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February 8, 2010 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Walking Tours
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Yes, it rains here. Not as much as some people would have you believe (we’re not the number one rainiest city in North America), but enough to formulate a game plan for embracing the elements. Hiding inside when it rains is a waste of a perfectly good day in Vancouver.
First thing, be prepared. The Umbrella Shop will have you literally covered. This local company has been making umbrellas in Vancouver since 1935! I finally shelled out for a decent umbrella here, because they’re well made and there’s an incredible selection of colours and patterns. Forget basic black! (Although they have that, too.)
For your feet, head to Gumdrops, which I’m sure does its best business in puddle season. They have lots of practical yet cute soggy weather footwear.
Once you’re geared up, you can tackle pretty much any activity. But, if you’re unprepared (or just like staying very dry), here are some of my favorite Vancouver specific rainy day activities:
Vancouver Aquarium: Some like the belugas, but I like “sea” creatures – sea otters, sea stars, and especially the room of sea jellies (like my leggy buddy in the photo above).
Museum of Vancouver: Awesome exhibits lately! Bikes, taxidermy, crafts – what’s next?
Yoga: I love being in a cozy studio when it’s raining.
Stanley Park: The canopy of giant trees does a surprisingly good job of keeping the trails dry(ish). There are less people in the forest when it rains; watch for woodpeckers, owls and Douglas squirrels.
Public Market on Granville Island: Mangosteens, espresso, butternut squash ravioli, birch syrup... the list goes on. Yum.
The Umbrella Shop: Granville Island, 526 Pender St, and 1106 W Broadway; Gumdrops: 2029 West 4th Ave
February 8, 2010 | 2010 Olympics > Vancouver, Skating Rink
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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.
February 7, 2010 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Shopping
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Like most Vancouverites, I’m a big fan of exploring the local mountains. I’m also a fan of staying warm, dry, well-fed and not-lost. So, before I gallivant into the forest, I head to the stretch of outdoor supply stores clustered around the intersection of Broadway and Manitoba Street.
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) tops my list, as it has everything from bird identification books and dehydrated food to bicycle lights and wool socks. In addition to the oodles of stuff they have for sale, they also have rental gear, such as snowshoes, kayaks and ice axes.
If MEC doesn’t have what I’m looking for, I venture into one of many other outdoor shops in the area. This is often the case when I’m shopping for a specific item (such as hiking boots or bike gloves) or are looking for popular rentals (such as snowshoes on a powder day). Tip: 3 Vets, just a few blocks from MEC (at Yukon St. and 6th Ave), is jam-packed with inexpensive outdoor goods.
If you're an outdoor gear geek, you could spend many hours and dollars in this part of town. Don't say I didn't warn you. :)
February 7, 2010 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Dining
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How does a city get a “new” neighbourhood? I’m not too sure, but it appears to have happened in Vancouver with the creation of the Crosstown neighbourhood.
Is this a marketing gimmick? Maybe. But Crosstown is certainly developing its own personality and is worth a visit. Here’s where to find it and three of my Crosstown highlights:
Where is Crosstown?South of Gastown, East of Chinatown; bounded by Expo Blvd, Pender, Main and Cambie.
HighlightsT&T Supermarket: A fantastic Asian supermarket with walls of baked goods, fresh seafood, produce, and imported goodies (they have an entire aisle of Pocky). I love the egg tarts and the frozen shrimp har gow (shrimp dumplings) from Hon's.
Medina Café: Pros: Best Belgian waffles in town; best waffle toppings in town (raspberry caramel and fig orange marmalade are my picks, as seen above); and the silkiest, milkiest lattes with yummy flavours (try the raspberry caramel).
Cons: Everyone else knows this too, which means the early-bird gets the table on weekends. Aim to be there at 9am, when they open, and you're golden. Or be the really-lazy-bird and show up 2pm and it may have cleared out by then.
Chambar: Your search for the tastiest mussels in the city ends here. The mussels at this Belgian restaurant are whoppers; I like mine in their white wine butter broth, which is extra tasty when generously applied to pommes frites. A good selection of beer, as well, including lambics, tripels (my fav), and trappiste.
