Last night we were invited to attend the Reveal Gala on Rogers Arena. This charity fundraiser was organized by Canucks Autism Network and they had transformed the hockey arena into a virtual Venice for the evening.
Videoscreens of Venice, Italy surrounded the dining area.
We were seated in a VIP table right next to stage. There was a lot of swag to take home.
The evening was hoted by the five-time Olympic medalist Hayley Wickenheiser and the ET Canada host Rick Campanelli. Former Canucks goalie Kirk McLean on stage with the two.
One of the evening highlights was the performance of blind autistic Youtube sensation Christopher Duffley together with The Tenors. Their take on the Italian opera classics was breathtaking and garnered standing ovations.
It was quite a night with lots of local celebrities, wealthy businessmen and other socialites. The Aquilini family (owners of the Aquilini Group, Vancouver Canucks and Rogers Arena) were also present.
The evening ended in a high-stakes auction of luxury items and trips that all went for high five-figure sums. As we were told, the fundraiser met their target which was nice to hear. It was certainly an unique night that we were happy to be part of.
We had some first-time visitors over in August and of course a bicycle ride around Vancouver's world-famous Seawall was on our list of things to do.
Like so often, we started our ride in Coal Harbour which has a fantastic modern bike trail along the waterfront.
After reaching Stanley Park, the view quickly changes and you start to see the Downtown skyline where you just came from.
Classic view of Coal Harbour towers and Downtown from Stanley Park.
Next up is the Lions Gate Bridge. I just love how the mood and vistas steadily change from inlet to skyscrapers, followed by mountains and finally open ocean. There is never a boring moment along the Seawall!
Third Beach at the tip of the Stanley Park peninsula was still fairly empty in the morning, but rest assured, it will be packed in the afternoon...
English Bay area was mostly sealed off due to the annual Celebration of Lights fireworks show that takes place in beginning of August. You can see the raft they use for firing off the fireworks off the shore.
From there the route continues under Granville Bridge and through Yaletown, going around False Creek.
From across False Creek the view is once again filled with Yaletown skyscrapers with mountains peaking in the background.
Barbeque boat? Sign me up!!
West of Burrard Bridge the ocean opens up once again with the older concrete towers of Westend visible on the opposite side.
We were a bit short on time, so we didn't continue all the way to Spanish Banks and made Kitsilano Beach our last turning point. In Kits things had already got much busier with people enjoying a lazy summer day on the beach.
That's a very brief capture of some of the numerous highlights along this amazing 26-kilometer bike ride. I will at some point do a full photo tour of the entire route, but I hope this gives you a taste of how gorgeous Vancouver's famous Seawall is.
I have done this ride dozens of times and it never ceases to amaze and inspire me. It is truly a must-do for everyone visiting Vancouver and best of all, it is free. Can't beat that combination!
We had some first-time visitors over in August and of course a bicycle ride around Vancouver's world-famous Seawall was on our list of things to do.
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I have done this ride dozens of times and it never ceases to amaze and inspire me. It is truly a must-do for everyone visiting Vancouver and best of all, it is free. Can't beat that combination!
Agreed. I feel so blessed and privileged to be able to jump on a bike after work and unwind in such an amazing environment.
Imagine how much this plaque has seen the city change... well that, and all the smoke in the smoker's patio
A look into the stadium club (it was hosting a conference, so I wasn't able to get a better shot)
Back at the main area of the second floor, looking up
Looking towards the bar from the second floor
Looking towards the entrance
The view from the entrance (cut to try and maintain privacy for security and gamblers)
The ground level patio
Looking towards the entrance and Splash restaurant
Under the second floor lays the slots machines and the penny slots (with free coffee nearby)
The slots pit by the bar looking rather empty
A goodbye to the past, but a sign to the future.
With the Edgewater closing up, I made a point of going for a little tour. Despite being born in the Fraser Valley, I had never actually set foot in the Edgewater. When I learned that several of my friends/contacts hadn't either, I felt I should try my best to capture the casino. I did try to provide some privacy to those who were gaming, as I know some consider the issue sensitive. While I imagine there's plenty of photos of the Edgewater lurking around online, hopefully this is still an enjoyable little tour of the last days of this remnant of a time when Vancouver was just starting to crawl on the international stage.
Despite what people say - i.e. revisionist history - the Plaza of Nations was meant to be a permanent facility (not temporary)
- you can see the plaque says it was intended to be a "lasting legacy" of Expo 86.
Despite what people say - i.e. revisionist history - the Plaza of Nations was meant to be a permanent facility (not temporary)
- you can see the plaque says it was intended to be a "lasting legacy" of Expo 86.
I still maintain that this building would be a great location for a relocated Maritime Museum. Most likely we’ll be getting another James Cheng special on this site though.
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