Blue Cat is really enjoying his new job. Not only does he get to meet a lot of interesting people, but also gets to travel again. Except for having to travel Carry On Luggage Class (one step below Coach but two steps above Checked Baggage Class) it’s really pretty fun. And last year he got to go back to Canada – this time to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Vancouver is very watery. Not only is it on a peninsula (surrounded by the Strait of Georgia and Burrard Inlet), but it’s also very damp (it rained every day that Blue Cat was there). No wonder the city is also known as “Rain City” or “Raincouver” – they average 47.2 inches of rainfall a year. But that also meant that everything was green and the air was cool. And Blue Cat got to see a cruise ship come into port:
But back to the beginning. The Airport in Vancouver has a nature and indigenous peoples theme. When you arrive you’re greeted by these two folks – know as the Welcome Figures.You can read about them here.
Things got a little less welcoming after that though. This giant Thunderbird on the the way from the gate was more than a little unnerving. Blue Cat likes his birds small and chirpy, and this was not that…
In was even more frightening up close…
The hotel in Vancouver was quite nice – as usual Blue Cat had a bed that was a little too big and a view that was just super. Thanks to the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel – close to Blue Cat’s business meetings, some great restaurants, and a lovely view.
Blue Cat’s favorite place to eat was Cardero’s on Vancouver Harbor. It’s a great seafood restaurant (and what cat doesn’t like fish?) that’s literally on the water. Blue Cat ate on the outside “deck” – they had heaters to ward off the wet and cold – and the food was really good. Blue Cat had the “Signature Cedar Plank Salmon” and there was enough and to spare. And not long of a wait considering that lots of people wanted to eat there.
Returning to Colorado was a bit less stressful (no large birds lurking overhead) and Blue Cat was able to get something nice for his scribe’s wife.
He also found some friends to bring home – although they ended up traveling to Wyoming to meet some very cute grandchildren.
Blue Cat heartily recommends Vancouver as a stop for either work or pleasure. The folks there were nice, the weather was pleasant, and the food and lodging were really good.
Have you been there? Let Blue Cat know in the comments what you think.
(c) William Doyle, 2023
Blue Cat's View 