Canadian adventure.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The City of Glass and described as the most laid back city on Earth.

Having just returned from a two week holiday I think I can confirm both of the above points. Being my first ever trip to the continent of North America everything, from the long haul flight to looking over my left shoulder at traffic lights was totally new to me and took a little getting used to.

Flying economy class on an Airbus A330 was cramped but bearable and it�s a small price to pay for the rewards at the destination. Trying to relieve the boredom was the hardest part of all and I can�t sleep in any form of transport. By the time we arrived in Vancouver airport at 2:10 pm Pacific Standard time we�d been up for close on 26 hours. ( not forgetting the 8 hours time difference to the minus). Immediately on disembarking you could feel the difference in attitude. People who are courteous and well mannered and where nothing seems to be a problem.

The place we had rented was only a 15 minute walk downtown and we�d made the decision to use public transport from the outset rather than rent a car and disengage from North American life. Best decision we made. I�d surely have been killed our killed someone if I�d been let loose on the right hand side of the road and with an automatic gearbox.

The first thing that strikes you about downtown Vancouver is the glass. Every high rise building seems to be constructed from it. Second is the people. Every nationality on Earth must live in this city. Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Philipinoes, Koreans, Germans, Dutch, Italians, Mexicans, French and of course Brits. The varying races are reflected in the restaurants and in the first week we�d sampled, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Greek and English food. A good example of the food issue was illustrated on West Broadway, 3 blocks from where we stayed which had 4 restaurants next to each other which served Afghan, Russian, Mongolian and Italian cuisine. Of course we stuck with what we knew best though I do admit to have a liking for Beef Teryaki from the Japanese joints.

One or two who had visited Vancouver suggested there wasn�t enough in town to keep us entertained for 2 weeks. My answer having been there is � You�ve only passed through on the Rocky Mountain Railtours. In two weeks we found time to leave town only twice. Once to visit Vancouver Island to watch Killer Whales off the San Juan Islands ( and we flew by float plane to save time and make a day of it) and to visit Bowen Island to take in its scenery. There is plenty to see and do in Vancouver should you want to visit. Take the cable car that carries 100 people to Grouse Mountain and take in the views over the city and into Washington State in the USA. Pick a sunny and clear day though. Have a look at the Capilano Suspension bridge and experience the 300 ft walk over a 150 ft drop on a rope bridge. Take the ride to the top of the Harbour Centre Tower and view the city day and night ( the ticket is valid all day). Visit the Musueum of Anthroplogy which charts the history of the First Nations People ( That�s redskins to you and I) They have some great totem poles and the exhibits are fantastic. Hire a bike from Spokes and cycle around the Stanley Park sea wall, Great fun and a good way to see the park. Best of all, walk the streets, see how laid back the people really are. No one hurries in Vancouver.

One thing that was pretty surreal was taking in a rock concert. Oasis started their North American tour in Vancouver and we bought tickets at face value on the day of the concert. No sell out. It was held in the General Motors Place, the home of the Vancouver Canucks Ice Hockey team. It�s an impressive arena, but everyone is whooping and hollering from the first support act, Kasabian ( who were shite) coming on. Jet were up next and they played a lively set that really had the crowd warmed up ( Whoo, Whoo, Whoo, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah man) We were sat next to four First nations Indians from Victoria on Vancouver Island, who were hammering the Bacardi and cokes by the Large McDonalds size down there necks. There was also a sweet aroma wafting around in a no smoking stadium when one next to Linda said ( Do you want a bit of this? As he passed her a joint) Naturally she declined, but thanked him anyway.

Oasis went through songs from their latest album along with some of the old favourites and Liam had his usual attitude. I was however left a little cold by them. Just don�t think North Americans really get what they are about, and putting seats on the floor was a big mistake. This is Oasis FFS not Niel Diamond. Bumped into a lad from Newcastle who�d lost his way on the way out. In typical North east fashion, his mates had pissed off and left him. No doubt in pursuit of the nearest watering hole. Exchanged pleasantries with him and sent him in the right direction. He�d been to Seattle and had come over especially to see Oasis !!!!

On the subject of scum, saw three black and white shirts whilst over there, one worn by a Mexican who couldn�t speak a word of English and knew even less about Mackems.

Petrol prices seem to be causing a bit of a stir over there. When we left on Sunday it had risen to $1.119 which works out at about 53 p a litre. They should be so f***ing lucky as I spot 96.9p at the Jet garage at Bowburn on the way back yesterday. Everyone is whinging about petrol. Well get out of you GMC and Ford four tracks. Put the Porsche and Ferrari in the garage.

Perhaps the best way to see Vancouver and the surrounding area is by public transport and they have it sewn up. It�s integrated, it�s clean, it�s on time, there�s loads of it and above all it�s cheap, From the electric trams to the sea bus you pay a maximum of $4:25cents (�2.01) to travel across 3 zones for upto 90 minutes. The cheapest fare is $2.25 for 90 minutes travel (�1.00) but for $8.00 ( �3.79) you can travel all day across all zones. It costs me �2.40 one way to work on the X1.

So there you have it, Vancouver. The trip home was torture on that Airbus that felt more cramped than before, the train trip from Manchester to Durham cost �74 for 2 single fares ( More than my entire public transport costs in two weeks in Canada). I�m I pleased I went? Yes. Would I go back? Probably not. I�ve seen it, done most of it and have loads of memories. It�s only one place in a huge country, and there�s an awful lot to see in this world.

Thanks for reading.

The Coxhoe Cameraman