September 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
We've visited BC twice in the last four years. Fantastic. I don't want to share a particular experience, but just give a general tip. If you're a true shooter (photographers call themselves that), or you just like to take pictures, don't get caught short.
If you're an inlander, being on the coast will drive you crazy. Everyplace is a photo op, because there's so much coastline, and every piece of coastline offers the amazing mix of water, land, vegetation, elevation, blue sky.
First, get a decent camera no matter what level you are at. If you like landscapes, or even if you don't, you will find yourself shooting "miles-wide" images of scenery, so having a lens that goes down to 28mm, 24mm or less is great. You will likely not need much more than 120mm on the telephoto end. If you're 5 miles from something and think your 28-560 lens is the greatest thing, do yourself a favour and move closer --- it's so much better. Get more memory than you think you'll need, and unless you're crazy, don't skimp on the resolution. And above all DO NOT pretend that shooting with your phone is sufficient.
Batteries for the camera and flash if you have are critical. Don't run out while whale watching. Get a second battery if possible, and if you've been shooting all morning and then going on a whale watch, change to the second full battery beforehand unless you have an accurate battery level indicator (100 increments, not four).
And if you are running low on one media card, again, change that before you go somewhere where the environment is less than ideal. Don't expose the innards of your camera to the sea air, or worse, a splash.
If you can be happy with a water-resistant camera, get that if you're going out to sea, and make sure you have the wrist strap on your wrist, not waving loosely at the whale.
By they way, there are at least two ways to view whales. First are the "Zodiac-style" craft, that smash through the waves to find the whales. You wear a wet-suit. That can be an unfriendly environment. The second is a slower cruiser with a cabin with huge windows, as well as an outer deck. Much calmer and much friendlier to any piece of technology.
Easterners, you will discover London Drugs is invaluable if you need 'stuff' from A to Z and beyond.
July 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
I have lived in Vancouver my entire life and have travelled a bit around BC, but I need help from you fellow travellers. I am wanting to go away and get married but want to stay in BC. Does anyone have any suggestions? My fiance is really interested in Blue River but we are open to other locations. We are looking for an outdoor location with lots of activities around to have a "weekend" away for everyone.
Thank you for your help,
Wendy
May 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
I was really lucky getting these shots of the Torch Relay in Vancouver. I was very pleased, I hope you can enjoy this video, too! There is Arnold Schwarzenegger in this film half way through, but, I recommend watching the whole thing!
March 01, 2010 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
Hockey Team Canada wins gold on the last day of the Vancouver
2010 Olympics and Tourism British Columbia Field Reporter Chris Wheeler
celebrates with thousands downtown on Granville Street! What a great
hockey game and what a great Olympics in Vancouver, BC!
February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
Day 8 of the games...And I've spent the last 4 days recovering from the first 4 days. Not sure if I have it in me to keep up the Olympic pace for 17 days straight, and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. Favorites so far include watching the Opening Ceremonies, watching and celebrating moguls gold in Yaletown and the impromptu dancing courtesy of the DJ's showcasing as a part of Made in Vancouver Festival.
Stealing a note from the guys from the buried life (the boys from Victoria BC travelling North America to complete their 'must do before I die' list) I've compiled a list of the things I MUST still do before the Olympics are done:
1. Take advantage of my free Lululemon/YYoga free pass.
2. Spend time exploring the pavilions and fun on Granville Island.
3. Check out Canada's North Pavilion - I've heard it's great!
4. Check out one of the JetSet Crew Parties. They've been doing a great job attracting athletes to Canvas lounge. Would be fun to celebrate with them.
5. Get to the Richmond Ozone and Heineken house and BC street.
6. Ice skate at Robson square or in Richmond.
7. Ziptrek over Robson at BC pavilion (such a great idea - wouldn't it be cool to replace public transit with ziplines!!).
8. Check out a Yaletown livecity show and stay for the end of day fireworks and light show.
9. Check out an athletic event. I've got my eye on women's figure skating tickets - feeling the need to show Joannie Rochette some support this week.
