By Sea, Land, And Air we Prosper - Visiting Vancouver

Orcas are jumping, the sea is blowing, and Yasyf and I are off to another stop on our cross-province tour. Traveling on the Spirit of British Columbia from the Victoria ferry terminal to Vancouver gives us the chance to view the beauty of the islands all along the coast of BC. Located at 9°15′N 123°6′W, Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, behind Toronto and Montreal, as well as having the largest and most active port in the country. The climate in Vancouver is classified as a maritime climate, having dry summers, and warm wet winters. The type of precipitation found in Vancouver is orographic, because it is west of the Rocky Mountains, and is where the clouds dump their rain before traveling inland over the mountains. However, Vancouver is much more than just its climate. It is a very diverse city with people from many different cultures. Vancouver is often called a "city of neighborhoods", with each one having its own distinct culture i.e. Richmond being mainly made up of the Chinese/Hong Kong community. The population density of the Vancouver core is 735.6/km squared, making it an urban city. With an estimated population of 2,328,000 people, Vancouver is a very large city. Originally, Vancouver was made up of mainly British, Scottish, and Irish immigrants who came for the rich farmland, the large port, and the nearness to the CPR. Over time however, this has changed with the help of the large influx of new immigrants. Vancouver now has a very large Chinese Population (as well as the second largest China town in North America) due to the mass emigration of people from Hong Kong when it was handed back to China. Vancouver now also has large Portuguese, Italian, German, Philippino, Thai, Cambodian, and Eastern European populations. British Columbia, and especially Vancouver is a very wealthy area with many things drawing in prospective immigrants. Because of the already large immigrant population, many feel comfortable moving to the city. It also has a large amount of jobs available, especially in the tourism industry. However there are some push factors sending people away from Vancouver such as the high cost of living and housing that can be a detriment to young people just starting their careers.

But right now in the summer months, the sun is shining and the beautiful weather in BC continues for our cross-province travels. In the morning after getting off the ferry, we check in to the Hotel Vancouver Fairmont, and are soon off on our way to continue sightseeing. But Vancouver was not always a city of fun and tourism, in fact because of it's location, it was originally a port city due to it's deep waters that were ideal for large ocean liners. Situated in the Cordillera Region in a low-lying area, Vancouver has rich farmland as well as an excess of raw materials such as trees and minerals. Because of the areas abundance of natural resources, it was also home to mills, and other industry's dealing with nature's gifts. One of the youngest large cities in Canada, it was only established in the 1880's due to the Moody Saw Hill, and the arrival of the CPR. However, a recent growth in international attention and tourism, as well as the shrinking of the forestry industry has led Vancouver to transition into more tourism-based industry. Although it still is a major base for forestry and mining companies and port business, it is slowly changing to create new businesses such as a large film industry (making such films as the Twilight series, and home to Team Jacob and Team Edward shirts galore) and new software and biotech companies. But when walking through the beautiful Stanley Park on the way to the Vancouver Aquarium, neither of us is thinking about the economics of the region, but instead how excited we are to see the famous Beluga Whales!! Up close, their snow white bodies are even larger in person... they offer a chance to swim with them, but no amount of reassurance of their playfulness will convince us that they are anything but cold-blooded killers.

Riding the Sky Train gives us a break off our feet, laying them up on the plastic chairs while we stare into the tunnel we are being taken through on our way to a late lunch at Tojo's. Known for it's award winning Sushi and Japanese Food, it is considered one of the best restaurants in the city. Although - is there something wrong with eating raw fish right after visiting an Aquarium? However, while sitting down eating our California and BC Crown Rolls, there is a commotion at the door. And in walks in who but - Tom Cruise. Wearing aviator sunglasses, he looks like he is trying to blend in and absolutely failing like only a world-famous celebrity can. Sitting a few tables down, both of us are star-struck, but luckily we don't need another picture with him as there are already dozens adorning Yasyf's bedroom wall.

Off on the last stop of the day - Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Being forced to sell his left kidney in order to obtain tickets, Yasyf is a little worse for wear, however off we go with jerseys in hand and large smiles on our faces. The streets are flooded with blue and green, and chants can be heard from every window as we make our way into the hallowed stadium. The game turns out to be tight - tied 2-2 in the 3rd with even more opportunities for both sides. But with 52 seconds left, Kesler gets a break away - and SCORES! For the first time ever, Vancouver wins the Stanley Cup - what better way to end our trip to the largest city in Western Canada?