Or as I call her, "Marmie!" when she appears at my dining room window each evening. She definitely belongs to someone on my street, because her fluffy fur is so perfect and not at all like the street cats around here, but tries desperately to get in MY house every time I open the door. Of course I took the opportunity to play around with my camera settings around someone who was not Matt for once. Here are some pictures from the past few days: Please let me in! She looks so tiny and kitten-like here... Watching a bug Lounging in the sun (now she looks full-sized) What do you want? Flying bug? She's about to jump, I can tell And she's up Assuming the position if I leave before she wants me to (she is there for a half hour at least daily) I swear she almost jumped on me when I was getting the mail because she was stuck (she figured it out)
Okay I swear my next post will be about home and decor. I looked back to my new years house resolutions and have not done ANY of them - I have a plan for the Spring/Summer - stay tuned!!!
So as I'm still playing around and learning all the manual settings on my new camera, during the March Break I took a lot of pictures, and actually a lot of Matt. He was very patient despite being not fond of constant picture-taking like I am. I told him he'll have to learn how to use it too, to which he responded "why, so YOU can be in pictures" - yep - he knows me and my vanity so well.
Just in case people are wondering, Matt bought me a Canon Rebel T2i. There is a T3i now, but the 2nd generation actually has better reviews, unless you are going to take a lot of video with your camera as well. I did a lot of research into Nikon vs. Canon, and it seemed a better choice for someone just starting out. Matt's parents, Jamie, and Matt's grandparents also gave us gift cards at Christmas, so they contributed to this birthday purchase as well. I think this will be a good investment - I can take better house pictures, take it with me on trips and capture better memories, and when we have kids I'll probably use it constantly!
So here are some pictures I took of Matt throughout the week: At this point he doesn't realize I am shooting him...too dark anyway Oh he definitely knows now - look at that pose That smile says "why did I ever buy you this thing?" I told him to focus and stop moving! Playing around again while he pretends to ignore me This is my favourite - he's definitely either watching John Stewart or Colbert He realizes I am taking pictures and smiles - bad lighting can always be fixed by sepia! Show must be back one, back to ignoring with a bit of pose left over (just in case) At Cafe Crepe - he did not approve of the first one because he looked "too tired" I told him not to eat his delicious sandwich until I took a picture - this took a lot of patience... I was trying to get his green eyes to pop... Then the sunlight came full force to his wide open eyes After they stopped watering, this is the best I could do... Starting fresh with a beer in his system...I probably told him he had his squinty eyes and this was retaliation... He looks pensive, but he's really just ignoring me and watching the Leaf game... Okay, I can tell this is enough...his pursed lip smile gives it away And the only half decent one of me from the whole trip, lol
OKay, I think this is the last Vancouver-related post. I know that I asked a lot of people where to go and what to see in Vancouver, and most importantly, what to eat! I figured this post may help a few people doing some sight-seeing in Van-City as well! Now, I am in no way an expert, I was only there a week, and there were a lot of things we didn't do, that we'll definitely go back to do! Where To Go/What To DoWhat We Did- Visit Stanley Park - you can walk/blade/bike along the water the entire way around it, or through the hiking trails in the middle (there are so many and different sights on each one, mostly of green tall trees and random wildlife and crunching of sticks making you think there is a bear, but it's really just a mountain biker almost running you over for the third time), visit Prospect Point at the far end (would be nice at sunrise, but the sun sets in the opposite direction at night, which was a let-down...damn Earth's rotation), and it's the location of the aquarium as well (see below). Best part is that it's free - and you can walk there if you are downtown.
- Go to the Vancouver Aquarium - a MUST! Lots of animals and things to do and pictures to take! There are outdoor and indoor parts, and it's a lot bigger than it seems. Matt recommends the otters and I like the rays. They do a dophin show and beluga show (which isn't nearly as graceful - be warned - you may get wet when they attempt to jump) outside. It's about $20 each for adults.
- Walk along the Coal Harbour Waterfront - see the millions of condos in the city, yatchs, seafood restaurants. Towards the east end there is also the Olympic flame and the Douglas Coupland Orca (I guess this is more downtown than Coal Harbour).
