February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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I checked out BC Street in Richmond, and loved the Tofino tent. They've
completely transformed a white outdoor tent into a rainforest. The
first thing I noticed when I walked in was the smell. Cedar scent hung
in the air, and made me feel like I was in a forest on the coast.
Awesome.
My favorite part of the Tofino tent was a green
screen photo booth. You stand on the mark, they snap your pic, and then
the background will transform to show you surfing a massive wave or
holding an enormous salmon (I went with the fish). I wish I could have
seen the pic right away, but they'll be emailing it to me soon.
There's
also the chance to chat with a local Aboriginal carver, as well as
plenty of artwork. Very laid-back vide -- a must visit.
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
The great thing about jet lag, is that getting up at 6am is not a problem, as you've already been awake for 2 hrs!
Having been tipped off that Arnie Schwarzenegger was going to pass the Olympic torch flame to Seb Coe I set off in the dark with my running shoes to Stanley park. All was quiet until I turned the corner on the waterfront, when I could hear the distant music from the party bus. At least i knew I was heading in the right direction.
The crowds grew, the music got louder and it was still not even 6.30am!
I ran through the crowds to find Seb Coe waiting at the lighthouse, casually sitting on the wall chatting to the press.
And then the Terminator arrived! The crowd went wild. The torch exchange, a hug and Seb Coe was on his way... What an amazing atmosphere!
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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By now, I’ve learnt to leave a couple of hours to get into Vancouver’s free Olympic events – at least the big ones. So my friends and I joined the line around David Lam Park early to see alt-rock Chicago band, Wilco perform at Livecity Yaletown. And surprisingly we all moved pretty fast, getting in to see today’s Games highlights on the big screens. Canadian Jenn Heil’s silver medal win at the Women’s Moguls at Cypress Mountain was going down a storm, with US fans jubilant over Hannah Kearney’s Gold.
Award winners (of the Grammy kind), Wilco got everyone rocking enough to forget about the pouring rain. I got chatting to Steve from London, UK who’s a big fan, but even more psyched about his Olympic snowboarding tickets. “It’s one thing watching the Games on telly, but way more special getting to see them live,” he admitted.
As the band drew to a close, we checked out the rest of Livecity Yaletown, stalls offering global street food, 3-D videos in the Panasonic marquee and computer games in the Samsung tent. Coca-Cola’s tube-shaped pavilion showcased bottle designs through the ages, interactive games, a giant polar bear and video footage of the Olympic torch relay.
Trooping out, we were just in time to catch a spectacular firework display over False Creek.
February 13, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Curious about the Vancouver Winter Olympics’ Four Host First Nations - the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh – I headed over to the Aboriginal Artistans Village. It’s housed in the Vancouver Community College near the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion and the unmistakable architectural landmark that is the Vancouver Library.
Big smiles and warm welcomes ushered in the crowds and I spent a good hour absorbed in beautiful hand-made Aboriginal crafts. Cedar wood carvings of eagles and Orca whales jostled for space beside intricate basket-ware, beaded mittens, and hand-spun grey, cream and black Cowichan sweaters. Presiding over huge glass carvings of salmon runs was Jody Broomfield. He explained how his Coast Salish motifs were chosen to adorn Olympic lanyards, gift boxes at the Opening Ceremony and even an Olympic-themed coin. “I was so proud sitting up in BC Place last night, seeing my designs everywhere,” he said.
Opposite his stall was Corrine Hunt and her exquisite jewelry (pictured). A member of the Raven Gwa’wina clan from Ts’akis, a village on Vancouver Island, Corrine was chosen to design the Olympic medals – and is hugely excited to see them being presented in the first awards ceremony. “Look out for my Orca whales on the Olympic Games medals, and ravens on the Paralympics.”
February 13, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Everywhere I went in Dawson Creek on Friday, Feb 11, the main talk was about the
Olympic Games and especially the
Opening Ceremonies.People here in the Peace River Country have a special appreciation for the importance of winter.
We live in a winter wonderland ourselves. I heard more than a few chuckles about our abundance of snow this year and willingness to donate some to the Olympic venues.
• We watched in
respect as the Georgian athlete who lost his life was paid tribute by the whole world
• We watched with
high regard as our First Nations Peoples opened the ceremonies and welcomed the world
• We watched in
excitement as we were introduced to the best athletes on the planet
• We watched in
great pride as our Canadian athletes made their entrance into the stadium
• We watched in
delight as we were dazzled by an amazing show of Canadian Talent and Spirit
• We watched in
reverence as the Olympic Torches were carried and lit by Canada's Favorite Athletes
• We watched in
anticipation for the coming days!
Way to Go Vancouver! We Love You Canada! Welcome World!This Mile O Citizen will certainly be following the 2010 Winter Olympics! Anyone want some snow?
