February 01, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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Art’s popping up all over the place in Vancouver lately. Here are a few of my favorites:
A-Maze-ing Laughter: There are always people imitating these giant bronze sculptures’ poses while snapping pics. It’s so popular that the grass couldn’t handle the crowds and was recently replaced with bark mulch. A mystery fan even made Santa hats for the sculptures at Christmas.
Location: Corner of Davie and Denman, near English Bay
Monument for East Vancouver: It has people talking – isn’t that what art’s all about? A recognizable cross-shaped East Van symbol has been upgraded to giant public art status. Most impressive at night, when it’s lit up and tough to miss.
Location: At Clark and 6th Avenue
We, 2008: Nice in daytime, but incredible when darkness falls. That’s when it’s illuminated to create a glowing man made out of all the letters of the alphabet. It’s huge, too – step inside for a unique perspective (like my friend Jonathan Sparks did for the photo above).
Location: At Beach and Thurlow, near the Vancouver Aquatic Centre
Artificial Rock #143: Not everyone is a fan (I’ve heard it described as “God’s filling”), but I like it. It’s shiny, lumpy and outer-space-y, and contrasts with the straight lines of the downtown buildings.
Location: Corner of Granville and Georgia, near the Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station
Woodward’s W: Is this considered public art? It’s definitely a Vancouver icon – the neon Woodward’s W lit up the sky from 1944 to 1993, and now it’s back (with energy efficient bulbs).
Location: Woodward’s building, look up from Woodward's plaza near Abbott and Cordova
February 01, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Spas & Wellness
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Yoga pairs nicely with Vancouver’s laid-back West Coast vibe, and this city has fully embraced the idea of stretching, breathing and oooohhhmming in a room of like-minded people.
Studios are popping up everywhere, and all types of yoga are available. You name it, Vancouver’s yoga scene has it (yes, even nude yoga). Where to start? Here are some suggestions:
YYOGA: The downtown Flow studio is huge, has a ton of classes, and feels like a spa thanks to organic hair products, peppermint soap and an infrared sauna. That being said, there’s also something special about the small, cozy room at their Yaletown studio. Big wooden rafters and candles make it my favourite space for an evening yin class.
Yoga for the People: A friend of mine loves this Gastown studio. What makes it unique? It’s all donation-based to make yoga accessible to everyone – pay what you can. Incredible! It’s a small and intimate space that offers a variety of styles. Wade’s vinyasa and Elle’s yin classes are my bud’s recommendations.
Semperviva Sea Studio: This relaxed studio reminds me of doing yoga in someone’s living room (maybe it’s the carpet?) – albeit a living room with a waterfront view. It’s on the second floor in a refurbished industrial building, and two walls of windows overlook False Creek, houseboats, and gently swaying boat masts. Stress, begone.
Lululemon: In Vancouver, it may seem as though the road to inner peace is paved with lululemon clothing. Lululemon was founded in Vancouver, so they have a huge local following. They also offer free in-store yoga classes – great for any out-of-town yogi, as they provide the mats.
Free Yoga: During the Winter Games, YYOGA and lululemon are offering free yoga at any of YYOGA’s studios (6 locations, including Vancouver and Whistler) – an awesome way to stretch your cheering muscles!
Sometimes, though, the urge to zen-out can happen any time, any place. That’s me above striking an impromptu pose on a sunny summer day at Third Beach – no studio required. (Photo by Vanessa Griffiths).
February 01, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Ferry
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I worked on Granville Island for a few years, and one of the best things about it (besides the food) was commuting on the little ferries that bob along False Creek.
After a long day in the office, I’d walk down to the docks and watch the ferry’s lights get closer before hopping in. The evening rides were always my favorite: quietly gliding across the water in the dark was an instant de-stressor.
Daytime rides, though busier, gave me the chance to watch kayakers, cormorants and harbour seals (it’s neat to look a seal in the eye from water level). These ferries are by far the coolest form of transit in the city, and they make an awesome harbour “mini-cruise” rain or shine. Plus, they're pretty darn cute.
Both False Creek Ferries (the blue boats) and Aquabus (the rainbow boats) offer the same relaxing ride. The differences between them are: only False Creek Ferries will travel to Maritime Museum/Space Museum/Museum of Vancouver, and only Aquabus can handle bicycles – they even have a special Cyquabus for that purpose.
