February 23, 2010 | Field Reports >
Whistler, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I paid a visit to the Aboriginal Pavilion in downtown Vancouver as well
as the Bill Reid Gallery and the
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre up in Whistler where they received a
surprise visit from the Governor General of Canada Michaelle
Jean.
I was amazed at the incredible artwork and carvings, the intricate detail and the dedication of the craftsmen. Everyone I met was had a wealth of knowledge and passion for sharing their culture.
February 23, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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My Dad used to talk about how brutal life was working on the Alaska Highway, but as a kid, I had no context to understand what that actually meant.
I slept in a warm bed each night and ate Mom's home cooking every day.Did anyone you know work on the Highway?The building of the Alaska Highway; the daily life faced by the men who built it and the conditions they endured rival any Olympic games in diversity, endurance, spirit, teamwork, speed and challenge.
Endurance and Spirit: Those men were tough! They had to be. Pushed till they dropped day after day after day in the harshest weather conditions through an untamed wilderness with supplies and equipment that would be considered even less than sub-standard today.
Mud, muskeg, icy waters, freezing/frostbite in the winter, being tormented by mosquitoes and black flies in the summer, 3 meals a day of army-rationed food from tins, cold steel and daily back-breaking labor.
Speed: Over 1500 miles of road was punched through vast untamed wilderness in 9 months.
Challenge: Some of the toughest and most unforgiving wilderness in the world. One example was "Suicide Hill" where the marker read "prepare to meet your maker."
Teamwork: Seven regiments of American engineers (approximately 11,000 men including three regiments of men with African American heritage) 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States, and 7,000 pieces of equipment.
Make sure you check out the amazing story at the Alaska Highway House museum in Dawson Creek when you come on holidays. Step back in time, relive the epic story and see what it was like for yourself.
You'll gain a whole new appreciation for your air conditioning.A Gold Medal Accomplishment for sure!
February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Anyone gazing skywards over English Bay during the 2010 Olympics can be forgiven for assuming aliens have landed in Vancouver.
Huge, blue laser beans shoot into the night sky, in rotating patterns, each one unique. The fun part, as we learnt is that anyone can participate in this interactive artwork. By logging on to vectorialvancouver.net, we designed huge light sculptures by directing the 20 robotic searchlights stationed along English Bay and near the Vancouver Museum in Kitsilano.
We’ve also enjoyed evening strolls, just for the views of these powerful lights. From Kits Beach, and the gorgeous Watermark Restaurant that looks straight over the sea, we follow the coast path through Vanier Park and around towards Granville Island. From here there are terrific views of downtown Vancouver, hundreds of apartment windows lighting up the horizon.
On a clear Saturday evening it’s possible to get a close up view of the starry sky and learn about astronomy at the HR MacMillan Space Centre & Observatory.
From Kitsilano we catch a little ferry across the water to English Bay and continue along the seawall towards Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. By day English Bay is bustling with walkers and joggers and during the summer the beaches are packed. Dining options abound; West Coast stalwart, the high-end Raincity Grill restaurant overlooks the bay, as does the more casual Boathouse. We sometimes end our evening with cocktails at the ivy-clad Sylvia Hotel.
February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Beaches & Swimming
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If the Vancouver 2010 Olympics crowds are getting too much, a great way to escape is to walk or jog along Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks in laidback Kitsilano.
On (yet another) perfect sunny morning, I took the dog for a walk down to Jericho Beach, passing the Jericho Sailing Club, whose diner/bar, the Galley offers one of the best patio views of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. During the Olympics they’re offering buffet breakfasts and are open to 10pm, serving burgers, fish & chips with big screen TVs to watch the Games.
I discovered the Jericho Beach parking lot had been converted into an RV park for the Olympics and got chatting to Jean and her husband who’ve come all the way from Scotland. “It’s far cheaper to stay here than in hotels and it’s such a beautiful, quiet spot,” she said. “It means we had more to spend on Olympics events tickets.” A friendly community had formed, with RV residents hanging flags out and standing around, chatting to their neighbours.
Continuing on, we strolled along Locarno Beach and on to Spanish Banks. Huge logs lie on the sand as shelter for sunbathers and in the summer, this area is packed with volleyball players, joggers and families barbequing. To make a day of it, we sometimes walk right around the coastline to the clothing-optional Wreck Beach and up to Pacific Spirit Park, then back through Kitsilano.
Wildlife-watching opportunities here abound, look out for herons, Harbour seals, and even the odd Bald eagle.
