The Hochs: O Canada...

For two of the days we were up north in Washington we went up to Vancouver. It was a fun filled 48 hours. Having to go old school and use tourists maps to find our way around since our GPS didn't work in BC. We went to Chinatown and ate authentic chinese food, which prompted Tyler to say, "I have lost all desire to go to China in my life." The food was not very good! But we went shopping around in Chinatown and found some cool finds.

Entrance to Chinatown

One of the streets of Chinatown

Later we tried to go to the BC place where they had the opening and closing cermonies of the Olympics but it was closed for construction. So we just went shopping in some huge malls the rest of the night. I have been looking for a new swimsuit for the last month and it took me going all the way to Vancouver to find one! But it's super cute.

The BC place to the left (with the white roof) and the GM place to the right (where all the hockey was played during the olympics.

Canucks Hockey Stadium

Our favorite store from Portugal.

They had this resturant at the food court at the mall.

Our second day we went and walked around Stanley Park, took a tour of the GM place where the Canucks play hockey...coolest part of our time in Canada. Also, we drove by and saw the Vancouver Temple. We were their between the open house and dedication so we couldn't go inside.

I was terrified!

The totem poles at Stanley Park

More of the totem poles

View of Vancouver from Stanley Park

The coolest item in the Canucks gift shop

Us at the top of the Canucks stadium

Can you spot the coolest flag behind us?!

In the penalty box with our free hockey pucks!

This is where USA scored their second goal to tie the game and take the game into overtime, and also where Crosby scored to win it for Canada.

Riding the zamboni!

Saving a puck from going in the goal.

Standing at the press stand.

Tyler cheering for the USA team. We got to walk into the visitors bench where the USA team sat in the gold medal game.

Me standing in front of Luongo the Canucks goalie and the goalie for Canada in the Olympics.

Tyler's video of "the spot"

Our tour guide, Maria, was so cute and always kept referring to the U.S. as "the states." She would remind us how Canada beat the states for the gold medal. We also reminded her how we killed them the first time we played Canada. :) She showed us around a few places that aren't usually on the tour but it was only Tyler and I in the group so we got special privileges. We got three free hockey pucks to bring back. We found them in between seats and she let us take them. She went to go show us the visitors bench where the USA team sat during games. We saw a player still practicing with a coach and she thought it was the backup goalie and she told us that we would just need to be quiet while we were there. When we got closer the goalie took off his mask and it was Luongo, the starting goalie for the Canucks, the team captain and the goalie that started in the Olympics after USA beat Canada the first time. Canada worships him. She let us stay back and watch for a moment and then she showed us some other places in the stadium then we went back after they left, off the ice, to go into the visitors bench. It was the most fabulous tour! We became Canucks fans and now are rooting for them in the NHL playoffs!