July 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Sleeping next to beluga whales sounds like something out of a fantasy, but it’s possible at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Our group arrived at the aquarium just after it had closed to the public, and we met our guides for the night. We first got to experience the aquarium behind-the-scenes, seeing it in ways that visitors usually do not.
While the visitors get to see the tanks and exhibits in all their glory, on the other side of the window a lot of work is required to maintain them. We saw how the animals were fed, their habitats cleaned, and how vets made sure that all animals were in good health.
After our tour it was time to settle in for the night, and we set up camp right in front of the beluga habitat. While humans may aspire to get a good night’s sleep, whales can only sleep for a few minutes at a time, after which they have to surface and breathe. But hey, sleep-wise it still beats the dolphins, who are conscious breathers and therefore can never sleep (rather, they “shut off” one half of their brain at a time and rest that way).
After this unique opportunity to sleep next to the whales, we packed up in the morning and were out of the aquarium just before it opened its doors again for a day of education visitors about marine life. But after spending a night there, you know that, just like the belugas, the Vancouver Aquarium is never asleep for long.
Roam plenty and roam safely,
Your Traveller13
Photo credit: Vancouver Aquarium
Editor's note: Learn more about the Vancouver Aquarium here.
March 03, 2010 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Attractions
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I took a trip down to Stanley Park on a Saturday raining morning and stopped in for a visit at the Vancouver Aquarium. The exhibits were amazing! Especially the jellyfish and the Beluga Whales! And the sea otters! Actually it was all pretty incredible, the tanks are huge and you feel like you're almost inside with the sea life. I then tour around Stanley Park a bit to see the Totems, some of the statues and the famous Hollow Tree.
February 11, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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If you spend any amount of time in Vancouver it won’t be long before you are on a bridge. Vancouverites love their bridges and if you ask five people which one is their favourite, you might get five different answers. Here is my quick guide to Vancouver’s bridges:
Granville St. Bridge: Connects Vancouver’s west side to downtown. When the current Granville St. Bridge opened in 1954 it was the widest bridge in the world (by 1 cm). This is a great place to watch fireworks or Olympic Vectorial Elevation lights.
Burrard Bridge: As a cyclist, this bridge became a dream come true for me last July when the City of Vancouver temporarily eliminated a car lane and turned it into a protected bike-only lane.
Cambie Bridge: Connects the east side to downtown. This bridge has my favourite view of the city. Heading north into the city you have a great view of downtown against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains.
Lions Gate Bridge: An iconic landmark and the bridge most people have seen even before they arrive in Vancouver. Lanes have been widened for traffic and they have made it easier / safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Second Narrows Bridge: The second bridge that connects Vancouver and the North Shore. I almost always use this bridge when I drive to the North Shore, even if I am on the west side. Even though the drive is longer, you save time because you rarely get stuck in the traffic you would have to face by going through downtown and across the Lions Gate.
Lions Gate bridge photo above by Jonathan Sparks.
February 08, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Attractions
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The Olympics haven't started yet, but the Olympic celebrities are already arriving. Katarina Witt and Elizabeth Manley had what looked like a highly improvised reunion on the ice at Robson Square on Feb. 7. The gold medalist and the silver medalist from the 1988 Olympics in Calgary waved, twirled, laughed and even shared a brief ice dancing moment together at Robson Square in front of an impressively large crowd. If this many people turn out to see Olympians 22 years later, imagine the melee of seeing the actual competitions starting in a few days. Can we say excitement?
Oh, if you're in town, the skating at Robson Square is a good diversion. The rink isn't huge, but it's free. And if you aren't accustomed to balancing on blades, they have special "ice walkers" for all ages to keep you on your feet.
Ice skating - falling = good fun.
February 05, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
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There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Robson Square. First, it got a makeover, then it re-opened its ice rink, and now it’s bringing in figure skating royalty. Katarina Witt (’88 Olympic gold medalist) and Elizabeth Manley (’88 Olympic silver medalist) will be at Robson Square on Sunday, Feb 7 at 11:30 am… and it’s expected to be an emotional on-ice reunion.
