Ah, Vancouver. Only two days here, and I’ve already fallen in 
with you.
Despite the sun having been a little shy while we’ve been here, it hasn’t been cold. Nothing a windbreaker or a light jacket couldn’t handle, and Vancouver’s friendly residents provide more than enough warmth to keep the chill away.
There’s a lot to see and do here. Yesterday El Hub and I visited Granville Island and its large public market. A 2-minute ferry boat ride connects the small island, which is home to dozens of shops, a few art galleries, restaurants and a huge indoor public market filled with local noms, to the rest of Vancouver. I’m 99.9% sure I even saw — no kidding — Carrie Anne Moss buying some cheese. OMG, Trinity!
After the market, we biked around Stanley Park, a huge urban park bordering downtown Vancouver (like New York’s Central Park), and chatted up locals and tourists alike. The people seem friendly and unguarded here. Back in the city, thousands of fired up Canucks fans were on their way to bars and restaurants to watch the game. On the sidewalk, I heard a voice behind me. “Karen?” It was MBB reader Jen (what up, girl!?). We spent a good 10 minutes just shooting the breeze on a street corner. It’s such a small world.
The city attracts people from many different countries, and the diversity is evident everywhere you turn. Just walking down the street you overhear countless accents and languages. I think that’s so cool.
Haven’t really had a specific plan while I’ve been here other than to relax, take some pictures, eat, relax and eat some more… So far, mission accomplished.
It’s an epidemic! The locals have Stanley Cup Finals fever. Someone actually swam out to this statue of a woman sitting on a rock and put a Canucks jersey on her. Awesome!
See that huge tree up on that building?
Touring Granville Island and its huge public market
Fiddleheads… They’re like a vegetable (or maybe they are a vegetable — I’m not sure).
Waiting for the Aquabus. Next stop: Stanley Park.
Even though I got some gnarly windburn (the brisk sea wind!), I had a blast biking around the park.
Wandering downtown…
Well, hello, Surf Baby.
A Canucks fan dedicated his paint job to the cause. People walked up and signed their names on his car!
I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods. Enjoy the weekend, and I’ll see you soon.
Go Canucks!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love the photos, and great to hear you’re having a fab time! My sister-in-law is from Vancouver so my brother went there a few times and loved the city. I’ve been meaning to visit this part of the world for years now!
Have a great weekend, can’t wait to see more pics!
Wow, Vancouver looks like a beautiful city and it seems like you’re having a great time! Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing your lovely experiences with us Karen, hope you enjoy the rest of your well-deserved vacation.
Yay! You went to Granville Island! Isn’t the market there amazing? I’ve only been once, but it definitely made an impression on me, since that was 6 years ago!
As far as fiddleheads go, “vegetable” isn’t a real term (at least not used scientifically). Basically, it’s some part of the plant that we eat, usually savory and not sweet. Fruits are actually the mature ovaries of fruiting/flowering plants. We don’t eat all fruits, so fruit is an actual scientific term, while, like I said, vegetable isn’t. But, in the end, does it matter? I’ve heard fiddleheads are delicious, and I’d love to try them sometime!
Wow, this looks like an amazing city! I would love to visit someday.
As always, your photography is beautiful! I’ve never been to Vancouver, and now I really want to go.
Aww, I grew up in Vancouver and your pictures make me miss it so much! Especially Granville Is. (And hey, I recognize that MAC! Corner of Granville & Georgia, by the Skytrain station, right? There’s a Pro Store a couple of blocks up–by the Art Gallery–as well.) If you get a chance to wander around downtown some more, the Vancouver Public Library–that Roman Colosseum-like building in the background–is really nice, great architecture, and if you go up to the 7th floor you get a fabulous view of the city. Thanks so much for the photos, and enjoy the rest of your stay!
Karen! What a surprise to see you in my hometown this morning! Is this your birthday present from El Hubs? How long are you here for? Were you celebrating in the streets last night too?
Ah! I always love seeing my city through the eyes of visitors. 😀 Hope you have a fab time while you’re here!
