February 27, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Having never been to the beer-swilling, sausage-eating extravaganza that is Germany’s Oktoberfest, I was keen to try its replica - German FanFest in Gastown, Vancouver. Set up for the 2010 Winter Games, this 600-capacity tent features big screens, long tables and several barbeques serving up tasty Bratwurst and Thuringian sausages with sauerkraut. Perfect washed down with a pitcher (or ‘stein’) of beer!
Just steps away is historic Gastown. Once the heart of Vancouver it’s named after a chatty Yorkshireman called ‘Gassy’ Jack Deighton who had a statue and even a pub named after him. You can stroll along cobbled streets that have undergone a recent revival, with local designer-owned boutiques, restaurants and bars.
My favourites include Spanish restaurant Cobre, sampling cheeses and meats at the eclectic Salt Tasting Room, unusual cocktails at the uber-hip Black Diamond – and a pint of Guinness at the Irish Heather pub.
Halfway along Water Street is the much-photographed steam clock, built in 1977 to look like London’s Big Ben. Every 15 minutes it belches steam and lets out a piercing whistle.
February 27, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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I’m sure I wasn’t the first person to have nearly wept in disappointment. The line to get into the Royal Canadian Mint pavilion on downtown Granville Street was six hours long! These patient people would get in to see, and even handle the 2010 Olympic medals. Weighing over 500g each, the exquisite medals are among the heaviest in Games history. Unique in other ways too – they’re the first medals whose shape is undulating, and their First Nations design was inspired by the Orca whale.
Thankfully, all was not lost. I discovered a second, far shorter line that brought me into the Mint pavilion to see its world-famous million-dollar gold coin, the Vancouver 2010 circulation coins (including the ‘Lucky Loonie), and commemorative gold coins to mark Canada’s first Olympic gold medal on home soil.
Peering into the glass cases, I was blown away by the intricate detail of the gold and sterling silver 2010 collection, one symbolizing the Four host First Nations, another featuring the Olympic torch and one showing Canada Place and Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains.
A photo booth to capture Mint memories had been set up for free and there were interactive games on computer screens, with kids activities taking place from 3-5pm.
A little retail therapy was then in order, to make up for missing out on the medals. I headed up the Street where there are two great department stores, the Bay and high-end Holt Renfrew, with the Pacific Centre shopping mall close by.
February 26, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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Exploring the Olympic celebrations in Vancouver, I’ve spotted loads of giant, fiberglass eagles, wings spread and talons outstretched. Eagles in the City are in fact third in a trilogy of sculptures commissioned by the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities – and they’ll be around until April 2010. Follow out the Eagle flight path at eaglesinthecity.com.
Another thriving art scene – and more apt for a rainy day – is a set of galleries along South Granville Street (a short bus ride over the bridge from downtown). During the Olympics, several artists have created sports-related pieces.
Windsor Gallery (3025 Granville St) – Artist Paul Wong’s installation features the bright and cheeky Mural Number 5, which is also on a billboard at the Granville & Georgia Canada Line Station.
Elissa Cristall Gallery (2245 Granville St) – Anda Kubis’s collection Split Second is all about speed, with blurry brush strokes and pixilated colour channeling athletes in action.
Bau Xi (3045 Granville St) – Vancouver painter Lisa Burke’s exhibition shows hockey players on a melting ice rink and athletes trying to free themselves from knotted cords. “Eye candy with a hint of acid,” is how she describes her work.
February 26, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
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“Meet our moose – Saxel,” said one of the jovial ambassadors of Saxony Olympic House in Vancouver (aka the Tudor-style Vancouver Rowing Club). He then had me in stitches with his version of their special Olympia song – a real oompa anthem, normally performed by the band De Erbschleicher in the evenings, along with DJs, big screen coverage of the Games, Saxony beers and (meaty!) cuisine.
