On a clear Sunday evening, we hiked up to the 1st pump on Mount Seymour to watch the sun set and the full moon rise. What a beautiful night!
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| View of Vancouver |
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| The majestic Mt. Baker |
Showing posts with label Vancouver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vancouver. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Cherry blossoms
You know that spring has arrived when the cherry blossoms adorn the streets with their different shades of pink. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place each year in April to celebrate the 37,000 cherry trees that adorn the city. Many of these trees originate as gifts from Japan. Throughout the month the festival hosts a number of events around the cherry blossoms and there is even an up-to-date Cherry Blossom Viewing Map.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
A winter with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports
This winter I volunteered as a ski instructor for Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS). Last December, I attended the 3-day training session on Grouse Mountain where we got familiarized with the teaching methodology as well as the use of different adaptive equipment depending on the needs and abilities of students. The sessions covered teaching visually impaired skiers, 3-track and 4-track skiers as well as sit skiers.
A 4-tracker would be a student with little strength in the lower body (e.g. cerebral palsy) who uses outriggers, a sort of crutches with little skies at the bottom, hence the name 4-track. Unlike in regular skiing the turn is initiated by upper body rotation (head, shoulder and arms) and the legs just follow like the trailer of a truck.
A 3-tracker would be an amputee who uses outriggers to balance, however, the technic is pretty much the same as for a regular skier.
A visually impaired student would have little to no eye sight and teaching a visually impaired student is very hands on as we can't show them what to do. During our training session, we practiced skiing with our eyes closed and relying on a fellow instructor to give us directions. It was very awkward as one has to rely entirely on another person and the sense of moving and balance is very different.
Sit skiing is for people who have little or no mobility in their lower body. Depending on the student, a mono-ski or bi-ski can be used. The bi-ski has two skis, is lower and is easier to learn.
At the end of the training session, all of us received the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) level 1 instructor certification.
My regular VASS night was on Tuesday night at Cypress with a group of experienced disabled skiers and I got assigned a regular student with a fellow instructor. My student was a young adult with cognitive and developmental issues who talked non-stop throughout the lesson. It was difficult to keep his attention to skiing especially after we met up with the rest of the group half way through the evening. Towards the end of the season he did make some progress and we had some good laughs with him.
I also did a few drop in lessons on the weekends. One student was a 6-year old autistic boy who gave me a big hug right after I met him and his mother. His mother was surprised as he usually doesn't to that. Another student was a 9-year old boy with Down Syndrome and to keep him motivated throughout the lesson we were playing Zombies.
I also got the opportunity to teach a blind Japanese student who at the end of the 2-hour lesson was able to link turns on the bunny slope. That was so inspiring!
Another student I was assisting with is a 12-year old girl a.k.a speed demon, she had to be kept on tethers as her idea of skiing is going straight down the mountain as fast as possible without turning. We were playing catch me if you can by making wide turns across the hill.
In addition to teaching skiing I have made some wonderful friends through VASS including my two ski buddies Angie, a 4-track skier and Anya, a sit-skier. We would go skiing together outside of the VASS program and have lots of fun. These two women are so inspiring as they enjoy life to it's fullest and don't let their disability get in their way.
VASS also offered ski lessons for instructors and I signed up to take my CADS level 2 exam at the end of this winter season. Part of the exam was to demonstrate 3-tracking and 4-tracking which is not as easy as it sounds as it requires a lot of upper body strength. While I was in Sun Peaks at the end of March, I managed to take part in the CADS level 2 exam there and passed it. I also got my Canadian Ski Instructor Association level 1 certification earlier in March so I am all set for next year's ski season.
The experience with VASS has been very inspiring and rewarding, there are really no words to describe it.
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| VASS yurt |
A 3-tracker would be an amputee who uses outriggers to balance, however, the technic is pretty much the same as for a regular skier.
A visually impaired student would have little to no eye sight and teaching a visually impaired student is very hands on as we can't show them what to do. During our training session, we practiced skiing with our eyes closed and relying on a fellow instructor to give us directions. It was very awkward as one has to rely entirely on another person and the sense of moving and balance is very different.
