Not a week goes by that I am asked some sort of question by a tourist on the street and usually it’s about the bus. Sure, the Translink “Trip Planner” seems to be a decent “A to B” service, although getting from the Westin to Granville Island really isn’t an FAQ I encounter. It’s more like: “How much is the bus”, “How long is this ticket valid”, “Where will this take me”?
Dave currently has some friends in town so he asked me if I knew of any special visitor fare passes since he’s experienced this in other cities. Off the top of my head I couldn’t think of anything, and after further research we both decided that the best short term fare option would just be a book of blank “Fare Saver” tickets although even those are separated in value by zones.
This inspired me to look at a few other North American cities to see how Vancouver, whose main industry is tourism, stacks up.
I compared Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Boston and Seattle as they are all cities I have either lived in or visited. The image below shows just a few of the criteria I think would be useful to visitors or those new to town.
All cities offer day and monthly passes. Visitor passes are available in 3 of the 5 cities listed although they are in different forms.
In Calgary they have the “Show n’ Go” which is a 2-14 day pass you can obtain for the transit system if you are attending a registered conference or event ($4/day). Toronto has a weekly pass available, as well as the same type of “Convention Pass” as Calgary, available for 3+ days (from $3.75/day). Boston also has weekly passes for bus or ‘T’, which is the subway system ($15/week). Seattle doesn’t have any short term passes however they do have more long-term options, offering an annual pass for the system. Translink’s “Fare Savers” start at $18 for a book of ten 1 zone tickets.
The best transit system that I have used has got to be the MBTA in Boston. When I moved there in 2002 I was able to download schedules to my PDA and plot out routes across town and state just using their website and maps. Five years later and looking up information for this post, I still find the MBTA website to be the most useful (and it’s the nicest looking of the 5 as well). They have even introduced the “Charlie Card” which is a reusable, re-loadable fare card that you can manage online.
You would think that such a tourism-minded like Vancouver would offer better resources and options for tourists especially when it came to fares. Information kits explaining zones and time limits, weekly passes, convention passes or even special fare saver tourist bundles available from hotels would be a start. I think visitors would really benefit from more information about public transit to get around the city (and out to other regions) then maybe they won’t always have to ride in some big red bus that looks like a double-decker with its roof chopped off.
Interesting article/review of the new BART EZ Rider Smart Card – they mention Translink… but not this Translink
I really wanted to put together a post about where to get Mexican food in Vancouver since some of my earlier attempts to collect such information were less than successful. I then decided to enlist a fellow blogger who I’ve noticed has made numerous food review posts. The following are Raul’s recommendations for good Mexican eats in Vancouver.
Post Contributed by Raul
It’s a drag to try and find decent Mexican food in Vancouver, despite the increased influx of Mexican immigrants and the growth in number of restaurants that offer this type of food (I wouldn’t include Red Burrito nor Taco Shack nor Taco del Mar in the list of truly Mexican places, but they offer fairly ok grub). Here are my top 5 choices for Mexican food in the city of Vancouver, in order (disclaimer, I am in no way associated to any of the places, and my taste might be different from yours!):
5 – Las Margaritas – Many people may hate it but truth be told, this was the first restaurant that served Mexican food where I didn’t see blatant failures. The chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers) here are fairly decent, as is their brunch. Located on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, the prices may be a bit steeper than other places, but the food is very decent.
4 – El Rinconcito Salvadoreño – And this is perplexing, because the owners of this place are actually Salvadorean. This tiny place is located on Commercial Drive. I think the wife of the owner is actually Mexican and thus that’s how they have managed to offer decent Mexican food. The pozole (a type of broth that has chili, spices and corn) is very good here.
3 – Taco Loco – This is another “hole in the wall” but the food is fairly authentic. It’s not a dine-in experience, to be truthful, but hey if you need some quick grub and don’t mind the decor, this would be a place to grab a quick bite to eat. The food is good, the place leaves much to be desired.
