February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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Vancouverites love their hockey (like all Canadians) – especially their Canucks. I’ve been to a handful of games and each time I have a blast. The fans are at once boisterous and respectful (jesting at the opposing team’s fans – especially Calgary Flames – but still polite to their fellow Canuck seat-neighbors. We are Canadian after all). I love when the mascot Fin playfully bites the heads of fans (the picture shown is of him going in for a "bite") and Mark Donnelly sings the national anthem! Lately the stadium announcer will belt out “Wooooo” after each Canuck goal, which is then repeated back by the fans. It’s addicting – you can’t not do it!
Vancouver is also home to a WHL team, the Giants. I haven't been to a game yet but here’s what my colleague Karen had to say about it: “At the Giants game I went to there were no business guys in suits heading to the game, it was lots of families and tons of people in jerseys...What I loved most was that there was so much entertainment in between periods: two golf carts on the ice, two blimps flying around, t-shirts being shot at the crowd, coupons dropping from the sky, and even a hamburger tossed out as a prize by the mascot...Impossible to be bored!”
If you prefer to hit the ice yourself, lace up your skates on one of Vancouver’s outdoor rinks. Grouse Mountain (in North Vancouver) has an 8,000 square foot pond high above the city, while Robson Square (downtown Vancouver) is a smaller rink but it’s free and right in the heart of the action (skate rentals are $3.00).
During the next two weeks though NHL team rivalries will be dropped and all Canadians will be cheering for their home country. We’d love to hear your pick on who will win men’s hockey gold. Post your picks/comments below!
Go Canada Go!!
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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One of my Olympic must-do activities was seeing the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit, “The Mechanics of Man”, at the Vancouver Art Gallery. On Sunday a colleague and I checked things out and although the line-up was long – we waited about 45 minutes – seeing the exhibit was worth it for me.
DaVinci’s anatomical drawings of the human body are incredibly detailed and beautifully etched. They are on yellowed sheets of paper, standard notebook size, and I was surprised to see how intact they actually were. I learned that some drawings have not been surpassed to date and others were the first-known accurate depictions (like his drawing of the spinal column). Pretty amazing stuff!
On every drawing DaVinci made cramped notes in Latin, which are written in his favored “mirror-style” way (ie: backwards). Each drawing had an accompanying description that explained which parts of the body we were looking at, his drawing techniques and methods, as well as other interesting information (such as how he made some discoveries two centuries before anyone else did).
Larger replicas of some drawings are placed on the walls and offer closer observation. Also splashed across the walls are random quotes by DaVinci. Overall, the exhibit was pretty amazing – I’m sure both biology nerds and art lovers will love it – and clearly very fitting for the Olympics!
February 09, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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With just days until the 2010 Winter Olympics begin, I’m starting to get really excited! But if you are ticket-less (like me), fear not! There will be plenty of free sites buzzing with activity where you can watch the Games and enjoy the festivities!
Here’s what’s on my radar:
LiveCity Downtown/Yaletown: Between the two sites – one in Yaletown and the other steps from BC Place and Canada Hockey Place – I should definitely be entertained. Giant TV screens will be set up and broadcast live coverage of the Games, yummy food and drink will be available and live music will be playing every night. Even before the Games start there will be activity: I’m going to be making my way to LiveCity Yaletown this Thursday for the arrival of the Olympic torch!
Robson Square: Take your pick between ice skating outside, zip-lining high over the cityscape or pondering Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mechanics of Man” exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Oh, and did I mention that all are free? (Skate rentals are $3.00.)
Richmond O Zone: If you don’t mind a little travel, hop on the Canada Line Skytrain to head out to this celebration site. I’m planning on checking out the Holland Heineken House (the nation house of the Netherlands) for some beer; the ice carving competitions – and subsequently funky ice art sculptures; trying a hand at bobsleigh (in virtual reality, of course); and all the fantastic live entertainment.
But if none of those suit your fancy, lots of bars and restaurants will be broadcasting the Games. So grab a bite to eat, replenish yourself with some beer and sit back and enjoy the Games.
Live City Downtown: corner of Georgia and Beatty; LiveCity Yaletown, corner of Pacific Blvd and Drake; Robson Square: corner of Robson and How; Richmond O Zone, Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Ave.
February 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Shopping
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Stores in Gastown are an eclectic mix: there’s everything from independent designer boutiques to vintage stores, high-end galleries displaying Aboriginal art and Euro-centric furniture stores. Oh, and seemingly more souvenir shops than Starbucks coffee shops (if that’s possible).
Walking down the cobbled streets made me feel like I was exploring a quaint European alleyway and I enjoyed window-shopping almost more than actually shopping. Partly this was because prices can run a lil’ high in some stores.
I first ventured into Fluevog. This international shoe store started its origins in Vancouver and its funky shoes have been worn by people like Madonna and Scarlet Johanssen. It has such a cult following that there is even an International Fluevog Day (May 15th). I’m assuming it’s celebrating wearing your ‘vogs(as they're fondly called) but I'm not entirely sure.
Next I headed to One of a Few. Like the name suggests, there are only a few of each item of clothing, which is great if you’re looking for something unique. If you want slightly more selection head next door to their aptly named sister shop, Two of a Few.