Sit skiing is for people who have little or no mobility in their lower body. Depending on the student, a mono-ski or bi-ski can be used. The bi-ski has two skis, is lower and is easier to learn.
At the end of the training session, all of us received the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) level 1 instructor certification.
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| Adaptive equipment |
I also did a few drop in lessons on the weekends. One student was a 6-year old autistic boy who gave me a big hug right after I met him and his mother. His mother was surprised as he usually doesn't to that. Another student was a 9-year old boy with Down Syndrome and to keep him motivated throughout the lesson we were playing Zombies.
I also got the opportunity to teach a blind Japanese student who at the end of the 2-hour lesson was able to link turns on the bunny slope. That was so inspiring!
Another student I was assisting with is a 12-year old girl a.k.a speed demon, she had to be kept on tethers as her idea of skiing is going straight down the mountain as fast as possible without turning. We were playing catch me if you can by making wide turns across the hill.
In addition to teaching skiing I have made some wonderful friends through VASS including my two ski buddies Angie, a 4-track skier and Anya, a sit-skier. We would go skiing together outside of the VASS program and have lots of fun. These two women are so inspiring as they enjoy life to it's fullest and don't let their disability get in their way.
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| Skiing Mount Baker |
The experience with VASS has been very inspiring and rewarding, there are really no words to describe it.
Monday, 17 September 2012
A summer of volunteering
My first summer in Vancouver has been fabulous; I can’t
believe how fast time goes by when you are having fun. When I signed up for my two volunteer jobs earlier this
year, little did I know what to except and how they will work out.
One job was as Eco Ranger with the Stanley Park Ecology Society where we would go out with fellow Eco Rangers, walk around the park,
educate visitors about the ecology and nature of Stanley Park as well as assist
them with directions and tourist information. Stanley Park is with its 1000 acres one of the largest urban parks in the world
Not only did I meet wonderful
fellow volunteers, I also met some interesting and eccentric visitors and
locals in the park.
One of the challenges as Eco Rangers was educating people
who were feeding wildlife with all sorts of human food about the impact of
their actions on the animals. Yes, a raccoon looks cute but it can become quite
aggressive and fearless of humans when it is being fed. At Stanley Park, more raccoons die of
obesity than natural causes. One of my most memorable experiences was with a lady who was in the park with two little kids she was looking after. When I reminded her about the park's bylaw of not picking berries in the park, she started yelling at me, who I thought I was to tell her that, after all she had First Nations ancestors (she was blond, blue-eyed and definitely didn't ressemble a First Nations person) and that the white men took away all the land including Stanley Park from them. After trying to explain the purpose of us Eco Rangers to her she calmed down and after a long conversation with her, I gathered that she had some personal issues and just needed to vent.
The other job was with Power to Be, an organization that
offers adventure-based recreation activities for people with disabilities. I
volunteered for their kayaking program that runs throughout the summer out of
Deep Cove, a small town along Indian Arm just outside of Vancouver. Their
kayaks are fitted with adaptive equipment (pontoons, paddle help, etc.) that
allows youth and adults with various disabilities to go kayaking. I have had participants with acquired brain
injury, autism, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, eating disorder and mental health
issues. Some participants actively paddle while others just enjoy the
experience of being out on the water.
It has been an amazing experience; first
of all, I fell in love with kayaking and enjoyed being out in the nature,
seeing the occasional seal and bald eagle or the numerous purple and orange
starfish along the rocks during low tide. However, the most rewarding experience
was to see the smile on a participant’s face that is just priceless. The
participants wouldn’t be able to experience kayaking without organizations like
Power to Be. Thursday will be my last
day kayaking for the summer and I will definitely miss it.
Since I enjoy recreational therapy I have decided to sign up
with the Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sport organization that offers winter programs
for people with disabilities, something to look forward to.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Granville Street Photowalk
I have walked up and down Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver many times and depending on which direction you face, you can either watch the sun set over Granville Bridge to the South or enjoy the view of the snow capped mountains to the North.
