Out here in Thailand, there’s no news of the olympics at all. We haven’t found it on tv yet, but hope in Chiang Rai we can find a sports pub to watch the final hockey games. Luckily I just found a great iPhone app from Bell of all people, and it’s wicked.

Pulling up the events screen I have to say that we’re a bit jealous that we’re not in Vancouver right now! There’s so many concerts, Kid Koala (above), Dj Numark and tons more. If they had released all the free concerts earlier we may have rearranged our schedule a bit.

It also makes it easy to check out the games that are playing, and times.  It used my iPhone’s GPS to synch the Vancouver time to our Thailand time. This’ll make it easier when asking places if they’re open at 8AM so I can watch the game!

If your in Vancouver or traveling around and want to keep up with how many Gold Medals Canada is getting, I recommend this application for your iPhone. Just in the itunes app store.

When we’re not traveling around the world, we actually live in Vancouver. If your going to Vancouver for the Olympics and are looking for some great places to eat, here’s a list of our favourites.

Click on the addresses for a google map location.

Sunshine Diner (2649 West Broadway) - Located in Kits, this place has the best Eggs Bennedicts in town. Awesome breakfast menu and good lunch. Enjoy their 50’s atmosphere paired with a delicious milkshake!

Cafe Crepe (location maps)- If you want a great cup of coffee, cheap liquor, great crepes and fantastic panini’s, go here. There’s quite a few around including at UBC..

  

The Naam (2724 West 4th Avenue) - One of the few 24 hour restaurants in the city, they have an all vegetarian menu. Who says you can’t have desert for breakfast?

Great Sushi – The Eatery (3431 West Broadway) – Most sushi places you go to in Vancouver are excellent, but The Eatery is our favourite. With a heavy manga theme and loud music, it serves tasty infusions.

Cactus Club Cafe (location maps) – There’s about 6 of these around downtown and kits, with more throughout the lower mainland. A good place to have a steak, the Blackened Cajun Steak is my favourite.

White Spot – Everywhere! – This place is legendary. If you want a great hamburger go here. The BC Burger is one of the best hamburgers around. They call their secret sauce “Triple O” for a reason!

Steamworks Brewing Co (375 Water Street) – Located in Gastown, part of downtown, this place brews their own beer and has a great pub menu. Their nachos are fantastic and you’ll be able to watch the games. Don’t forget to order yourself what we like to call “The Tower of Power!” Tip – head down the stairs to the sports lounge, it’s more relaxed than upstairs, complete with comfy sofas!

The Boathouse (1795 Beach Ave) – Best place for reasonably priced seafood. I dare you to take the platter! This is the place we take people from out of town to get their fill, and everyones always impressed.

Go Fish – The Best Fish and Chips in Vancouver (1505 West 1st Avenue, 604-730-5040)- We’re pretty big on seafood in Vancouver. If you want the best fish and chips in town – which means ungreasy and large portions cooked by a gourmet team – head here. The halibut and chips are my favourite, but salmon burgers are always popular. Located at the fisherman’s pier on Granville Island. Look for where the fishing boats are, you can walk along the prominade. Expect a long line, open 11.30 – 6.00.

Tim Hortons Coffee (everywhere)- great basic coffee, double double is an institution here in Canada. Cheap coffee and good sandwiches you’ll trip over them everywhere.

I’ve certainly missed many, but had to make a short list of our favorites. Are there any you can recommend? If anyone takes my advice please let me know!

We have decided to start a weekly segment on our blog called Furry Fridays. We have met lots of different furry creatures on our travels, and decided they can be just as interesting as your run of the mill travel photos. So, each Friday you can expect to lay your eyes on one of our new furry friends, complete with a little biographical story about them.

For our first installment we have decided to feature our own cats. We have not met them during our trip but they are always on our minds… (Well at least mine! I don’t know about Scott…)

Name: Charlie Vanderlee (from the TV show Party of Five)
From: Russia
Most Prized Possession: EEKS the mouse catnip toy by Kitty Hoots (except he keeps magically loosing them… maybe under the fridge?) He likes to lick EEKS for hours and get high.
Favorite Hobby: Licking plastic bags that drives us crazy. The sound is so annoying! sluurriick. sluuriick. ugh
Favorite Place: On someone’s lap, in front of the fire, or on my pillow while I’m sleeping
Three Random Facts:
1. We suspect he punched his brother in the eye to be sure we picked him at the adoption center. It came down to a lazy eyed kitten or one who jumped up our leg.
2. After getting some major dental work he turned into the biggest suck in all the lands. Look at that photo above!
3. He can’t meow very well and when he tries its almost like a broken squeaky horn. It’s actually quite pathetic and we make fun of him when he does it. It may be why he doesn’t meow much!

Name: Kerrigan Vanderlee (named after Kerrigan the Queen of Blades from the game Starcraft)
From: Not from this world (see picture below for proof)
Most Prized Possession: A stretchy string we specifically went to Home Depot to get for her. You’d think it was the purest smack in all the land the way she takes care of it.
Favorite Hobby: Chittering at the reflections on the ceiling or the birds outside the window
Favorite Place: On top of a blanket (as seen in photo)
Three Random Facts:
1. She drools when your pet her while she is sitting on your lap
2. We think she is on a diet as she refuses to eat any cat treats, and sometimes she purges her food. Very conscious about her weight.
3. She is very talkative and loves to let you know how her day went, and likes to put Scott in his place when we are arguing. (she is always on my side)

And this is our cats at night. Beware they have laser eyes that scan your thoughts and turn you into their slaves! Seriously we think they’re out to get us sometimes.

Check back next friday for our second Furry Friday installment!