With all that being said, today’s post is from Vancouver. Two weeks ago I literally spent 25 hours in the city. I was attending a conference at the new Vancouver Convention Center. After touching down in the city, I took a walk along the Vancouver Seawall. Here’s what you can see along the way…

1. Start: Is that a Blue Vuvuzela?

I’ve spent too much time in South Africa that now I think I’m seeing vuvuzelas everywhere. Turns out it’s just a blue sculpture on the side of the convention center.

2. Follow the path along the water

The scenery is spectacular.

3. Soak up the Sun at Harbor Green Park

Take a break and lie on the grass. When was the last time you felt the feeling of grass?

4.Watch the Seaplanes take off and land

And if you have the time and money, why not take a ride in one yourself?

5. Admire the Boats Docked Along the Seawall

My Canadian readers will enjoy the name of the boat: Prairie Oyster

6. Chart Your Path Through Stanley Park

You could spend a few hours here walking it’s paths, so wander aimlessly or if you’re short on time, make a plan.

7. Swing by the Aquarium

You can pay to go in, or watch the whales and seals for free. They’re just around the corner.

8. Have a Picnic in the Park

Bring your own, or purchase from the grill.

9. Finish: Return & End at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Torch

It’s located right next to the Vancouver Convention Center. Be sure to check out the Killer Whale Sculpture too. It’s pixelated.

Today’s Lesson: Sometimes a stroll through a city, in it’s simplicity, can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Cheap, good for your health and unexpected surprises may delight you along the way.

What’s your favorite city to walk in?

I’ll see you out there…!

The Essentials

For More Information: Here’s the official information from the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. I’ve also posted additional photos from my walk along the Vancouver Seawall on Facebook.

Costs: Absolutely free, except for meals or bike rentals.

How to get there: Start at the convention center, located downtown and follow the water. You can’t get lost. Just ask where the Olympic Torch is located and you’ll be all set.

Suggested Time to Experience Fully: Depending on your pace, budget at least 2 hours. Remember, however far you walk away, you have to walk that distance back. Cabs are available around Stanley Park if necessary.

Best Time to Visit: I’ve only been in summer. It was perfect. The weather was warm but not hot. Everything was green. It was perfect.

Ben Recommends: Have lunch at a restaurant along the seawall and ice cream in the park. Bring a book to read or a blanket to lay out on the grass. Just enjoy the day by doing nothing. Relax.

adventureswithben.com is supported by The City Scramble. If you'd like to race, click on the image to register.

It’s tough to imagine that it’s been one full year of blogging about travel. Time flies when you’re having fun. And what a fun year it was. It all began with The Stories of my Shoes; a metaphor for capturing and recanting stories. Now, 252 posts later, the stories keep on growing.

My Favorite Adventures

Since June of 2009, the travel destination roster included: Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO,  Eugene, OR, Park City, UT, Omaha, NE, Johannesburg, South Africa (twice), Pattaya, Thailand, New Orleans, LA, Canada (St. John’s, Halifax, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto), Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Of course there were excursions all throughout Orlando, FL. So what were some of my favorite moments?

• Chilling out while listening to Jazz at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois
• Winning the Ultimate Thailand Explorers Competition to Pattaya, Thailand
• Spotting the 2010 FIFA World Cup Tropy in Polokwane, South Africa
• Smashing People with Pillows at International Pillow Fight Day in Orlando
• Getting drenched by Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia

Top Adventures by Category

Here’s some adventures you may enjoy by category

• Most Sexy Post: Fun with Air New Zealand’s In-Flight Safety Video: It’s Naked!
• Biggest Bust Out: Spook Hill, Lake Wales Florida
• Worst Sickness: Lakeridge Winery Grape Stomp
• Most Dangerous Adventure: Walking with Lions
• Most Touching Post: The Importance of the 2010 World Cup to South Africa
• Most Helpful Travel Tip: Pack Clean Underwear
• Messiest Food: Cafe Du Monde
• Most Controversial Post: Why I Support the Vuvuzela

Top 10 Posts by Page Views

Here are the top 10 posts according to page views at adventureswithben.com for 2009-2010.

1. How to play a vuvuzela
2. America’s Got Talent Auditions Orlando
3. Watching the Ellen Show Tape
4. St. Louis Union Station Whispering Arch
5. Watching Space Shuttle Discovery Launch from Jetty Park
6. Where Does Orange Juice Come From?
7. The Art of Sand Opens this weekend
8. Colorful Houses in the Bo-Kaap Quarter
9. Walking on the Willis Tower Skydeck Ledge
10. Calgary White Hat Award

What was your favorite adventure this year? Comment with your answer.

