I have been approached to conduct another book giveaway and this time it’s for a hardcover copy of Overnight Sensations: The Americas from Kiwi Collection.
Based in Vancouver, the Kiwi Collection is a website for booking and browsing hotels that offer a little bit more than the ordinary. Their 2100 hotel listings (in 124 countries) include unique offers, upgrades, VIP treatments, and those added touches that make a getaway special.
I used the system to search for hotels in Vancouver and the listings called up Shangri-La, Pan Pacific, Loden, Opus, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront, Sutton Place and the Wedgewood. One thing that really stuck out for me was the amazing photography — check out the image they have for the Shangri-La Listing here. Photos such as these are featured in the Overnight Sensations book.
Reader review from Amazon: If you like travelling in style and experience the best hotels in the world (or Americas) this is a must have book to show off with on your coffee table in your living room. Not only does it have a cool design but it invites one to travel more and see what is actually out there in the world for the one that likes to spend a few extra $ on staying in nice hotels. Surprisingly, you will find that many hotels in this book do not cost much more than boring hotel chains that has little extra to offer in terms of sensations.
It’s no secret that I love to travel and take photos so I’m happy to do this giveaway. Here’s how to enter to win the book (valued at $99 USD retail):
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw the winner at random on June 8th around 10:00am.
Update The winner of the book is marybeth i, thanks to everyone for their interest and for entering the contest.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/0 and I have not read/do not have a copy of the book.
This Sunday join BOB (Building Opportunities With Business) at Hastings Racecourse for a special fundraising event.
BOB is a community economic development organization in the Downtown Eastside. They are a non-profit organization with a goal of supporting local business development and increasing job opportunities for inner-city residents.
Last night at the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, CEO Shirley Chan was the recipient of the Non-profit & Public Service award for her work with BOB.
At Hastings Park this weekend attendees are encouraged to embrace the traditional racecourse spirit and participate in the fancy hat competition that will be judged by a few local celebrities. There will be a full lunch served and thousands of dollars worth of prizes will be up for grabs. These include items donated by the likes of John Fluevog, the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Blue Olive Photography, and more.
Proceeds from the event will support the work of BOB and the Fast Track to Employment program. Tickets are $60 (with a tax deductible receipt for $30 that will be given to all ticket purchasers) and can be purchased in person at the BOB office (163 East Pender on weekdays 10:00am – 4:00pm) or purchased online.
You can check out the event listing on Facebook and find BOB on Twitter for more information.
Trying to come up with themes for history posts is sometimes a bit tough. I’ve done everything from feature photos of long-gone hotels and aerial images of the region, to people walking dogs down Hastings Street a hundred years ago. Sometimes it’s the oddities that are the most interesting, such as that time an elephant went parading down Granville.
Browsing the Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver Archives I have come up with a collection of City Scenes — everyday moments in time that have been captured and preserved.
1880s – Hastings and Cambie
VPL Accession Number: 19827
1890s – Streetcar at entrance to Stanley Park
VPL Accession Number: 19797A
1939 – Pender at Beatty, looking West
Archives Item#: CVA 772-5
1946 – Granville at Smithe, The Orpheum
Archives Item#: 1184-2290
1948 – Pedestrians at Hastings & Granville
Archives Item#: CVA 1184-2772
1951 – Granville at Robson
Archives Item#: CVA 772-8
1967 – Granville at Smithe, looking South on Granville
Archives Item#: CVA 780-53
1972 – Beatty between Georgia and Robson
Archives Item#: CVA 780-5
1978 – Balcony on East Pender
Archives Item#: CVA 780-470
I have left in the archive location numbers on each of the photos as you can order prints of historical photos from both the Vancouver Public Library and the City of Vancouver Archives.
This evening the YWCA is hosting its Women of Distinction Awards.
As a sponsor of the event I will be liveblogging throughout the ceremony to announce winners, post photos, and provide updates. If you’re following along on Twitter you can search for the tag #YWVanWODA throughout the evening.
The liveblog will begin around 6:30pm but we’ll have some content up before then. It’s bound to be great evening here at the Westin Bayshore and in the meantime you can read my previous posts about the awards for some background.
All of tonight’s nominees can be found listed here.
Update The nominees have started to arrive and they are being given gorgeous corsages. Outside the grand ballroom at the Westin there are over 50 silent auction items up for grabs. In my brief walk-through I found some awesome hockey artwork, jewelry from Tiffany’s, kayaking experiences, and gift certificates for The Boathouse, Crave, and Five Sails. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
We’re smack dab in the middle of Bike to Work Week and coming up in a few days the cycling fun continues with Velopalooza.
From June 4th until June 13th Velopalooza will offer 10 days of “bikey fun” including 64 events (most free) that are organized by individuals and bike riders of all levels across Metro Vancouver.
The official kickoff party is June 4th at WISE Hall on Adanac Street and other events include the Yelp Seaside Brunch Ride, the MEC Bike Fest Ride, a Midnight Mass Bike Ride, a Bridgeview Bike Ride in Surrey, and the 80’s Bike Ride. Some of the ride take you to some amazing communities while others will dazzle you with tasty treats along the way — from fish & chips to gelato.
There is a full calendar of rides and events listed on the Velopalooza website.
