July 23, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sooke, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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My wife and I just had the most fantastic time zip lining through the rainforest near Sooke at a place called Adrena Line Adventure Tours. With seven runs in total, (the longest being about 305 m (1,000 ft) and 46 m (150 ft) above ground), it took about an hour and a half to zig zag our way down the hillside.
Our guides were great. They got us hooked up with all the necessary gear and took us on a training zip line (the bunny slope of the zip lining world). We then boarded the funkiest 4-wheel drive vehicles that drove us along an old logging road to the hilltop. Views of the Sooke Basin, Olympic Mountains and Juan de Fuca Strait were amazing. Do not forget your camera on this trip.
As someone who gets a little uneasy after making it half way up a step ladder, I was a little leery of how I might make out on this adventure. But as soon as we had our introduction and trial run we both felt very safe and secure with the equipment and the experienced guides – I couldn’t believe that I was zipping upside down on my second line!
The last line before the end is the steepest and people have been clocked going 65 km/hr (40 mph)!
Adrena Line is approximately 40 minutes from downtown Victoria on Hwy 14. Sooke has a ton of other fun activities to do including whale watching, ocean kayaking and hiking.
July 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Kimberley, Dining
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Kimberley is one of those lovely mountain towns that you want to return to time and time again. Each trip I make there I discover something new that strengthens my afinity for small towns in the Kootenays. On a recent trip I was fortunate to dine at the Old Bauernhaus Restaurant which is located a few minutes from Kimberley's popular Platzl, on the road to the Kimberley Alpine ski resort. The building itself is fascinating. Built in 1640 in Bavaria, it was dismantled, shipped to Kimberley in 1987 and rebuilt as a warm, inviting restaurant. We had "the feast" which pretty much sums it up. Course upon course of slowcooked food arrived at the table. It just kept coming and I just kept eating it all because it was absolutely delicious. The food is German, which has never been a favourite of mine....but I am now a convert and will be back on my next visit to this lovely town.
July 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sooke, Dining
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Just got back from the foodie haven (and romantic getaway) in Sooke at the acclaimed Sooke Harbour House and restaurant. Not only is the inn and its rooms stunning (hallways and unique, spacious rooms decorated with amazing local art, fab little patios that overlook Whiffen Spit - which makes a great walk - and the mountains with great views of the otters playing in the bay. One otter even visited us in the garden!), and the service absolutely top-flight, but we had a chance to dine at their fantastic restaurant, which I can't recommend enough. For real foodies, this place is truly remarkable. Chef Tuson and his team fully subscribe to the 100-mile diet and EVERYTHING on the menu (with the exception of chocolate, coffee and orange juice for drinks) is sourced from local suppliers, grown on Vancouver Island or in the Harbour House's stunning and remarkable organic gardens. Your food will likely have been picked or delivered fresh that morning.
We had a four-course meal (about $75 not including wine/service) that we rate as among the best we've ever had. You've never had salads like the salads here - filled with unusual and delicious herbs, leaves and flower petals! The lamb melted in our mouths and the desserts - a rhubarb souffle that was astounding and a white chocolae mousse with edible rose petals and crazy sorbets - were remarkable. Plus, SHH also offers its visitors a free Garden tour in the mornings, where you can learn about what the gardens grow, and how they're used in your meals. You'll be eating fronds and herbs left right and centre and discovering all sorts of joyous combinations. Sooke is an easy drive from Victoria too (while in Victoria, be sure to have fish & chips or grilled fish from the little take-away joint "Red Fish Blue Fish" right on the wharf), but you can also take the #61 bus from Downtown Victoria and then a quick cab from downtown Sooke. SHH isn't cheap but it is stunning on all accounts.
June 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sandspit, Wildlife Tours
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4 days on a boat with 14 strangers....hmmm. I had my doubts that I could do it. How soon I changed my mind. A week later and I am still daydreaming about my trip.
We were boating through the Gwaii Haanas National Park in the Queen Charlottes watching whales, sea lions, birds of every sort, sea urchins, krill, starfish, trees blowing, waves crashing...we were sleeping well thanks to the gentle rocking of the boat, named the Island Roamer; we were eating incredibly well - wholesome, fresh food, thanks to the amazing on-board cook; we were learning lots thanks to our superb naturalist, and the Skipper and the Mate...and we were bonding, the 14 of us...thanks to, well, all the above.
