18 million...

An estimated $18 million will sail out of Vancouver next year after Carnival Cruise Lines decided to shift most of its Alaska cruise business to Seattle, Tourism Vancouver said Monday.

Steve Pearce, vice-president of Tourism Vancouver, said the dwindling economy worldwide seemed to be the reason behind the decision, because most Carnival customers are from the United States and flying in and out of Seattle is cheaper for them.

"Nine sailings, I believe, are going to Seattle, which is unfortunate," Pearce told CBC News on Monday.

"Each sailing for us is about $2 million economic activity, and [that] is an $18-million hit in the sector."

The U.S. cruise line announced last week that its 2,124-passenger ship, Carnival Spirit, will sail from Seattle beginning in May 2010 on seven-day round-trip cruises to southeast Alaska.

"It's usually a cheaper experience overall, departing out of Seattle than it is out of Vancouver, but it is a very different cruise experience, as well," Pearce said.

"They think that their customers are looking for deep discounts and they think they can offer those kinds of opportunities better out of Seattle than they can out of Vancouver."

But Pearce said he is not overly worried because there will still be more than 260 cruise ship sailings out of Vancouver next year, which is expected to bring in half a billion dollars.

"I don't see it being a long-term strategy," he said of Carnival Cruise Lines' shifting of business to Seattle. "I see this being a short-term tactic to take advantage of the circumstance."

NOW WHAT YA ALL THINK??

March 2008!

This was the park by the seawall at English bay, by the Aquatic center on March 2008...blooming kinda

Bears are waking up!!!

Yes the bears are waking up in BC, Watch out onn the trails!!!

break

mmm Art Gallery steps..good time for a break, perfect spot!

Roof Pool!

Very well hiden is this pool, in the heart of downtown skycrapers ceilings are some nice swimming pools like this one ...bbrr but in a cold days like today and yesterday nobody wants to use them anyway...bbrrr

I wonder if they get any sunshine at all!!???
mm..

Femsports day!!

Saturday March 7th 2009...Femsport...me competing..yeah...
the one up front with the funny face its me...we had so much fun!

FEMSPORT recently completed its’ 8th year of providing a very unique annual event which challenges female athletes to test their strength, agility, power, endurance, and speed. There are no pre-qualifications to compete in this one day event and we welcome a variety of both amateur and professional natural athletes such as boxers, wrestlers, bodybuilders, hockey players, skaters, gymnasts, fitness competitors, models, etc. from around the world.

The categories vary each year and include such challenges as Biceps Curls, Kettlebell Lift, Box Jumps , Obstacle Course, Tire Pull and Tug-of-War.

Dinner Cruise anyone??

The weather is improviong this days in Vancouver...so why not taking a lovelly dinner cruise around the bay?
not to miss for visitors!!

Field Lacrosse, the other Very Canadian game!

In many Eastern and Northern Native American societies/tribes the sport was often part of religious ritual, played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick develop strong, virile men and as a preparation for war. Legend tells of games with over 100 players from different tribes taking turns in the contest. It could be played on a field many miles in length and width and sometimes lasted for days. Early lacrosse balls were made out of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse has played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes.[1] The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or referred to as "The Creator's Game".
Lacrosse is the oldest team sport in North America. It may have developed as early as the 1100s,[2][3] but since then it has seen many modifications. In the traditional Native American version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field that stretched from about 500 yards to a couple of miles long.[4] These lacrosse games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days straight. These games were played to give thanks to the Creator.

Known as the "fastest game on two feet," the sport is popular in North America but is played internationally with increasing popularity. It is the official national summer sport of Canada.