We’re not into cities as cruising destinations. Vancouver was on the list for two reasons: we needed to pick up some new steering cylinders from Teleflex, and we wanted to see if the Indian restaurant we remembered from 15 years ago was still in business (it was – and as good as our recollection). The guide books indicated there was no place to anchor, and we were grumbling about the prospect of being tied to the dock, when we spied our friends on Shoreleave (last seen in Fiji) heading the opposite direction. A brief mid-channel reunion led to the suggestion that we could anchor in False Creek. The approach to the harbor is shallow, so one has to pay attention to the buoys, but is well marked with plenty of water in the channel and inside (and totally protected).

The first indication that this stop might be something special came when we noticed a Hawaiian-type outrigger canoe racing a double-ended Viking craft with a square sail.

False Creek is right in the middle of a bustling downtown area. Surrounded by marinas, high-rise apartments and condos, shopping, museums, an art district – in short, what one usually expects from a cosmopolitan environment.

What is so different and appealing about Vancouver is that it manages all of this, plus a million inhabitants, without overpowering you. There are lots of parks, good walking paths, and space between the high-rise buildings to let in some light and air.

The False Creek area is organized around the water and caters to its substantial boating population. There are numerous public dinghy docks, and a mini-ferry service running back and forth, so you can leave your dinghy in one spot and move around by ferry if the mood suits. The photo above is of the main dinghy dock at Granville Island.

Within close walking distance are restaurants, marine stores, art galleries (about which more later), theater and music, and the best public market we’ve ever visited.

As you walk up the ramp from the docks on your left you find a live music venue…

…With something going on virtually every night.

Opposite is an improv theater.

And a few steps further is a more highbrow theater company.

The public market is wonderful – a cross between the best of Papeete (Tahiti), Suva (Fiji), and Denpassar (Bali).

The food is displayed like art, with a large selection of very tasty vegetables and fruit.

There is a definite Asian influence as in the above meat counter display.

If you’re a tea drinker, this is the place. There are bakeries, herbal remedy stalls, and all sorts of folks selling tasty looking prepared items.

And if you are into wines, there is a well stocked purveyor just across the street.

A few blocks away is an area with fifteen art galleries. We’re always on the prowl, and so felt it our duty to visit every one of them. However, nothing struck our fancy. Walking back we took a detour so we could test ourselves to see how close we could pass by the marine stores without actually venturing in. Across the street was a nicely designed exposed concrete office complex. Then we noticed another art gallery, nestled within the courtyard.

As we walked in, we were captured by this piece. The price looked to be a misprint – probably missing a zero at the end. But we inquired anyway. Turns out we had ventured into a juried show of graduating art school students. This young woman has a great career ahead of her.