The next morning, we reluctantly left Victoria and cruised the Salish Sea on BC Ferries, which operates one of the largest marine highway networks. Our wonderful tour manager had booked our tickets in advance, which saved me from watching my hubby have a logistical meltdown at the terminal gates.
As the primary passenger and vehicle marine highway operator along coastal British Columbia, BC Ferries manages a massive network where a fleet of 41 vessels serves 47 ports of call across 25 distinct routes.
The travel route from Victoria to Vancouver is approximately 72 miles, combining a highway drive on both ends with a spectacular 90-minute marine crossing.
As soon as we got on the ferry, my hubby wanted to stretch out on a deck chair and catch a nap, but I dragged him to the outer decks because I absolutely refuse to miss wildlife, LOL! As we squeezed through the Active Pass—a channel so narrow between Galiano and Mayne Islands, I could practically see what the islanders were having for breakfast—nature absolutely showed off.
We saw bald eagles circling the trees, harbour seals sunbathing on rocks, and a pod of killer whales breaching the surface. My hubby was busy photographing the historic white-and-red Georgina Point Lighthouse, located on the rocky shores of Mayne Island. It marks the eastern entrance of Active Pass and makes for a classic West Coast photo.
The ship glided closely past the pristine, forested coastlines of Salt Spring Island, Pender Island, and Galiano Island, giving us a front-row seat to quiet bays and waterfront cabins. As usual, I was yearning for one until my hubby reminded me that we don’t stay in Canada.
As we pulled into Tsawwassen, we had beautiful views of the Fraser River delta and the massive coastal mountains towering over Metro Vancouver. We arrived, disembarked, and headed into Vancouver.
We were driven straight to Stanley Park, a massive, 1,001-acre urban rainforest that makes New York's Central Park look like a potted plant.
We alighted from our bus and looked at the Vancouver Sea Wall, the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path, stretching 17.4 miles. It was flat and paved; and had the seaside walkway and the cycling Path.
As we walked along the waterfront path, we passed a striking 9-foot bronze monument depicting a male track star bursting forward as his chest broke the finish-line tape; it is Harry Jerome, created by prominent local sculptor Jack Harman and unveiled in 1988.
Harry Winston Jerome was one of Canada’s most legendary track-and-field athletes. The monument stands on a stone pedestal off the pedestrian walkway, allowing photographers to capture his silhouette sprinting against Vancouver downtown skyline, Coal Harbour, and Canada Place.
Our first stop was the famous First Nations Totem Poles at Brockton Point, British Columbia’s most visited tourist attraction. Carved from western red cedar, these stunning monumental sculptures serve as a powerful introduction to First Nations artistry, storytelling, and regional history.
A common misconception is that totem poles are religious idols, but they were never worshipped. Instead, the figures carved on the poles represent family crests, clan lineages, and notable clan achievements.
Specific animals convey unique ancestral meanings: "Eagle" represents the kingdom of the air. "Whale" signifies lordship of the sea. "Wolf" embodies the genius of the land, and "Frog" represents a transitional link between land and sea.
The Vancouver Parks Board began buying and assembling the poles in the 1920s to create a replica First Nations village. Ironically, this tourist attraction was built during the same era that the Canadian government enforced the Potlatch Ban, which outlawed the very ceremonies where totem poles were traditionally raised.
Furthermore, most of the historic poles are not native to the local Vancouver area; they were brought in from northern BC nations.
By the 1980s, natural elements had heavily weathered the original wood. To preserve them, the historic poles were moved to protective museums, like the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. The Park Board then commissioned master carvers to create the exact, vibrant replicas that stand in the park today.
We viewed the striking line-up of poles, alongside newer pieces that explicitly honour the local territory.
Robert Yelton Memorial Pole (2009) is the newest pole and the only one created by a local-area artist. It stands noticeably taller on its own near the entrance, featuring a traditional, less colorful Coast Salish style. It was raised directly in front of the site where Yelton's family lived before being evicted by the city in 1935.
Thunderbird House Post was carved by legendary artist Charlie James in the early 1900s; this massive post shows a mythical Thunderbird with its wings spread wide.
