Tag: review

Vancouver, BC

Place 72 – Day 111: Vancouver, BC – Ice Skating & Lion King

Kim & Curtis Hale

Ice Skating

We got up at 11:00, which was a great sleep in for us.We had breakfast and then got ready for the day.Curtis wanted to go ice skating to test the ice skates he bought before the hockey season starts just to see if they fit right, he can skate in them etc.We took the car for its first drive, driving out to the Botany 8-Rinks arena which took us about 25 minutes. The car drives great and we didn’t crash, which is a positive.We got to the rink and paid just $5 each for 1.5 hours of skating as well as $3 for some skates for Kim.The arena has 8 rinks, surprisingly, and we were on the figure skating rink. There weren’t too many people there and we were able to get our skating on!

We had a really good time but only did about an hour as we got a bit tired. Curtis’ skates are a little stiff, which is expected with higher end skates, but he was able to skate really well in them, so he is hoping they will work great when the season starts.

Coffee & Shopping

We drove from the rink to Metropolis, just 10 minutes down the road.We parked in the free underground parking and then went in and headed right to Starbucks.We each got a caramel iced latte and just sat and relaxed for a bit.After that, we bought cinema tickets for the Lion King and then went to a few shops before the film started.Kim needed to get some items for exercise, so we found some of those which was successful.

The Lion King

We got into the cinema just in time for the trailers and then watched the Lion King.We thought the animation of the film was amazing and it was quite funny at points, but Kim wasn’t too happy that they missed some parts out!

The Lion King

Our Rating:- 8/10

We Lost The Car!

We left the cinema and wanted to head home.The only problem was, we couldn’t find the car!We walked around for a while and eventually found it. We swear it was a maze in that carpark.We drove back home and we were actually very tired. We weren’t meant to do anything today and were out for 7 hours!Kim walked up to Canadian Tire to get some supplies and then when she came back, we watched some TV.Weirdly, neither of us were that hungry, but we did have snacks at the cinema. Therefore, Curtis had some toast and Kim had a pop tart.Tomorrow, we REALLY plan to do nothing.

This Time Last Year!

Mr & Mrs Hale

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Vancouver, BC

Place 72 – Day 8: Vancouver,BC – A Relaxed Wander

Kim & Curtis Hale

Late, Relaxed, Awakening

Our friend Brody, who went with us to the leafs game yesterday, stayed over at the apartment we ate staying at.

We all woke up around 10:30 and we were all incredibly tired and a little dehydrated, mostly due to all the shouting at the hockey game!

We knocked back a few glasses of water and chatted and before we knew it, it was 12:00 and Brody had to leave to visit some family elsewhere in Vancouver.

Breakfast

When Brody left, we had the remainder of our cereal and watched some YouTube videos.

We eventually got ready and went for a bit of a walk.

‘Beach’Walk

It was meant to be cold today, but we felt our was actually quite warm.

We walked down to a ‘beach’ (they call it a beach, but it isn’t really one) and walked for a while, just chatting and watching people. The view was pretty stunning!

We walked back towards the apartment and remembered we still haven’t tried a certain coffee shop, so we had to go and try the cappuccino there!

Waves Coffee

We were welcomed into Waves coffee and it was a great environment. We each got a cappuccino and sat down, people watching.

The coffee was great! Perfectly strong and nice, fluffy milk. The staff were very nice, too.

Waves Coffee | Vancouver, BC

Rating:- 8.7/10

Spaghetti Alfredo

We went to the shop and got a few things, but mainly some chicken and sauce for dinner.

We got back and Kim made spaghetti alfredo with chicken and it was delicious! There was a lot of food there but we were both hungry so we polished that off.

Evening

We spent the evening watching YouTube videos and TV shows.

We leave Vancouver tomorrow and we are on a bus for a few hours, so we need to get some sleep, though our bus isn’t until 13:30.

This Time Last Year!

Mr & Mrs Hale

Vancouver, BC

Place 72 – Day 5: Vancouver, BC – Gastown & Steam Clock

Kim & Curtis Hale

Gastown

We walked down to Gastown today.

Gastown is an old town area with Victorian-style buildings.

This area was just a 30 minute walk from our apartment.

Unfortunately, we had to walk again as the elevators are still not working!

There isn’t really anything to do, as such, but it’s a great place to wamder around and peruse the architecture.

‘Gassy Jack’ – The founder of Gastown – From Hull, England

Coffee

In Gastown, there are many ‘hipster’ coffee shops to visit, so we had to give one a go.

The first we went to didn’t do a normal sized cappucino, only a small (again, for some reason!), so we moved on.

We almost didn’t bother, but then find a place called Buro.

The service wasn’t great, but when our drinks were presented to us, they looked phenomenal!

Unfortunely, that was where the amazement stopped.

Curtis’ cappuccino had an odd taste and Kim’s hot chocolate even more so.

We were not impressed, and it was expensive!

