Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) was once again named Best Airport in North America at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in Geneva, Switzerland today. Rated 8th overall worldwide, it is the only North American airport included in the top ten. This is the fourth year in a row that YVR has been awarded this distinction.
I’ve traveled a lot over the years: spending time on 3 continents, in 7 countries, 4 provinces, 12 states and passing through over 25 airports. There’s always no place like home but when it comes specifically to airports. Here are just a few reasons why YVR is tops in my books:
It’s not gigantic
Run, Run, Rudolph pumps through my brain as I sprint through O’Hare International Airport (“ORD”) in Chicago as though I’m a member of the McCallister family. It takes me 10 minutes to get from two gates that are only twenty digits apart but that’s nothing like Denver International (“DEN”). DEN is where separate terminals appear endlessly connected by moving walkways that seem to act as treadmills, you gain no ground although your feet are moving. There are no monorails at YVR, no underground passageways, and although there’s an occasional sprint to a gate, there are no marathons. As a side note, the seats also do not have arm rests, making them very friendly to stranded passengers that would like to lay out across them (instead of on the floor).
It’s beautiful and the art is appropriate
There are dozens of pieces of artwork in the airport both in the public areas and near the gates. Prominent First Nations pieces, wood carvings, and over 75 sculptures along in the Lorne Balshine Collection that records the Inuit oral culture in the themes of wildlife, survival, traditional beliefs, family life and acculturation. Learn more about the YVR Art Foundation and their work with the airport authority.
Free WIFI and charging stations
Although vacations are for disconnecting and relaxing there is still a need for business travellers (and the internet-addicted) to hook up their devices now and then. Charging stations between seats and free WIFI definitely help. The airport also stays connected with you using social media management systems and customer service on Twitter.
It’s not in the middle of nowhere
Hop on a Canada Line train and in under 30 minutes you’re in downtown Vancouver. Drive in from Surrey and again you’ll be at the ticket kiosks in under an hour. There are options to get to YVR and also to explore the region if you’re just stopping in (or stuck with a canceled flight). Civilization is close-by and hundreds of Richmond’s restaurants are within 10 minutes if you’re peckish.
I could even add on that people who aren’t even going anywhere or picking anyone up like to hang out at the airport. Take Off Fridays in the summer provide free entertainment, there’s a free public observation deck, it’s a great place to pick up souvenirs, and the Fairmont YVR hosts afternoon tea. Chester Johnson Park, as I found out last summer, is also a nice little oasis amongst all the traffic. In my opinion YVR does more than get you from A to B. It sends you off in style and welcomes you home (literally) with open arms.
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is on now with dozens of free and inexpensive activities and events that will get you out and about under these beautiful pink petals. In celebration of the festival, I have put together a collection of Vancouver Cherry Blossom Photos from the Miss604 Flickr Pool. All of the following photos have been captured and contributed within the last few weeks:
I will do another photo roundup at the end of the season in case you would like to contribute your own photos to the group after seeing this collage.
As always, please click through on these images to view more work from the photographers and feel free to share your own photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool. View all photo collections here.
The 64th annual Army and Navy Shoe Sale is coming up this month with discounts at every location including Vancouver (Gastown), New Westminster, Langley, Calgary, Edmonton Whyte Avenue and Edmonton Londonderry Mall.
The dash for deals will begin at 8:00am on Wednesday, April 24th with savings on premium brands like BCBG, Steve Madden, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Eli Tahari, Franco Sarto, Pour La Victorie, Bandolino, Marc Fisher and Kelsi Dagger. There will be over 100,000 pairs up for grabs and many priced under $40.
Back in 2008 I interviewed a Junior Buyer for the Shoe Department at Army and Navy who gave me some tips for Shoe Sale first-timers:
“I would definitely recommend for everyone to wear flip flops! That way you just slip them off and try on a new pair. Because the sale is so popular, it gets very full, so wearing something light and comfortable is ideal. Another great tip is to grab a basket or the complimentary Army and Navy shopping bag, fill it with all the shoes you like, and grab yourself an empty corner to try your shoes on. That way you don’t have people grabbing from your stash…yes the competition is fierce. For those shoppers who aren’t able to make it right at 8:00am, don’t worry we stock up the shelves all day, and especially for the lunch and after work rush. Once you have picked out your fantastic pairs of shoes, you are able to purchase them at any till in the store.”
