January 28, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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I couldn’t get that donut out of my mind.
Ever since a friend brought over some Chinese baked goods, I’ve had black bean filled sugar donut on the brain. So, I did the logical thing and went on a donut field trip to New Town Bakery in Chinatown (158 East Pender St.).
So what does a black bean filled sugar donut taste like? The dough portion is pretty standard donut fare, and the sugar surrounding it is granulated (not icing) sugar. The black bean filling is what makes it special. It’s a thick paste, almost the texture and colour of dates, and sweet tasting, but not as sweet as jam or custard. Totally unique as far as donuts go.
I also picked up a few more Chinese bakery goodies to go: a buttercream filled coconut bun, a regular coconut bun, apple tarts, a buttercream horn, an egg tart, a winter melon tart and a mystery white blob with coconut and red bean filling. I think all the items were under a $1 a piece.
Steamed buns fans: I haven’t had them here, but I’ve heard they’re amazing.
January 25, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Train
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Well, I can hear the new Streetcar's friendly, yet excessive ding-ding-dinging from my bed, so I decided to go and make friends with it.
It's free. When stuff that you would expect to pay for is free, it usually means it sucks. Gladly, the jolly little Streetcars do not. They are a little bit of Europe (Brussels to be exact) connecting
Granville Island frolicking with Olympic Village Station transit.
Cool Things About It: -
Worldly: English is the 3rd language on its interior signs.
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Euro-Slender: It's skinny, but with cleverly accommodating bag storage potential. Like a Parisian woman back from the shops.
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In/Out Privileges: Pressing its circular electronic door buttons WILL elicit Euro-backpacking flashbacks* (use at your own risk.)
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Frequent, too frequent: For all you midnight cheese & sausage buyers...they run 6am to 12:30am every 6-10 mins. Ha!
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Retro a-go-go: It's a trial to assess permenantly bringing back the good ole days of this very green transit solution.
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Friendly: Already proven by San Francisco, people riding in streetcars are in good moods.
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Free: Yeah, have I mentioned the free part?
So choo-choo up before the train's final departure back over the Atlantic folks.
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Gardens
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I’d been to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden in Vancouver's Chinatown before, but this time was different. By chance, I entered the garden just as a guided tour was starting. Since I love factoids – especially factoids that are free with admission – I joined the group.
The tour guide was a pleasant volunteer that knew his stuff. He pointed out some neat aspects of the garden, most of which I’d never noticed on my previous visits:
- The hallways and walkways were put together without using any nails, screws or glue – just preciseness.
- Some of the pebble mosaics on the ground have pieces of the craftsmen’s rice bowls embedded in the pattern.
- The oddly-shaped rocks come from a special lake in China called Lake Tai. One of the rocks looks like a dragon, and another looks like the profile of George Washington!
- Traditional beliefs say that evil spirits can only travel in straight lines, so the large double corridor is zigzagged to prevent any nasty spirits from travelling along it.
- One part of the garden acts as a natural air conditioner.
If you’ve never taken a tour of the garden, I strongly encourage it. While the garden is pretty when you wander around on your own, it’s a whole different experience having an expert point out interesting features.
(Tourism BC/JF Bergeron photo)
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Outdoor Activity Tours
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Motorcycle ride: Vancouver as seen from the Cypress Mountain
point of interest. Zoom into city center and visit the 2010 Olympic
countdown clock, also see a cruise ship passing under the Lions Gate
Bridge. Then, a virtual motorcycle ride on the Sea to Sky Highway to
Porteau Cove Provincial Marine Park, British Columbia, Canada.
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Winter Activity Tours
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On a recent trip to Whistler, I visited the tube park for the first time and had an absolute blast. We arrived a half hour before the tube park closed, so we managed to go down the hill three times.
The tube runs were very, very fast. There wasn’t much between me and the snow (just a thin layer of plastic), so I felt every bump… and even caught air in spots. On each of my runs down, I was laughing so hard that tears were flying off my cheeks, and I could barely see because the falling snow was zinging past (and into) my face.
