending years in the Pacific Ocean, swimming upstream to the very place where their lives began. Watching them battle powerful currents to complete one of nature’s greatest migration offered a lesson in perseverance while highlighting the conservation work that helps sustain British Columbia’s salmon populations for future generations.

Just when I thought the day could not possibly become more memorable, our guide smiled and announced our final destination.

Grouse Mountain!

Known as the Peak of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain rises approximately 4,100 feet above sea level. The ascent aboard the Skyride was an attraction in itself. 

As the gondola climbed steadily above the forest, the city shrank beneath us until glass towers gave way to an endless landscape of mountains, islands and ocean.

Standing at the summit, I understood why Vancouver consistently appears on lists of the world’s most liveable cities. Few places offer such extraordinary wilderness only minutes from downtown.

Yet, surprisingly, it wasn’t the panoramic views that became my favourite memory.

Up close and personal with grizzly bears

For the first time in my life, I came face to face with grizzly bears!

Grinder and Coola, two orphaned grizzlies rescued as cubs and therefore can no longer survive in the wild, now live in a protected mountainside habitat where they attract visitors from around the world.

Seeing them was unlike anything I had expected.

Photographs simply do not prepare you for their sheer scale. Watching these magnificent animals move with surprising grace despite their immense size was both humbling and deeply moving. There is something about standing only metres away from one of North America’s most iconic creatures that commands complete respect.

Lumberjacks, axe throwing and more…

The mountain itself buzzed with life.

Summer camp children raced between activities, their laughter and chatter echoing before gradually settling into attentive silence as everyone gathered for one of Grouse Mountain’s famous lumberjack shows.

Equal parts entertainment and history lesson, the show celebrated British Columbia’s logging heritage with axe throwing, tree climbing and feats of strength, all woven together with stories about the province’s early pioneers and the forests that shaped its economy.

By the end of the afternoon, I realised Grouse Mountain offers far more than spectacular views.

It is where wildlife conservation, outdoor adventure, education and British Columbia’s history come together in one unforgettable experience.

As we descended back towards the city, Vancouver’s skyline reappeared in the distance.

Only now, I saw it differently.

It was no longer simply a beautiful city.

It was a city that had learned to live alongside the wilderness that surrounds it rather than trying to conquer it.

What awaited me in the city was electric!

Read about it here 👉Part III: When the World Came to Vancouver

2026 All Rights Reserved

Like what you see? To never miss a post click HERE👈 to subscribe & follow the blog. There’s more HERE👈 and on Spillwords, the Writers Club, Facebook & Bluesky.

💡 Only WordPress.com members can hit the “Like” button, but everyone’s welcome to share their thoughts in the comments. Thanks!

In creative solidarity, Dee

Travel Story: Vancouver Part I—Nature Takes Centre Stage ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry3 Comments

Beforeword: I recently traveled home to Canada and visited Vancouver, British Columbia. The trip was epic. I intended to publish it as one seamless feature with subheadings. But it turned out to be quite substantive. Instead it is presented in three parts but written as a single story. You’re invited to read all three as the seamless feature it’s intended to be.

Traveling Home As a Tourist

Home, for me, is in Ontario.

Year after year, whenever I return from living or working overseas, that’s where I go—to reconnect with family and friends, to recharge, and to remind myself where my Canadian story began.

But Canada—the world’s second-largest country stretching nearly 5,500 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific—is as vast in its landscapes as it is in its cultures. To confine my Canadian experience to one province would be to miss the many personalities, topographies and experiences that make this country unique.

So, on this homecoming, I decided to experience Canada as a visitor would.

While I carved out time for loved ones in Ontario, I devoted the rest of my journey to discovering another corner of the country—British Columbia.

Ontario and British Columbia are often spoken of in the same breath as Canada’s two powerhouse provinces, but they couldn’t feel more different. Ontario is Canada’s political, financial and manufacturing heart. British Columbia is Canada’s Pacific gateway, where snow-capped mountains, temperate rainforests and the Pacific Ocean shape both the landscape and the lifestyle. If it’s said that the Great Lakes dominate the horizon in Ontario, then it’s the mountains for British Columbia.

An Airport That Introduces a Province

Arriving by air, Vancouver introduces itself before you even leave the airport.

Unlike many international airports that greet travellers with luxury boutiques and endless advertising, Vancouver International Airport welcomes visitors with flowing water features, the soothing sounds of birds and rushing streams, and striking Indigenous carvings and artwork.

Long before I checked into my hotel, I already felt immersed in the spirit of British Columbia. As the days unfolded, I realised those first impressions weren’t simply clever airport design; they were reflection of Vancouver itself. This assertion is of importance because most of British Columbia is still unceded First Nations land.

FIFA Buzz

The city was also buzzing with FIFA World Cup 2026 vibes. Banners fluttered from lamp posts. Giant football displays appeared in public spaces. Volunteers in brightly coloured uniforms seemed to be everywhere. Vancouver was prepared to welcome the world.

We’ll come back to that.

