While passing by this behemoth one night in December, the males I was walking with mistook the…read moreknees held against the sculpture's chest for a pair of boobs. Perhaps that has soured my experience with said behemoth, though only slightly, as I can now gaze upon it and smile at what could have been if only the artist were more boobily inclined. But really, it's intended to showcase the diversity of Vancouver with all its different letters and number making up a person. It's also fun to walk around in it.

Really cute park near a school. A lot of space for families and they have a really big jungle gym…read more It's pretty quiet and relaxing. Love the trees and environment here.

The horror stories that I heard and read online about hours for waiting in line around the blocks…read moremust have been a thing of the past during the pandemic. Granted my visit today was an in-person submission of a simplified adult renewal application. There was no line at the entrance to the office. I advised the 2 security guards the purpose of my visit. I was given a slip to complete my credit card information for the application fee. One of them then led me to a very short line for 1 window with only 2 people ahead of me. I had my form fully completed (but not signed yet), my photos and my current passport. When it was my turn, the clerk reviewed my form, had me signed the application form and another form with my picture pasted on, and told me my passport will be mailed in 2 weeks time so I should get it by registered in 2-5 business days from the day it is mailed. I asked about the pick up option. She told me it would not be any faster and there would be an extra charge of $20 so I opted for the mailing option. Including waiting for the 2 people ahead of me to be processed, I was in an out in 30 minutes.

3 hours wait time for simple passport renewal so far and counting ... supervisor makes zero effort…read moreto improve process ... Intead convinces people to leave and not come back ... incompetence.ca

Just north of the Sunset Beach concession stand, and just south of the big Anukchuk sculpture south…read moreof English Bay beach, on the east side of the grassy area adjacent to Beach Avenue, lies an undulating steel wall that seems to melt into the grassy knoll behind it. It is very subtle and rather understated and muted in its affect. It totally blends into its surroundings - so much so that many people I've talked to about this steel wall have mentioned they've passed it often and never even realized it's there. This metal ribbon-like wall is 60 feet in length and is actually comprised of multiple steel panels, each of which is laser-etched with the names of BC residents who have died from AIDS. There are 800 names in all at this time. Because the laser-etched names create a void in the metal plates, people are able to place notes and flowers in the name-holes. I think this is a lovely way for people to pay their respects to those they've lost. This memorial is similar to the Vietnam Memorial by Pei in Washington, DC (albeit on a much smaller scale): it is simple and stark in it's aesthetic, and melds into the landscape in a way that seems totally natural. It allows the surroundings to take center stage. It doesn't call attention to itself. It's a muted, respectful memorial. Artist Bruce Wilson dedicated this landmark "to the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, to the caregivers who eased their passing, and to those who live with the presence of their absence." Very thoughtful, comforting words.

After reading about the odd history of this square, how could I not visit this place…read more Too bad it was raining but the whole area here is very quiet despite the nice views, there's a few shops and salons and a parking lot. Some history here, the place is called as such due to a leg being found inside a boot a century or two ago. It was left in the town square hoping it's owner would come back to claim it.

The wait was less than 30 minutes. The patrol officer on Saturday afternoon was respectful, nice…read moreand precise with his questions. It was a pleasant experience which I hope it can repeated when we travel again. Thanks!

Returning to the USA during Spring Break vacation with the family. Morning commute on a weekday…read more Pull in, line up and cross over border took about 15 minutes. Were asked the standard questions by the Agent and we kept it moving. Cool and smooth experience

I think the business name speaks for itself, and if you are here, you are really here for only one…read morething, which also means you need this one thing cause you are going somewhere (and hopefully somewhere fun). It is a pretty central location, as if you are driving there is a paid parking lot, and if you are taking transit it is not that far to walk here. OK, that being all said to getting here, then the next question, yes you can book online for an appointment, that is also the best option is to book online, but if you like to roll the dice, and many of you do, well then the walk in option is here and I can say I am two-for-two for having an awesome experience, including the wait time. On my most recent visit, the line-up was pretty deep, but the people know exactly how to move the line-up. I honestly thought this was going to be a +2 hour process, and it wasn't. Right at the start when you come up to the third floor you will see a security guard who also guides you to the correct line-up, as you could be coming just to pick up your passport from here, or other odd inquiries. The main line-up is for the pre-screening, where the person who is working goes through your application and to make sure you have everything you need to get to the next step (signatures, photos, supporting documents) and then provides you with a slip and tells you to wait to watch your number to appear and go to the appropriate window. Once you are through this, the last part is easy, it really is just collecting payment. The biggest thing is, make sure you have the application filled out, and also the checklist of everything you need with the application, cause if not, you are slowing the whole process for you, and the people waiting behind you, as you will see the eyes roll.... especially when you are one of those people that comes well prepared. All-in-all my visit has been great, and the people here are good too.

I came here to renew my passport, arrived at 12:30pm on a Thursday, and I was all done by 1:30pm!…read moreIt's close to Landsdowne mall and Richmond Public Market, so you can go do some shopping or grab food easily after. The staff at the counter was so friendly and efficient. The washroom is clean. I had such a pleasant experience.

This is the main (largest) branch of Burnaby Public Library, located next to Metropolis…read more Parking is plentiful in the underground lot. Not sure if it ever gets completely full, but I have never seen it happen. One thing to keep in mind that the gates close around 2000, which leads to the risk of getting one's car trapped overnight. There are also some metered spots on the surface. The place is fairly modern, but is a bit worn down from years of use. There are plenty of computer stations, and a nice atrium area with nice high windows. Lots of books inside too.

Look like the Burnaby Public Libarary was renovated sometime between Covid and now. It looks very…read morespacious and open. The inside was bright. On the weekend the library is super busy. The inside is super clean. The bathrooms are much more modern style and there is a cleaner cleaning it frequently.

Continuing on my mission to review local art installations and sculptures, I realized today that…read morethis massive red metal ring on Pacific Blvd. by Cambie St. needs to be addressed! It's so prominently displayed (on the wide grassy median, on Pacific Blvd) and passed by daily by thousands of drivers, yet rarely is it given a second look. It seems to blend in with the construction of the area, as this part of Yaletown is undergoing a lot of building development right now and there are many cranes and construction sites in the immediate area and this large metal ring appears so industrial in this context, it barely stands out. Yet I have often wondered, what the heck is this thing? It's positioned on its side and it stands about three stories tall. There are spotlights at the base so it's illuminated at night. It piqued my interest, every time I passed it by. Is it a construction item? It appears to have some gears on one side. What is or was its purpose? Or is it an art piece designed to look like an industrial component of sorts? I needed to know! So I recently stopped by to read the inscription plate at its base. And I learned so much about this huge ring and the history of the Cambie Bridge! There have actually been three Cambie Bridges in total and this ring was a part of the second Cambie Bridge that opened in 1911. The ring is actually a gear that was located mid-span and it allowed the truss to rotate or spin open, to allow larger boats through (there was a large working sawmill nearby and other industries that relied on maritime traffic here). I took a photo of the inscription plate, so you can see the illustration of the bridge and the rotating truss, as well as read the brief history of the Bridge. As with the bricks still embedded on the sidewalks of Yaletown and the stark metal railings that abound in the area, I love how this City retains pieces of its past, to remind us all of the rich history here.