Buro | Vancouver, BC

Rating:- 3.5/10

Steam Clock

The main attraction of this area is the steam clock.

One of just 3 in the world, this clock is ran by steam, but also had a special feature;

As seen in the video (ignore the man), the clock strikes and puffs out steam, making it make chime sounds! A prettu awesome invention. More people should have these in their homes.

Pizza!

We came home and watched some TV and then Curtis had hockey to watch.

We ordered pizza after the 2nd intermission, from Domino’s, and Kim went to collect it.

Whilst she was out, Curtis greeted the host of our apartment who was dropping off some spare bed sheets and a towel for our special guest on Wednesday!

We ate our pizza – Curtis’ was tasty but Kim’s wasn’t great – and watched more TV.

Black Mirror

We ended the night with some more black mirror. We still aren’t sure what’s going on, but it’s good.

This Time Last Year!

Mr & Mrs Hale

Vancouver, BC

Place 72 – Day 4: Vancouver, BC – Downtown Vancouver & Broken Elevator

Kim & Curtis Hale

Exploring Downtown

We got ready in the morning, watched a YouTube video as per usual, had some breakfast and got showered.

After that, we headed out to downtown Vancouver to see what it’s all about.

We got downtown and really just walked. The mountains can even be seen from the city centre, which is really cool!

We looked at a few shops, went into some, but mostly just walked for a couple of hours, figuring out where things are, what shops there are etc.

Kim went into Lush to browse around and then we stopped for a coffee.

Blenz Coffee

We saw a Blenz Coffee, which is a chain we have been meaning to try for a while.

Firstly, when we went in, we saw the price which was much more expensive than other coffee shops.

Secondly, the staff were not very attentive and weren’t really listening during the order.

Kim got a hot chocolate and Curtis a cappucino and we sat and people-watched whilst we drank them.

Unfortunely, the cappucino didn’t really have any flavour and the hot chocolate was ‘just ok’.

Not sure we’ll be eager to visit any time soon.

Blenz Coffee | Vancouver, BC

Rating:- 4/10

Evening

We walked back to the apartment via the supermarket. For dinner, we had chicken strips with smiley face potatoes and a side of ceasar salad…a very odd dinner but a childhood favourite!

We got back, did some laundry and relaxed before we had dinner.

Broken Elevator

Before we got back to the room, though, we had to wait a while as all elevators weren’t working and we didn’t have an extra key to be able to walk up the stairs to our floor!

We had to call the host to come and bring us the key and let us in…all fun times!

We watched some YouTube videos whilst we ate and then for the rest of the evening, we started watching Black Mirror which is odd but interesting.

This Time Last Year!

Mr & Mrs Hale

Victoria,BC

Place 70 – Day 23: Victoria, BC – Last Day In Victoria

Kim & Curtis Hale

Breakfast Additions

Curtis really wanted to have fried eggs with breakfast, so he ordered some as soon as he got downstairs. He then got some sausages and bacon as well as fruit and a cinnamon swirl.

After breakfast, we got showered and then Kim spoke with her dad as it was his birthday.

Good Deed

We went out for a walk and when we went we took the (heated up) sweet & sour pork that we didn’t eat. We took that as well as a for and napkins and found a homeless person to give it to. It was only going to go to waste so had to make sure it found a good home.

The Empress Hotel

We went for a walk around The Empress hotel.

This hotel was built a long time ago and neither of us had ever gone inside it, so it was worth a look.

We went in and saw the reception dog and then walked around the various shops and dining areas.

The Staircase
The Entrance

We left via the conference centre and back onto the street in search of coffee.

An Old Royal Mail Post Box

Victoria Conference Centre

Victoria Conference Centre

More Information About The Empress Hotel

Good Coffee

We had seen a nice looking coffee shop a few times so we decided we had to give it a go.

We each got a cappuccino and they had a lot of foam and good flavoured espresso, too!

The coffees were delicious and we would highly recommend the place.

Milano Coffee | Victoria, BC

Rating:- 9.5/10

TV & Hockey

We got back and warmed up a bit whilst watching some TV.

we ate the rest of the Korean fried chicken whilst watching, too.

Curtis watched hockey at 16:00 and then Kim walked to get Linda.

Kim and Linda came back to our hotel for a bit and then we went for dinner.

Dinner

We only went across the road to a place named Browns Social House.

This place is like a sports bar and a restaurant.

Curtis had chicken pasta and Kim had a pizza. Both were equally as good as each other.

Browns Social House | Victoria, BC

Rating:- 8/10

Packing

We walked Linda back and then came back to the hotel to pack as we leave here tomorrow on a bus and then a ferry!

Chocolate Poutine

We rewarded ourselves for packing with chocolate poutine. We had it with brownie bits, too, as well as a hot chocolate.

Late Evening

We watched more TV and then went to bed. We are up early tomorrow for a morning of travel!

This Time Last Year!

Mr & Mrs Hale