- Go to Granville Island - open shops and marketplace (like St.Lawrence) and galleries. We went there on a Saturday morning - great place to grab breakfast or shop for lunch/dinner. It is off of the south waterfront. You can take an aquabus across or a bus - either way it will cost adults about $5 return. I still say you could swim it...but the water would be quite contaminated with all the boats, so you could turn into The Hulk after being in it - it's at your own risk - some people can't pull off green.
- Walk around Gastown on a Sunday Morning - beautiful cobblestone, lamplights, restaurants & cafes, bars, shops, and pretty coloured buildings. Following the north waterfront east will get you here. I had a hard time because there is water on both sides, and I always think south when I think water, so I kept getting my directions messed up when I explained to Matt where I went...oh well, I found everything fine! Although be careful in Gastown, if you walk too far east, you may end up in a very sketchy part of town "East Hastings" and on Sundays you can see the hobo swap meet we discovered.
- Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery - they have the Emily Carr exhibit all the time as well as their general collection, plus two floors of featured exhibits. I saw a "Light's Out" exhibit of the 60's, which reminded me a lot of Mad Men - a lot of abstract, colourful art. I also saw "Beat Nation" which is a First Nations take on music and culture. I didn't love this one as much - just wasn't my style.
- Go Shopping Along Robson & Burrard - Robson has shops similar to Queen Street downtown (a mix of unique stores and chain stores), and Burrard is like Bloor Street (boutique, high-end shops). There are also a lot of nice restaurants along Burrard. For more shopping, there is the Pacific Center if you head East along Robson and a bit north. If you walk too far along to mall you will end up in Holt Renfrew with no notice - you may have a strong desire to spend money so be warned!
What We Didn't Do but Wanted To- Walk around Yaletown - sort of like King West - trendy lofts, restaurants, bars.
- Go to Science World - for all science geeks - it was March Break, though, and I could only stand so many kids...but SCIENCE!
- Go to Grouse Mountain - want to do the Grouse Grind in the summer when we go back - hiking trails, skiing in the winter, and a great view from the top
- See the Spanbridge & Park - bridge, park, walking amongst the trees
- Walk Along Granville Street (over the bridge) - I noticed this to and from the airport - right near the really nice houses there is a little Queen Street East section with lots of shops
Granville Island Stanley Park Gastown Art Gallery Aquarium Robson & Burrard - shopping! Where to EatCoffee & Breakfast- Cafe Artigiano - Hornby Street - Matt's favourite in this over-caffeinated city, plus they make pretty designs in your hot chocolate!
- Coffee Bar - Water Street - in Gastown - great place to relax with a drink and a peanut butter cookie
- Cafe Crepe - Robson Street - there is one on Queen in Toronto too - mmm savoury and sweet crepes!
- Bellagio Cafe - Hornby Street - great for a $9.99 breakfast before a big day of sightseeing!
- Blendz, JJ Beans, Starbucks - and about 20 more coffee places on every corner - you will not go without.
- Cupcakes - Thurlow Street - the "cupcake girls" shop - it's a franchise so there are a few around Vancouver, but they are pretty good, although I don't think they use buttercream icing, which disappointed me.
Lunch & Dinner- Meat & Bread - Cambie Street in Gastown - AMAZING porchetta sandwich, plus others as well - great service and always packed. I wish we had gone earlier in the week so we could have gone again. Note it is only open Monday-Saturday.
- Steamworks Brewery - Water Street in Gastown- had great food and beer here - good for a large group of people too because there is the main restaurant and bar, a lounge area, pool table area, and cool basement brewery area near the kitchens to sit and eat/drink. Plus they have a private room for parties.
- L'Abattoire - Carrall Street in Gastown - amazing French food in a trendy loft-style building. All the staff work together - we had many different people at our table serving and pouring. A bit on the expensive side and small (but perfect-sized for the food) portions, but really delectable food!
- Cardero's - Coal Harbour Quay - incredible mussels (never had them before!), great live entertainment (he did our wedding song), and good atmosphere. Our server seemed like she had memorized every menu and handbook (a bit stiff and recited), but she was friendly and helpful. They have a "$10 mussels, fries and beer" Monday-Thursday after work until 6 as well.