By the Numbers

• 14,603 Page Views
• 7,035 YouTube Video Views
• 517 Twitter Followers
• 265 Comments & Replies
• 252 Published Posts
• 111 YouTube Videos
• 71 Facebook Fans
• 3 Countries visited in 2009 – 2010

Thank You to My Sponsors

All of this wouldn’t have been possible without the help from my sponsors that have supported adventureswithben.com.

• Good Tugo – and you can read my post about the tugo cup holder
• The City Scramble – here’s my first post about The City Scramble
• 12 Apostles Hotel, Cape Town
• Chanters Lodge, Livingstone – here’s my interview with Richard Chanter of Chanters Lodge

What’s Next?

So what’s next on the horizon? Well, I’ve been busy promoting my latest adventure, “Where Would You Go in Central Florida if You Called in Sick From Work?” There’s also a lot to do for my Australia 2011 trip. Flights need to be booked, accommodations arranged and most importantly of all, adventures need to be planned!

Thank You to You

Most importantly of all, thank you to each and every one of you for reading, commenting and following my adventures. In a small way, I hope I’ve inspired you to get off the couch, grab your passport, get it stamped and have an adventure. More adventures in 2010-2011 are just around the corner. Become a fan on Facebook to keep in touch!

I’ll see you out there…!

It’s Finally Here!!!

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is in full swing. There’s still plenty of time to celebrate both abroad and at home. Here’s your guide to having the most lekker World Cup Celebration.

1. First, read about The Importance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa. For the country of South Africa, the World Cup is more than just a bunch of soccer matches, but holds the potential to skyrocket South Africa’s reputation throughout the world and provide prosperity for the developing nation. This is the reason why the whole world needs to rally behind this wonderful country.
2. Get yourself some awesome South African Music. Especially for World Cup, you’ll need to download: Waka Waka, Wavin’ Flag and Diski Dance.
3. Speaking of the Diski Dance, you better learn it… It’s a dance created especially to celebrate soccer. Children and adults across the country have been learning it and dancing it for months. The details can be found here.
4. Practice your Vuvuzela for when Bafana Bafana (the nickname of the SA Football Team), scores a goal. Don’t have a vuvuzela? Then use your own noisemaker. And because the vuvuzela has been widely criticized, here’s my opinion on Why I Support the Vuvuzela.
5. Wear your Bafana Bafana Jersey. Every Friday is Football Friday in South Africa. This means everyone in the country displays their patriotism by wearing the official South African Football Team Jersey. Can’t find one at your local sports store? Than wear anything yellow and green.
6. Host your party with Amarula. While Castle Lager is probably more appropriate for a sporting event, Amarula is just plain magic.
7. Going to watch a few matches in South Africa? Then check out the 1 Thing You Should Do while you’re in your host city.

Who are you rooting for in the World Cup? Comment with your team’s pick! Follow adventureswithben.com on facebook too.

I’ll see you out there…! Go Bafana Bafana

7 Days!!!

One week today the 2010 FIFA World Cup will commence in South Africa. It’s the most watched sporting event on the planet after the Olympics.

It was a bit of shame that I couldn’t stay in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I wanted to, I really did. Working on this project for 2 years really made me a fan of the event (having never been much of a soccer fan before). But it just wasn’t possible to extend my trip. The airfare was too expensive and the logistics and costs of getting to the matches was too costly. But as luck would have it, I had the chance to do the next best thing – see the 2010 FIFA World Cup Trophy on tour.

For the past few weeks the World Cup Trophy has been traveling around South Africa. By chance I was in Polokwane, a host city, when the trophy made it’s stop at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

I got off of work at 4 P.M. and less than an hour later I was in line to catch a glimpse of the most coveted prize in sports.

Here’s a YouTube video with the highlights…

While there was a small queue to see the trophy, the wait was worth it. This is a rare moment in life, to celebrate something so huge, with so many people. It didn’t matter who you were: black, white, American, South African, adult, child; everyone celebrated together. That was the coolest part. We all came together to celebrate South Africa and all the benefits the World Cup will bring to the country. Strangers became friends during this brief moment in the spotlight.

I’ve also uploaded some more photos from my evening with the trophy. They’re on my Facebook Fan Page. Click here to become a fan and view them.

And for some more fun… Coca-Cola created a 7-minute 3D Movie we watched before queuing up for the trophy. Though you won’t be able to watch it in 3D, I was able to find someone on YouTube who filmed it when the cup was in their city. The film was fantastic.

By the way, if you liked the song in the film, it’s called Wavin’ Flag by K’naan. It’s worth downloading. For more music suggestions from World Cup and South Africa, check out one of my previous posts here.

What’s the closest you’ve ever come to an international award? Share your experience by leaving a comment.

I’ll see you out there…!