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Olympic Speed Skating Oval

October 21, 2009 | Tips from Us > Richmond, Skating Rink

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.

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Posted by Martian, Vancouver at 03:20 PM

In Bed with Victoria

July 31, 2009 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Accommodations
Find more information about Victoria, Accommodations

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!

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Posted by Martian, Vancouver at 04:32 PM

Gluten-Free Delight in Sooke

May 29, 2009 | Tips from Us > Sooke, Cuisine

How pleased we were that the Little Vienna Bakery chose to advertise 'Cheese' on it's main road facing sign! We'd left Vancouver on a 8am ferry to Swartz Bay.  By 11:30am we were at our destination of Sooke and it felt a world away.  Never to miss a fine European cheese selection, and ready for a healthy lunch, we hopefully entered the Little Vienna Bakery.  Travelling with a gluten allergy is challenging to say the least.  Trying to get lunch at a bakery usually ends in disappointment.  This bakery was a marvellous exception.

When we sheepishly inquired of a gluten-free possibility, Michele, the proprietor, enthusiastically came out from behind her counter and regaled us with CHOICES of bakery treats and promises of a freshly baked loaf.  This was enough to make our hearts sing.  The most divine mushroom soup alongside my turkey and havarti sandwich on mmmmm....bakery fresh bread was enough to start looking into Sooke real estate.  We couldn't resist taking away flourless chocolate cake for later.  It was devoured within the half hour.

If not tuned into 'cheese' signage, The Little Vienna Bakery would be regretably easy to miss - blending in with other less interesting looking small businesses on the right side of the main road coming into Sooke-central.  However, inside is a cerebrally-skewed microcosim of the town.  Yes, it's a relaxing locals hangout and they probably want to keep it that way.  Their secret outstanding lunch spot and repreive - all to themselves.  Don't let them.  Two weeks later, and my mouth's still watering at the memory.

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Posted by Martian, Vancouver at 09:05 AM