If you have a strong stomach, the snow tube lifties can give your tube a spin at the top. I politely declined their offer to spin me, as I was mindful that my stomach was full of après nachos and a couple of mojitos.
I’d recommend the tube park as a great way to spend a couple of hours with friends or family. And of course, since you’re paying to tube downhill – not trudge back up – a magic carpet carries you and your trusty tube back to the top.
January 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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Have a sweet tooth? Head to Denman Street in Vancouver's West End. The six block section of Denman between Davie and Robson is known as “Dessert Row”. Here are a few of my favorites, as determined by intense product tasting (all in the name of research, of course).
Cupcakes: The cupcakes at Cupcakes aren’t so much delicately iced – they’re positively slathered. A giant swirl of buttercream icing tops each cake (enough to sink your teeth into), which have fun names like Diva, Lava Flow and Koo Koo. Try the Lemon Drop; it comes garnished with a citrus candy.
Creampuffs: When Beard Papa’s moved in, I had no idea what they sold but I was hooked by the name. Turns out they specialize in freshly made creampuffs. How fresh? They inject the cream into the puff when you order. Classic vanilla is my choice.
Cookies: Cookies by George’s slogan is “Because you can’t eat flowers,” and they have great cookie gift tins along with individual cookies for sale. I recommend the Reverse Almond Chocolate Chunk or the Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk.
Frozen Yogurt: Qoola has the healthiest dessert option on Denman: fat-free, gluten-free, probiotic, Kosher-dairy frozen yogurt. Try the green tea flavour – it’s only 140 cal per small serving. Of course, that’s before you load it with some of the 40 toppings available, like Oreos or organic bee pollen.
Also on Denman Street are: Dulcinea, an all-chocolate café; True Confections, the “date place” that serves cake slabs so big they could double as dinner; Delany’s, the locals’ coffee shop with great cinnamon buns; Dairy Queen, for Blizzards and Buster Bars; and Mondo Gelato, with dozens of creatively decorated flavours to choose from.
January 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Courtenay, Wineries & Vineyards
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When I have friends visiting Vancouver Island, it's great to take them up the oceanside route on Hwy 19A to breath in the fresh sea air and quiet beach exploring on the way to Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, which has a quiet location with great vistas of the Beaufort mountain range. We usually arrive in time to enjoy one of the vineyard picnic baskets or bring our own.
We partake in the complimentary offering of red and white wine selections and unusual blackberry / black current port in the wine tasting room and learn quite a bit about wine making from the Vintners: Susan and Jeff Vandermolen.
Afterwards, we take time to sit on the patio deck or side yard chairs listening to music while sipping their flavourful wines, chatting with other guests & enjoying the restful setting.
January 21, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Bird Watching
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Burnaby Lake is a jewel, a quiet oasis in the heart of the city of Burnaby. The area is popular for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quick “back to nature” moment, without the hassle of a long drive.
The paths along the lake are well marked and easily accessible. Strolling along the lake you can see a wide variety of birds. Herons, ducks, eagles and kingfishers are spotted regularly, and keep an eye out for the beaver dam and its occupants!
A bird viewing tower and several wooden promenades provide excellent photo opportunities, especially in the early morning when the sun is coming up over the lake. A seasonal nature house and interpretive display is open during summer weekends.
A loop around the entire lake is approximately 10km (6mi), or you can take a quick out-and-back stroll on one of the many trails. Don’t forget your camera!
January 21, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Gardens
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I went to Butchart gardens for the very first time and was amazed at how beautiful this place is. Awesome.
January 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Rossland, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Just had an unbelievable weekend at Red Mountain in Rossland. The weather on Saturday was spectacular and the snow was even better. Dropped the kids off at the ski school and managed to get 3 hours of uninterrupted and great skiing.
Took this picture on the top of Granite looking out over towards Old Glory! The trip up the mountain was worth it just for the view.