The sky outside my apartment yesterday as the sun was setting:
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Vancouver gets Google Street View
Today Google Street View has gone live in Canada. That means that for most Canadian cities, you can use Google Maps to zoom down to street level and experience a virtual "walk through" of the city. It's a fantastic way to get a feel for a city, especially if you've never been there before.
For example, here's Yaletown on what looks like a weekday in early May, maybe 10am-ish:
View Larger Map
Virtual walk throughs have, of course, been around for a while now, but Google has taken that medium and has incorporated it into the functionality of Google Maps. For a former geography/GIS student like myself, it's truly exciting!
Saying that, over ten years ago an acquaintance of mine created a virtual walk through of downtown Vancouver all on his own. He must have spent weeks doing this, but he effectively had a precursor to Google's Street View. It's still online at VirtuallyVancouver.com and I encourage you to check it out. I find it quite fascinating to go through and walk through Vancouver circa late 90's because so much has changed around the city since then, it's really like going back in time.
For example, here's Yaletown on what looks like a weekday in early May, maybe 10am-ish:
View Larger Map
Virtual walk throughs have, of course, been around for a while now, but Google has taken that medium and has incorporated it into the functionality of Google Maps. For a former geography/GIS student like myself, it's truly exciting!
Saying that, over ten years ago an acquaintance of mine created a virtual walk through of downtown Vancouver all on his own. He must have spent weeks doing this, but he effectively had a precursor to Google's Street View. It's still online at VirtuallyVancouver.com and I encourage you to check it out. I find it quite fascinating to go through and walk through Vancouver circa late 90's because so much has changed around the city since then, it's really like going back in time.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Budget Hotels in Downtown Vancouver
The New York Times recently published an article featuring Vancouver's budget hotels. As a former Tourism Vancouver visitor counsellor, I can vouch that these are pretty realistic portrayals - the comments are insightful as well. Accommodation in Vancouver can be expensive, and unless you're seeking a hostel, these hotels are the cheapest you're going to find:
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/in-vancouver-budget-hotels-with-a-back-story/?ref=travel
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/in-vancouver-budget-hotels-with-a-back-story/?ref=travel
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Granville Street people watching
Granville Street around Smithe is a great place to people watch.
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You have a blend of hipster & alternative boutiques next to the nightclubs, pubs, theatres, and greasy dollar pizza shops. The McDonald's and Burger King often have street kids hanging out front and down the road are the budget hotels and the backpacker hostels. Then there are the businesses from another era: greasy spoon diners, pawn shops, and porn shops.
Granville's really trying hard to gentrify, but it's not there yet. Needless to say, it makes for great people watching.
p.s. Check out the people on the left in the last photo... priceless!
Granville's really trying hard to gentrify, but it's not there yet. Needless to say, it makes for great people watching.
Moonrise at sunset
The light was beautiful at sunset tonight. Here are some quick shots I took looking out my apartment window.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Autumn events at UBC
I love autumn in Vancouver. I love the earthy smell in the air, the low-lying fog in the morning, the colours changing on the trees, the chestnuts that litter the streets, the crisp air in the evening - even the quality of light.
While Vancouver isn't traditionally an autumn destination (our forests are predominantly evergreen, after all), there are so many great autumn events that most people aren't even aware of. Two events that I'm particularly interested in are happening out at UBC. Both will allow you experience all the fantastic sites and smells of autumn.
The UBC Farm Harvest Fest would be a great excuse to get out and experience the only remaining true farm in the city of Vancouver (whose future is undetermined, as the farm's actually zoned for development, but is currently sitting in limbo - boo!). I've never visited the farm, but my Dad (who spent his childhood summers in Hay Lakes - ie: small farming town - Alberta) says that he actually feels like he's back in Alberta when he's there. It's apparently a lot larger than people anticipate. My sister, who works at UBC, says a visit to the UBC Farm is an absolute must.
The UBC Apple Fest is a lot of fun, in that old-fashioned country fair kind of way. I think they charge a small fee ($2?) for entry, but you essentially get access to the entire UBC Botanical Garden, plus you can do apple tastings, buy bags of apples - and we're not talking about Granny Smith's, but dozens of unique and rare varieties you typically don't find in stores. They sell apple pie, candied apples, apple cider, and there's usually entertainment. I visited two years ago and it was so enjoyable. Just be sure to get there early, especially if the weather's nice, as they actually sold out of many apples by the time we arrived.
I have nothing set in stone yet, but if I manage to make my way out to either event, I'll be sure to report back!
While Vancouver isn't traditionally an autumn destination (our forests are predominantly evergreen, after all), there are so many great autumn events that most people aren't even aware of. Two events that I'm particularly interested in are happening out at UBC. Both will allow you experience all the fantastic sites and smells of autumn.
UBC Farm
Saturday, October 3rd
9am until 1pm
UBC Botanical Garden
October 17 & 18
11am until 4pm
The UBC Apple Fest is a lot of fun, in that old-fashioned country fair kind of way. I think they charge a small fee ($2?) for entry, but you essentially get access to the entire UBC Botanical Garden, plus you can do apple tastings, buy bags of apples - and we're not talking about Granny Smith's, but dozens of unique and rare varieties you typically don't find in stores. They sell apple pie, candied apples, apple cider, and there's usually entertainment. I visited two years ago and it was so enjoyable. Just be sure to get there early, especially if the weather's nice, as they actually sold out of many apples by the time we arrived.