2 – Casa Blanca – This was a total surprise to me, because this place is a “hole in the wall” on Davie Street. The food is actually quite good and the prices aren’t that bad. The only downside that I see to Casa Blanca is that it has sort of a “fast Mexican food” feel to it. But I can’t complain about the food. And you can’t really go wrong with a place that has lots of Mexicans eating there.
1 – Tio Pepe’s – The truth is, once I got in the restaurant and I was able to speak in Spanish with the owner and ask for the food I wanted and how I wanted it, I fell in love with Tio Pepe’s. Located on Commercial Drive. Again, I recommend the Mole con Pollo. This place offers good comfort food. I would recommend that you inform the owner about your heightened expectations 🙂 just in case! Definitely good.
Other places that people have suggested and I haven’t tried (mostly out of fear of disappointment) are:
Doña Cata – on Victoria Drive and I think about 38th Avenue – Some people say it’s really good. This geographical area seems to have a few Mexican places.
Casa de Amigos – on Granville and about 71st. – I saw this on the way back from the Airport and boasts itself as having won many awards, but haven’t tried it.
Poncho’s – on Denman St near Robson. – Don’t know it, not very excited about it either.
Zocalo – on Main St. near Broadway. When I walked by this one I saw the prices and I was like “holy crap, talk about overpriced“).
La Casita – on Cordova St. – I have read mixed reviews about it, but it looks quite dark. To be frank, I will probably give this place a try soon.
Chilo’s – Initial location near Doña Cata and new location in Yaletown. Beyond Robson reviewed this restaurant but I would have to try it by myself.
Sadly, Hola Churro closed down a few months ago. I am not that convinced with Jalapeño and Cilantro (I think that’s the name of the place), particularly since it sells “gourmet Mexican food” (excuse me!?) and I have heard horrible reviews of The Mouse and Bean. But again, I probably need to just shake my fears and start trying out more Mexican restaurants again. I am very tempted to try Lolita’s on Davie Street. Still, Tio Pepe’s tops my list.
Read more from Raul on the Hummingbird604 blog
(view all of Miss604.com’s ‘Guest Posts‘)
I accompanied my niece’s preschool class to the Surrey Reptile Refuge several years ago. Tucked away off 176 Street it houses reptiles that have been abandoned i.e. that cute little alligator Timmy got for his birthday that soon grew 6 feet thus being too big for the family bathtub.
You can view nearly 400 animals including snakes, crocodiles, spiders, frogs, lizards, turtles and more. The Refuge is run by the Rainforest Reptile Refuge Society, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and raising awareness about these exotic, often misunderstood, animals. [SurreyAttractions]
Mission Statement: To provide shelter and care for unwanted, abused and abandoned reptiles, amphibians and other exotic and native animal species, and encourage an awareness related to the behaviour, habitat and conservation of these animals for the benefit of the global community. [About]
The individuals who run the place are passionate about the animals, very knowledgeable but always seemed to be under a lot of stress as there was an obvious lack of funding for quite a while. Now at least 5 years after my visit, the refuge has closed its doors to the public.
The Fraser Valley’s only reptile refuge has closed its doors to the public as it runs out of funding. On Monday, the curator of the Surrey sanctuary asked council for $11,000 per month to continue operations. The request was referred to staff…
…The full-to-capacity shelter has been in financial trouble before and does not receive government funding. While the refuge is now closed to public guests, staff will continue to care for the animals as long as they can. [TheProvince]
I think the quote of the day in that Province article is, “it’s not really feasible to house crocodiles beside kittens.” No, no it’s not. These animals cannot go to the SPCA, they need this special place. But in order to even prevent this need, there has been a request for the government to step in to prevent the sale and keeping creatures like these as pets in various municipalities, at least without a specific license.
In the meantime, I think it’s wise to stick to puppies, kitties, hamsters etc. as pets because I certainly don’t want to end up in a city where a python doesn’t have a safe place to go.
