Vancouver is filled with chain restaurants, so there are surprisingly few independent dining options here. However, I can’t go past Cardero’s in Coal Harbour – its stunning views over the marina and mountains are matched by its Dockside platter: a dozen fresh oysters, clams, prawns, mussels and crab claws, ahi tuna tataki and salmon poke. See vancouverdine.com/carderos

Drink

The Moose Down Under Bar and Grill helps curb any homesickness by serving Aussie beers and a great parmie. It also shows all the Aussie sports including cricket and AFL, so I don’t miss home. For a little more sophistication, you can’t go past The Keefer Bar in Chinatown, an apothecary-themed cocktail bar with over 25 cocktails known to cure my ills. The signature Tokyo Drift is my go-to – Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky, ambre vermouth, kumquat gomme and “tobacco” bitters.

Avoid

Don’t forget to tip everywhere – it’s essential here, with the current minimum being 15 per cent for such services as taxis and in restaurants (but not at fast-food chains). Like most large cities, Vancouver does have a dark side, so it’s best to avoid the East Hastings area where there is a lot of homelessness, and drug and violence issues.

Thrive

Get out! Vancouverites are great outdoors people with myriad great hiking and biking trails on their doorstep through amazing parks, up mountains and around lakes. The renowned Stanley Park sits at the city’s edge and stretches to the ocean and is a great place for cruise nerds like me to watch the many ships coming and going. Just remember to take a waterproof jacket as it can rain unexpectedly. See vancouver.ca