AKA Vancouver...I'm going there for vacation this January. Any suggestions on things to do? Also, very curious about the bud smoking/buying policy. Feel free to enlighten me .
Head up to Whistler if you're into skiing/snowboarding (the Winter Olympics will be in Whistler the following month). When people say cities like San Francisco are tolerant towards most drugs, that's only relative to America. Vancouver is the real deal. You can smell that BC Bud almost anywhere you go in the city. Stay clear of East Hastings Street though...junkies everywhere.
do you think it will be possible to ski/snowboard given the fact that the Winter Olympics will be held in Whistler the following month? Would it be packed?
Ahhh yes, a city near and dear to my heart. I've recently considered getting a vacation home there w/ the possibility of retiring when I get old, but I'm going to hold off for a bit. Granville Island - marketplace w/ some food vendors, right on the intercoastal w/ a great view of Yaletown, go in the morning to avoid hunting for parking. downtown - just wander around, tons of shopping, Robson st for more of the high end name brands, Granville st for everything, plenty of restaurants and bars, Yaletown is the pricey, yuppy neighborhood gastown - also in the downtown area; kind of a tourist trap, but nice to check out once; also a few bars and clubs that locals go to, some excellent cocktail/mixology places; the pot block is a few blocks from here harbor center - near gastown, by Canada Place. They have a viewing deck for a panoramic view of the city, but it costs $10 I think. Instead, ask to go to the restaurant (there's 2 elevators in the lobby, the attendant has to let you on) and buy an overpriced drink or 2. It rotates, 360 in an hour, and at least your $10 bought you a drink. Check out Stanley Park (obviously better in the summer though) and the aquarium. Kitsilano has some nice streets for strolling, restaurants and shops. There's Chinatown, like many other major city Chinatowns. Yes, E Hastings is loaded w/ junkies hanging out there in plain view totally strung out. It's a sight to see, I would definitely drive by there just to see it once. Locals I've talked to swear it's relatively safe; it is on a very public street, cops are always patrolling, and frankly their all strung out. It borders Chinatown, and it's a sight to see Chinese senior citizens waiting for the bus next to junkies. While there's Chinatown, there's also Richmond, which is basically a suburb that's predominantly Chinese. A few small malls, Chinese shops and restaurants. Awesome Chinese food of course. It's a bit out of the way, nearby the airport. I consider Commercial Drive my neighborhood away from home. It's all on one street - a large variety of restaurants, quite a few ethnic, and shops. The crowd generally skews younger w/ a counterculture vibe I guess. Whistler is awesome, supposedly January is a slow time, but w/ the Olympics I don't know what's going to happen. Phew, hope that helps.
I remember going to Whistler a couple years ago. Didn't have a chance to spend any time in Vancouver though. What's crazy is that you have drive from the airport through downtown to get to the highway to Whistler. How the heck is that going to work for the Olympics? What has been done to ease that cluster**** of a transportation logistical nightmare?
Can anybody elaborate on the pot block? would i be able to purchase some dank here? and how? Is Vancouver like Amsterdam where they have coffee shops and such retail businesses that sell dank? or would i have to find local dealers?
I almost forgot to mention... Vancouver has some of the best North Indian food this side of the UK. One of the best Indian meals I've ever had was at a place called Vij's. They open at ~6pm. Just make sure you get there early, cause once they open the doors, they fill up the restaurant and close the doors (no reservations).