January 28, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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I couldn’t get that donut out of my mind.
Ever since a friend brought over some Chinese baked goods, I’ve had black bean filled sugar donut on the brain. So, I did the logical thing and went on a donut field trip to New Town Bakery in Chinatown (158 East Pender St.).
So what does a black bean filled sugar donut taste like? The dough portion is pretty standard donut fare, and the sugar surrounding it is granulated (not icing) sugar. The black bean filling is what makes it special. It’s a thick paste, almost the texture and colour of dates, and sweet tasting, but not as sweet as jam or custard. Totally unique as far as donuts go.
I also picked up a few more Chinese bakery goodies to go: a buttercream filled coconut bun, a regular coconut bun, apple tarts, a buttercream horn, an egg tart, a winter melon tart and a mystery white blob with coconut and red bean filling. I think all the items were under a $1 a piece.
Steamed buns fans: I haven’t had them here, but I’ve heard they’re amazing.
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Gardens
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I’d been to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden in Vancouver's Chinatown before, but this time was different. By chance, I entered the garden just as a guided tour was starting. Since I love factoids – especially factoids that are free with admission – I joined the group.
The tour guide was a pleasant volunteer that knew his stuff. He pointed out some neat aspects of the garden, most of which I’d never noticed on my previous visits:
- The hallways and walkways were put together without using any nails, screws or glue – just preciseness.
- Some of the pebble mosaics on the ground have pieces of the craftsmen’s rice bowls embedded in the pattern.
- The oddly-shaped rocks come from a special lake in China called Lake Tai. One of the rocks looks like a dragon, and another looks like the profile of George Washington!
- Traditional beliefs say that evil spirits can only travel in straight lines, so the large double corridor is zigzagged to prevent any nasty spirits from travelling along it.
- One part of the garden acts as a natural air conditioner.
If you’ve never taken a tour of the garden, I strongly encourage it. While the garden is pretty when you wander around on your own, it’s a whole different experience having an expert point out interesting features.
(Tourism BC/JF Bergeron photo)
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Winter Activity Tours
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On a recent trip to Whistler, I visited the tube park for the first time and had an absolute blast. We arrived a half hour before the tube park closed, so we managed to go down the hill three times.
The tube runs were very, very fast. There wasn’t much between me and the snow (just a thin layer of plastic), so I felt every bump… and even caught air in spots. On each of my runs down, I was laughing so hard that tears were flying off my cheeks, and I could barely see because the falling snow was zinging past (and into) my face.
If you have a strong stomach, the snow tube lifties can give your tube a spin at the top. I politely declined their offer to spin me, as I was mindful that my stomach was full of après nachos and a couple of mojitos.
I’d recommend the tube park as a great way to spend a couple of hours with friends or family. And of course, since you’re paying to tube downhill – not trudge back up – a magic carpet carries you and your trusty tube back to the top.
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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Have a sweet tooth? Head to Denman Street in Vancouver's West End. The six block section of Denman between Davie and Robson is known as “Dessert Row”. Here are a few of my favorites, as determined by intense product tasting (all in the name of research, of course).
Cupcakes: The cupcakes at Cupcakes aren’t so much delicately iced – they’re positively slathered. A giant swirl of buttercream icing tops each cake (enough to sink your teeth into), which have fun names like Diva, Lava Flow and Koo Koo. Try the Lemon Drop; it comes garnished with a citrus candy.
Creampuffs: When Beard Papa’s moved in, I had no idea what they sold but I was hooked by the name. Turns out they specialize in freshly made creampuffs. How fresh? They inject the cream into the puff when you order. Classic vanilla is my choice.
Cookies: Cookies by George’s slogan is “Because you can’t eat flowers,” and they have great cookie gift tins along with individual cookies for sale. I recommend the Reverse Almond Chocolate Chunk or the Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk.
Frozen Yogurt: Qoola has the healthiest dessert option on Denman: fat-free, gluten-free, probiotic, Kosher-dairy frozen yogurt. Try the green tea flavour – it’s only 140 cal per small serving. Of course, that’s before you load it with some of the 40 toppings available, like Oreos or organic bee pollen.
