C is for CANADA PLACE

"Welcome to Canada Place, Canada’s inspiring national landmark welcoming you to Canada's Pacific Gateway on the West Coast. Canada Place opened in 1986 to welcome the world as Canada's Pavilion for Expo '86, and continues to welcome locals and people from around the world for Inspirationally Canadian experiences." from here 

I boarded my first cruise ship here and headed under the Lions Gate Bridge on my way to Alaska.

"The Cruise Ship Terminal at Canada Place welcomes upwards of 900,000 passengers each year. The 3-berth terminal can service up to 4 luxury cruise ships. The terminal is owned and operated by Port Metro Vancouver.  Each cruise ship that docks in Vancouver contributes approximately $2 million to the local economy. In 2009, the shore power initiative was completed enabling ships to connect to the shore-based electrical grid while docked. This significant environmental initiative is the first installation of this type in Canada, and only the third in the world." from here

The Five Sails is a Canadian symbol known the world over, just as the Sydney Opera House is Australia's iconic symbol.  This is my photo of the sails, taken in March 2011 when I took my daughter to a wedding fair at the Convention Center here.

On Canada Day (July 1st) each year, many festivities take place here.  For example, there is a lumberjack show; a sports zone; a Canadian Forces zone; Canada Place Way where you can stroll through the convention center to see exhibits, sample goods, or play a game of street hockey; relax at Subway's Picnic Plaza; watch the annual Citizenship Celebration where new citizens become Canadians; and later watch the parade and fireworks show over the water.

Speaking of the Convention Center, did you know that it has a green roof?  I mean, literally, it's made of grass.  My husband Lorne works here from time to time and has actually walked on it!  Amazing!

When Vancouver held the Winter Olympics here in 2010, the Olympic cauldron was placed in the west plaza of the Convention Center at Canada Place.  In this photo, you can see the mountains to the north.

Because Vancouver is well known for its rain, (which, by the way, is a gentle rain as opposed to what I've experienced in other areas of the world!) a sculpture of a rain drop was installed along the sea walk at the Convention Center.  As well, Vancouver is known for its Orca Whales and a sculpture by Douglas Coupland was installed nearby in 2009.  It is known as the "Lego Whale" or the "Pixel Whale."

I hope you enjoyed the photos, mostly from Mr. Google, this week.  If you're planning on visiting Vancouver any time, Canada Place is an absolute must.  From there, you can cross the water to see Stanley Park or stay on the same side and walk along Robson Street to see all the famous shops.

Be sure to think of and thank the charismatic Mrs. Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday and our conscientious Roger, our administrator.  Also, remember there is a team of contributors who regularly visit each and every post to leave courteous comments.  Please consider being a part of this team by contacting Roger.  Thanks!

B is for BURRARD INLET, BRIDGES, BEACHES

Welcome to the 2nd installment of ABC Wednesday's Round 15.  This week, we will look at Burrard Inlet, two bridges that cross it and some beaches in Vancouver.  First, Burrard Inlet is a shallow coastal fjord located in southwestern British Columbia that was formed during the last Ice Age.  It separates the city of Vancouver from the slopes of the North Shore Mountains where you will find the communities of West and North Vancouver.  Two major bridges span the inlet - the Lions Gate Bridge and the Second Narrows (or Ironworkers Bridge).  Please note that all the photos this week are courtesy of Google.  None are my photos.

 
Under the Burrard Bridge is Granville Island, a wonderful place to poke around at the public market, view arts and culture, and perhaps purchase a unique gift. You also might like to stop in at a wonderful restaurant called "Bridges," where you can sit outside on the patio under bright yellow umbrellas to shield you from the hot sun.  While you enjoy your repast, watch the boats - lots of yachts to see here.

Since Vancouver is on the west coast of British Columbia, beaches abound.  On the north side of Burrard Inlet is Ambleside and Dundarave Beaches.  From this vantage point, you can watch cruise ships pass under the Lions Gate Bridge on their way to Alaska and, on windy days, watch surfers.

Coming to the southern side of Burrard Inlet, you'll find downtown Vancouver and English Bay beach.  Palm trees line the beautiful lawns and flower beds along the street and lead to sandy expanses with views across the bay.  Notice the tree growing out of the roof of the condominium to the right.  After swimming or sunbathing, simply cross the street for a sumptuous meal at the Boathouse Restaurant.

Continuing south over the Granville Street Bridge, we come to Kitsilano Beach where you'll find an actual salt water pool (the longest pool in Canada) alongside a beautiful sandy beach.  This is one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver with its spectacular views.

We continue west along the seaside of Burrard Inlet to find another beach - Jericho Beach - with its views to the east of downtown Vancouver and to the north to West Vancouver.  Beach volleyball is popular here.

Next in line is Locarno Beach, which is designated a "quiet beach" with no amplified sound allowed.  It is named after a Peace Conference held in Locarno, Switzerland in 1925 and there are concessions, volleyball courts, picnic tables and a swimming raft complete with couch.  It also has a view of downtown Vancouver and West Vancouver across the water. 

Finally, we come to Spanish Banks, so named "in commemoration of the meeting of the English under George Vancouver and the Spanish under Galiano and Valdés in June 1792." (Wikipedia)  There are three sections to this great expanse of beach:  the east section, the west section, and the expanded section.  Barbecues are permitted everywhere, there are volleyball courts in the east and west sections and a kite-boarding launch zone in the expanded section, which also allows dogs to be off leash.  Also, the west section is designated as a "quiet zone."  At low tide, the water is a kilometer off shore. It is at Spanish Banks where, when I was 5-years-old, let loose a blood-curdling scream when I knelt on a broken beer bottle at the edge of the water.  Stitches were needed and to this day, I sport a scar that runs 2 1/2 inches down from my right knee!