The area closer to the Granville Bridge seems run down and sleazy with the occasional sex shop, tattoo studio and pizza place as well as a fair share of empty real estate space. Further up towards Robson Street, it turns into a pedestrian zone also known as the Granville Mall with department stores, shops, restaurants and bars. Granville Street is also a popular for panhandlers waiting for change given to them, while some just sit there with a cardboard sign in front of them, others actually are quite creative and recite poems or make music.
Apparently, Downtown Granville Street has been Vancouver's neon lit entertainment district for decades where cinemas and cinemas lined the streets along with pornography shops, strip clubs, pizza stores and arcades. Many of these businesses have been closed or replaced by bars and nightclubs as part of the city's "clean-up" in preparation of the 2010 Olympic Games.
During a recent Photowalk with the Vancouver Photowalk MeetUp group I tried to capture some impressions of Granville Street as the sun was setting.
The area closer to the Granville Bridge seems run down and sleazy with the occasional sex shop, tattoo studio and pizza place as well as a fair share of empty real estate space. Further up towards Robson Street, it turns into a pedestrian zone also known as the Granville Mall with department stores, shops, restaurants and bars. Granville Street is also a popular for panhandlers waiting for change given to them, while some just sit there with a cardboard sign in front of them, others actually are quite creative and recite poems or make music.
Apparently, Downtown Granville Street has been Vancouver's neon lit entertainment district for decades where cinemas and cinemas lined the streets along with pornography shops, strip clubs, pizza stores and arcades. Many of these businesses have been closed or replaced by bars and nightclubs as part of the city's "clean-up" in preparation of the 2010 Olympic Games.
During a recent Photowalk with the Vancouver Photowalk MeetUp group I tried to capture some impressions of Granville Street as the sun was setting.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Stanley Park
During a recent photowalk with the Vancouver Photowalks Meetup Group, we discovered the beauty of Stanley Park.
Stanley Park, Vancouver's magnificent urban park, opened in 1888 by governor Lord Stanley, is great for hiking, biking, walking or running along the 8.8km seawall that loops around the park or along the numerous forested trails through the temperate rain forest. The seawall is divided into two sections, one lane is for cyclist and inline skaters and the other one is for walkers and joggers. On sunny days, it can get quite crowded along the seawall.
The park also has a couple of excellent beaches, ideal spots to take in the fantastic scenery and amazing sunset while enjoying a picnic.
Another great place for spectacular views is the Prospect Point overlooking the 'Lions Gate' Bridge, a suspension bridge that crosses the first narrows of the Burrard Inlet and connects downtown Vancouver with the North shore. Officially, the bridge is called the 'First Narrows' Bridge and the term 'Lions Gate' refers to two mountain peaks known as 'The Lions' north of Vancouver.
Despite being Vancouver's main tourist attraction, it's a great place to relax and to spot the occasional wildlife such as blue herons, raccoons, seals, eagles, geese, squirrels and coyotes. Beaver Lake is a great place to spot waterfowl, beavers at work and the occasional turtle. In the summer, the surface of the lake is covered with waterlilies.
There are also plenty of attractions for families and visitors in the park such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the horse-drawn carriage, the miniature train, the Second Beach Pool as well as several restaurants.
Stanley Park, Vancouver's magnificent urban park, opened in 1888 by governor Lord Stanley, is great for hiking, biking, walking or running along the 8.8km seawall that loops around the park or along the numerous forested trails through the temperate rain forest. The seawall is divided into two sections, one lane is for cyclist and inline skaters and the other one is for walkers and joggers. On sunny days, it can get quite crowded along the seawall.
The park also has a couple of excellent beaches, ideal spots to take in the fantastic scenery and amazing sunset while enjoying a picnic.
Another great place for spectacular views is the Prospect Point overlooking the 'Lions Gate' Bridge, a suspension bridge that crosses the first narrows of the Burrard Inlet and connects downtown Vancouver with the North shore. Officially, the bridge is called the 'First Narrows' Bridge and the term 'Lions Gate' refers to two mountain peaks known as 'The Lions' north of Vancouver.
