Every Friday we feature an inspirational travel photo of a Canadian destination taken by one of our readers.
Why we chose it: BC has some of the most enviable sunsets in Canada, as evidenced here. It’s a beautiful silhouette—and the fiery sunset makes winter feel almost warm. But it’s the reflections in the puddles that makes it a truly remarkable shot. (more…)
Ring in the year of the dragon and experience the best of Chinese culture
By Kristina Urquhart
The grounds at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Photo by KK Law
Think big. That’s our advice for the auspicious year of the dragon, which kicks off Jan. 23 and lasts until Feb. 9, 2013. Dragons are symbols of power, good fortune and lofty ideas—and the world could use some of each after being encouraged to pause and reflect during the peaceful year of the rabbit in 2011.
The Chinese New Year adheres to a lunar and solar calendar and usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice; what follows are days of decorating, exchanging gifts and passing lucky red money packets. The festivities culminate in the spectacular two-hour Chinese New Year Parade on Jan. 29, which starts at the ornate Millennium Gate, an imposing entrance to North America’s third-largest Chinatown. Expect to see colourful lion dances and martial arts demonstrations making their way through the red-lamppost-lined neighbourhood. (more…)
Pan-fried prawns with soy, at Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant. Photo copyright 2010 HSBC Chinese Restaurant Awards
This year’s HSBC Chinese Restaurant Awards (www.chineserestaurantawards.com) dished out six Gold Awards of Distinction. Looking to taste the best of the best? Grab a cab to Sun Sui Wah for Alaska king crab three ways, or hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain to Sea Harbour Seafood to sample pan-fried prawns with soy. Other Distinction winners: Richmond’s BBQ Master and Bamboo Grove, and Burnaby’s Alvin Garden.—Tim Pawsey
It’s been a year since the 2010 Winter Games invigorated Vancouver, but their spirit lives on
By Sheri Radford
The Richmond Olympic Oval. Photo by KK Law
Even though the 2010 Winter Games are long over, ways to relive the experience abound.
Visit the Olympic Cauldron downtown, which was lit on the opening night of the Games by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. A picturesque reflecting pool now surrounds the cauldron. It is situated next to the west building of the Vancouver Convention Centre, which was completed in time for the Games and was used throughout as the main media centre. This eco-friendly building and its green roof (complete with four beehives and a full-time beekeeper) have won several awards for design.
Hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain, which was also completed just prior to the Games and which whisks visitors from the airport to downtown in 26 minutes. While in Richmond, visit the Richmond Olympic Oval, where speed skaters competed during the Games. This stunning, environmentally friendly building now houses an array of fitness facilities.
Pull on a pair of Olympic red mittens. If yours have worn out—or you weren’t lucky enough to snag any during Games fever—pick up a similar pair of maple-leaf-adorned mittens at The Bay. Proceeds go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
Olympic Cauldron in Jack Poole Plaza. Photo by Sheri Radford
If you’re searching for the perfect Quatchi, Miga, Mukmuk or Sumi souvenir, you’ll find the mascots’ smiling faces in Gastown’s many souvenir shops. To complete your Olympic coin collection—or catch a glimpse of some Olympic medals—visit the Royal Canadian Mint pop-up shop downtown on Granville Street. It’s only here until the end of February, but don’t worry: line-ups are shorter than the eight-hour waits common during the Games.
Olympic fever in Vancouver? It still burns on.
Japanese cuisine at ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro. Photo by KK Law
1 Lululemon stores, all of which offer free yoga classes every week.
2 Spying the giant tree at English Bay all lit up for the season.
3 The Lamplighter. This Gastown pub celebrated its 85th birthday last month.
4 Decking the halls with adorable holiday decorations from HomeSense.
5 Maple-leaf-adorned red mittens, ideal for winter and just $10 at The Bay. Proceeds go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
6 Stocking up on swimwear for holiday getaways at Just Cruisin’ Shoppe. (more…)
The eco-friendly Richmond Olympic Oval
The 2010 Winter Games athletes have since hung up their skates, but their home-away-from-home—the stylish and sustainable Richmond Olympic Oval—has become a must for workout enthusiasts. Find your inner Olympian with six hardwood gyms, two ice rinks, a running track and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.—Kristina Urquhart
1 Stepping out in wet weather in cheery rain gear from Gumdrops to pick up a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.
