My brother Owen currently lives in Vancouver (circa June 1998). I went over to see him for two weeks before spending a few days in New York over Christmas 97. Vancouver and Seattle make me embarrassed to come from such a grinding, stinking, smoke ridden stewing pit like London. It's the electric buses and lack of diesel fuel as much as anything else. Even in the centre of Vancouver, you could breathe the air. And the scenery,,, bloody hell. Seattle was gorgeous as well. But - the best, most wonderful part from a scenery point of view was Vancouver Island. Just amazing.
I'm sure if I lived there I'd get bored witless but it's just great to visit. Oh yes - amazing food too. The most delicious sushi I have ever had, for literally about an quarter of the price of some London "Yo Sushi" type place.
Ok - quick images springing to mind? Real authentic honest-to-goodness rainforests; black squirrels; beautiful fifties wooden houses; lights on Grouse at night for night skiing; endless revolving tower Space needle type things all over the place; amazing First Nation sculpting… and, and, and…
You get the message.