Results 1 - 10 are shown.
November 3, 2009 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
On Friday October 30, 2009, I was in Victoria to watch the start of the Olympic Torch Relay. School children dressed in red and white
holding Canadian and Olympic flags created corridors to the stage and were greeted by the Olympic
mascots - Miga and Quatchy. Around me were all sorts of people: couples, families, business people, and international students all waiting with excitement. As the TV cameras scanned the crowd, people cheered if they saw themselves on the big screen that was set up next to the stage. The big screen also entertained us with videos from the Vanocouver 2010 website - "Meet the Vancouver 2010 Mascots" and the "Lights Will Guide You Home" video which always gets me teary-eyed.
Anyways, there was great excitement amongst the crowd as everyone watched the flame latern as it made
its way from the aboriginal boat in the harbour to the stage in front
of the Parliment Buildings. Welcome speeches were made and then it was time to light the Celebration Cauldron. The crowd held their breaths as Darlene Poole and John Furlong had a little bit of troubles lighting the cauldron - "oooe-ing" and "ahh-ing" in disappointment when the flame didn't take. Eventually the cauldron was lit and everyone cheered with excitement. Simon Whitfield and Catriona Le May Doan lit the first torch from the cauldron and then began the leg of the relay through the crowds.
October 21, 2009 | Tips from Us > Richmond, Skating Rink
View a larger image on flickr.com
Visit the
2010 Winter Games long track
speed skating venue before the Games! We visited on a rainy Saturday for a ride on the
Canada Line and to see this magnificent building. We were able to stand right beside the starter, a body length from the best skaters Canada has on offer.
I kept starting up at the ceiling. It's intriguing. The wooden convex roof is made of small convex layers. Yeah - you'll just have to see it for yourself!
There are
public skating sessions available, an opportunity to shot hoops, and a gym. It's well and truely open for use. Even good for plane spotters. It's North Shore mountain view behind the airport and Fraser River is worth the $2.50 Canada Line fare alone.
October 14, 2009 | Tips from Us > Squamish, Hiking
Find more information about Squamish, Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Grouse Grind is considered “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, but the Stawamus Chief trail comes a close second. I know this because my thighs are still burning two days later.
This past weekend, three of us tackled the Chief to burn off calories from the previous night’s indulgent camping dinner (Kraft dinner, marshmallows, wine). I was looking forward to checking out the second peak route, as I’d only been to the first peak on previous Chief hikes.
The first and second peaks share the same trail for most of the journey. It’s steep, rocky and rooty. The trail was busy, but not packed, and there were lots of dogs hiking with their owners (patting friendly dogs is a good excuse for a break).
Near the top, the trail splits and the route to the second peak gets a little more challenging than the route to the first. Like the first peak, there are chains to help climb up and around the huge slabs of rocks, but they required a little more attention.
That being said, though, there were some children (maybe aged 7 and 10?) with their dad on the route; we stopped to give them a hand climbing the rocks and chains. They did great! It’s always awesome to see young kids out in the woods. They took it slow and steady and made it to the top with everyone else.
It took us an hour to hike up, and less time down. The trail was dry, but if there was a recent rainfall it would have slick, especially on the rocks.
The view of the water, mountains and Squamish was fantastic, and it was neat to see the first peak from the second peak. If you have the energy, I’d recommend the second peak over the first to avoid crowds. Feeling really energetic? There’s a third peak with even less people.
October 13, 2009 | Tips from Us > Port Moody, Hiking
Find more information about Port Moody, Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
Our good friend and colleague Mark suggested the Diez Vistas when asked for a recommendation on an intermediate hike in the area that would result in good exercise and a spectacular view. The Diez Vistas trail delivered on both and then some!
Leaving our car in the Buntzen Lake parking lot (free!), we headed up the trail on a glorious October Saturday morning. We were ahead of most of the hikers and had the trail to ourselves. Having done the Grouse Grind I was a bit aprehensive that this was going to be another "put your head down, one foot in front until you get to the top" climbs but I was pleasantly surprised that while it was no walk in the park, there were sufficient breaks from the switchbacks to look up and enjoy the trip.
The hike to the first peak (of ten thus the name Diez Vistas) took us just over an hour. The trail is well marked and maintained. There is a sneak peak view about ten minutes before the actual viewpoint so we kept going as the majority of the climb has been completed and the summit at 570 metres has been reached. As with all spectacular sights, we didn't actually see the view until we came around a large boulder and then it hit us. Indian Arm, Deep Cove, the City of Vancouver and as far as Vancouver Island were all within our vision. It was really something special.
We understand there are nine more viewpoints that meander the top of the ridge ending at the far end of Buntzen Lake but we chose to retrace our steps due to time restraints (and because a fellow hiker said that we had just seen the best one). Perhaps we'll get back up there again another day and do them all!
October 9, 2009 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Aquariums
View a larger image on flickr.com
There's a fab new exhibit at the amazing Vancouver Aquarium and I was privileged to be invited to its opening last night. Canada's Arctic - In the Grip of Change is a truly wonderful and educational exhibition featuring stunning photography about the animals, people, landscape and conservation and environment of the country's most remote areas including Iqaluit and Resolute Bay.
The exhibit also features a few tanks (baby arctic char, some really pink and fluffy arctic anenomes and "zooanthids", skeleton and Greenland shrimp and weird, tiny hedgehog anthropods) and some pretty cool and interactive "multi-tap" tables (imagine a table that's like an iPhone screen - you can tap, enlarge, move about digital images and videos, and they will automatically show you how the images connect together.).
Of course the most fascinating backdrop for this exhibit of all this is the wonderful and growing beluga family swimming behind you. Watch Aurora and her new calf, a smiley and nuzzling not-so-little girl) or Qila and Tiqa, as they all play about.