2 The fascinating figures in Body Worlds & The Brain at Science World.
3 Hiking up the Grind on Grouse Mountain.
4 The West Coast Chocolate Festival. Yum.
Fall is gorgeous at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Photo by R. Chan
5 Uncovering Canada’s history at the spectacular Museum of Anthropology.
6 Enjoying an Americano and cinnamon bun at the Public Market on Granville Island—or a pint at the Backstage Lounge.
7 Local writers, bookstores, literary festivals—anything to do with books, really.
8 Celebrating the fact that October is an “R” month by heading to Rodney’s Oyster House for fresh shucked oysters on the half shell with fresh horseradish.
9 Funky clocks such as the one behind the main London Drugs downtown.
10 Spending a rainy day getting pampered at Spruce Body Lab or Vida Spa.
11 Local boy Ryan Reynolds, who stars in the new film Buried. (Claustrophobic? You may want to skip this movie.)
12 Treating ourselves to foie gras terrine and Alsatian Riesling at Le Crocodile.
13 All the u-pick pumpkin farms in nearby Richmond (www.tourismrichmond.com). We also love checking out the amazing carvings at Ladner’s Westham Island Herb Farm (www.westhamislandherb.ca), which boasts more than 150 jack-o’-lanterns for the last 10 days of the month.
14 Shopping for cassoulet ingredients, or picking it up ready-made at Oyama Sausage Co.
15 Autumn colours on display at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Pan-fried prawns with soy, at Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant. Photo copyright 2010 Edgewater Casino Chinese Restaurant Awards
If it’s Chinese fare you crave, there’s no need to hop a plane to Shanghai or Beijing. Just board the SkyTrain to Richmond, where you’ll find grilled eats at BBQ Master, succulent king crab at Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant and crispy prawns at Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant (pictured). Your chopsticks will be poised for pleasure, because all won Critic’s Choice gold at the 2010 Edgewater Casino Chinese Restaurant Awards. For a full list of winners, visit www.chineserestaurantawards.com.—Kristina Urquhart
Dim sum at Sun Sui Wah. Photo by KK Law
Richmond is a mecca of superlative Chinese dining. Hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain to discover a truly different world, just 25 minutes from downtown. Within a few steps of Aberdeen or Lansdowne stations you can feast on the likes of succulent Alaskan king crab, prepared four ways, at Northern Dynasty; discover the delicious flavours of tea-smoked roast duck, tender spareribs and crackling pork from HK BBQ Master; or marvel at tasty crabmeat spring rolls or richly flavoured sesame peanut glass noodles at Northern Delicacy. Or check out cart-service dim sum and seasonal specialties at Sun Sui Wah before spiriting away exquisitely executed pastries and desserts of every kind from Saint Germain Bakery. All are winners, among many, of the 2010 Chinese Restaurant Awards (www.chineserestaurantawards.com).—Tim Pawsey
BC speed skater Denny Morrison is poised to be a top contender at the 2010 Winter Games
By Kristina Urquhart
The eco-friendly roof at Richmond Olympic Oval. Photo by KK Law
Under a magnificent domed roof, the cavernous arena echoes with the sound of the starting bell, of the first moment a sharp skate blade touches the pristine rink, of 8,000 spectators cheering wildly.
This is the Richmond Olympic Oval (see “Fast Facts,” below) just one month from now, when it will host the long-track speed skating events during the 2010 Winter Games. This is where Denny Morrison, Canadian speed skater and Olympic silver medallist, will vie for the gold.
Unlike many athletes who only recently discovered whether they’d be competing in sport’s biggest contest, the 24-year-old Morrison has known since his stellar race results last winter.
“I’m really excited,” he says. “I have good feelings about Richmond. The oval is pretty spectacular.”
Morrison now calls Fort St. John, BC home, but he was born in the tiny town of Chetwynd where there was no hockey league. Eager to skate, a three-year-old Morrison started speed skating lessons. The rest is, as they say, history.