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 11, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
They are adorable, they are everywhere you turn, my kids love them, but what the heck are those things? This is the question that is sometimes asked about the Olympic mascots. Out of curiosity (and so I could answer my daughter’s questions) I did a bit of research and found out the following about the mascots and some other BC creatures:
The Mascots:
Miga: a young sea bear (part killer whale, part Kermode bear), who surfs the waves of Tofino in the summer and snowboards Vancouver’s local mountains in the winter.
Sumi: a spirit who lives in the mountains of BC and comes from many different backgrounds (representing the diverse backgrounds of Canadians).
Quatchi: a young hockey loving Sasquatch who comes from the mysterious mountains of Canada.
MukMuk: not an official mascot, but more of a sidekick. Mukmuk is a Vancouver Island marmot that lives in the mountains of Vancouver Island, and is pictured above.
Other Mythical (Non-Mascot) BC Creatures:
Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot): This creature has allegedly been spotted from the Fraser Valley up to Prince George. While there have been Sasquatch reports all over the world, over half of the reported sightings have happened in BC.
Ogopogo: A lake monster that lies in the Lake Okanagan. Depending on who you ask, it’s part snake, goat and/or horse. Reports have varied on its actual size (from 5m to 25m). There is an average of six Ogopogo sightings a year of this monster.
The Griz: A man with shoulders six feet wide who wears a grizzly bear coat and hat and lives in the mountains near Fernie Alpine Resort. He shoots a giant musket into clouds so powder snow drops from the clouds and covers the resort. In February of each year the town of Fernie hold a festival in his honour.
September 04, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
Hello,
I basically just wanted to share my story with the future 2010 Vancouver travelers.
About a month ago I tried to rent out a hotel in Vancouver since my sister and I have tickets. Unfortunately all hotels were booked. So we went on Craigslist and booked a condo, we wired money since the owners seemed honest and ready to rent us the condo. However, they ended-up selling the condo and taking our money with them.
We then went with a company called Rent For The Games, they found the perfect location for us, they guaranteed that our money would be protected. They offered us legal contracts and financial management! I am definitely recommending this company to anyone who is looking for Olympic accommodation!
Hope I was able to help a few of you!
October 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
My best friend and I are planning a vacation to Vancouver, Canada in late February 2009. Neither one of us have ever been there and would love some advice and tips on what to see. It looks like a beautiful place to visit. We will be there for about 8 days and want to make the most of it. We also know they do alot of tv and movie filming in Canada. One of our favorite shows is Supernatural. I don't know if there are any tips on how to visit a shooting site or not, but if anyone has any suggetions, we would appreciate them.
September 06, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
Our BC trip was awesome. We visited the entire province and the National Parks in and on the border of British Columbia. We flew in to Vancouver YVR, beautiful Airport. Stayed two days on Hourbourside on the burrand Inlet in Vancouver. Visited Stanely Park, took the Big Bus tour, visitied Granville Island, ChinaTown, Gastown. Thereafter visited hope, Merrit, Revelstoke, Golden, Fieldthe National Parks including Yoho, and Banff / Jasper (BC-Alberta border), Mt. Robson. The landscape and scenery is BREATHTAKING. Truely Heavan.
Also Visited Kamaloops,Victoria, Brentwood Bay, Squamish, horseshow Bay Village,Whistler. Vancouver Island as some nice little fishing villages.
Hello BC staff were very helpfull whereever we went. A special thanks to the wonderful customer service in HELLO BC at the Mount Robson hello BC office. The young lady helped us in finding good accomodations and was very helpfull as were the other hello BC offices throughout our trip. Traveler tip: At Lake Louise, take the Gondola up to the Mountain before 2pm and enjoy an AWESOME all you can eat five star buffet for a couple of bucks.
We also visited several suburbs in Vancouver. Surrey, Delta, Richmond, Burnaby. Found lots of fellow Indo-Canadians and awesome PUNJABI food in Little India's Punjabi Market. Also was impressed listening to locals about People of Indian Origin settling in British Columbia since the late 1800's.
I would like to thank the wonderful province of British Columbia for a real awesome Vacation.