Army and Navy has offered up a VIP opportunity for a lucky Miss604 reader and their guest. Our contest winner will receive VIP entry into Army and Navy in Gastown at 7:30am (beating the rush and the line) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. The winner will also receive a $25 gift certificate. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Since 1919 Army and Navy Shoe Sale has been 100% Canadian owned and operated by the Cohen family and the Vancouver store was the one that began that legacy. This year’s Army and Navy Shoe Sale will run from Wednesday, April 24th until Sunday, May 5th. Follow Army and Navy on Twitter and Facebook.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 2:00pm.
Update The winner is Kristen!
This is probably the most specific theme topic I’ve had for my Archives Photos of the Day series however when you’re on the trails of Stanley Park as much as John and me, finding a single image showing “Tree Felling Using Springboards” is pretty fascinating. There is still evidence all over the park – and in any other previously logged forests in the region – of this spring board technique. Once you spot these notches on familiar old stumps, you get an idea of how old they are and just who might have been (painstakingly) chopping away at them.
Left: 2013 – Stanley Park.
Right: 1900s – Tree felling using spring boards. Archives item# Tr P35.
Left: 1900s – VPL Number: 4102. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
Right: 1890 – Shawnigan Lake. Archives item# Log P29.
Left: 1890s – Archives item# LGN 727.
Right: 1890 – Men on spring boards felling a tree near 9th Ave & Waterloo. Archives item# Log P11
1891 – North Arm Fraser River near Vancouver, George Oliver’s contract. Archives item# Tr P44. Photographer: Bailey Bros.
For more information, photos, and artifacts about early logging in the area, I recommend paying a visit to the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.
In true Pacific Northwest fashion, Vancouver is definitely known for its coffee shops. Packed so densely that they occur more frequently than bus stops on major routes, it’s sometimes hard to stand out from the crowd. However, WE Coffee in the West End of downtown Vancouver has managed to do just that by permeating the Robson Street air with the aroma of freshly-roasted coffee beans, even when situated kitty-corner from a major fast food chain. I caught up with owner William Chu to learn more about how they’ve managed to survive — and thrive — in the neighbourhood.
“Our coffee is always fresh, that’s the most important thing to us, it’s quality,” William told me as we sat in their recently remodelled cafe. Over the last two years the business has shifted from offering desserts and coffee to simply focusing on producing a quality cup of coffee. William said it was more comfortable to put coffee in the spotlight and shift solely in that direction.
“What we focus on is quality and friendship. We want to build that friendship with our customers.”
Originally from Taiwan, William has lived in Vancouver for 20 years and his love for the city and the neighbourhood (which is also my neighbourhood) shines through with every cup. As the original roaster for WE Coffee, William laid out the practices used by their roaster Michael today and he’ll also be overseeing a new roasting facility they are developing in South Vancouver. He could easily talk your ear off about sources, grades, beans, processes, and everything there is to know about the coffee business — as one could expect from a passionate owner.
Although he admits that when he was younger he despised coffee (like many of us did), he knew there had to be more to the whole process than creating a warm beverage to keep you caffeinated — and there had to be a way to make it taste better.
By the time he was 30, William wanted to start a business and the first thing that came to mind was opening a cafe. However, in order to run a cafe he wanted to know his product very well and in this case it meant getting to know coffee. “From a green bean to a cup of coffee there’s a really long way to go. There’s so much effort in between to create that cup of coffee.” During his quest to learn more, he fell in love with coffee: “Each little process is charming,” he told me with a smile.
WE Coffee (located right behind a #5 Robson bus stop) offers the chance to grab your morning cup of joe on the run as well as the comfort of a quiet refuge to sip, savour, and enjoy a warm beverage. All of their baked goods are made in house (including the ham breakfast panini that John and I have come to adore) and they also offer up Erin Ireland’s To Die For Banana Bread, waffles, and other treats. Their signature blends — roasted right there on Robson at Bidwell — are available in store.
Follow WE Coffee on Facebook and Twitter for updates and specials.