I’d decided to make a day of it, and renting a bike at one of the bicycle and skate shops on Denman Street in the West End, I pedaled off into one of the largest urban parks in North America – Stanley Park. Densely populated by giant cedar, hemlock and fir trees, its perimeter seawall offers amazing views of the city and North Shore mountains.
After Saxony House I continued round to the colourful set of totem poles (carved by various First Nations artists), then on to the Nine O’Clock Gun (a cannon that fires nightly) and the little Brockton Point Lighthouse.
Under the Lions Gate Bridge at Prospect Point, were lots of gaps where trees used to be – a grim reminder of the winter storm in 2006. At the café, a cheeky raccoon begged for scraps and I stopped to take photos of the elegant Siwash Rock that juts out of the sea around here.
Next I headed towards English Bay, passing the outdoor swimming pool. This was my cue to turn inland, passing the Lost Lagoon before arriving back at the West End.
One place I’d highly recommend in the Park, is the Vancouver Aquarium – if you have a couple of hours to spare – go and visit the belugas, sea otters and undersea creatures!
February 25, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Performing dances passed down through generations in ceremonial potlatches, these Le-La-La dancers are from North Vancouver Island. The lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver had been transformed into the Kla-how-ya (meaning "Welcome") Aboriginal Village for the 2010 Olympics. As well as these fantastic shows, I got to see a beautifully carved Ravensong canoe by artist Bill Helin, drums, moccasins and baby baskets crafted by the Tsilqoti'n Aboriginal band in BC.
February 25, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Since hockey legend Wayne Gretsky lit the Olympic cauldron after the 2010 Winter Games opening ceremony, it’s become a powerful symbol of hope for sports fans and athletes during this nail-biting fortnight.
Down in Coal Harbour, next to the new convention centre, I gazed up at the enormous green-glass structure with four brightly-burning flames. This Olympic flame has travelled such a long way to get here, starting in Greece before embarking on a 106-day torch relay across Canada, through over 1,000 communities.
So it was no surprise to see huge crowds paying homage to the cauldron. In line for the viewing platform I got chatting to Dave and Angela from Yorkshire, UK. Apart from all the Olympics action in Vancouver, they also visited Victoria in BC. “We loved pottering about in Victoria and even had tea at the Fairmont,” Angela told me. “But the ferry over there, through all the little islands was just beautiful. We even saw seals on the rocks sunbathing!”
Afterwards I decided to walk right through Coal Harbour to the Saxony House in Stanley Park. There’s always so much happening along this stretch, from floatplanes swooping down to land in the sea, to luxury yachts, charter boats and whale watching zodiacs plying the water. You can even rent bicycles from the Seawall Adventure Centre to tootle round a little quicker.
Restaurants also offer sea views, across to North Vancouver. Choose from Mills Marine Bistro (with its splash park for kids), great seafood at Cardero’s or the upscale Lift that sits on stilts over the water.
February 24, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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On a trip to North Vancouver, I couldn’t resist lingering at Lonsdale Quay. At any time of the year its market is fantastic, selling all kinds of farm-fresh goods and gourmet fare from exotic spices, to Italian sausage and artisan wines. I love Crepe Escape’s chocolate pancakes and browsing the hand-crafted jewelry stalls.
During the 2010 Olympics, Lonsdale Quay has been celebrating WinterFest. Along with live Games viewing, I caught a great First Nations drumming group and event and joined in a big group salsa class. Around me kids were having their faces painted and as it got dark, fire performer Miss Molotov threw some daring pyrotechnic shapes – juggling and flame swallowing included.
February 24, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Although no 2010 Olympic events are being held at Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain, there’s plenty of Winter Games action running 24/7, as I discovered.
Taking the Seabus across to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, I caught a bus straight up to the base of Grouse Mountain which towers up to 1,253m/ 4110ft. Then came the fun part; taking the Skyride cable car up to the summit, with unbelievable views over Vancouver from the top.
NBC’s Today Show broadcasts at 4-8am every morning during the Olympics and anyone can watch the live broadcast and meet athletes as well as the show anchors.