- Kintaro Ramen - Denman Street - small, basic, quick, but really good noodles for an afternoon lunch! Never actually been anywhere to get ramen noodles, but they were good - have a choice of fatty or lean pork, and light, medium, or rich sauce. I had miso and Matt had some sort of spicy garlic.
- Bin 941 - Davie Street just East of the Davie Village - went here on my birthday - it's tapas, they had great wine, brought us a free starter, and amazing food, and just SO GOOD - highly recommended! It is very small, so I suggest going on a weekday, because it was pretty busy on a Tuesday, ,and I can't even imagine a Saturday night.
- Boulangerie Cafe - Burrard Street - good for a quick bite - very fresh sandwiches. You can't eat them inside, but there are little cafe tables outside or you can take them to go.
Upstairs Dining Room at L'Abattoire
(google image) Bin 941
(google image) Coffee Bar
(google image) Cafe Artigiano Mussels from Cardero's Original Cupcakes ("The Cupcake Girls" Shop) Baguette from Cafe Boulangerie Banana-Chocolate Crepe from Cafe Crepe Famous Porchetta Sandwich from Meat & Bread Great beer from Steamworks Brewery
So I got my new camera on the morning of March 14th, and here are some pictures that I took. I couldn't take it everywhere, so there aren't nearly as many pictures from the second half, except at the aquarium! Well that's not true - there are WAY more pictures, but there are at least 3 versions of the same picture...I did a lot of playing around with all the settings! I'll put up what I think is the "best" shot. Day 6: The first picture I took - my delicious coconut cupcake.
I remember filling out a blog comment earlier this year to win an SLR, and they asked what the first picture you would take would be. Of course I wrote "Matt" but he wasn't around so the cupcake was the next most wonderful thing! Day 7: Decided to take the camera out on the town - went down to the water to start. Canada Place - thought it was a sports arena, but it's more like a convention center On the way to Gas Town It's so much busier on a weekday than an early weekend morning Steamy clock - people LOVED staring at this thing! More pretty coloured buildings... ...and more... Obviously it has just rained for about 10 minutes...typical... The other side said "don't talk to strangers"...then "you might fall in love" - made me laugh. Matt read a review from a chef that said this place (Meat & Bread) was great...didn't go in, but obviously it is! Washed out pretty cathedral Office building that reminded me of the Colesium in Rome Fairmont Vancouver - very eerie skies - time to head home! 5 seconds later the sun came out over the gallery (which I had gone to the previous day) Mmmm Boulangerie baquette! It was so pretty I almost didn't eat it...then I did...so worth it. Birthday roses in bloom (Matt told me yesterday they were still going strong over 2 weeks later!) Day # 8 - Matt had the day off, so breakfast at Cafe Crepe Got some love at Cafe Artigiano Out headed back to Stanley Park - on the way stopped to see the lego-like Orca by Douglas Coupland This week was unseasonably cold in Vancouver, while it was extremely warm in Toronto - but the flowers are still out! At the aquarium - hello dolphins!
These are pacific white-sided dolphins - a bit different than bottlenose - smaller and darker Otters are Matt's favourite - this one was hamming it up for the camera Anemones chilling... Beluga doing the backstroke Many little Nemo clownfish Despite the glass, this camera is impressing me! I think my brother had a ton of these fish when he was younger... Lonely fish Super lonely fish hanging out in the dark Hello, Ray! Shark - living with rays and turtles...all was at peace - now why can't we figure it out? There was an amazon section with non-aquatic animals These birds were wandering around everywhere! Crazy to think that all of this is in the waters around Vancouver! Squid...Octopus? Either way 10 seconds later as I was adjusting my camera he was suctioned up against the glass at my face - scared me to death...the glare of the glass prevented any good pictures of that... They just went around and around and around and around all day... Jellyfish - so graceful! Bigger jellies! Oops...this one was a saturation over-do...oh well - still cool! Rare day when you could see the water to the north-east of the condo Day # 9 - spent the morning at Banana Republic where it was 50% off - Matt got a new grey suit!