Despite being Vancouver's main tourist attraction, it's a great place to relax and to spot the occasional wildlife such as blue herons, raccoons, seals, eagles, geese, squirrels and coyotes. Beaver Lake is a great place to spot waterfowl, beavers at work and the occasional turtle. In the summer, the surface of the lake is covered with waterlilies.
There are also plenty of attractions for families and visitors in the park such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the horse-drawn carriage, the miniature train, the Second Beach Pool as well as several restaurants.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Granville Island
One of my favourite hangouts in Vancouver is Granville Island, an old industrial terrain along False Creek whose old factory buildings have successfully been renovated and now house artisan studios, arts and crafts shops, restaurants, cafes and theatres. On a sunny day it's a great place to sit on a waterfront terrace with a glass of wine listening to one of the many street artists and people-watching.
What draws me to Granville almost every week is the Granville Island Public Market, a food-lovers paradise with a fantastic assortment of stalls selling fresh local produce, seafood, meats, baked goods as well as international and exotic treats. Buskers are a regular fixture in and around the building and provide entertainment to the visitors. If you want to take your time and enjoy the market, come on a weekday when it's nice and quiet.
The market is not just a great place to buy food but also to taste it. There are many dining options on Granville Island, you can grab a bite from the small international food court inside the market or dine at a hip waterfront cafe or at a stylish restaurant. The choice is yours. 'Go Fish', a short walk along the seawall from the Granville Island entrance, is a popular seafood shack and is known as the city's best fish and chip joint. Their fish tacos, tuna sandwiches and daily specials - brought in by the local fishing boats - are also very tasty.
The highlight of my visit to Granville Island is the 15-minute ferry ride on the Aquabus back to Yaletown. Rain or shine, the ride along False Creek is always a pleasure and the ever changing light reflects on the high rise apartment buildings. Vancouver is just beautiful!
What draws me to Granville almost every week is the Granville Island Public Market, a food-lovers paradise with a fantastic assortment of stalls selling fresh local produce, seafood, meats, baked goods as well as international and exotic treats. Buskers are a regular fixture in and around the building and provide entertainment to the visitors. If you want to take your time and enjoy the market, come on a weekday when it's nice and quiet.
The market is not just a great place to buy food but also to taste it. There are many dining options on Granville Island, you can grab a bite from the small international food court inside the market or dine at a hip waterfront cafe or at a stylish restaurant. The choice is yours. 'Go Fish', a short walk along the seawall from the Granville Island entrance, is a popular seafood shack and is known as the city's best fish and chip joint. Their fish tacos, tuna sandwiches and daily specials - brought in by the local fishing boats - are also very tasty.
The highlight of my visit to Granville Island is the 15-minute ferry ride on the Aquabus back to Yaletown. Rain or shine, the ride along False Creek is always a pleasure and the ever changing light reflects on the high rise apartment buildings. Vancouver is just beautiful!
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Vancouver Grand Heritage Home
I have signed up with a MeetUp group that organizes photowalks around Vancouver. The organizer of the group was approached by a realtor to shoot a Tudor Revival styled home that was built along the Fraser River in 1925. The house was built by Willard Kitchen, a director at Pacific Great Eastern Railway, who raised three daughters here with his wife. Two of the daughters never married and the third one had a daughter who lived in the house until she passed away in 2006.
The house is now being sold for CAD$ 8.5 million and since it not considered a designated heritage property there is a possibility that it will be demolished.
Together with 30 other shutterbugs I had the opportunity to shoot this wonderful house with its amazing original details such as an intercom to call the servants, original light fixtures, an old safe and old bathrooms.
The house is now being sold for CAD$ 8.5 million and since it not considered a designated heritage property there is a possibility that it will be demolished.
Together with 30 other shutterbugs I had the opportunity to shoot this wonderful house with its amazing original details such as an intercom to call the servants, original light fixtures, an old safe and old bathrooms.
Intercom
Light fixtures with a touch or modern life
Attic room
The safe
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