Also on Denman Street are: Dulcinea, an all-chocolate café; True Confections, the “date place” that serves cake slabs so big they could double as dinner; Delany’s, the locals’ coffee shop with great cinnamon buns; Dairy Queen, for Blizzards and Buster Bars; and Mondo Gelato, with dozens of creatively decorated flavours to choose from.
November 23, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Having considered a weekend getaway milling about Seattle or relaxing on Galiano Island, learning that
Whistler has now completed it's annual metamorphasis into a winter wonderland sealed the deal.
Snow
is calming. Snow slows one down. Snow makes regular dirty old things
appear pristine and pretty. Whistler is built for nice times in the
snow. And that is what we had. Take this
shot of Alta Lake as evidence. Beat that Seattle!
I
was so happy to have found a quality, non-pretenious, non-chain and
visa-light tapas restaurant. So delighted I'm not telling you it's
name - you can earn it by
exploring tapas haunts in Whistler online.
There are awesome overnight deals to be had in Whistler. We had a central studio with full kitchen for $89 at the
Whistler Inn & Suites
that I found on HelloBC.com. With about 2 feet of snow having
collected at Village level, the mountain is well and truely ready to be
conquered by
ski or board.
If
you go, make sure you take a walk around Lost Lake where you can spot
cute lake otters appearing out of the ice to hang out and eat their
freshly caught fish.
October 14, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Squamish, Hiking
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The Grouse Grind is considered “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, but the Stawamus Chief trail comes a close second. I know this because my thighs are still burning two days later.
This past weekend, three of us tackled the Chief to burn off calories from the previous night’s indulgent camping dinner (Kraft dinner, marshmallows, wine). I was looking forward to checking out the second peak route, as I’d only been to the first peak on previous Chief hikes.
The first and second peaks share the same trail for most of the journey. It’s steep, rocky and rooty. The trail was busy, but not packed, and there were lots of dogs hiking with their owners (patting friendly dogs is a good excuse for a break).
Near the top, the trail splits and the route to the second peak gets a little more challenging than the route to the first. Like the first peak, there are chains to help climb up and around the huge slabs of rocks, but they required a little more attention.
That being said, though, there were some children (maybe aged 7 and 10?) with their dad on the route; we stopped to give them a hand climbing the rocks and chains. They did great! It’s always awesome to see young kids out in the woods. They took it slow and steady and made it to the top with everyone else.
It took us an hour to hike up, and less time down. The trail was dry, but if there was a recent rainfall it would have slick, especially on the rocks.
The view of the water, mountains and Squamish was fantastic, and it was neat to see the first peak from the second peak. If you have the energy, I’d recommend the second peak over the first to avoid crowds. Feeling really energetic? There’s a third peak with even less people.
October 13, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Port Moody, Hiking
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Our good friend and colleague Mark suggested the Diez Vistas when asked for a recommendation on an intermediate hike in the area that would result in good exercise and a spectacular view. The Diez Vistas trail delivered on both and then some!
Leaving our car in the Buntzen Lake parking lot (free!), we headed up the trail on a glorious October Saturday morning. We were ahead of most of the hikers and had the trail to ourselves. Having done the Grouse Grind I was a bit aprehensive that this was going to be another "put your head down, one foot in front until you get to the top" climbs but I was pleasantly surprised that while it was no walk in the park, there were sufficient breaks from the switchbacks to look up and enjoy the trip.
The hike to the first peak (of ten thus the name Diez Vistas) took us just over an hour. The trail is well marked and maintained. There is a sneak peak view about ten minutes before the actual viewpoint so we kept going as the majority of the climb has been completed and the summit at 570 metres has been reached. As with all spectacular sights, we didn't actually see the view until we came around a large boulder and then it hit us. Indian Arm, Deep Cove, the City of Vancouver and as far as Vancouver Island were all within our vision. It was really something special.
We understand there are nine more viewpoints that meander the top of the ridge ending at the far end of Buntzen Lake but we chose to retrace our steps due to time restraints (and because a fellow hiker said that we had just seen the best one). Perhaps we'll get back up there again another day and do them all!