Vancouver houses are strange. Walk the streets, and you will go from amusement to jealousy to nausea with each house. Here are some categories: ‘Vancouver Specials’ cheap 70s houses built with a 50 year lifespan, generally they have lion statues outside. ‘Condos’ condos more condos, they suck! ‘Heritage Cottages’ they were in the woods probably 50 years ago, now they are surrounded by condos.

Straight underneath the bridge lies this charming little island that houses some of my favourite restaurants, such as the Sandbar and the yellow Bridges. Among all the things here you can also find a theatre, a brewery, a public food market and of course the Emily Carr university.

Occupying the historical building of a former B.C Electric Railway terminal, Centre A's gallery space is also located in one Vancouver's oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods-between Gastown and Chinatown. Focusing on their mandate to provide a platform for contemporary Asian Art, Centre A is a great space to explore and visit.

A hidden (almost secret) garden! located off to the side of the Pacific National Exhibition Centre. This little Japanese landscaped garden is not only a quiet sanctuary where one can admire its lake, rocks, and bonzai trees, it is also a commemorative place that serves as a healing reminder of the history of Japanese Canadian internment during the Second World War.

One of those comic shops that just have it right. Good selection, room at the back for exhibitions and talks, small selection of music for sale. I got hooked on “Big Questions” by Anders Nilsen, and he came in for a signing in the summer, I had no idea, just popped by and there he was. I’m holding onto the 90’s and this place has it.