T&t Supermarket at 179 Keefer; Medina Cafe at 556 Beatty St; Chambar at 562 Beatty St
February 5, 2010 | 2010 Olympics > Vancouver, Skating Rink
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There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Robson Square. First, it got a makeover, then it re-opened its ice rink, and now it’s bringing in figure skating royalty. Katarina Witt (’88 Olympic gold medalist) and Elizabeth Manley (’88 Olympic silver medalist) will be at Robson Square on Sunday, Feb 7 at 11:30 am… and it’s expected to be an emotional on-ice reunion.
Robson Square is part of BC Pavilion; over the past few weeks, I’ve watched the site transform from streets and sidewalks to a hub of activity. People are skating (for free!) at the outdoor ice rink (skate rentals are $3), and there’s now a zipline that runs OVER Robson Street (which will be free and open during the Games – I am willing to wait in line for this!). Huge screens have also been installed for art exhibits and Games broadcasting. I’m looking forward to seeing Robson Square and BC Pavilion filled to the brim with people from around the world during the Games.
(My bud Jonathan Sparks snapped the image above of people enjoying the ice rink earlier this week. Thanks Jon!)
February 4, 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 4, 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 4, 2010 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Bars, Nightclubs & Lounges
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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.
February 4, 2010 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Hiking
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I found myself in Victoria recently, and with a bit of time to explore I headed out with a friend to East Sooke Regional Park.
Our hike started from Aylard Farm, a 40-minute drive from downtown Victoria. After a short walk through open fields, we merged onto the Interior Trail and had an uphill slog for about 30 minutes. The uphill section was a bit of work, but the absolute silence, dense forest and moss-draped trees provided a very calming, Zen-like vibe. After a short downhill section we merged into the Coast Trail, which is where the real beauty of the hike lies.
The trail meanders along the shore; the scenery is classic west coast: wind, waves, ocean, mossy rainforest and gnarled arbutus trees growing out of the rocky shoreline. There is even an old trapper’s cabin at the aptly-named Cabin Point. The cabin is just walls, floor and a roof, but is in good shape and provides an excellent spot for a picnic lunch – or to just relax and admire the view.
From Cabin Point the Coast Trail follows the shoreline north-west (towards Sooke) and south-east (back towards Aylard Farm and the parking lot). If you travel west, you would need to have transportation at the other end – hiking the entire Coast Trail from end to end (10km) typically requires a car at each end of the trailhead.
There are some interesting petroglyphs in the rocks at Alldridge Point, a reminder of the Coast Salish people who inhabited the area. Sea life abounds – seals are commonly spotted bobbing among the kelp beds and eagles and seabirds are everywhere. Our round trip hike took about four hours at a fairly easy pace.
Practical Points: The Coast Trail may be a “walk in the park”, but it is not a hike for beginners. There are some rocky scrambles and moderately-challenging sections, so a decent pair of hiking shoes is recommended. The trail is generally well-marked, but it can be easy to lose at certain points. If your path runs out just backtrack, look around and chances are you’ll spot the yellow trail markers.
East Sooke Regional Park is a must-visit area for any outdoor enthusiast. There are trails for every skill level, including wheelchair-accessible picnic areas and easy walking (but very scenic) trails.
February 3, 2010 | Tips from Travellers > Sechelt, Festivals & Events
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There is a special place that we discovered in our travels in search of the perfect beach, challenging golf and great cuisine. That place is Roberts Creek, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Perfectly placed between Sechelt and Gibsons, this charming community has it all. There are bed and breakfasts galore, vacation homes, a hostel, and great camping.
When were were there on in mid August we were able to experience and participate in the silliest parade and the most interesting market with live entertainment all in the perfect setting of Roberts Creek beach and park.
It was an incredible day of continuous entertainment, great fast food, crafts, and just tons of local characters. We met a kayaker that had just kayaked from his home on Gabriola island and had come in to spend the late afternoon and evening before kayaying his way furnther up the coast to his eventual destination at Powell River.
We then went back to our vacation rental after picking up some suculent wild salmon fillets from the local fish monger and had a fabulous bbq. A truly spectacular day and wonderful evening. The sun shone the whole day making me the biggest believer in the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
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