To make a donation to the refuge, you can call (604) 538-1711 for more information. They also have a ‘wish list‘ up on their site including: Building supplies (wood, tools, etc.), food (fruit, vegetables, meat…), UV lighting, vet supplies and labour.
“The bottom line is these animals don’t belong in captivity; they are wild animals which aren’t domesticated.”
Update: Vancouver City Council has just approved the tougher anti-smoking law. “The law bans smoking in taxis, bus shelters, on restaurant patios, and within 6 metres of any door, window or air intake on a public building” – News 1130
There was a comedian on Last Comic Standing a few weeks ago who was talking about people invaded the ‘public’. For example a guy talking loudly on a cell phone in a public place asking others to be quiet so he can hear the person on the other end – thus invading everyone’s ‘public’ with his ‘private’. I think the same concept applies. If I want to enjoy a meal on a patio in Vancouver I shouldn’t have to be lumped in with all the smokers, that just makes the air inside the restaurant nicer to breathe and defeats the entire purpose of the patio.
The recent recommendation of a staff report to Vancouver City Council suggests a ban on all restaurant patio smoking, but that’s not all.
The proposed by-law would also ban outdoor smoking near building entrances, air intake vents and windows. If approved, it could go into effect within six months. [News1130]
In my patio guide I could only list Milestones and White Spot as 100% smoke free downtown (including patios).
Apparently Vancouver smokers have had a pretty easy go at it so far, John even noted when he moved here how much of a difference was made by what non-smoking bylaws we did have in place [audihertz].
- “Consider the fate of die-hard smokers across the chilly expanses of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, who have been lighting up outdoors since May 1 [2004], when governments introduced territory-wide bans on smoking in public places.” [CMJA]
- Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland all have a 100 per cent provincial ban on smoking in public places. [HealthCanada]
- Non-smokers shouldn’t have to stand in the rain, while smokers light up inside bus shelters, says a North Vancouver councillor who is proposing a smoking ban at bus stops… …He said if his motion is approved by council, no-smoking signs would go up at the shelters, prohibiting people from smoking within a radius of up to five metres. [CBC] (Since this story the by law has been passed and enforced at all North Vancouver bus shelters)
Health Canada also has a Bronze/Silver/Gold rating for cities in BC based on their limited public smoking bylaws, designated smoking rooms and other restrictions.
New Westminster went from Bronze in 1997 to Gold in 2000. They then slipped to a Silver rating after allowing DSR’s in 2002. Surrey has a Silver rating, being smoke-free in bars and restaurants for the last 10 years. Vancouver is Silver as well, with DSR’s permitted but they cannot occupy more than 10% of the floor space. Richmond has been Gold since 2000, along with the Greater Victoria Area.
So what’s the verdict: Are we being mean to smokers by casting them outside or making them wait for a puff? Or does everyone have the right to smoke-free air in any public place, inside or out?
(Poll Closed)
To view and vote on past polls, visit the Miss604.com poll page.
A couple items and dates of note as we swing into the pre-season.
Training Camp starts tomorrow in Victoria
New official jerseys go on sale at the Canucks Store (Gate 6 of GM Place) this Friday.
Tickets for the general public (non season ticket holders) go on sale this Saturday. However, on Craigslist you can find the pre-pre-sale purchase codes, although I think those specific tickets are sold out.
Thanks to Darren for sending this along, there’s a poll up on Mirtle’s site asking who will make the playoffs from each conference. The Canucks seem to be neck and neck with Anaheim and San Jose at this point. Very interesting -slide on over to cast your vote as well. One of Dave’s photos was featured in a post of Mirtle’s recently as well.
Monday the Canucks hit the ice in pres-season action vs the Ducks and I will be there, along with the lovely Keira – who wrote about our scheme here.
October 3rd is Raise a Reader Day, look for your fave Canucks on the streets of downtown Vancouver handing out newspapers for a cause. Last year I got to put my arm around Trevor Linden. Oh man, so worth it.
