A night at the symphony

We went to hear the Vancouver Symphony at the Orpheum Theatre. It was a great experience. Elegant hall, friendly and pleasantly affordable.

The program featured music by Dvorak and Respighi. I had a small pad in my pocket and sketched contentedly while absorbing the sound washing over the audience.

On the street at Robson Square

The rain let up the other day and so a lot of people were taking advantage of the good weather for a stroll downtown.

We are on Robson Street looking north-west toward the Vancouver Art Gallery. I had never read the inscription on the building before. For legibility, I shortened it. The actual inscription reads "Placed Upon The Horizon (Casting Shadows)". Here's the likely explanation in this flickr post.

Chinese garden in winter

One of Vancouver's most interesting sights is the Dr. Sun Yet-Sen garden in Chinatown. Built between 1985 and 1986, it sits within the safe confines of a walled enclosure. To build it, workers used techniques handed down from the days of the Ming Dynasty. Fifty-two workers from China worked alongside Canadians for about a year to finish the complex without the use of nails, screws or glue.

It's a quiet place that invites reflection. The pond is surrounded by many plants.

The garden is named in honour of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, one of the militants who overthrew the Qing government, the last Chinese imperial dynasty. He became one of the pioneers of the Republic of China and was its first provisional president in 1912. His memory is revered by the people of both mainland China and Taiwan, a rather unique feat. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Nation."

Links:

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen

Vancouver Chinese Garden

At church

Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Richards and Dunsmuir Street. Built of sandstone on granite foundations, the cathedral is a Vancouver landmark. Construction was completed in 1900.

More here

Boats in False Creek

This is a view of Vancouver's False Creek looking north from Leg-in-Boot Square, which is a pedestrian space near West Second Avenue. The buildings of Stamps Landing are in the background.

Vancouver Aquarium

We recently spent a few hours at the aquarium. Located in Stanley Park, it's Canada's largest and hosts over 300 species of fish and many types of mammals and reptiles. The dolphins and Beluga whales are among the most popular attractions, but the tanks hold so many varieties of sea life that there is something to pique everyone's interest.

Link:

Vancouver Acquarium