No stranger to the podium, Morrison brought home a silver medal in the team pursuit race
Denny Morrison will skate for gold at Richmond Olympic Oval. Photo by Ewan Nicholson
at the Torino 2006 Winter Games. This year alone, Morrison won the bronze in three events at two ISU World Cup events. He is also pictured on the packages of Wrigley’s Excel Polar Ice chewing gum—a portion of the proceeds goes to the Canadian Olympic team.
Morrison’s busy training and competition schedule doesn’t offer much down time, but he likes to try new restaurants, including Chop for both its innovative cuisine and its proximity to the Richmond Olympic Oval, where he trained last year.
Watch Morrison on Jan. 16 and 17 in the World Championship Sprint in Obihiro, Japan, and tune in during the 2010 Winter Games to see him race the 5,000 m (Feb. 13), the 500 m (Feb. 15), the 1,000 m (Feb. 17), the 1,500 m (Feb. 20), the 10,000 m (Feb. 23) and the team pursuit qualification (Feb. 26) and finals (Feb. 27). Whether or not Morrison ascends to the podium, he is sure to make Canada proud.
FAST FACTS
By Kristina Urquhart
All aboard at Vancouver International Aiport. Photo by KK Law
It took four long years of digging, drilling, boring and building, but Canada Line—the newest addition to SkyTrain, Vancouver’s automated light rapid transit system—has been up and running since Aug. 17, three months ahead of schedule and in plenty of time for the 2010 Winter Games.
Now that the dust has settled, Vancouver has a state-of-the-art transportation link between the city centre, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Richmond, one of the region’s quickest growing cities—which has been a welcome relief for busy commuters looking to shave minutes off their transit time. Combined with the existing Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines, the network also reaches neighbouring Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey.
The sleekest and smoothest of the three trains, the Canada Line features 16 modern stations and wider, longer cars than its counterparts. The extra space means room for luggage so travel-weary passengers can zip from the airport
Travellers at the Canada Line YVR-Airport Station. Photo by KK Law
to the downtown core, hassle-free. Larger trains are also better equipped to handle the thousands of additional rail users expected during the 2010 Winter Games, providing easy access to the SeaBus, the LiveCity entertainment sites, and several Games venues, including the Richmond Olympic Oval and BC Place.
Worthy train trips? Take the Canada Line to Olympic Village Station and walk around the picturesque Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver, where Canadian and international athletes will reside throughout the 2010 Winter Games. Or disembark at Oakridge-41st Avenue to shop for designer duds at Oakridge Centre. Or try your luck at the River Rock Casino, which is adjacent to Bridgeport Station.
For maps, fares and schedules, visit www.translink.ca.
CANADA LINE BY THE NUMBERS
The current cost of a trip from the city centre to YVR is $3.75, or $2.50 on weekends, holidays and weekdays after 6:30 p.m.
Vancouver is the only Canadian city with a rapid transit link from the city centre to an international airport. The ride from Waterfront to YVR is a mere 26 minutes.
Canada Line adds 19 km (11.8 mi) of track to the existing SkyTrain network, which makes it the longest automated rapid transit system in the world, totalling 68 km (42.2 mi).
About 100,000 passengers are expected to ride the Canada Line per day in 2010, with increased ridership during the 2010 Winter Games.
The total cost of the project hovers just above $2 billion.
TASTEFUL TRIPS
Appetizer plate at Le Bistro Chez Michel. Photo by KK Law
Hop on the SeaBus to discover Le Bistro Chez Michel, a family-run, North Vancouver bistro serving eclectic French fare and overlooking the harbour. On the menu: baked-onion soup, a chef’s charcuterie plate, juicy rib-eyes with fries, bouillabaisse and the cassoulet Toulousain, the owners’ hometown recipe. Or take the newly opened Canada Line SkyTrain to explore Richmond’s wealth of authentic Chinese rooms, including bustling Fisherman’s Terrace Seafood Restaurant in Aberdeen Centre and award-winning Gingeri Chinese Cuisine in Lansdowne Centre.—Tim Pawsey
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