February 24, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Festivals & Events
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Aside from hosting the speed skating competition, Richmond has a variety of events and attractions throughout town to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games, including a demonstration of water bombing by the Martin Mars planes based at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
On Feb. 22 and 23, the Hawaii Mars demonstrated its water scooping and dumping ability off the shore of Garry Point Park. Usually reserved for fighting forest fires, these planes are a real spectacle to see in person as part of a fun demonstration.
The massive flying tankers have four propeller engines that can carry the plane fully loaded with 7200 gallons of water. It's no wonder you can feel your rib cage rattle when they fly low and close. Be advised: if you get a chance to see a demonstration, be careful where you stand. The 7200 gallons tend to drift once they have been released from the plane.
Getting to Richmond is a simple 20-minute train ride on the Canada Line from downtown Vancouver to Richmond's city center. If you exit the train at the last stop (Brighouse), you can cross the street and catch the 410 bus to Garry Point Park. The park is on the waterfront near where the Fraser River meets the Pacific.
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.
February 10, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Boating & Sailing
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On February 12, the 124-year-old Vancouver Rowing Club will become Saxony House, one of the pavilions representing Germany at the Olympics. The public is welcome to watch competitions on plasma screens, meet athletes and enjoy live music. Art and innovation from the Saxon state in Germany are also on display. And you could meet Saxel, Saxony's moose mascot during the Games. If you don't meet Saxel, you can be
friends on Facebook. Saxony House is open noon to 2 a.m. daily with free admission.
When the Winter Games are over, the Vancouver Rowing Club will still be there. It is on the edge of Stanley Park, a short walk from the Vancouver Aquarium, and a bit longer walk from English Bay where you can watch the Vectorial Elevation light show in the evenings during the games.
February 10, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
North Vancouver, Boating & Sailing
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Russia's Kruzenshtern, a four-masted tall ship built in 1926, sailed under Lion's Gate Bridge and into Vancouver harbour this morning. The ship and its 120 sailors are visiting Vancouver during the Olympics, as ambassadors from the host country of the 2014 Winter Games.
It will be docked in North Vancouver east of Lonsdale Quay. Anyone taking the SeaBus across the harbour or strolling around Lonsdale Quay should get a good view. It will likely be open for public tours, too.
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.