Luxe Beat Magazine MAY 2015 | Page 49

Travel tall, in the International arrivals terminal. These items were traditionally positioned on beaches to welcome guests to special events. The most dramatic totem, Celebration of Flight, is in the Graham Clarke Atrium in departures Level 3. The work is by artist Don Yeomans and includes many mythological symbols. You can find additional totems outside the International terminal. Another great way to spend some time during your layover is at the public observation area on Level 4 of the domestic terminal. You will have to exit and re-enter security, so it’s a great way to spend some time on long layovers. The public observation area is open to the general public, so you will often see people there hanging out watching the planes come and go. The large space is filled with floor-to-ceiling windows, 23 feet tall and stretching for almost 140 feet. There are telescopes available to give you close up views of the planes. Other features include touch-screen kiosks detailing the airport’s history, air traffic control listening stations, an interactive model of Sea Island and a video that gives you a behind the scenes look at how your luggage travels throughout YVR. Rest Your Head For Fun & Relaxation The artwork at YVR is one of the things that has made it a travel favorite. As you walk through the airport’s terminals, you will find yourself surrounded by great artwork, most of it from Canada. One of the key features of the International terminal is the Aquarium and Creek. The indoor creek is surrounded by cafes, shopping, seating and artwork. The satellite location of the Vancouver Aquarium is a large, 30,000-gallon aquarium that showcases indigenous sea animals. This massive aquarium is located on Level 3 and includes thousands of creatures, including wolf eels, anemones, striped perch, sea stars, live rock, kelp, corals, sea urchins and fish. There is a smaller jellyfish exhibit on Level 4 that includes more than 12 types of jellies. If you have a long layover, you can download one of several maps that showcase the artwork located throughout the terminals. One of the self-guided tours, Land, Sea & Sky, showcases the variety of artwork at YVR. Another great self-guided art tour focuses First Nations Art & Architecture. Both include details of the artwork (with photos to ensure you are reading about the correct work of art) along with a detailed map to lead you through the terminals. You can either download the PDF before you leave home, or open it on your tablet so you can follow along at the airport. Some of the highlights include the Flight Spindle Whorl by artist Susan Point. This is the world’s largest Coast Salish Spindle Whorl, measuring more than 16 feet in diameter and about a foot thick. The Flight Spindle Whorl greets passengers as they enter the Customs Hall in the International terminal. Another favorite artwork is the Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe by artist Bill Reid. The massive piece was installed in the International terminal in 1996 and is probably YVR’s most famous item. It is a bronze casting with a jade green patina. Haida Gwaii means “Islands of the People” while the Jade Canoe represents all living beings in the world. Just behind The Jade Canoe is the Great Wave Wall by artist Lutz Haufschild. The work, measuring more than 130 feet long by nearly 33 feet tall, consists of thousands of glass pieces representing the ocean. Throughout the airport, you will find a variety of totems and Clayoquot welcome figures. There are several figures, standing nearly 10 feet The only hotel at YVR is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Airport. The hotel, located directly above the USA Departures terminal, includes 392 luxury rooms, all sound proofed with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can sleep in peace, but enjoy watching the planes at the airport during you