What to Do in Vancouver?

Welcome back again – our “What to Do on the weekend” series continues with the “What to Do in Vancouver” edition – as always things are a little bit different 🙂
To give you a first impression of what to expect in beautiful Canada I have compiled a collection of the “must do’s” in and around Vancouver.
For now we’ll have a closer look at the typical and highly recommended tourist attractions in Downtown Vancouver.

Gastown: a historic and beautiful place to enjoy your day and eat nice food. My recommendation is Peckinpah as they have nice burgers, and this location is a really cool place in the middle of Gastown. If you like to have a coffee with friends in one of the many cute cafés try the Nutella latte, it’s so delicious. Also really famous is the Old Spaghetti Factory – you can try one (or even two 😉 ) of the famous pastas.
Additionally, there are a lot of pubs where under normal circumstances the INTERNeX pubnights take place. Every pub has their own specials such as a bingo night where you can win prices like alcohol for free 🙂 You also have lots of possibilities for window shopping and of course to buy souvenirs for friends and family.
Have a look at the steam clock, a famous landmark. Every hour this clock plays a sound and shoots steam. It’s also a nice place for taking typical tourist pictures.

Vancouver Lookout: This attraction is just a few minutes walk away from Gastown. It’s an observation tower where you have an amazing view over Vancouver, the ocean and the mountains in North Vancouver. I highly recommend going on top of the tower by night to see all the lights of the city.

Next to the tower make a stop at famous Canada Place. A huge building resembling a ship. Sometimes there’s an open air cinema taking place. It is an awesome and of course romantic experience watching a movie outdoors in front of the skyline and the mountains.

Fly over Canada: Do you want to save some money but don’t give up the experience seeing Vancouver (or even other hilarious places on earth) from above? Then this might be a perfect attraction for you. Its an 4D cinema located in the Canada Place. There are huge signs in front of it, I’m sure you’ll find it easily.

Shopping: Additionally, Vancouver downtown has plenty of great places for a shopping trip to offer. Most of the shops are located on Robson street. My personal tip is to visit the shopping mall Pacific Centre, where you might find great special offers and sale articles in a city that, to be honest, is very expensive.

Science World: You may have already spotted the huge globe shown in so many pictures of Vancouver. This is Science World, a science museum with interactive permanent and changing attractions located at the east end of False Creek. It presents plenty of cool science-learning opportunities especially for families, however, people of all ages are welcome.

Vancouver Art Gallery: Since this city has so much to offer and is really open-minded to everyone of course there is something for our art lovers as well. The Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest public art museum in Western Canada presents the work of artists from all over the world.

Watching Hockey at Rogers Arena:
Go Canucks Go! For all the sports freaks 🙂 as you may know Canada is really popular for professional ice hockey. If you get the chance to see a Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena (a huge stadium right in the downtown area), make sure you use it. The feeling of being in the middle of enthusiastic Canadians – especially during the national anthem- is completely overwhelming and so much fun.


Have a nice day 🙂

Cheers,

– Tatjana

INTERNeX International Exchange
2005-689 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 0J2
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

How was your Weekend?

I really hope all of you had a good weekend, despite all the news around COVID-19 and the insecurity that we are all facing at the moment…I know it’s just crazy and as you will see a little further below, this will also affect our events and activities in the near future. At the moment our top priority is to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy.

For me also, it’s really sad since I just started to get know all of you and I was looking so forward to our next Pub Night. But let’s make the best out of it! And as soon as it is possible again, we will meet again for sure! 🙂

In this spirit let’s talk about our Pub Crawl on Saturday which we were still able to do. We met at Waterfront station and from there we made our way to Gastown which is known as a good spot for bars and restaurants.

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Our first stop was “The Lamplighter”. I think it’s a great pub and we started our evening with some drinks and shots.
After about 2 hours we moved on without having another destination in mind. We just wanted to walk around and see which pub attracts us the most. So the “Local” it was.
We continued where we stopped at the Lamplighter – we ordered more drinks (but what else to do at a pub, right ?! :D)

All in all it was a really fun evening and we had a lot to laugh about, even in these gloomy times.
On Saturday we also made spontaneous plans for the next day:
We planned on going to Squamish and hike up the mountain and then take the Sea-to-Sky Gondola back down. We even booked our shuttle to Squamish at the pub. But unfortunately we got disappointed the next morning because the gondola was closed due to high winds. At least we could reschedule our shuttle and we will do it on another time, when it is possible again to mingle with others safely.

Since we were prepared for a longer hike a new plan had to come up. So we went to Lions Bay and did a hike there, where we had some great views. 

We also want to give you some important further information:

Due to the developing situation concerning COVID-19 and our first and foremost goal of prioritizing the safety of our candidates and staff, we will temporarily cancel all of our planned events for the coming weeks. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as the situation changes continuously. 

Additionally we would encourage you to avoid going to any large events or venues with 50+ attendees. In general it is better to stay home, avoid transit or gathering places and if possible see if you can undertake your placement activities from home.

Please keep informing yourself about the current news in Canada and the world: https://www.cbc.ca/, but also on symptoms and measures against the virus on the following government page: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html

We also encourage you to reach out to your insurance organization to ensure you are covered if you choose to remain in Canada and contract the virus. We also ask those whose original departure dates are within the next month to consider contacting your travel agent/airline to check the possibility of departing sooner.