It's a great use for a popular room - and now, even more informative and fascinating than ever.
October 9, 2009 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Aquariums
I am a sucker for aquariums. I turn into a kid at these places - running about, pressing my nose up against glass. And in all my travels, no aquarium has impressed me as much as the amazing Vancouver Aquarium (though Ucluelet's tiny touch pools and one-room Aquarium is also pretty special).
And now, it's also even more fascinating - it's currently home to a growing beluga whale family: Aurora, Tiqa, Qila and an as-yet-unnamed wee (okay, maybe not so wee) baby beluga share space at this fabulous aquarium, known for its conservation, education and innovative projects. One new exhibit (which opens today, October 9) is their stunning photo and interactive display on Canada's Arctic. Learn more about the Arctic, while watching as the white and baby-grey belugas swim and smile in the background.
September 29, 2009 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Hiking
Find more information about Vancouver, Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
Most people hike the
Baden Powell trail in sections, though there are some hardcore runners who do it in a day during the infamous Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run. Me? I fall somewhere in the middle and set out to tackle it in a weekend.
The trail is 48km long and runs from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. Three unique aspects of this trail are:
1. It’s accessible by public transit at either end, as well as in a few points in the middle.
2. It’s more of a traverse that a summit, so when you look at the skyline from Vancouver you’re likely to be looking at a section you completed.
3. If you live near Vancouver, you can go home to make dinner and sleep in your own bed in between days – awesome!
Baden Powell Trip ReportDay 1: Horseshoe Bay to Cleveland Dam, 10 hours (we took it slow and there was loads of snow)
Transport: 257 bus (Horseshoe Bay express) to trailhead at Eagle Ridge; 236 and 240 buses from Cleveland Dam back to Vancouver
Highlights:
- Seeing a deer 10 minutes into the hike
- Having the trail to ourselves for hours at a time, with no one around except for friendly ravens and whiskey-jacks
- Incredible view from Eagle Bluffs (the pic shown is proof)
- Neat old cabins in Cypress Provincial Park
Day 2: Grouse Mountain to Deep Cove (7 hours)
Transport: 240 and 232 buses to Grouse Mountain, nice friend-with-car from Deep Cove back to Vancouver (but buses would have been possible, too)
Highlights:
- Watching mountain bikers hop and balance (with hooting and hollering) their chunky bikes on the trails
- More people meant lots of friendly trail dogs giving slobbery hellos
- Seeing wiry runners training for the Knee Knacker run
- Interesting section from Lynn Canyon towards Deep Cove – never been here and was cool to check it out. Boardwalks, a mini-Grouse Grind, and beautiful forests.
Would I do the whole thing again? Heck yes. It’s a great trail that passes through forests, bluffs and wetlands – and it’s practically in my backyard. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2009 | Tips from Us > Telegraph Cove, Whale Watching
Find more information about Telegraph Cove, Whale Watching
View a larger image on flickr.com
The area off Northern Vancouver Island is well-known for it's whale population, and recently I visited the area for the first time to find out for myself.
Telegraph Cove is a picturesque village south of Port McNeill and this was our base for activities. In the morning we were meant to go kayaking, but with choppy waters we decided to forgo the paddle trip: instead, we soaked up the sun on the wooden boardwalk at Telegraph Cove waiting for our afternoon whalewatching tour with
Stubbs Island Whale Watching. Midmorning, our reverie was broken with the call of 'WHALE!' from the opposite deck. And just like that, three orca swam right past the opening of the tiny cove, as we stood watching from land. Later that afternoon onboard the boat, we spotted four more fin whales, second in size only to the blue whale.
I'd say that's a successful day of whale spotting.
July 31, 2009 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Accommodations
Find more information about Victoria, Accommodations
View a larger image on flickr.com
Opting out of a kind post-wedding accommodation offer of pitching a tent on the bride's property, we decided to take advantage of an enticing online special at the
Delta Ocean Pointe. This turned out to be a brilliant move.
Having stayed at all the big name hotels downtown, I have to say - the
Delta takes the cake. Why? Unique little and big things done thoughtfully: provided sunscreen, mouthwash, binoculars, beautiful blue-bouncy tennis courts, being able to see the
ENTIRE harbour from bed. To wit: Houses of Parliament in all it's nighttime radiant glory, merry little ferries,
whale-watching tours, Empress Hotel, mountains, hot seaplane action.
Also notable: ample opportunity to find free parking, relatively small scale without being creepy, pool area on harbour's edge *see photo*, and let's not forget - a timely note from the manager apologizing for the fire alarm in the night.
That was last weekend, and I'm already looking for a reason to go back!
July 20, 2009 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
Find more information about Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
A group of us went on a Vancouver City Tour with a new tour company called Vancouver's Ultimate Tour and it was a blast. Essentially it is a regular city tour taking visitors to all the typical highlights - Canada Place, Stanley Park and the Totem Poles, Robson Street, Granville Island, Chinatown and Gastown - all it about 3.5 hours. What sets this tour apart from the other excellent tour product in the city are 2 things - 1) The company is in partnership with Vancouver Theatresports so the guide is in the character of "Canadiana Joe" the whole time and is hilarious, making people feel very at ease and providing a very comical approach to touring the City and 2) Visitors get to hop on one of those little aqua ferries to get from Stanley Park to Granville Island and then from Granville Island to Science World where the bus meets up with the group - this routing allows visitors to spend some time on the waters of False Creeks and affords an excellent perspective on the city from the water. We also got to see the Olympic Village. We also stopped at Dr. Sun Yat Sen (public) Park in Chinatown on the way back (not to be confused with the superior 'attraction' side of the park which one has to pay for). I would highly recommend this tour for families with kids.
Results 1 - 10 are shown.