It was St. Patty's Day, so headed to Gas Town and to "Bread and Meat"
Here's the porchetta sandwich - they are well known for this, and it was so GOOD! Classic grilled cheese, but with cheese baked into the bread and aged cheddar They are working hard - by far the best lunch place in the city!!! After a late lunch, headed to Steamworks for a drink and to watch the Leaf game I guess Matt decided he was sick of having his picture taken (post about this to come) Artsy picture of beer... This looked great on the exposed brick Typical Vancouver...sunny in one part, cloudy in another... Last view of the city before heading back home the next morning - sun starting to set on the Fairmont
Did some sorting through some of the pictures we took during the first half - from March 9th up until March 13th - my birthday! The other half will be the SLR pictures, which I haven't sorted through yet - there are a LOT! Some of these I may have already posted, but now they are edited - but honestly, they really didn't need much at all - it is so GREEN there and all the colours pop against the grey cloudy skies! Day # 1 - After a delayed, long flight (long for me anyway), I arrived to Spring tulips Living room in the condo Bedroom - also surprised Matt with 2 new dress shirts View from the bedroom to the East - Fairmont Vancouver View from the living room to the South - Robson street is just below Day # 2 - starting it out right with a hot chocolate from Cafe Artigiano on Burrard - Matt's fav of all the coffee places Headed to Granville Island - view of the city from the Island...which I don't think is actually an island at all...on the map it has land attached to it on one side...wouldn't that be a peninsula? Regardless, that little aquabus for 2 people both ways cost $11 - it took 1 minute to get there. I could have swam it in 2 minutes...Matt's reply was "go ahead"... View of Granville - lots of different galleries and shops There are a LOT of boats around the island - who wants to buy a yatch? The market - think St.Lawrence. Got a peanut butter cookie and wandered around - ended up getting some great brie and some proscuitto for dinner Us...Granville...enough said! On the way back I noticed that a lot of the sidewalks have leaf imprints - I like it! Now heading to Stanley Park along the waterfront - there are a LOT of condos! Hello Lord Stanley! Giant tree, green backdrop - there are a lot of these pictures to come... Matt, mountains = good photo op! Is it a crane? A heron? Either way it just sat there unmoving for about 10 minutes! Went for dinner at Cardero's and tried mussels - yum! In a coconut curry cream sauce = so good! Me with my delicious lamb! Day # 3 - Taking a stroll in Gastown So pretty - hard to believe it's so shady about 2 minutes away from here! Day # 4 - didn't really take any pictures because I went to the gym and then to see "The Vow" by myself, lol
Our dinner - some tapas antipasto type stuff - prosciutto, arugula, walnuts, brie with jam and rainforest crackers, bread with oil & vinegar, apples, and hummus...and of course, wine! Day # 5 - Happy Birthday to MEEEEE!!!!
Yes - Twilight - I get one every year on my brithday! More flowers! Went to The Cupcake Girls shop - nutella, cookies and cream, red velvet, sweet 16, coconut, irish cream Knowing dinner was going to be good with a lot of wine and cupcakes, a hike to Stanley Park was in order Ducks! Artsy gaze at beaker lake Wood ducks! Beaver pond - no beavers, though... More gazing at nature - it's like I'm in Forks... At the top of Prospect Point The sun is setting...it got really cold on the long walk back... More selfies! Matt being Ted Mosby about his knowledge of Stanley Park trails Landscape... True Forks photography right here! TIme to make a wish...dammit I forgot make a wish that day... Picked the "Sweet 16" cupcake...I could pass...right? Mmmmm....delicious! Last picture I took? The one of my new DSLR!!!
Up next? All those other million pictures, and a post about places to eat and see if you are in Vancouver.
More Observations:
1. Everyone is so freaking nice! Anyone in the service industry is incredibly helpful and friendly - it's amazing!
2. The Weather Network means NOTHING here - even though we may get 50+ mm of rain, it may only rain for an hour, lol. It goes from rain to snow to sun every hour, so you never know.
3. Everyone is heavily caffeinated - there are SO many different coffee shops on every corner!
So my last post was Monday, and then on Tuesday it was my birthday! Met Matt for lunch, went shopping along Robson and at the Pacific Centre - got some stuff from Lulu (black wonder unders, a blue and white striped cool racerback, and a grey and white sports bra), Aldo (cappucino brown leather boots - end of season sale!), and Jacob (a black and white dress, perhaps to wear to an upcoming wedding!). Went to Cupcakes and grabbed some sweet treats and Starbucks, and relaxed for a bit. When Matt got home we did a pretty intense 2-hour hike through Stanley Park to Prospect Point, and then came back and went out to dinner at Bin 941, an amazing tapas place. All in all, a great birthday.
