Summer is here and while there is temptation to disconnect when you get away, the right smartphone can actually help you make the most of your vacation time. With features for monitoring physical activity, awesome cameras to document your adventures, and apps that will help you do everything from get directions to learn how to start the perfect campfire, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is your ultimate road trip companion.
These features (and more) will help you make the best of your summer road trip:
- 16/32 GB storage: That’s a lot of storage which can handle thousands of your favourite tunes.
- 16MP (1/2.6”, Phase Detection AF) camera on the back: For your quick-shooting highway-side wildlife pics, posed photography next to the world’s biggest ball of twine, or epic panoramas from the top of your hike.
- Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer, Hall, RGB ambient light, Gesture, Fingerprint, Heart Rate Sensor: All useful for tracking your fitness routine, your run up the Grouse Grind, finding your way on the trails, and plotting your course to the next Rest Area.
- I found that the large screen also allows you to focus on your surroundings while you take your photos or video so that you don’t miss any action to squint or adjust settings. The Selective Focus even allows you to remove photobombing squirrels from the background of your shots.
- Finally, it’s waterproof! You won’t want to submerge it for hours while you SCUBA dive but if you drop your Samsung Galaxy S5 into a puddle, into the shallow end of the pool, or dunk it to take awesome underwater video, it will still work! (Here’s some proof).
Whether you’re camping in Washington State, around home, enjoying a picnic in Stanley Park, or finding the best beach for swimming nearby, your Samsung Galaxy S5 will be great with a connection, with WIFI, or even in airplane mode (and used as a flashlight in the tent, which I have done).
Win a Samsung Galaxy S5
I have two devices to give away to two lucky readers, theirs to keep and start their summer off right! Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite road trip destination (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw two winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, July 18, 2014. Each winner will receive one device. Follow Samsung Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about the Galaxy S5. Prize does not include a service/carrier plan.
Update The winners are Sabrina and @intelli_sponge!
Support Piano, the Pianos on the Street project, returns this summer with 10 pianos placed in open-air locations around the city for all to enjoy until August 23rd. This initiative is “for the public to play with the goal of building bridges throughout the community” and pianos can be found in the following locations:
Pianos on the Street: Vancouver
CityStudio Main at 21st, CityStudio Spyglass Dock, CityStudio Dude Chilling Park, CityStudio Robson Park, CityStudio Chinatown, CityStudio Canada Place, CityStudio Financial District, CityStudio Creekside, CityStudio Strathcona Park.
Pianos on the Street: Surrey
Pianos on the Street will also come to Surrey this year with a piano placed near the North Surrey Recreation Centre adjacent to Surrey Central SkyTrain (10275 City Parkway) starting July 8th. It will be within the borders of the PARKit summertime pop-up park — a park in place for the summer that, in addition to being a social space, will also feature a number of food carts for the public to enjoy. Musicians will be present to celebrate the launch on July 8th and celebrations will begin at 12:00pm to promote the launch of the project in this area.
UPDATE: Pianos on the Street: New Westminster
Pianos on the Street is also heading to River Market at New Westminster Quay on Friday, July 11th at 12:00pm. A piano will be placed in a special public location on the waterfront at River Market on that day where it will stay until the end of summer. Numerous musicians will be present to celebrate the launch on July 11th.
New this year, Pianos on the Street will feature a video contest with cash prizes of up to $400. Competitors will also be eligible for a chance to play with the North Shore Symphony. Be sure to tag all your photos and videos with #supportpiano. Follow the project on Facebook for more information.
In the last four weeks I have flown to Salt Spring, enjoyed the BC Shellfish Festival in Comox, walked around Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours, attended the Jessie Awards, participated in a farm tour in Pitt Meadows, attended a wedding and hiked in Montana. It’s been almost a month since my pedicure at A Touch Above in Vancouver and my toes still look as shimmery and shiny as the first day I walked out of the spa and into Cambie Village.
A Touch Above Vancouver Spa
A Touch Above is an unassuming day spa on Heather St near 17th in Vancouver, specializing in waxing, facials, pedicures, eyebrow shaping, body care, treatments for men, and more.
My pedicure was in a private room and it included a foot soak, callous work, nail clipping and shaping, cuticle care, buffing, massage and polish. I even had the Dremel Power Buffer go to work on my cracked, dry feet and perfectly smooth them out which was far less intense or stressful than having someone slice your skin off with a blade.
The location calms you even before you walk through the door as it’s just a few blocks west of Cambie Village in a quiet residential area. The spa was loaded with quality products and featured treatment rooms, cozy nooks, and open areas. It felt like ‘your friendly neighbourhood spa’ which offered more than a quick in-and-out express pedicure. I only spent about an hour at A Touch Above and while the time was short, the quality was top notch.
If you do wish to make an event of a pedicure with friends there is a group area but I enjoyed my private room and chatting with Kim Yuen who did my pedi. Their motto of “providing all the best of the downtown spas without the high prices and parking hassles” rings true (I even just took the Canada Line to my appointment and back).
With my pink toes still shining bright and heels still ‘sandal worthy’ I am very pleased with my pedicure ($53 + $5 for Dremmel buffing). As you can see from the Yelp reviews, I am not alone in my praise of this local spa. Follow A Touch Above on Facebook and Pinterest to learn more and find them at 3284 Heather St at 17th or (604) 875-9228.
The Vancouver Swing Society has once again partnered up with Viva Vancouver and the Downtown Vancouver BIA again to bring free swing music and dancing lessons to the streets of downtown Vancouver.
Free Swing Dancing on Granville
Sunday, July 13, 2014: Van Django (live gypsy jazz music)
Sunday, July 27, 2014: The New Orleans Ale Stars (Louisanna hot jazz)
Sunday, August 10, 2014: Air Mail Special (small group swing music)
On each of these Sundays, the free drop-in beginning swing dance lessons run from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, followed by music and dancing from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. Then lessons pick up again at 2:30 to 3:00pm, following by music and dancing from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
You don’t need to bring a partner, just show up ready to learn and/or dance. The live music will echo through the street as you move to the rhythm and enjoy this free outdoor experience. Follow the Vancouver Swing Society on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Looking for more free dancing this summer? There’s also Dance at Dusk in Stanley Park and Free Sunday Salsa at Robson Square put on by other organizations.
The Honda Celebration of Light and YVR Airport present the YVR Observation Deck (bleacher seats) and new this year, the viewing area will be fully licensed so spectators can enjoy beer or wine during the July 26th (USA), July 30th (France), or August 2nd (Japan) fireworks nights.
Photo courtesy of the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
YVR Observation Deck at the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
Tickets for the YVR Observation Deck can be purchased online in advance and include licensed as well as all-ages sections.
Right now you can enter to win prizes by uploading and tagging your Vancouver photos with #VanShinesBright. Share images that showcase our beautiful city and a winner will be awarded each Friday leading up to the events. Entries will be judged on their creativity, originality and pure awesomeness. Enter via Instagram by posting a photo and comment, enter via Facebook with a story about why Vancouver is the best place to be, or enter on Twitter by explaining in 140 characters why Vancouver is the best place to be. Be sure to tag each with #VanShinesBright.
Photo courtesy of the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
Win Tickets
I also have two tickets for the YVR Observation Deck to give away to one lucky Miss604. The winner will be able to select their date and enjoy the world’s largest offshore fireworks competition from the comfort of the stands in English Bay. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Must be 19+ to enter. My winner will be drawn at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Follow YVR Airport on Twitter and Facebook along with the Honda Celebration of Light on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Update The winner is @EricaMKRizzo on Twitter!