I have nothing set in stone yet, but if I manage to make my way out to either event, I'll be sure to report back!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Celebration of Lightning: a recap of Vancouver's summer storm
I thought I would finally post some photos from July 25, 2009.
I'll never forget this day.
It started out as a beautiful Saturday afternoon: clear skies, sunshine, temperatures in the mid 20's Celsius. We picked up BBQ supplies, called up our friends, and all met down at Spanish Banks.
When we set up on the beach it was 4pm and the tide was very low - one of the lowest tides I had seen there in a long time. You could barely even see the people - they were so far out!
We decided to head down to the beach and walk out to the water's edge.
Some of the guys went for a swim...
...it was around then when I looked east and noticed a big dark cloud looming over the city.
Uh-oh.
I knew it had to be raining over there, and we're not talking about a light drizzle. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that it wouldn't make it out our way. I mean, it was still sunny where we were.
Sort of.
I decided to head back. Back through the seaweed and sandbars and salt water channels.
Back at the site, we set up our BBQ and watched as the tide crept back in.
For several hours we enjoyed drinks, food, and one another's company, watching the tide coming in with all the people with it.
And that's when it started to happen.
We first heard the thunder off in the distance, and it was followed by bright flashes. But the lightning was far enough away, out in the mountains and over the city and suburbs, so we continued our BBQ. We continued like this for about half an hour before the rain set in. It was large, luscious drops of rain. It cleared out almost all of Spanish Banks to the point where we were the only ones left.
Strangely, we stayed and basked in it.
We watched the lightning light up the mountains across the water and behind us over the suburbs. We could see it fork down over downtown Vancouver, and we just stood there in awe.
Earlier in the day we had a hard time finding parking and a spot on the beach. And here we were, a few hours later, and the beach was vacant with exception to a few individuals like ourselves, shreiking with joy at the spectacle.
The thunder and lightning storm persisted at a distance, but the sun started to shine beneath the clouds. A rainbow appeared over downtown.
As the sun continued to lower itself under the storm clouds, the most beautiful golden light made the atmosphere absolutely magical.
The event became even more surreal when the sky changed colour, from purple, to orange, to red, all the while white and purple lightning bolts forked out over the mountains, the city, and the suburbs. I never managed to capture the lightning on camera, but I assure you it was divine.
Surreal skies turned apocalyptic red. And it was in the torrential downpour overlooking a now-crimson Burrard Inlet at sunset that we decided it was a perfect time go for a swim!
Foolish, perhaps in retrospect, but it'll definitely be a moment I will never forget.
I'll never forget this day.
It started out as a beautiful Saturday afternoon: clear skies, sunshine, temperatures in the mid 20's Celsius. We picked up BBQ supplies, called up our friends, and all met down at Spanish Banks.
When we set up on the beach it was 4pm and the tide was very low - one of the lowest tides I had seen there in a long time. You could barely even see the people - they were so far out!
We decided to head down to the beach and walk out to the water's edge.
Some of the guys went for a swim...
...it was around then when I looked east and noticed a big dark cloud looming over the city.
Uh-oh.
I knew it had to be raining over there, and we're not talking about a light drizzle. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that it wouldn't make it out our way. I mean, it was still sunny where we were.
Sort of.
I decided to head back. Back through the seaweed and sandbars and salt water channels.
Back at the site, we set up our BBQ and watched as the tide crept back in.
For several hours we enjoyed drinks, food, and one another's company, watching the tide coming in with all the people with it.
And that's when it started to happen.
We first heard the thunder off in the distance, and it was followed by bright flashes. But the lightning was far enough away, out in the mountains and over the city and suburbs, so we continued our BBQ. We continued like this for about half an hour before the rain set in. It was large, luscious drops of rain. It cleared out almost all of Spanish Banks to the point where we were the only ones left.
Strangely, we stayed and basked in it.
We watched the lightning light up the mountains across the water and behind us over the suburbs. We could see it fork down over downtown Vancouver, and we just stood there in awe.
Earlier in the day we had a hard time finding parking and a spot on the beach. And here we were, a few hours later, and the beach was vacant with exception to a few individuals like ourselves, shreiking with joy at the spectacle.
The thunder and lightning storm persisted at a distance, but the sun started to shine beneath the clouds. A rainbow appeared over downtown.
As the sun continued to lower itself under the storm clouds, the most beautiful golden light made the atmosphere absolutely magical.
The event became even more surreal when the sky changed colour, from purple, to orange, to red, all the while white and purple lightning bolts forked out over the mountains, the city, and the suburbs. I never managed to capture the lightning on camera, but I assure you it was divine.
Surreal skies turned apocalyptic red. And it was in the torrential downpour overlooking a now-crimson Burrard Inlet at sunset that we decided it was a perfect time go for a swim!
Foolish, perhaps in retrospect, but it'll definitely be a moment I will never forget.
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