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August 9, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Gardens & City Parks
Find more information about Vancouver, Gardens & City Parks
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If you are the type of person who likes to tour the streets at Halloween or Christmas to view what creative ways people have decorated their gardens, then you’ll love this house.
Located in Burnaby, this garden is a real delight. I first noticed it as I took a different route biking to work. There was street after street of regular looking housing and then I saw this house coming up in the distance. At first I wasn’t sure what it was, it looked like an explosion of colour had erupted all over someone's the garden. In essence this is what has happened. Every square foot has some kind of decoration or fun toy.
Whether a rainy Vancouver day or a perfect sunny afternoon this garden is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
August 9, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Swimming Pools
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Killarney pool is part of the Killarney Community Centre.
Located at Killarney and East 49th Avenue, it has become my new favourite pool in the lower mainland. Designed by Vancouver architect HCMA (Hughes Condon Marler: Architects), the facility was designed with the customer in mind, packed with features to enhance the customers overall experience.
The large North facing windows showcase the North Shore mountains and allows for an open and inclusive experience.
The open walk through design of the universal change rooms creates a feeling of acceptance, welcoming a variety of users. Ideal if you have children, need extra space, or if you prefer to have a private change room.
There are two pools. One pool is for children and parents including fun water jets, erupting bubbles and a kids slide. The other pool is more traditional, with lane swimming and a general splash and fun area.
Did I mention the corkscrew slide? Love it.
The whole facility is accessible by wheelchair users. The long ramp into the hot tub also doubles as a place for young children and their parents to enjoy the hot tub experience as well.
Finally, my favourite, the steam room. If you don't like it hot (and I mean HOT) avoid the steam room.
The community centre also offers a fitness centre, childcare, a computer lab, gymnasium, activity rooms and dance studio. Finally, if all that wasn’t enough they are building an ice rink which will be used as the short track speed skating training venue as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Patience at peak hours will be required as parking is limited. This will be resolved once ongoing construction on the ice rink is complete and more parking is added.
Killarney is an amazing facility, extremely well designed and enjoyable for everybody.
July 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Cycling
Find more information about Vancouver, Cycling
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Connecting downtown Vancouver to Surrey is the convenient Skytrain. Following underneath the Skytrain for the majority of this journey is the 7-11 bike path. Starting at Science World it goes all the way to Richmond. On the way, you will pass Commercial Drive (home to great yearly events like the
Car Free Festival), as well as Trout Lake which hosts one of Vancouver’s
Farmers Markets. You will pass through
Central Park in Burnaby which is a great break from the traffic. Stop off at
Metrotown for a spot of light shopping. Or, rest with a coffee and a small treat at Choices Market In The Park at
Edmonds.
Even though the majority of the 7-11 pathways are on trails there are a few spots where you will be on the road. A helmet will give you extra reassurance that you are safe and is mandatory under BC law.
From Science World to Metrotown there are a few good sharp hills. They are not too bad, if you get tired, step off and walk your bike up. If you are anti-hills, Skytrain out to Metrotown (as it is at the highest point) and bike towards downtown, the ride is very easy and enjoyable. Bikes can be taken on the Skytrain any time except from 7-9am and 4-6pm Monday to Friday.
So, get on your bike, enjoy the summer sun and explore beautiful Metro Vancouver.
July 2, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver, Dining
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It was the last night of my brother and families vacation and we were trying to decide where to take them for their last meal. Metro Vancouver residents are spoiled with so many amazing restaurants, not just from the freshness and quality of the food but also from the variety of styles. I would make suggestion after suggestion to my wife but it wasn't until I mentioned Hapa Izakaya that her face lit up with excitement. It seemed that we had chosen somewhere to go.
Hapa is not just another Asian restaurant, the food is spectacular, the staff are a great balance of professional and friendly and the atmosphere is open but private at the same time. We visited the Robson Street location where the interior is dark, dimly light and has a mixture of seating arrangements, from a traditional round table where you remove your shoes to more western style seating.
Traditionally Izakaya bars are where business men gather after work in Japan. They are never advertised and people are invited by another to join them. The bars themselves are not located on high streets, but are 'hidden' down a street alley, down a flight of stairs and through an unmarked door. Offering up a balance of food, music, and a space to bond with your guests.
When the owner of Hapa Justin Ault and wife decided to bring the concept of the Izakaya to Vancouver they were faced with an interesting challenge of promoting the concept of the Izakaya in a Western landscape. Firstly, you will notice that the sign outside of the restaurant is minimal. Secondly, on opening night of the
restaurant friends and influencers in the city were invited to enjoy the food and experience Hapa. After the guests were informed that their meal was 'on the house' they were asked if they enjoyed their experience that evening, that if they recommended Hapa to a friend then for the next two weeks they would also be offered a complimentary meal. In summary, they spent their marketing dollars offering food rather than more traditional advertising methods that would be expected in Western culture. It is brilliant marketing method. Obviously, word spread like wild fire throughout the city and Hapa has been busy ever since.