For now, let’s explore the city itself.

Although I had previously visited Vancouver Island, and the impressive Butchart Gardens, this was my first opportunity to spend meaningful time in British Columbia and the city of choice was Vancouver. It completed another chapter in my journey across Canada and quickly became clear why British Columbia consistently ranks among the country’s most admired destinations.

Mountains are the skyline. Dense forests tumble towards rivers. Glass towers don’t overshadow the landscape around them. Vancouver showed me that people, progress and preservation of nature can coexist healthily.

Stepping Back in Time

My exploration began in Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, tucked into the northeastern corner of downtown.

Walking its cobblestone streets feels like stepping into another era. Restored brick buildings house cafés, boutiques and galleries, while heritage lamp posts line streets that tell the story of the city’s earliest days.

The neighbourhood’s star attraction is undoubtedly the famous Steam Clock.

Every fifteen minutes, crowds gather beneath it, cameras at the ready, waiting for its familiar whistle and dramatic burst of steam. It lasts only moments, yet somehow manages to captivate everyone standing around it. In a city celebrated for innovation, one of its most photographed landmarks is delightfully old-fashioned.

Just a short walk away, Vancouver reveals another side of itself.

Canada Place: Vancouver’s Front Door

Standing on the waterfront at Canada Place, I was drawn to one of the city’s most recognizable architectural landmarks.

Its five brilliant white fabric sails billow above the harbour, designed to resemble ships under full sail—a fitting symbol for a city whose history and prosperity have long been tied to the Pacific Ocean.

Looking out across Burrard Inlet, seaplanes skimmed across the water while cargo ships and cruise liners waited in port.

On the day of my visit, a Disney Cruise Line ship was docked alongside Canada Place, its towering silhouette dwarfing everything around it. People sat watching the steady rhythm of harbour life unfold. Families gathered along the promenade to admire the vessel.

I overheard one mom explaining to her kids the scene built into the stern of the Disney Wonder—Donald is hard at work painting while his nephew mischievously reaches for the rope with a giant pair of scissors. You can almost imagine the splash that comes next. Leave it to Disney to turn the back of a cruise ship into a comedy. But I would have missed it had it not been for a little eavesdropping. So, of course, I zoomed in my trusty iPhone camera for a closer look and shot. Sometimes travel is enriched by overhearing someone else’s sense of wonder.

The harbor was a reminder that Vancouver is not only surrounded by spectacular scenery but also serves as one of North America’s great gateways to Alaska and the Pacific.

A Garden Saved for Next Time

One place I had hoped to visit was the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Unfortunately, it was closed that day.

Even so, learning more about it only ensured it remains high on my list for a future visit. It was built in the style of a 15th-century Ming Dynasty scholar’s garden, and was the first authentic classical Chinese garden constructed outside China complete with limestone imported from Lake Tai.

Sometimes travel leaves you with unfinished chapters. This is one and definitely worth a return visit.

Where the City Meets the Sea

Instead of the garden, I made my way to Stanley Park.

The park is bordered by water on three sides, and feels like an urban oasis. I wandered along the famous Seawall—the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront pathway, stretching nearly ten kilometres. Cyclists glided past. Runners were there too. Like me, visitors stopped every few minutes to photograph another postcard-perfect scene.

To one side stood Vancouver’s skyline.

To the other stretched Burrard Inlet and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

Few cities allow you to feel simultaneously immersed in nature and connected to downtown. Stanley Park allows Vancouver to do so effortlessly.

Magical Escape Within the City

No visit to Vancouver would be complete without exploring Granville Island dubbed as a “magical escape within the city.” Live music. Art museums. Great restaurants. And the Public Market.

The Market was alive with colour and conversation. Fresh seafood and fruits. Buckets overflowed with flowers. Local cheeses, artisan breads, handcrafted chocolates and colourful produce competed for attention at every turn.

Then there was the queue.

One Doughnut Worth Waiting For

One stall attracted a line unlike any other.

Lee’s Donuts.

While other vendors welcomed customers without delay, people patiently snaked through the market, waiting for what I was told are “Vancouver’s finest doughnuts.”

Naturally, curiosity got the better of me.

One bite explained everything.

Soft, fresh and wonderfully simple, it reminded me that sometimes long lines are worth the wait.

While I arrived Granville Island via road I left via water on the False Creek Ferry where I enjoyed a scenic ride and indulged on my jelly-filled donut.

I thought I had already seen the best of Vancouver. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The city’s most spectacular landscapes still lay just beyond the skyline.

Read about it here 👉Part II: Vancouver—Beyond the Skyline

Followed by 👉Part III: When the World Came to Vancouver

2026 All Rights Reserved

Like what you see? To never miss a post click HERE👈 to subscribe & follow the blog. There’s more HERE👈 and on Spillwords, the Writers Club, Facebook & Bluesky.

💡 Only WordPress.com members can hit the “Like” button, but everyone’s welcome to share their thoughts in the comments. Thanks!

In creative solidarity, Dee