We will stay connected with you online while we go through this challenging time, stay safe and remember: We are always here to help! J

Hope to see you soon again, take care and be safe!

Cheers

-Alina & The INTERNeX Team

 
INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

 

INTERNeX Canada: News/Fun facts – My top 3 in Vancouver!

So my last weekend in Canada has finally arrived.. Therefore I want to write and share my top 3 things to do in Vancouver!!

#1 – Rent/Ride a bike!
Really the coolest way to see this amazing city is by bike. The last 14 weeks I rode over 1000km through the city of Vancouver! The best way to rent bikes is around Stanley Park (Denman/Robson St.) There are lot’s of renting facilities around this street. Normal prices are between 30-40 dollar for one whole day and 20-30 for half a day. Below you can find some companies that I recommend:

The best thing to do is make a tour in and around Stanley Park. You can take the easy seawall to make a round (12km). If you have more time bike the Lion’s Gate Bridge as well!

Last Friday, my very last day riding my bike to the office, I discovered a flat tire! How peculiar? 😉

#2 – Go by ferry to Granville Island MAP
This spot is one of my favorites! The island is easy-going with lot’s of special food and other things to buy. They have an enormous market with more local products then you can imagine! The best way to get there is with the False Creek Ferries! These small boats are sailing all over False Creek. The oneway fee is between $3-5 dollar.. But for this price you get a great view of the harbor, boats and the Yaletown skyline!

#3 – Visit Gastown and all his pubs!
A awesome place for me during my stay in Canada! Because the office is in the middle of Gastown, it was not that hard for me to discover this place.. I was really surprised by the Irish and British culture influence in this area. Most of the pubs and bars are built in this style. Maybe that’s the reason that I like this place so much!

The places I like and recommend in Gastown are: LampLighter Public House, The Black Frog, The Blarney Stone & The Steamclock.

So that’s it. Hope you like my small list. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Cheers,

Jelle

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 9N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

INTERNeX Canada: PuB NiGHT Announcement!

You all thought I was gone, didn’t you? Nah. I’m up for one last pub night…who’s with me?? Tomorrow we will be meeting at the Cambie for our usual pub night! 

This place is known for cheapest beers and food in town! Got off work just before and you’re starving? Don’t worry, this place has got everything you’ll need to sit back and relax after a long day! This place brings around all different kinds of people, travelers as well as locals who are all looking for beer and tasty food -a great hangout place!

 

Where: Cambie Bar and Grill, 300 Cambie St Vancouver

When: Tomorrow Wednesday April 17th 7:00 pm

Lastly, please bring your passports and a second piece of ID! Drink responsibly 😉 

Cheers,

Flora

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200-211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

INTERNeX Canada: Your Guide to Skiing/ Snowboarding in Vancouver!

We might have to endure an average of 161 days of rain every year, but living in Vancouver in the winter certainly has its perks. One of them being a short bus ride from downtown Vancouver to three local ski mountains: Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour.

GROUSE MOUNTAIN

Known as “The Peak of Vancouver,” Grouse Mountain is probably the most popular of the three. Grouse Mountain offers four chair lifts with 26 runs that is accessible by taking the skylift up the mountain. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go snowshoeing, sleighrides, ice skating and many other activities that is included in the purchase of your lift ticket.

How to get there? Take the Seabus to North Vancouver and then switch to Bus 236 at Lonsdale Quay which will take you directly to Grouse Mountain. Travel time approx. 40 minutes.

Cost? Beginning of the season:$39.95 (until December)
Full Day lift ticket: $58
Night Skiing: $48 (4pm – 10pm).

Discount tickets: They offer season passes, night/one night per week passes, and multi-day snow packs.

Operation Times? 9AM to 10PM

For more information, check out the website HERE.

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN

This is my personal favorite mountain that I’ve been going to regularly since I was 10. Cypress Mountain was the official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, so you will be going down the slopes that many of the Olympians were competing on. It is the highest and largest mountain of the three with 53 downhill runs with 6 chairlifts and 2 surface lifts. As well, if skiing is not your thing, they have a great snow tubing park and snowshoeing tours.

How to get there? Cypress offers an express bus that leaves from Lonsdale Quay or departs from the corner of Davie and Thurlow.

Cost? Full Day: $60
Afternoon: $50 (2pm – Close)
NiteOwl: $40 (5pm – Close)

Discount tickets: Gold Medal Passes or Groups and Season Passes. Also, it’s free on your birthday, just show them your ID!

Operation Times? Currently9AM -4PM  (but will be extended later in the season)

For more information, check out the website HERE.

MOUNT SEYMOUR

If you are new to skiing and snowboarding, Mount Seymour is the perfect mountain for you to get started on. You’ll love the new Mystery Peak Express chair lift and they offer other activities like snow tubing, tobogganing and snowshoeing!

How to get there? A shuttle bus is available at Lonsdale Quay.

Cost? Full Day lift ticket: $51
Night Skiing: $39 (4pm – 10pm).

Discount tickets: They offer season passes and book of 5 tickets.

Operation Times? Closed, soon to be open!

For more information, check out the website HERE.

Cheers,

Queenie

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com