“Many cities in the world claim to be particularly diverse, cosmopolitan and fun-loving – Vancouver is, including the goosebump-inducing view of the deep forests, fjords and mountains. It’s actually far too good to work from, but it still works without any problems.” Kai Böcking
As always after a transatlantic flight, I wake up far too early. From the ListeI Hotel, a boutique hotel with sculptures and modern paintings by Canadian artists, I am whisked away in the morning to Robson Street, which in a few hours will be transformed into a multicultural shopping street – full of flashing neon signs in Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese and English.
I walk downhill towards the water, past large, modern apartment blocks, small cafés and restaurants. In the distance, dozens of seaplanes are parked, which many people in Vancouver use as regularly as the underground. I could go to Granville Public Market by bus, metro or train. But I take the Aquabus, cute, colourful miniature water tuk-tuks that take you hop-on/hop-off across the bay on dry feet.
Maple syrup and ramen
Granville Island has a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and is the heart of all foodies in Vancouver. From morning to night, the historic market hall is stacked with the freshest fish, local vegetables, locally baked bread and bagels – the most Canadian of breakfast ingredients. I have the freshly baked version with salmon and – hold yourself – maple syrup! It brings together what belongs together in Canada. Delicious!
A beer would be lovely now. There are plenty of local breweries in Vancouver and the surrounding area, but work is calling. After all, I’m not just here for private reasons, I also have to work on a TV project. I bought a SIM card at the airport, which is now serving me well. The WIFI is super-fast everywhere, be it at the many free WIFI spots in the city or in my hotel, where every afternoon there is a wine tasting of the region’s excellent wines. But I have to spend a lot of time in my room at my desk writing texts and checking video clips.
The view out of the window is a distraction: at lunchtime, I see a queue of people in front of a small Chinese restaurant. Old rule: long queue, good and cheap food. Lunch break! “Kam Wai Dim Sum” is cramped, noisy and steaming from the open kitchen. You order while queuing by ticking a box on a piece of paper. Then sit down somewhere and eat the heavenly meat soup with ramen and dumplings. But not for too long, there are plenty more hungry fans of the place and I soon have to sneak back to my desk.
Above water
On another day, we are shooting on in Vancouver Island, which lies on the other side of the Strait of Georgia and forms the natural border to the Pacific. Families of whales cavort here from spring to autumn. These 8- to 26-seater taxis fly almost every minute from the waterfront to Vancouver Island or Seattle/USA. And the view of Vancouver and the neighbouring landscape gives you an idea of how beautiful this part of the world is.
We fly to a First Nation nature park for a day. At minimum altitude over snow-covered glaciers and endless woodland, before finally landing at Chatterbox Falls. The waterfall plunges into the depths here and guided hikes give you an impression of the energy that the First Nation has drawn from it over the centuries.
I saw, tasted and experienced a lot during my ten days in Vancouver. Chinatown, the Vancouver Block, Michelin-starred restaurants and street food, indomitable nature and cosmopolitan people who really welcome every visitor. If you want to work remotely here, you can draw from the full potential.
Kai Böcking …
… hat in Vancouver das oft gesuchte Beste aus zwei Welten – Business und Leisure – gefunden.
Und meint, dass er noch einmal wiederkommen muss – weil er keine Wale gesehen hat.
Bleisure Tipps
Culinary: Fisherman’s Wharf (brightly coloured houseboat,
fish & chips, cold drinks), Burdock and Co (Andrea Carlson cooks at star level, farm to table only with local products, be sure to make a reservation), Perverted Icecream (all black, soft ice cream at its best with clearly ambiguous slogans)
Vancouver Art Gallery: collection of Canadian and international artworks. Overview of the city’s diverse art scene.
Capilano Suspension Bridge: one of the longest suspension bridges in the world over a deep canyon. Not for the faint-hearted.
Aquabus: the small, colourful ferries connect the most important points in Vancouver by water.
Harbour Air: the largest seaplane airline in North America flies to the Whistler ski resort, among other places. Many sightseeing flights and regular scheduled services to the most beautiful places in British Columbia.
Info Destination
Vancouver is part of the Canadian state of British Columbia. Mountains, sea and wilderness – they have it all here.
Location and inhabitants: Vancouver and Vancouver Island are located on the Pacific Ocean in north-west Canada. The Greater Vancouver region has a population of approx. 2.5 million, Vancouver City approx. 630,000.
Currency: 1 CAD = 0.67 Euro
Arrival: Lufthansa, Air Canada, Discover and some charter companies fly directly from Germany to Vancouver every day.
WIFI: available almost everywhere free of charge, tourist SIM card at the airport
Photos: © Kai Böcking