this week, i m on canada s pacific coast, where vancouver lies in the shadow of a mountain range that is the only barrier between the city and one of the world s most vast wildernesses. surrounded by water, every year, thousands of people travel here to marvel at the whales as they dance along the coastline, returning after a long winter away. british columbia is the most biodiverse territory in all of canada. it s got seals, it s got sea lions and hundreds of other species living in these very waters. but it s also home to the biggest port in the entire country, vancouver. and when you bring animals and humans and you put them in such close quarters, problems can arise.
so i m really hoping the weather stays like this. the giant ferries looming alongside our tiny boat remind me of the scale of the human impact here. and what we re heading into is howe sound, and it s rich in marine life. howe sound or atl ka7tsem, as it s called in the local squamish language lies just north of the city in the salish sea. in the summertime, when it s seal pupping season, we get lots of calls from animals around here. but will we find any today that need our help? it doesn t take us long to come across some sunbathing sea lions. they re so cute! oh, my gosh! they re right there! so far, we can see they all look to be in pretty decent condition. no entanglements. there s some young ones in there,
that is so delicious! the best way to explore vancouver is on foot. the vancouver seawall is a 17.5 mile long walk that exposes you to the best of the city, from artwork and sculptures to mountains and wildlife. seals are often spotted and the endangered great blue heron has made a home next to the tennis courts. just watch out for the coyotes! and if you re heading here over the winter, the city s got three popular ski resorts, all accessible by public transport. cypress is the biggest and most expensive, but grouse and seymour are both well set up for families. the big deal here, though, is the world famous whistler mountain, a two hour bus ride away. it s pricey. a day pass this season started at cad$143 or about us$105. but for that, you get access to north america s biggest ski resort with 200 different runs, reliable snow and some of the most
beautiful mountain scenery on earth. still to come on the travel show. albania s beginning to emerge as a destination in its own right. ..simon s got tips on how to save money in europe. thank you. you re welcome. menus, together. ..and we certainly won t be leaving any at sydney s rudest restaurant. the what? the tropical karen. you don t need to shout. so, don t go away. welcome back to vancouver on canada s west coast. believe it or not but this lovely beach right here is smack bang in the middle of the city. no complaints from me. up next, here s simon with some great money saving tips if you re planning on visiting europe any time soon. hello from brighton! this english seaside city has been attracting
for granted the wildlife in places like this but what i ve learned today is just how much effort goes into protecting these waters and the animals that live in them. it s definitely a careful balance but it seems like things are moving in the right direction. as for me, i think i m ready to head back to dry land. and if you re planning to visit vancouver any time soon, here s some things you should know. there are several walking tours, museums and exhibitions here that will help you understand a bit more about vancouver s indigenous people. the city is built on land belonging to the musqueam, squamish and tsleil waututh nations. and if you start to feel peckish, why not track down some bannock, a sort of indigenous bread you can pick up in several spots around the city. it s sometimes used in cakes, waffles orjust eaten on its own. mmm!