Hey Karen! I’ve been a big fan of your blog for a while now. I live in Vancouver and was happily surprised to see a post written about your trip here! I was really excited to see that. Just some more things to see: be sure to save a day trip to Whistler, pictures by the Olympic Torch, try a Japadog, shop at Gastown and if you have time, visit Steveston Village in Richmond (its best when its sunny) and sushi, if that’s your thing, is the best here too. Hope Vancouver treats you well! The sun will come out eventually If you’re here for more Canucks games, get ready to be even more amazed if and when we win!
I absolutely LOVE Vancouver! I was there for a week in September 2009 and it was instant love. Stanley park was my favourite: the acquarium is awesome!
LOL before I read your caption for the second photo, I thought that was an actual woman sitting on the rock. have a great weekend, Karen~
Great photos of my favourite city! Looks like you are having so much fun!
Go Canucks!!! One more game, one more game…
Ha ha I’m from Vancouver and the sun is usually “shy” . ha ha ha
Ah, Vancouver, my hometown! I miss it so much sometimes… not that I’m not loving Toronto right now, of course, but there’s something about the mountains, the ocean, the bridges, the beaches, the forests… I could go on and on!
I love Vancouver! Did you go to the aquarium when you were at Stanley Park? Or shop on Robson street? The Gaslight district is fun too. And Granville is amazing! IMATS is in Vancouver in July, I may think about going back then.
girl! u gotta go to the nightmarket in richmond! its close to vancouver & its friday, saturday and sunday night from 7-12am. its soo fun! i went yesterday and got some cool stuff. they have asian beauty products (i got lioele BB cream), clothes, phone accessories, little trinkets, and the most AMAZING food! u will love ittt
We have a fiddlehead fern in my front yard! I have no idea whether or not it’s a vegetable though… The “fiddleheads” are just brand new stems that haven’t fanned out yet.
Cool, glad you are loving our city! 🙂 That is awesome that someone put a Canucks jersey on the mermaid statue at Stanely Park. At the Lions Gate Bridge, the two lions at the entrance to the bridge also have Canucks jerseys on. The bridge is really close to Stanley Park! 🙂 You would love shopping on Robson Street Karen and if you get a chance go to the White Spot for a Legendary burger and fries. 🙂
Wonderful pictures! Love to go someday for myself.
Have fun and a nice weekend!
You were in Vancouver?! I live there!! I would’ve loved to meet you!! 🙂
is that sandwhich/burger thing from joeys?? i love it there!!
Wow! Great pictures! I have been to Victoria, but never Vancouver, and I’m Canadian so I feel like I’ve missed out..
Fiddleheads are actually a fern, like the ones that we have in our houses, but that grow in the wild. They grow near my house actually. They taste sort of like a cross between spinach and asparagus. I am not a fan of the texture. They are very trendy though!
Glad you had such a great time, and GO Canucks!!
many moons ago i came very close to vancouver–i got as fa as port townsend, across the pond. great seafood and awesome cherries are what i remember.
yay! this is where i live!!
Welcome to Vancouver! Yes, we are in full playoffs mode over here, as you have aptly noticed. I know its not very sunny right now, our weather changes a lot, and nice sunny days can be elusive! I see you’ve found MAC, and I suggest you check out BeautyMark, they’re located in Yaletown (just across the water from Granville Island, really), and they have an interesting make up selection you can’t find at Sephora here. Yaletown’s also great for the eats, lots of nice restaurants!
Oh, fiddleheads! Yes, they are new ferns which haven’t unfurled yet. Get them when they are nice and tender and steam them carefully, they’re like a nutty tasting version of broccoli!
Oh vancouver, my hometown ! Your photography looks amazing and the city is so beautiful. I miss it so much sometimes.. anyways GO CANUCKS !
These pictures make me so homesick!!!!
It was so great running into you yesterday. Glad you are loving Vancouver as much as I do! If you guys are seafood fans Rodneys oyster bar in Yaletown is great food in a fun casual environment ( great happy hr specials) and Society (across the st) has an amazing junk food platter with Cotten candy, homemade ice-cream sandwiches, twinkles, and tons of other goodies. Hope the rest of your visit is great and the sun finally comes out to play 🙂
Well I hope you are having fun!! I currently live in Vancouver and love it! GOOOO CANNUCKS ONLY ONE MORE WIN TILL THE CUUPP!!!!!! This sooo callls for a Canuck themed makeup look.