I was in time to see the Grouse Mountain Kids Hockey World Cup competing on the outdoor ice pond - a jovial crowd cheering them on. The skating pond was then free for the general public to show off their moves (or in my case - a desperate dash from one side to the other). Admission is free with Grouse Mt admission or Lift Ticket and rentals are available.
Skiers and snowboarders can max out on Grouse during the Games. The After Hours Pass lets you ski or ride from 8pm-6am and make the most of the DJs, bands and Games coverage. Night skiing (with shorter hours) is available in season on all three local ski hills: Cypress Mountain, and Mount Seymour too.
My friends and I were booked on a beginner snowshoe clinic. Tramping along in the sparkling snow, we learnt how to walk up and down little hills (just trust your ‘shoes!), basic avalanche awareness and about local wildlife. By the end we’d worked up enough of an appetite to enjoy a large plate of nachos at Altitudes Bistro. And plan a Snowshoe Fondue Tour for next time.
February 23, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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It was a nail-biting start to the Olympic Men’s Hockey playoffs in Canada Hockey Place (also known as GM Place). Over 12,000 fans filled the stadium to see if Canada could recover from their loss to the USA on Sunday and beat Germany. Win they did – with the score an impressive 8-2.
The jumbotron egged us all on to “Make Some Noise,” and in an interview, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson thanked everyone for being such great Olympic hosts. The Winter Games mascots danced around and the ‘Kiss Cam’ embarrassed loads of non-couples. At every goal the stadium erupted into a sea of flag-waving, cow-bell shaking and clapping. Totally crazy!
Great cries of “Luuuuuu!” came from Canadian fans as Vancouver Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo was between the pipes. He’s practically a god here in Vancouver as Captain of the Canucks, the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) team. You can catch them during their home games from October to April at General Motors Place.
Sports fans have plenty of options to catch games in Vancouver. For cheaper hockey tickets, head to the Pacific Coliseum to see the Vancouver Giants – part of the Western Hockey League – and striving to be tomorrow’s NHL stars (September – April). The BC Lions, the city’s pro (Canadian) football team play at BC Place from June to November.
In the summer, baseball fans can watch budding major league stars at the Nat Bailey Stadium. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club offers affordable tickets and plays 38 home games.
February 23, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Dining
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One of the most coveted passes in the Vancouver Winter Olympics – apart from tickets to men’s hockey finals – has got to be entry into the Molson Canadian Hockey House at Concorde Place in False Creek.
With 65,000 square feet of club & dining areas, VIP sections, giant high-def screens, plus celebs and hockey legends dropping by – it’s a big draw. The only snag being the cost – it starts at $99 for a full day Fanzone pass (including food).
Hockey being Canada’s national game, it’s surely what’s creating the biggest crowds and most outrageous costumes during the 2010 Olympics. The question is: where to watch the game if you don’t have tickets to the real thing?
Here are five of Vancouver’s best sports bars:
G Sports Bar & Grill (1208 Granville St) – A great spot on the Granville Strip, perfect for clubbing afterwards. Loads of big screens with HD TV, decent pub food and $4 Jager shots.
The Score (1262 Davie St) – the Official Pride House for the 2010 Winter Games, the Score offers 71’ Plasma TVs, PPV Canucks games, a long range of local brews, and specialty beers.
The Shark Club (180 West Georgia Street) – Just two blocks from Vancouver’s major sports venues: BC Place and GM Place, this is the ‘go-to’ place to either watch the game on banks of HD TVs or for post event beer & nachos.
Yagger’s (433 West Pender) – Get comfy on a high back cushioned bar stool and tuck into Jagermeister glazed chicken wings as well as specials on shots. Catch all the major sports games on big screen, followed by a round of Rock Band.
The Sunset Grill (2204 York Avenue) – my local pub in Kitsilano, the Sunset is a lot like the Cheers bar, where everyone knows your name soon enough. Great for a Sunday roast, big screens are strategically placed so no one misses a goal.