Wednesday it was raining pretty hard, so I slept in, went to the Vancouver Art Gallery for a few hours - great 60's abstract exhibit - reminded me of Mad Men, and some nice Emily Carr work as well, did some window shopping at all the expensive stores, including Tiffany (where I got all my jewelry cleaned while I wandered), met Matt for a drink at Cafe Artigiano (his fav coffee place of 500), and went for a dinner to The Keg.
Today it was SUNNY and WARM (12!), so I took the new camera (oh yes, my DSLR arrived and it is wonderful - more on this later), and went back to Gas Town and took more pictures, and just wandered around the whole city taking pictures. Got a good sandwich at the Cafe Boulangerie, and then it started raining so I went back inside and ate a cupcake. Going to the gym in a bit to make up for that, and then we are going to Sushi Mart for dinner (supposedly Matt says it's amazing and cheap sushi), and maybe a movie - Friends with Kids.
Tomorrow Matt has the day off so we are going to go the Aquarium and wander the beaches of Stanley Park if it's not raining too much. Saturday we are either going to stay local and go up to Grouse Mountain, but we also might go out on the water and head to Victoria - any suggestions? Leaving Sunday, so only 2.5 days left! Great trip so far, though! :)
These photos are from my point-and-shoot camera, and not edited at all since Matt doesn't have the software and it takes forever to upload things as it is. I'll upload my new camera photos and edit things once I am back home. Cafe Artigiano - pretty flower hot chocolate Just off the little boat to Granville Island Heading to Stanley Park - green, mountains, water - so pretty! Mussels from Cardero's! Yum - I like them (mom, aren't you proud of me for trying them?) Gas Town in the early morning Birthday flowers from Matt Cupcakes! Top row: nutella, cookies and cream, red velvet. Bottom row: sweet 16, coconut, irish cream It looks like Forks...so green - now if only I could find a vampire love... Prospect Point - the view is better the other way, but with the sun there, we had no choice but a view of the suspension bridge...yay engineering! Matt really wanted me to take a picture of this tree in Stanley Park, so I did, but when I turned around I realized it was because he had to pee in the bushes and didn't want me to know, lol. "Sweet 16" birthday cupcake (wow this photo really needs some editing...) Ohhhh sweet Canon love...
No pictures yet, because the internet connection isn't great, and it will take a while to upload them to the blog. But - I wanted everyone to know that I am here, feeling a LOT better than last week, and enjoying the city. Got here Friday afternoon and I was wiped from flying (which I hate), and still recovering from last week, so I napped and we relaxed at his hotel/condo. Saturday we did Granville Island and walked around a small portion of Stanley Park, and went out to dinner at Cardero's by the water (so good). Sunday we went to Gas Town (so pretty) and did a LOT of walking around. Today Matt is at work, and I am debating on whether to go to the Art Gallery, or see "The Vow", lol. It is rainy, as usual, but there are crazy wind gusts. They are both the same distance from the condo, so we'll see how I feel in about an hour because I just got back from the little teeny gym in his building.
Observations So Far:
1. It is VERY green.
2. I need rain boots, specifically dark purple Hunter boots if I have my way.
3. It is much more laid back here - people dress more relaxed, walk slower, and enjoy their time eating at restaurants - I love it!
4. It is always raining a tiny bit, so I have busted out the curly hair - gave up on straightening it, but NO ONE has curly hair here...it is weird. Everyone's is dead straight.
5. It is a lot like Toronto, with a LOT more condos, at least downtown.
6. Everyone runs or rides bikes and everyone seems like they are in shape. Also, there is a lot of organic food places.
7. As in Toronto, high end places are just beside low end. Wandered around Gas Town and ended up in the middle of some sort of hobo swap meet on the street...it was weird.
More ramblings tomorrow.....on my BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Perfect time to get some pictures taken by incredible photographer ( and my cousin) - Joni Allardyce!
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