February 22, 2010 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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BC Field Reporter Chris Wheeler meets up with a Tourism British
Columbia Twiiter contest winner during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Together they climb 140 feet to the top of the zip line tower and rip
over 550 feet across Robson Street! There is so much happening in
Robson Square from live shows and ice skating to zipping high above
cheering crowds over Vancouver's iconic downtown core! During the 2010
Olympic Winter Games, this landmark public space is serving as the
Province of British Columbia's signature venue to showcase the many
wonders of this province, and act as prime celebration site. You Gotta
Be Here!
February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Dining
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Taking over the red brick Roundhouse community centre for the Vancouver Winter Games is Casa Italia, and hearing about some decent food sampling – I headed down to Yaletown to check things out.
One of the more impressive Olympic pavilions, the Italian house offers air hockey, Italian lottery tickets, clothing and merchandise and even a cool art exhibition of retro-looking chairs, vases and sports gear.
As for the food, I happened to be there at lunchtime which is when they dish up free tastings of wine, delicious parmigiano reggiano, salami and bruschetta. Benissimo!!
Trendy Yaletown itself, offers some of Vancouver’s best restaurants, including the Italian celeb-hangout, Cioppino’s. For oysters and hearty chowders, try laidback Rodney’s Oyster House, or for West Coast and Asian fusion, head to Goldfish Pacific Kitchen or Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar. After dinner, the neighbourhood’s hip lounges come to life. Some, like the Keg, Earls and the Opus Hotel (where U2 recently stayed) offer view-tastic rooftop lounges.
It seems every whim is catered to in Yaletown. Salons are springing up devoted solely to eyebrows or blowdrys as well as full-service spas. And pampered pooches even have their own bakeries and spas. One quirky venue I love is the Raw Canvas Café on Hamilton Street. Customers can express their artistic streak by paying for a canvas, then, armed with a set of oil paints – produce their masterpiece.
February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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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 21, 2010 | Field Reports >
Courtenay, Skiing & Snowboarding
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What more could you ask for? Amazing bluebird skies, fantastic scenery, one of the deepest snow packs on the globe, and 2010 Olympians loving BC! I was fortunate enough to head up to Mount Washington on a truly beautiful day! Check out what some International Olympians had to say about BC and this Vancouver Island gem. British Columbia is beautiful!!
February 21, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Ferry
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On the way to visit the Russian Sochi Olympic House at Vancouver’s Science World, we took a leisurely tour of False Creek by ferry. Starting at Granville Island (home to loads of boutique art galleries, microbrew pubs and great seafood restaurants) we hopped on the little rainbow-striped Aquabus and puttered across the water.
On our right we passed the pretty Charleston Park, with the Olympic Athletes Village further ahead. A brand new complex, the apartments will be snapped up by local residents after the Games. We continued across to trendy Yaletown, towards glossy pale green skyscrapers. Local author Douglas Coupland’s book City of Glass also captures this unbelievable, sparkly view of the city when the sun shines.
After our visit to the Russian House, we got back on the ferry (all rides are just a few bucks - great value) and chugged back down, past expensive looking yachts, sleek kayaks and dragon boat teams in training. We passed English Bay on our right, with its huge statue of an Inukshuk (an Aboriginal symbol of friendship and welcome). Crossing the water, with beautiful views of the North Shore mountains and beyond to Howe Sound, our final stop was the Maritime Museum in Kitsilano.
Amid a collection of restored wooden sailing boats, we stepped back onto dry land. A great fun and cheap way to check out the heart of Vancouver and its Olympic celebrations.
February 21, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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Ask anyone who lives in the Mighty Peace River Country and you'll hear that we've always had plenty of wind.
We decided to do something worthy with all that power...The next time you are driving into Dawson Creek on the Hart Highway, from Prince George, Vancouver and all points south, you'll know you are getting really close when you see our Bear Mountain with its
34 brand new wind turbines... turning... turning... producing clean, renewable energy. You can't miss them!
Our city has watched the installation with fascination and amazement. The turbines are very impressive to say the least. They stand like bright sentinels on our ridge and you can see them from practically everywhere around.
Each one stands 78 meters (256 feet) to the hub with a rotor diameter of 82 meters (269 feet). The equivalent of 50 loads of concrete was poured for each foundation.
The land they sit on has been used for hikers, cross country skiers and other recreational users for years as well as providing both private and community cattle grazing as well.
Great care was taken to respect the environment and leave as little impact as possible. Cattle still graze there, and restoration of the habitat is ongoing and the public is very welcome to visit.
Make sure you plan a picnic on Bear Mountain... feel the wind on your face and enjoy the presence of our wind towers.
"Rolling out the red carpet..."