In search of a good deal, I visited Army & Navy (Canada’s version of Wal-mart). If you’re willing to hunt you can find some pretty good stuff here. Also: their annual shoe sale is a HUGE deal – line-ups usually start forming at 6am and in 2009 they sold 75,000 pairs of shoes in just 12 days!
Also worth checking out: Koolhaus for higher quality, Ikea-esque furniture (but with a heftier price tag); and the OK Boot Corral, a small shop jam-packed with all things Western - including rows and rows of cowboy (and cowgirl!) boots.
Happy shopping!
Locations: Fluevog, 65 Water St; One of a Few, 354 Water St; Two of a Few, 356 Water St; Army & Navy, 36 West Cordova; Koolhaus, 1 Water St; OK Boot Corral, 205 Carrall St.
February 04, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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For me, a large part of the fun of the Olympic Games will be experiencing the mish-mash of cultures all in one place. And where better to do this than at the various nation houses that are sprouting up everywhere?
Here’s what’s on my itinerary:
Holland Heineken House: It’s earned a reputation as “the place to party” from previous Games and I have no doubt it will be this year too. Sponsored by Heineken, this means an abundance of beer that fellow partygoers can drink among 4,000 people each night. Also live nightly music. Location: the Richmond O Zone, Richmond.
Jamaica Bobsleigh House: Ya Mon! Not only will you be able to eat Jamaican food, drink Jamaican beer and dance to reggae, but you can also hang with members from the original Cool Runnings team! How awesome is that? Location: Savage Beagle, Whistler.
House of Switzerland: Swiss chocolate and cheese anyone? These culinary staples will definitely be on hand at this nation house. Besides the food, I’m looking forward to seeing a giant chocolate Inukshuk (wait, does that count as food?). There will also be tons of daily giveaways – who doesn’t like free stuff!? Location: Granville Island.
BC Canada Pavilion: Where else can you zipline six-stories above the city, ice skate on an outdoor rink and gain entry to the fantastic Vancouver Art Gallery to see Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mechanics of Man” exhibit – all for free? I'm definitely going to be here! Location: corner of Howe and Robson.
Atlantic Canada House: Having never traveled to Canada’s east coast, I’ll be for sure making a stop at this provincial house. The food menu looks amazing (think lobster, mussels, wild boar) and the entertainment is sure to be interesting - if only because I’ll be trying to decipher those Newfie and Nova Scotian accents! Location: Granville Island.
Casa Italia: When I think of Italy, I think of good food and wine – and this pavilion promises both. Rumour has it there will also be cooking shows with Italian chefs as well as high fashion shows. Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown.
February 04, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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Because writing about Granville Street’s nightlife seems wrong without covering the best post-bar snack places. And let’s face it: nobody (unless those with great will power) is going home without something to dig into after a night out.
The DogFather: I love The Dogfather. Not only for its name, but for the humungous chili cheese dogs that warm my tummy at 2 in the morning.
Fritz European Fry House: More Quebecois than European, the poutine here is an indulgent and positively delicious snack before bed. With variations like Italian Poutine and Chicken Poutine and endless dip options (mango curry chutney, anyone?) you can’t go wrong. I like to think of it as a reward for dancing away all those calories!
Megabite Pizza/Romano’s Pizza/Numero Uno: Or any other dollar-slice pizza joint for that matter. There are plenty of places around here that serve this staple (and cost-friendly) post-bar snack.
Other places: Tsui Hang’s – sweet and sour pork and chicken chow mein at 5 am? Yes please. Then there’s Babylon Cafe for delicious Middle Eastern falafels (which I like to think of as a healthy alternative) and Kuroshio Sushi where you can get late-night sushi (including a sushi burrito I have yet to try) at cheap prices.
Locations: The DogFather, 700 Nelson St; Fritz European Fry House, 718 Davie St; Tsui Hang's, 1193 Granville St; Babylon Café, 716 Robson St; Kuroshio Sushi, 1011 Granville St.
February 04, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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The Granville Entertainment District, a five block stretch of Granville St. (between Drake St and Robson St), is crammed with bars and pubs that attract partyers pretty much every night of the week.
How do I know this? Well, not only have I had my fair share of night outs here but I also happen to live close by so I can hear (far too often) the sounds of these late-night partyers.
Reasons to go:1. The choice: there are bars, lounges, clubs, concert venues and restaurants for almost everyone. And since they’re sandwiched close together, you can easily bar-hop.
2. The streets are closed to vehicle traffic after 7pm (on weekends and during summers) ensuring it’s pedestrian-friendly.
3. There are numerous post-bar snack places that offer a greasy piece of pizza or a hotdog. A must.
My favorites:The Roxy: It’s been around for awhile and still it’s a Vancouver favourite. This includes our beloved Canucks who often enjoy a post-hockey game celebration here. What’s good? Live music and theme nights. What’s not? Long line-ups.
El Furniture Warehouse: No, it’s not a furniture store. This hole-in-the-wall kinda of bar is endearingly laid back. My favorite part though? Nothing on the menus is over $4.95. Seriously.
Other notables: Doolin’s Irish Pub for pints of Guinness; Whineo’s for a great selection of wine and appies; The Yale Hotel for live jazz music; and Sip Lounge where every food item incorporates alcohol.
Locations: The Roxy, 932 Granville St; El Furniture Warehouse, 989 Granville St; Doolins, 654 Nelson St; Whineo’s, 1017 Granville St; The Yale, 1300 Granville St; Sip Lounge, 1117 Granville St.