"People Amongst the People" Gateways (2008) were designed by Coast Salish artist Susan Point; these three striking red cedar portals frame the visitor centre area.
Next, we headed up to Prospect Point, the highest point in Stanley Park and one of Vancouver's most historic observation points. Situated at the northern tip of the park along the First Narrows of Burrard Inlet, it is known in the local Squamish language as Chay-thoos, meaning "high bank."
The broad, fully wheelchair-accessible viewing platform offers a premier, 270-degree vantage point for sweeping views of the North Shore Mountains, passing cruise ships, and the Lions Gate Bridge.
We also spotted the Prospect Point Café & Ice Cream shop, a perfect pit stop to grab a coffee or a sweet treat to enjoy on the patio. The weather was hot, and we hurriedly ate an ice cream as our coach laughingly refused to let any of us enter the bus with an ice cream in hand.
The bridge itself was a majestic, bright-green suspension landmark. Officially named the First Narrows Bridge, it opened in 1938 to connect downtown Vancouver to the North Shore municipalities.
Its construction was entirely funded by the famous Guinness beer family in the 1930s to open up real estate development. The name "Lions Gate" refers to the Lions, a prominent pair of twin mountain peaks on the North Shore that the bridge directly faces.
Because of its dramatic design, it has starred in several films, serving as the setting for the bridge collapse in Final Destination 5 and appearing in Tron: Legacy and Deadpool 2.
Next on our agenda was Canada Place; we drove to the outdoor "Canadian Trail" promenade along the western side. It offered incredible, unobstructed views of the North Shore Mountains, the busy harbour, and seaplanes taking off.
Canada Place is Vancouver’s most iconic waterfront landmark, instantly recognisable by its massive, white fabric roofs that resemble five glowing sails.
Built originally as the Canada Pavilion for the Expo 86 World's Fair, it has evolved into a bustling multi-use hub in the heart of downtown. It serves as a majestic architectural marvel, the region's main cruise ship terminal, and a premier venue for world-class community.
On the way, we saw the famous collection of giant, grinning bronze figures by English Bay Beach. At first glance, I mistook them for goblins due to their bare chests and dramatically exaggerated facial features; they are actually known as the "Laughing Men" statues.
14 bronze statues, which are nearly 10 feet tall, each depicting the acclaimed Chinese artist Yue himself in various states of hysterical laughter. They were created for the 2009–2011 Vancouver Biennale.
They became so popular that magnate Chip Wilson and his wife Shannon bought them for $1.5 million and donated them to the city.
The area was open, and we saw visitors walking through the labyrinth, touching the bronze, and mimicking the playful poses.
Because we had a flight out the next morning, our tour manager booked us at the Accent Inns Vancouver Airport. This place is an absolute gem for anyone tired of stuffy corporate hotels, leaning hard into unpretentious, light-hearted comedy. Parking is completely free, a mythical feature in the Vancouver area.
Their sense of humor shone through witty signs displayed all over the property; the elevator was labelled a "Flight Simulator" due to the nearby airport.
The room pens openly told us, "And always take the pens LOL!" which I promptly did.
The outdoor benches featured reminders that resting with a coffee is way better than exercising. A cleaning sandwich board warned us, "Spring cleaning never killed anyone, but why risk it?"
The absolute highlight is that every guest gets a free signature yellow rubber duck at check-in.
I was delighted to see a giant Scrabble board with magnetic letters in the lounge.
Canada and the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies left us feeling humbled. We took home beautiful memories of the turquoise glacial waters of lakes like Lake Louise and the ancient rainforests of British Columbia. Canada is a place where nature is not just a backdrop but the main character.
Canada's urban centres beautifully reflect its multicultural heart, highlighting distinct city personalities; we loved Toronto's towering skyline and global food scene, Vancouver's perfect harmony of ocean and mountains, and Victoria's historic beauty and grace.
Beyond the scenery, the true warmth of Canada lies in its people, whose reputation for genuine kindness, inclusivity, and a relaxed pace of life is felt everywhere.
Ultimately, a trip through Canada was a reminder of how vast and pristine the world can still be; it left us with a deep desire to return and explore what lies beyond the next horizon.
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