Saturday 21 December 2013

Tennis Tourist Top 10 Tennis Destination Videos 2013-Tennis in Stanley Park One of the World's Great Urban Parks

Stanley Park Vancouver British Columbia Tennis





Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

Stanley Park, one of the world’s great urban p
arks in the heart of Vancouver British Columbia, Canada.  Stanley Park is a 1,001 acre public park that borders downtown Vancouver and is almost entirely surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.  It has 11 free tennis courts that are available on a first come, first served basis.  There are also more free courts near Lost Lagoon along Lagoon Drive at Robson Street if those are full.  During the warm season, six of the courts are operated as pay courts and can be booked through the tennis pro shop at Stanley Park.  There are a lot of regulars at these courts and the play can be at quite a high level on the courts at Beach Avenue.  You can find the courts near the Beach Avenue entrance to Stanley Park.  604-605-8224 


What to Do After the Game
Stanley Park and English Bay




Strolling along the seawall through this world class urban park, hanging out on English Bay Beach, kayaking, watching legendary sunsets.  It’s all part of visiting the west end of Vancouver, an area that draws locals and people from around the globe.  With Vancouver’s moderate climate, the park is a popular place to go year round.
Stanley park is designated a national historic site and is a 400 hectare oasis of rainforest, trails and beaches with mountain and water views in the heart of urban Vancouver.  There are restaurants, an aquarium, totem poles and many other points of interest in the renowned site.

Where to Stay
The Sylvia Hotel
Standing guard over English Bay Beach and the entrance to 
Stanley Park since 1912, the grand old hotel is truly a Vancouver landmark.  It was designed as an apartment building for a Mr. Goldstein who had a daughter named Sylvia.  Now dwarfed by surrounding high rise towers, until 1958 it was the tallest building in Vancouver and also the site of the first cocktail bar in the city.  The outside is completely covered by Virginia Creeper and inside the charm continues with tasteful period pieces combined with modern amenities.  The rates are very reasonable considering the location, and it is therefore a very popular place for visitors.  It’s easy to spend lots of time without even leaving the hotel.  Eating in the restaurant is an experience in itself.  The views of English Bay and the sunsets in the evening are spectacular.
The hotel was designated a historic building in 1975 and has also been immortalized in two children’s books by Lois Simmie about the hotels famous cat.  A song by singer-songwriter.  Cheryl Wheeler also mentions the feline.


The Sylvia Hotel

1154 Gilford St Vancouver BC V6G 2P6
(604) 681-9321
1-877-681-9321
info@sylviahotel.com
Stanley Park Tennis Courts
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Thursday 19 December 2013

Top 10 Tennis Destination Videos #6 Anantasiri, Chiang Mai Thailand

Tennis at Anantasiri, Chiang Mai, Thailand











It was a bit tricky to find, but with a rented motorcycle, we navigated our way through the city of Chiang Mai and found the Anantasiri Tennis Club.  It's a favorite place for locals and is lit at night.  The courts are a bit rough but definitely playable.


Anantasiri Tennis Club  
053-112-053
48/5 Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway Rd. A. Muang. Chiang Mai 50000.Thailand.





What To Do After Tennis


One of our favorite experiences in Northern Thailand was the Elephant Nature Park.  Just outside of the city, you can go for a day trip, overnight stays or even a volunteer experience to feed, bathe and learn about these rescued elephants that have found new lives of freedom at this sanctuary.


Elephant Nature Park




Elephant Nature Park
209/2 Sridornchai Road
Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand
Tel +66 53 818754
   +66 53 818932





Where we stayed


We arrived there at night.  We clambered out of the songthaew (open air shared taxi) after a twelve hour train ride from Bangkok, and there it was, the Chiang Mai Boutique House, an eclectic statement of a hotel that gently represents many of the elements of this northern region, and is a backstreet refuge in this city of bars, stunning Buddhist Wats (temples), markets and Thai massage parlors.  The rooms are wrapped around a courtyard, pool and breakfast lounge area where you can watch the interesting world of Chaing Mai pass by your eyes while surrounded by northern Thai design.


Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel



Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel

2 Ratchapakinai Road, Phrasing, Muang, Chiangmai 50200