Category Archives: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Olympic Fun- Day 10

22 Monday Feb 2010

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I think every Canadian Hockey fan had been waiting for this day since the Olympics schedule was announced. Super Sunday. Russia vs Czechs. Canada vs USA and Sweden vs Finland. We got downtown at about 2pm thinking that was plenty of time to get in somewhere to watch the game. Downtown was nuts. Huge line ups at pretty much every bar and restaurant. We thankfully got into Kinsgton Taphouse and Grille after about an hour wait but it was touch and go there for a bit.

Kingston Taphouse & Grille

The excitement could be felt throughout the bar. People were super stoked for this game. Too bad the result was not what we wanted. Miller was on fire in goal for the US and really we are still not playing that well as a team. With the loss, we now have to play tomorrow against Germany. A must win in order to move on to the quarter finals.

Sue, Rey, Arlana and me. (Before the loss)

After the game, we walked down to Canada Hockey Place as we had tickets to the Sweden vs Finland game. Our tickets were for a suite on the 500 level. Pretty stellar view of the game.

The suite.

Sweden dominated the game and it ended up being a shut out for Sweden. 3-0.

Sweden’s goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, stopped 32 shots for a shut out.

A huge day of hockey with not the results Canadians were wanting. Gold is 4 wins away. We can so do this!

Olympic Fun- Day 9

21 Sunday Feb 2010

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Today I made my first attempt at going to Heineken House. We waited in line for an hour, when we were told it was shut down for the night. I guess they were at capacity and only letting in people with accreditation or passports. I think I will have to try on a day when there are no medal hopefuls!!

Heineken House

We did manage to see Pat Quinn though which was very cool. He was dropping the puck on a street hockey game at the Richmond Oval. He seemed to be in good spirits despite coaching the always losing Edmonton Oilers!

Pat Quinn

We headed back downtown in hopes of getting into Ontario House not realizing that Broken Social Scene was playing that night so we decided to try Quebec House instead. There was a short line up but we didn’t have to wait long. There is really not much in the open roofed square house but a stage and a food/drink area. We were lucky enough to grab a table which thrilled me as I had been on my feet all day.

When the band came on we were blown away. The Lost Fingers are a jazz trio  from Quebec that haved created amazing arrangements of some classic hits. They made my night. What a wonderful surprise!

Sue, Catherine and me with The Lost Fingers, Byron Mikaloff

We then went to Rodney’s Oyster House for one last cocktail before heading home. We walked through Yaletown to get there and once again I was amazed by the amount of people. It is just crazy downtown at night right now. But the vibe is great. Everyone seems like they are just out to have a great time. And why not? We might as well all enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

Olympic Fun- Day 8

20 Saturday Feb 2010

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Day 8 was a busy one. As Coke is one of our partners, we were invited for a tour of the Coke house before it opened to the public. Wow, are the people who work there ever a bundle of happiness…. constantly reminding us to “Open Happiness”. It was a lot of fun. We were able to get our pictures taken with the torch and there were a lot of interactive games. And of course, the Coke polar bear which we took pictures with.

Laughing with the Coke bear.

We were then brought to the VIP area where we had some lunch and people watched from above. Their patio has a great view of the Livecity stage. It would be an amazing place to watch some of the shows.

Coke VIP Lounge

We also had an opportunity to go see Sochi House again and were able to bypass the line. Thank goodness because the lineup looked hours long. I had already been to Sochi House so we had a quick tour and then made our way back to Yaletown for lunch.

Nothing like a spring day in Vancouver. Ok, I know it is supposed to be the “winter” Olympics and all but I love this weather!

The passes that we had to get into the Livecity Yaletown site also worked for the Downtown site so we used them to go see Canada House and get our pictures taken with the torch again and a bobsled! Pretty sure Canada House isn’t worth the 10 million they spent on it, but it was good to check out all the same.

Lisa, Cathy and I working the bobsled.

We also checked out Manitoba House. Not much to see in there.

I then met up with Brandon who showed up in a vintage 80’s Canada track suit…. only a very special few can pull that off!

Brandon stretching.

After a beer with Brandon, it was off to meet Susan back at the Livecity Downtown site where we again were able to get in through the guest entrance (pretty much the best thing ever). They told us that the Stanley Cup was in Canada House and you could get your picture taken with it. Having my picture taken with the Stanley Cup is on my Bucket list so of course we lined up to get a picture. I was like a kid in a candy store. So excited I could hardly stand it!

Well I can tick this one off the Bucket List!!

We went for a drink in the beer garden after our cup pictures were taken and watched as Jon Montgomery won the Gold in Skeleton. That sport is just ridiculous. Going head first at speeds like that seems insane to me but what an exciting win!

I decided to walk home since it was such a nice night. I had forgotten that Deadmau5 was playing at Livecity Yaletown so I thought I would walk by it on my way. I forgot that I still had my pass, so just as an experiment, I went to the guest entrance and walked right in. Sweet!

Deadmau5

Listened to half the set and went on my way. It was a bit chaotic outside the gates, so I was glad to have left when I did. I walked over the Burrard Street Bridge and had another great view of the Vectoral Elevation. Seeing that was a perfect end to what was a very long day!

Vectoral elevation