Vancouver: Yaletown
My 3 weeks in Vancouver came and went with the bat of an eye. It was a life of absolute bliss, even though I was working in my second office (4/F, Vancouver Public Library) every day. My days were simple. I would get up around 7:30am and head for a walk along the seawall.
The seawall is incredibly well-designed and user-friendly. I love the fact that it has separate lanes for pedestrians and those who travel faster, whether it be by rollerblades, skateboards or bikes. This is how all city-planning should be -- putting the user's interests first and anticipating their needs.
An hour later, I would pick-up a copy of the New York Times and then head to cito espresso for my usual medio skim latte and toasted multi-grain bagel with cream cheese. It got to the point where the servers new my order and I knew the exact change to bring along: C$6.05. Then, I'd head to work around 10am (that's when the library opens). The fourth floor is where you get the best wifi signal, and early in the morning, it's easy to get a desk with an outlet.
On some days, I'd take a lunch break and head to Jimmy's Taphouse (they're really accommodating here) across the street or back towards Yaletown where Yaletown Brewery is a favourite. Their hand-pulled pork sandwich is mouth-wateringly good! While I was there, the Canada Line (a new rail line running from the Airport to the Waterfront and Richmond, scheduled to be operational in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics) construction had parts of Davie closed to traffic, but it didn't cause too much inconveniece, especially since I was a pedestrian. But for those who may be thinking of staying at Opus Hotel, best to stay away until the beginning of next year when the construction moves down towards Marinaside Crescent.
Some days, my lunch break would entail a pilates lesson with Marta Hernandez at The Space. She has a great studio here with a separate sections for yoga and the equipment-based pilates and gyrotonic. Very convenient too, just 2 blocks from the library, in Yaletown. On Wednesday mornings, Marta actually hosts a pilates show on TV.
One of my favourite Sunday activities (aside from reading the Sunday NYTimes) is walking (but it's easy to bike it as well, just rent a bike from the Reckless bike shop on Marinaside Crescent, next to cito espresso)
along the seawall, past English Bay and all around the 9km Stanley Park Seawall. A great stop for a pre-walk brunch or a post-walk drink while you watch the sunset is the Sequoia Grill.
Another great dinner stop along the seawall, back towards Yaletown, is C restaurant. They're a great contemporary French-style, seafood-focused restaurant.
Two restaurants that I regret not taking time out to go to are Lumiere and Villa del Lupo. Both were on TB's list of must-go restaurants, but the laid-back life of Yaletown got the better of me, and I spent most days shopping for dinner from Urban Fare, just across the street. I practically shopped there once a day!
Of course, there's a lot more to Vancouver to Yaletown. But I managed for 3 weeks not to venture beyond Yaletown and I was perfectly happy!
The seawall is incredibly well-designed and user-friendly. I love the fact that it has separate lanes for pedestrians and those who travel faster, whether it be by rollerblades, skateboards or bikes. This is how all city-planning should be -- putting the user's interests first and anticipating their needs.
An hour later, I would pick-up a copy of the New York Times and then head to cito espresso for my usual medio skim latte and toasted multi-grain bagel with cream cheese. It got to the point where the servers new my order and I knew the exact change to bring along: C$6.05. Then, I'd head to work around 10am (that's when the library opens). The fourth floor is where you get the best wifi signal, and early in the morning, it's easy to get a desk with an outlet.
On some days, I'd take a lunch break and head to Jimmy's Taphouse (they're really accommodating here) across the street or back towards Yaletown where Yaletown Brewery is a favourite. Their hand-pulled pork sandwich is mouth-wateringly good! While I was there, the Canada Line (a new rail line running from the Airport to the Waterfront and Richmond, scheduled to be operational in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics) construction had parts of Davie closed to traffic, but it didn't cause too much inconveniece, especially since I was a pedestrian. But for those who may be thinking of staying at Opus Hotel, best to stay away until the beginning of next year when the construction moves down towards Marinaside Crescent.
Some days, my lunch break would entail a pilates lesson with Marta Hernandez at The Space. She has a great studio here with a separate sections for yoga and the equipment-based pilates and gyrotonic. Very convenient too, just 2 blocks from the library, in Yaletown. On Wednesday mornings, Marta actually hosts a pilates show on TV.
One of my favourite Sunday activities (aside from reading the Sunday NYTimes) is walking (but it's easy to bike it as well, just rent a bike from the Reckless bike shop on Marinaside Crescent, next to cito espresso)
along the seawall, past English Bay and all around the 9km Stanley Park Seawall. A great stop for a pre-walk brunch or a post-walk drink while you watch the sunset is the Sequoia Grill.
Another great dinner stop along the seawall, back towards Yaletown, is C restaurant. They're a great contemporary French-style, seafood-focused restaurant.
Two restaurants that I regret not taking time out to go to are Lumiere and Villa del Lupo. Both were on TB's list of must-go restaurants, but the laid-back life of Yaletown got the better of me, and I spent most days shopping for dinner from Urban Fare, just across the street. I practically shopped there once a day!
Of course, there's a lot more to Vancouver to Yaletown. But I managed for 3 weeks not to venture beyond Yaletown and I was perfectly happy!
Labels: Canada, hotels, restaurants, services, Vancouver
posted by 10000miles at 10:29
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