So I am currently living in Japan (last 3 years now) but I try to return to Vancouver every August. Each time I return it is always a treat to walk around again and snap as many pictures as I can of the old and new throughout the area. During this years trip I spent much more time in the suburbs than downtown, so here are some pics of various places around the city of Vancouver (but not in Vancouver).
First and foremost is New Westminster, possibly the most urban suburb in Canada. This is because New Westminster actually existed before Vancouver proper.
The Skytrain running through and under New West helps add a nice urban layer IMO
Skytrain Through New Westminster by
Ian, on Flickr
Layers of New Westminster by
Ian, on Flickr
A major shopping centre has been built around one of the local stations (New West) as seen here.
New Westminster Skytrain Station by
Ian, on Flickr
Lots of new developments being built along Columbia Street (main street in New West)
Growing New Westminster by
Ian, on Flickr
Columbia Street Summer by
Ian, on Flickr
The old New Westminster Train Station.
Old New Westminster Train Station by
Ian, on Flickr
The New Westminster Riverfront with the Skytrain bridge to neighbouring Surrey.
New Westminster Waterfront by
Ian, on Flickr
Downtown New Westminster
New Westminster Urban Heart by
Ian, on Flickr
Love the older buildings. My favorite coffee shop location in all of Metro-Vancouver.
New Westminster Summer by
Ian, on Flickr
I just love Columbia Street.
New Westminster Vibe by
Ian, on Flickr
New Westminster Downtown by
Ian, on Flickr
One of Metro-Vancouver's most famous strip bars, the Paramount.
New Westminster Summer Streets by
Ian, on Flickr
Nice urban layers. Here the skytrain dives into a short section of subway.
Skytrain in New Westminster by
Ian, on Flickr
Urban Skytrain by
Ian, on Flickr
Resting on a hot summer day.
New Westminster Palms by
Ian, on Flickr
Now leaving New Westminster, a few pics of Burnaby. The area of Metrotown has been experiencing a tower building boom recently.
The skyline as seen from the Alex Fraser Bridge.
Alex Fraser Bridge by
Ian, on Flickr
Metrotown Summer Skyline by
Ian, on Flickr
And from Skytrain
Metrotown Skyline by
Ian, on Flickr
Skytrain Through Metrotown by
Ian, on Flickr
And a view from the middle of Metrotown.
Downtown Metrotown by
Ian, on Flickr
Last but not least I went down to the southwestern corner of Metro-Vancouver, Tsawwassen. This area is famous for its sunshine (much more the most of Metro-Vancouver, often there is what seems to be a blue hole in the sky above here).
Tsawwassen Palms by
Ian, on Flickr
Average looking homes in the area.
Tsawwassen Houses by
Ian, on Flickr
Houses along Boundary Bay.
Tsawwassen Beachfront by
Ian, on Flickr
Much of the bay is a huge mudflat. I was there at a very low tide so I was able to walk very far out into the bay.
Welcome to Boundary Bay by
Ian, on Flickr
Tsawwassen Boundary Bay Homes by
Ian, on Flickr
Boundary Bay Low Tide by
Ian, on Flickr
Resting Log in Boundary Bay by
Ian, on Flickr
Driftwood View by
Ian, on Flickr
All pics are my own.
If you ever make your way to Vancouver, don't just stick to the city itself, there are many interesting areas in ans around the burbs as well
Cheers!
Now I am back in Japan.