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Stanley Park : Vancouver, BC Canada : Trip Report
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Stanley Park

This is one thing that other cities could learn from Vancouver. Stanley Park is a true oasis in the middle of the city. It's a large redwood forest with several small lakes surrounded by the bay. Within the park are several attractions including the Vancouver Aquarium and the Totem Poles.

We started by walking from Mel's condo through the park. We were greeted by hundreds of ducks and geese throughout the park. Instead of going all the way around the park we cut through the middle and enjoyed Beaver Lake and the tall Redwood trees. We checked out the view of the north side of the park then came back and visited the very nice Vancouver Aquarium. The only thing that spoiled the view was the piles of sulfur across Burrard Inlet.
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Cherry blossoms and daffodils three days into spring.
Wide open marshland for ducks and geese at Beaver Lake.
We're off to see the wizard

Walking along the sea wall.
World War I Japanese Canadian War Memorial.
This statue is called "Girl in Wetsuit".

Vancouver Aquarium

One of the highlights for us was a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. The Aquarium has a variety of exhibits the larger of which featuring Pacific Coast marine life, the Amazon and a Beluga Whale tank.

Melanie especially enjoyed the Amazon exhibit since she has an upcoming trip there. This exhibit featured several large tanks containing various marine life, a jungle exhibit featuring birds and a Two Toed Sloth (which we never found) and smaller displays of amphibians and my personal favorite large Cockroaches.

The Pacific Coast exhibits were cool too. We especially enjoyed the displays of huge cold water Anemones. The variety of colors was very impressive. Sure beats squeezing into a drysuit. There was also a large Octopus and an unimpressive Kelp Forest tank. I've seen better elsewhere.

We probably spent the most time checking out the Beluga Whales from above and below water. The tank seemed a bit small for the six whales but they were interesting to watch. Before leaving we enjoyed a short dolphin show.
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Vancouver Aquarium sculpture.
Red bellied piranha, the flesh eating kind.
Larry, Lily and Melanie looking for the Two Toed Sloth.

Beautiful pink bird.
Poison Dart Frog.
La Cucaracha.

Yacare Caiman.
Giant Amazonian Catfish.
Can you find the Seahorses?

Spotted Moray Eel.
Brown Rockfish hover over Shamrock Shake colored Giant Green Anemone.
The red Fish-Eating Anemone shares the tank with it's dinner.

Another aquarium with local critters.
A pair of Crinoids.
Cool collection of shrimp, small Lobster and various other sea bottom animals.

Lily's favorite, Jellyfish.
A fresh water Newt.
A Beluga Whale from above water.

Say "cheese"
Small head and blubbery body.
A Sea Otter relaxing.

Tourists being entertained by a Pacific White Sided Dolphin.

Totem Poles

Near the Aquarium are the Totem Poles. These Totem Poles are replicas of the originals that represented the native tribes of the area. The Poles were the equivalent of a coat of arms and are only found in the tribes of the Pacific Northwest. They are not religious symbols.
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Eight totem poles.
The poles are all carved out of red cedar.
Each pole represents events or characters in the tribe's history.

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