February 13, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Avoiding steep ticket prices to the Vancouver Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony in BC Place, my friends and I joined the majority of Vancouverites and visitors on the streets. Every bar, restaurant and Olympic Pavilion seemed to be showing the ceremony on big TV screens. Livecity Yaletown in David Lam Park was at capacity so we caught the athletes’ entrances, Nelly Furtado performing with Bryan Adams and more on TV at The Hub bar before heading down to False Creek. Across the water, the Athletes’ Village and Vancouver’s globe-shaped Science World were gloriously lit up.
As we passed the backstage area of BC Place, dancers still in costume were streaming out ready to party. A surreal case of art and reality colliding. After stopping for a curry at the Plaza of Nations food stalls, we continued along False Creek to Ontario House at Concord Place. Unforgettable ‘wow’ moments followed as, on the huge outdoor screens we watched Wayne Gretzky light the Olympic cauldron, just as to our left, an enormous burst of red fireworks exploded into the night sky above BC Place. Quite literally, the city went wild.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Dining
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After catching the Olympic Torch Relay on artist-haven Granville Island, it was time for a spot of lunch. Next to the Aquabus Ferry dock and the Public Market, sits Bridges Restaurant with its bright yellow roof and huge patio (one of the best for al fresco dining in summer). Now converted into the House of Switzerland, it offers Swiss athletes and everyone else, a chance to re-fuel, warm by the fire and catch the Games on flatscreen TVs.
As school groups posed in front of a huge photo of the Swiss Alps, we headed through the restaurant decorated with Swiss flags and memorabilia – to the back deck, where under heat lamps we could watch fishing boats, shoppers and even a Bernese mountain dog, brought in especially.
Bridges are offering a complete Swiss menu in addition to their usual West Coast fare. Depending on the day, freebies include gorgeous chocolate and Ricola sweets, accompanied by live music. We sampled fizzy soft drink, Rivella and contemplated cocktails named ‘Swiss Miss’ and ‘Glacier Express’. Calorific cheese fondues follwed, and we completed our foray into Swiss cuisine with apple strudel. Yodelay!
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Whistler, Attractions
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One of the goals of the 2010 Olympic Games was to be the greenest / most environmentally games ever. Since I have an interest in the environment and sustainability I did a bit of research. I’ve listed a few of the interesting facts I found below:
Richmond Oval’s roof: The enormous (approximately 200m by 100m) roof at the Richmond Oval was made from wood that had been killed by pine beetles. At one time, the wood was thought unusable.
Sliding Centre: If you were wondering why the track at the sliding centre is painted white, it isn’t to look like snow, it’s to minimize the amount heat absorbed.
Medals: Even the gold, silver and bronze medals have an environmental aspect to them. 2.8 million tones of metals from electronics that were headed for a land-fill were used in making the medals.
Making the most of the rain: It’s no secret that Vancouver gets its fair share of rain. May of the new venues will collect rainwater and reuse it for flushing water efficient toilets, heating and even making ice at skating venues.
Whistler Olympic Park: The majority of wood waste generated from the construction of the Whistler Olympic Park was reused to build temporary structures, or to revegetate the area.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Farms & Markets
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Practically racing along Kits Beach’s seawall, with sweeping views of Cypress and Grouse Mountains across the Burrard Inlet, I rounded the corner to see masses of people converging on Granville Island. Phew, just in time. Finding a great vantage point on the dock by the Public Market, I joined thousands of cheering fans as the Olympic Torchbearer made his way through the throng and onto a waiting dragon boat. Helicopters thundered overhead and at sea, police boats allowed only Olympic vessels on the water. “I’ve been wondering where all the people were in Vancouver,” said Carla who’s here from Germany. “And here they are – it’s so exciting!”
Next to me, tears rolling down her cheeks, was Wendy Matsubuchi. Quite overcome, she waved proudly to her mother Esther rowing on a dragon boat team accompanying the Olympic flame. A breast cancer survivor, Esther’s dragon boat racing has taken her all around the world.
As the flame departed across the water to Yaletown on its final journey to BC Place, a huge swathe of the crowd followed along the banks. Tip: take a tiny Aquabus ferry from Granville Island around False Creek to catch great Olympic action. I headed to my fave coffeshop in the market, Petit Amis, where the atmosphere was still buzzing.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Parks
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The Olympic Flame was carried through Stanley Park in the morning and then exited the park following a route that crossed throughout downtown Vancouver on its last day on the road.
The torchbearers on this part of the route, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sebastian Coe, had great views of the downtown skyline and north shore mountains, and passed attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium, the 9 o'clock gun, Lumberman's Arch, and the replica figurehead from the SS Empress of Japan.
But most striking to see was the flame's glow cutting through the rainforest in the pre-dawn darkness. When the flame came by, it was moving fast. Not the greatest photo-taking conditions, but a great memory.