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Two-year Olympic Anniversary

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:14:23 +0000

Just two years ago, Vancouver was holding its breath -- waiting for the 2010 Winter Olympics to begin. We were enjoying unseasonably warm and sunny days, waving our red mittens, and watching as the countdown clock hit zero.

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A Vancouver Valentine

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:27:24 +0000

Yes, Valentine's Day is approaching quickly! Whether you simply take a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall or dine by candlelight, come to Vancouver and you'll find a number of options for February 14. Here are the basics of what to do, where to dine, and where to stay:

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Vancouver Sun Run Discount Ends Jan. 31

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:03:12 +0000

The Vancouver Sun Run ranks as one of the largest 10-km road races in the world. This year the event happens on Sunday April 15, 2012, when thousands of participants will lace up their running shoes to walk, run, or wheel a course around the city. About 60,000 people raced in 2011, following a route that started on West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver and threaded through the city to end at BC Place Stadium.

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Winter Activity Ideas -- Ski, Skate, Snowshoe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:26:12 +0000

Don't be bogged down by cold, snowy, or rainy weather. Take advantage of these winter-time activities -- they are things you can only do during winter:

Ski or snowboard on a Vancouver ski hill: There are three ski hills within a 30-minute drive of downtown Vancouver, and Whistler is only two hours away via the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Snowshoe on a woodland trail: Snowshoeing has to be one of the easiest winter sports to learn. If you can walk, you can probably snowshoe. Guided tours, often offered by ski hills, are a great way to start.
Skate outdoors: Ice-skating is my favorite winter activity. There is a great downtown Vancouver rink at Robson Square, and another free rink in Whistler at the Olympic Plaza.
Enjoy après ski (skiing not required): Basically, après ski equates to a winter-time happy hour. Whistler has a great atmosphere after the runs close for the day.

Free Wi-Fi at YVR -- Vancouver International Airport

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:20:56 +0000

I'm blogging this post using the free wireless Internet at Vancouver International Airport. In the Domestic Terminal, the signal is strong, consistent, and (best of all) free. The terminal also has banks of electrical outlets -- something I've not noticed before at YVR. No more hunting along baseboards or sitting on the floor just to charge a cell phone or laptop.

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Chinese New Year in Richmond

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:41:30 +0000

As about half the population of Richmond claims Chinese descent, it's one of the best and busiest places to experience Lunar New Year celebrations. I headed out to Richmond on New Year's Eve to see some of the preparations for welcoming the Year of the Dragon.

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Vancouver's Restaurant Festival Begins

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:06:15 +0000

During the darkest, rainiest days of winter on the west coast, head out to one of the restaurants participating in Dine Out Vancouver. During the dining festival, 225 restaurants throughout Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, and the North Shore offer fixed-price menus. The set menus general include three courses, and fall within a tiered pricing scheme: $18, $28, or $38.

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Brunch in Whistler

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:32:51 +0000

When I visit Whistler, I tend to spend more time eating than skiing. And recently, as the wind chill dipped to about -23˚C (-9˚F), was no exception. For a late brunch in Whistler, there are more than a couple spots worth checking out. Wildwood Bistro and Bar is a long-time favorite of practically the whole village. The long list of tasty dishes starts with the banana bread French toast. The restaurant is located at the Whistler Tennis Club (4500 Northlands Blvd.), so it's slightly hidden and off the Village Stroll.

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Neon Lights at the Museum of Vancouver

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:50:52 +0000

Neon Vancouver/Ugly Vancouver, the latest exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver, has been open since Oct. 2011, but it was this week that I finally swung by to (literally) hear the buzz. Walking into the exhibit room, the hum of bright and blinking neon signs is ever-present.

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Happy Hour at Oyster Seafood & Raw Bar

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:32:29 +0000

I'm on the look-out for happy hour specials in Vancouver. Many of the seafood restaurants and oyster bars in Vancouver have options for the after-work crowd (or when traveling, the after-sightseeing crowd). I recently stopped by Oyster Seafood & Raw Bar, which opened about a year ago in the Old Stock Exchange Building, for their buck-a-shuck from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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