 

We come to the end of the city beaches, but let me tell you that there are lots more beaches in the area.  I live just south of the city and we have our own Centennial Beach that borders on Boundary Bay, so called because it borders the USA.  There are also fresh-water beaches at lakes, like Burnaby Lake right within the city limits.  To read more about this lake just click here.

I hope you'll pardon me if I boast a bit that we had 72 posters for the letter A in Round 15.  Here's hoping that even more people will join in and enjoy the camaraderie we have here.  Please remember the bright and beautiful Mrs. Nesbitt, our creator, and the brilliant and boundlessly blessed Roger, our administrator.  Don't forget that anyone can be on the team, if you don't mind visiting and commenting on about 10 posts per week.  So let Roger know you're a believer in ABCW and ready to begin!

A is for AIRPORT

Vancouver was recognized as the top city in Canada in Travel + Leisure magazine's 2014 World's Best Awards.  The city was also named the Top Destination in Canada in Trip Advisor's 2014 Travellers' Choice awards, and was chosen as the world's "Most Liveable City" in 2010 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a title it has been awarded eight times since 2002.
Vancouver offers travellers both outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and the sophisticated amenities of a world-class city. Take advantage of the city's ocean-side location, with plenty of green space and many recreation opportunities in the mountains 20 minutes north of downtown. After a busy day, linger over a glass of BC wine and a locally inspired meal, or unwind at one of Vancouver's unique spas.  While this sea-level port city is known for its temperate climate, the surrounding snow-covered slopes are perfect for winter sports and breathtaking views of the city twinkling below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it's possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.  From here

As I was considering what to write for Round 15 of ABC Wednesday, I came upon an article in the Sunday Province newspaper (by Paul Luke) about some of the film sites that Hollywood crews use.  It gave me an idea for Round 15, so I'm going to do my best to create a sort of travel blog highlighting areas of the city of Vancouver with suggestions of what to see if you do indeed decide to visit this world-class city. 

First up, the Vancouver International AIRPORT, located about 7 1/2 miles south of the city of Vancouver in Richmond (where I grew up).  In 1927, Charles Lindburgh refused to include Vancouver in his North American tour because of the lack of a proper airport. Two years later, the city purchased land on Sea Island (in Richmond), which replaced the original grass airstrip at Minoru Park.  During WW2, the airport and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, were leased to the Federal government and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The airport was a base for RCAF training and the crews and their families were housed in a new town site on the island, named Burkeville after Boeing president Stanley Burke.  The present main terminal was completed in 1968, and has since been expanded to include separate domestic and international terminals. A north runway was completed in 1996.  Since 2011, there has been an increase in flights between Vancouver and Asia. 

The airport has a uniquely British Columbian theme with artwork of Pacific Northwest Coast native art featuring blues and greens to reflect the colours of the land, sea, and sky.  There is a lot of glass, which reflects the natural light, and arriving passengers walk across a platform featuring a large waterfall.  The aboriginal art collections include totem poles, wooden sculptures, and Bill Reid's famous bronze sculpture called "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe."

So, welcome to Vancouver International Airport where, for the next 26 weeks, you will be treated to an assortment of Vancouver highlights.  These are the welcoming totem poles and other aboriginal works of art, concluding with the famous Jade Canoe.

Be sure to tell your friends and families about ABC Wednesday and how much fun it is to participate.  Also, be sure to let Roger know if you're interested in helping out a bit on the team.  With thanks to the adorable and amiable Denise Nesbitt, creator of ABCW, and to the astonishingly amazing Roger, who is our admirable administrator.

Z is for ZORRO

I know I'm aging myself, but this week I'd like to write about the Walt Disney TV show "Zorro" that ran from October 1957 to July 1959.  I was the perfect age for this series about Don Diego de la Vega and his sidekick/servant Bernardo who was a confidant/co-conspirator and the only person at first to know Diego's secret. Bernardo used sign language to communicate because he pretended to be deaf as well as mute, the better to overhear the plans of Zorro's enemies. He also played the fool, adopting clownish behavior so as to seem harmless.  I used to love it when Zorro would slash his sword to create the letter Z or "Zorro" across something.

In 1990, there was another TV series about Zorro, but even my own children were too old to be bothered with the show then.  However, in 1998, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in "The Mask of Zorro," which I saw in our local movie theater.  I absolutely loved it - and I thought Catherine Zeta-Jones was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen and well, what can I say about Antonio Banderas - that hunk of a gorgeous male specimen.  LOL  Banderas and Zeta-Jones followed up this film with "The Legend of Zorro," which follows their lives after they marry and have a son.  You can get these movies on DVD now. But the part that really stuck with me was when the two of them were parrying with swords in the first Zorro movie.  Very sexy, and funny, too!  You just have to watch this! 

I must say, also, that the music in these films were fantastic and my favourite song of (almost) all-time is "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You."  Give it a listen while you watch the stills.  It will give you goose bumps!

With that, I'll see y'all next Round/next week with the letter A.  Don't forget to give a nod to the zany Denise Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday and to the zealous Roger, our administrator.  Do speak up and volunteer to be part of the team if you can for Round 15.