– LOOVEE Melissa
Hah! I love the picture of you in front of the totem poles. You look so tiny and cute! Little girls, unite!
ahh, you’re here?! vancouver’s beautiful, isn’t it? <3
Karen
I am so glad you are loving Vancouver…it is truely an amazing city!!! I hope the sun comes out tomorrow for you, Us locals can be very friendly and we love our city and want visitors to love it as much. Enjoy your night and the rest of your trip
Oh my! I see so many tropical fruits in your market photos! I didn’t realize they were flown all the way to Canada 🙂 thank you for the tour Karen. I enjoyed the virtual visit.
Vancouver looks beautiful! Have a great time Karen!
lovely pictures — have an awesome time! enjoy!
What is that burger sandwich thing???
the hamburger looks so good yum
Welcome, welcome!!!!!
I am so glad you found my lovely city!! <3 I hope I run into you!
Go Canucks 😀
Eee what are you doing here!? Glad you liked our city, and what good timing! Were all so deliriously excited over the Stanley Cup finals! Go Canucks go!
Go Vancouver!! So excited you`re here 🙂 Lovely pictures!
So glad you loved our city, it’s the greatest baby, Go Canucks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Karen, I live in Vancouver and was downtown today too, and I’m sorry I missed seeing you. It would have been awesome to see you on the streets. Your pictures are beautiful and do our city proud. Glad to hear you having a good time.
oh my goodness!! I hope to run into you while you’re still in Vancouver! If not, hope you enjoy and definitely stick around to watch a game 🙂
I wish I could visit Vancouver too! Looks like a beautiful city from your pictures.
Yum! Fiddleheads! I’ve eaten them since I was a kid. They’re very popular around here 🙂
I live about 8 hours from Vancouver.
\The first time I went there I fell in love completely. I’ve never felt so at home in a strange city as I do there..
I’m moving there at the end of November for school this year. i actually couldn’t be more excited.
really nice photos! enjoy your vacay 🙂
Glad you enjoyed Vancouver and our lovely Stanley Park – the same Stanley for the coveted Cup! I grew up just outside of Van in the “tricities” of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam but it’s always easier to just generalize my location by saying “I’m from Vancouver” – for the past 17.5 years I have been in Nanaimo, which is located on Vancouver Island, 2 hr ferry ride away from Van. Lovely place to be but can feel disconnected from the “happenings” of larger cities. Since you loved the city, you should try the island – we have Victoria for “city” atmosphere, Nanaimo for small city enjoyment, Tofino and Ucluelet for access to Long Beach and disconnecting from the world to just unwind.
Vancouver is a lovely place and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed visiting the city! Did you get a chance to ride the Skytrain? And to visit the floating houses in Ladner? Both awesome. 🙂
One of my dreams, since I visited there in January 1988, has been to move to Vancouver to live. It’s the only place I’ve visited that felt like “home”, and it made me sad to have to get on the plane to go back to he daily grind. So about a month and a half ago I set a deadline of May 1, 2012 to make plans to move there. It’s exciting and scary all at once.
hi Karen! where did you have that burger in granville island? i might try it out once i get back to vancouver after school’s out in australia.. sigh i miss home!
Glad to see you’re having so much fun! I love Vancouver. The last time I was there, I actually stayed on Granville Island :). I really want to go back!
Have you done any shopping? 😀
i’m glad u enjoyed it here! this is pretty funny because im actually moving to san francisco bay area this summer from here in vancouver! 😛 i personally enjoy the sunshine and busy city life better than this cloudy and quiet little city! but i’ll still miss it here 🙁 BYE BYE VANCOUVER, HELLOOOOOO SAN FRANCISCO
Oh my goodness! I grew up in Burnaby and spent a lot of time in Vancouver! I love the City – haven’t been there in ages and your pics gave me quite a pang of nostalgia! I’m glad you visited!
Yayyy!! I’m from the Vancouver area so this post is RIGHT up my alley! Glad you enjoyed it so much here!! <3
One of my favorite bloggers was in Vancouver…. and I just find out now?!! That makes me kind of sad because I would have really loved to meet you. I hope you had a fabulous time here 🙂 Stay fly.