Robson Square is part of BC Pavilion; over the past few weeks, I’ve watched the site transform from streets and sidewalks to a hub of activity. People are skating (for free!) at the outdoor ice rink (skate rentals are $3), and there’s now a zipline that runs OVER Robson Street (which will be free and open during the Games – I am willing to wait in line for this!). Huge screens have also been installed for art exhibits and Games broadcasting. I’m looking forward to seeing Robson Square and BC Pavilion filled to the brim with people from around the world during the Games.
(My bud Jonathan Sparks snapped the image above of people enjoying the ice rink earlier this week. Thanks Jon!)
July 17, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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I checked out the new 4D Theatre at the
Vancouver Aquarium last week and was very impressed, not only with the technology but with the film content. I really didn't know what 4D was until I was seated in 122 seat theatre - its like a 3D film with the added benefit of a wide variety of special effects including bubbles, wind, water and some others (I wouldn't want to give it all away!). Everyone in the theatre seemed to be enjoying it - lots of laughter by young and old alike. The film itself, called
Planet Earth: Shallow Seas was excellent and lends itself nicely to what the Vancouver Aquarium does so well - help to connect visitors with our natural world. You will be glad to know that the 4D experience is part of the general admission rates to the Aquarium - no extra charge required for 4D fun!
April 16, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Last Sunday I visited Vancouver's Anglican Christ Church Cathedral for the first time, to attend an evening Compline service, a Gregorian Chant. It was a calming and relaxing conclusion to the weekend and the beautiful music in a beautiful setting was appreciated.
An interesting note: For runners participating in this weekend's 10-km Sun Run who are looking for some spiritual preparation at the start line, The Cathedral is offering a special 8am service on Sunday. No promises on a faster finish time but angel wings might help carry you the distance!
April 14, 2009 | Field Reports >
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This was built for the Olympics and is definitely going to become a tourist destination for Vancouver. It sits next to Canada Place which was built for Expo 86. This new building boasts the best view in the city of the North Shore, the Burrard Inlet and the mountains. You can tour the building as a tourist and see the 6-acre living roof, the clean wooden halls and more. Or check out my video for an overview.
September 28, 2008 | Tips from Us >
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The UBC Botanical Garden is one of Vancouver's best kept secrets as a tourist attraction....and it just got even better with the addition of the new Greenheart Canopy Walkway, an eco-adventure for all ages.
The walkway is like a series of hanging suspension bridges or "aerial trails" high above the ground - about 60 feet above the ground in some places. It is a bit of a wobbly workout making your way around the circuit - there are 8 different bridges that form the loop. Its really quite spectacular to be so high up and you get a really great view of the upper layers of the forest canopy. While I just got a kick out of the views, anyone remotely interested in west coast forest ecosystems, the environment, animals and plants will see this new attraction for it scientific merits. The guides that take groups around the walkway are knowledgeable and informative. The makers of the Canopy Walkway is a Vancouver-based company that has created various aerial trails throughout the world. Lucky us that they finally got to build one locally.
Admission is $20 for adults, less for kids and seniors and you get to wander all around the Botanical Gardens for the same price.
May 11, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with the beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium. I have been fascinated with belugas ever since I grabbed my pillow, put on my pj's, and joined an aquarium sleepover a few years ago (yes, I brought my young son with me). Despite the late night, it was magical to follow the belugas around the tank and then into my dreams.
So dinner last night was followed by a nice slice of pool-side pie and a splash of "artic" sea water. Those blubbery beluga tails look small, but they can pack a punch! Fortunately I stood up fast enough to evade most of the over-the-fence wave.
And I didn't know this, but you can get into the pool with a trainer to feed, touch, and train one of the belugas. When you are that close to them, there is no way to move when they splash you - full soaking is included in the encounter. Fortunately, so is a wet suit.
Check out the live Beluga cam on the Aquarium website.