Everyone I talk to who has eaten at Hapa seem to have their favourites. Only a certain amount of the menu is permanent the rest changes year round, often depending which fish has been freshly caught that day. My favourite is the Ebi Mayo, deep fried shrimp, tossed in a spicy mayonnaise sauce (to die for), it is rare that we don't order more than one serving.
Not really a place where you take the kids, more of a setting for a romantic dinner with a loved one, or a gathering for friends who enjoy Japanese food but want something a little more special than a 'sushi' restaurant.
Visit the restaurant at 1479 Robson Street or in Kitsilano 1516 Yew Street (right next to the beach).
July 2, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver, Dining
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In summary of the following post, may I say, 'Yummmmmmmmm'.
I originally heard of “Qoola” on my quest to find lactose free yogurt.
The owner said in response to an earlier blog post "We are the only
frozen yogurt establishment in Vancouver (that we know of) that can
display the Live and Active Cultures seal, signifying that our
product does contain at least 10 million helpful bacteria per gram.
Our own yogurt contains well over 100 million per gram. Thus, the
more bacteria, hopefully the greater the likelihood that people that
are lactose intolerant will be able to enjoy our products".
Whilst my brother and his family were visiting we decided to finish
off our night with a trip to Qoola. I was very excited to try the
yogurt for the first time and to hopefully not be effected. I was
impressed by the interior of the establishment. It was modern, clean
and we were welcomed by friendly staff. Even when I was being
indecisive about which of the many topping extras I wanted and I was
holding up the line, the staff didn't make me rush and they were very
accommodating. I also quizzed them about the yogurt and myself being
lactose intolerant and they were very knowledgeable and helpful.
My initial reaction was that the cost was a little on the high side,
but when you consider it is next to English Bay, it is a treat and
personally for myself I can actually enjoy yogurt it was well worth
the price.
Cold treats are good any time of the year, but especially on a hot
summers day, so go treat your self this summer at Qoola Yogurt + Fruit.
Qoola Yogurt + Fruit is located at 1116 Denman St in English Bay
June 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Festivals & Events
The video is coverage of the recent 'car free day'.
Commercial Drive is great to visit any day of the week. If asked to describe the vibe on the Drive I would say it is a mix of the city, mixed with the hippie easy going life and Italy.
Catch the Skytrain to Commercial Drive station or Broadway station and walk all the way to Venables street (about 1 mile from either station). Along the way experience over 400 businesses, most being owner operated.
If you are looking for a modern shopping excursion I would suggest to stay downtown. The Drive offers you the best coffee in the world served at Café Calibria (run by three sons and their father). Amazing food choices (Stellas and Havanas are always a good choice) to a few good greasy spoon cafes serving up a full breakfast for a very affordable price. Then there are local clothing shops (new and used), organic food shops, a large park often offering free live events, lots of coffee shops, one of the best independent magazine shops in the city, and alot more.
Commercial Drive is the right combination of new shops mixed with businesses that have been around for many years. It is a mix of good family values, quality, and a warm hearted feeling of inclusion.
Enjoy a good day exploring the Drive.
June 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Shopping
Find more information about Vancouver, Shopping
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Recently, when reading the introduction to Gordon Ramsay’s latest cook book, “Cooking For Friends”, he mentioned something that caught my attention. His young children save a portion of their allowance to spend on food from their local farmer’s market. He also said that they not only enjoy the rich organic food more but it also teaches them to value the food they eat.
Support the Vancouver’s farmers markets and enjoy the rich taste experience of locally grown ‘natural’ foods normally picked inside of 24 hours. The market is for people who love fresh food in a festive gathering and among a like-minded community.
Explore different markets in Vancouver. Go for a wander around the neighbourhood and be a tourist in your own back yard. For example, as the name suggests the “
Trout Lake Farmer's Market” is set to the back drop of Trout Lake located within John Hendry park. The Trout Lake Community Centre offers an indoor skating rink, fitness centre, preschool, youth centre, sauna, whirlpool, pottery studio. playground, gym and a games room. The ice rink is currently closed for a beautiful renovation. If you like architecture this is well worth the visit.
The Trout Lake market is open from 9am - 2pm each week. From May 16 - October 10. It is located at 15th Avenue & Victoria Drive in the Parking Lot of Trout Lake Community Centre.