And then there were the trips ashore to see ancient, precious remains of Haida villages, long abandoned, not forgotten. The remaining totem poles and village sites are holding on precariously to the final years of their life, threatened by an eager rainforest reaching out to engulf them. The Haida watchmen that oversee the village remains and interpret what it all means to the visitor are compelling storytellers and genuine in their love for their culture and history. It was spiritual, moving, sad, hopeful and too many other emotions to keep track of. Everyone should see these sites.
Some of my 'new friends' went onto visit the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate after the trip ended. I understand their museum visit provided great historical context for what we saw in the Park. I will be heading back to the Queen Charlottes for more, that is for sure.
There are a number of tourism operators that take groups into Gwaii Haanas, or you can do it yourself, but you have to register with Parks Canada. I was with Bluewater Adventures, who have been creating Gwaii Haanas memories for people for 30 years.
June 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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I had the fortune of visiting the newly opened Bill Reid Gallery on Hornby Street the other night. (Its in the building that once housed the Canadian Craft Museum, next to Hy's Restaurant...its a bit tricky to find as it is located just up the stairs from the street ). Anyhow, I was really impressed with the incredible collection they had- prints, jewellery, boxes, huge carvings - I mean he did it all! I was also very impressed with what I learned about Bill Reid, the man, and about Haida culture in general. Its definitely worth checking out, especially if you are interested in First Nations art or the Haida culture, or if you are planning a trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.
May 26, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Wow, I just got back from a really cool kayaking day trip along Victoria’s Gorge Waterway. Even though my dad was a lighthouse keeper and I grew up on the water, I can’t say that I am much of an experienced boater so when we began our kayak lesson, I was a little weary. The beauty of the Gorge is that the water is so calm and protected through this narrow inlet that you can become pretty confident in no time at all. My kayak seemed to glide through the water on its own while I watched Victoria’s skyline fade into the distance.
The highlight for me was seeing an otter pop out of the water and scurry along the tide line. I don’t think the critter knew I was there and that seems to be the beauty of kayaking: one can surreptitiously float amongst the marine wildlife and they are none the wiser.
May 22, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Burnaby, Sightseeing Tours
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What better way to learn about the history, architecture, culture and secrets of a city than by going on a walking tour? And, even though I am a "local", I am a big fan of walking tours in the Vancouver area too. So, with that in mind, I ventured to the first of four "SkyTrain Explorer" walking tours that will take place over the summer months in Burnaby. The guide, well-known historican and author, John Atkin tells intriguing stories and helps his 'subjects' appreciate how communities, their homes and buildings, streetscapes and even social behaviours are shaped and influenced by urban developments such as the SkyTrain, (or its precursor, the Interurban). The tours are about 2 hours in length, the walk is manageable by most and the cost is $10.50.
May 15, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Summerland, Wineries & Vineyards
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I visited the
Okanagan valley with my sister and my Dad for the weekend for some wine tasting at the local
wineries. It was spring and a lot of the fruit trees were in full bloom, creating wonderful landscapes. One winery on a list of "must visits" was called "Dirty Laundry" in
Summerland. We were intrigued because of the unusual name.
The friendly wine expert who assisted us with our tasting told us that the winery was named after a dry cleaning business that operated in town a long time ago. It turns our that the owner operated some other business as well. Above his dry cleaning business was an illegal casino and brothel. His dry cleaning business quickly became known as "Dirty Laundry".
The winery has adopted the name and included some cheeky quotes from famous people on one of its bottles including “It's not true I had nothing on, I had the radio on.” by Marilyn Monroe.
The wine tasted great by the way...
May 15, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Naramata, Wineries & Vineyards
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Kettly Valley Winery came recommended by a friend. I toured the
Naramata, famous for it's wines and wineries, just east of Penticton. The winery was located close to the Okanagan Lake down a hill. A picture perfect location. A lovely young woman assisted us in our wine tasting. We tried 3 or 4 wines and decided the Pinot Gris was our favourite so I bought a bottle before moving on to our next stop.
May 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Golden, Wildlife Tours
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Boy was I glad we made the 15 minute trip west of Golden to the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre. With 6 resident wolves and very enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable staff, this Centre's mission is to promote wolf and bear conservation throughout the natural environment. A reasonable $10 admission gets you past the unique gift shop/resource centre that one enters upon arrival. From there, a staff member provides interactive commentary on the wolves including explanations of why wolves are so vital and integral to our environment. The highlight of the visit was when all 6 wolves began to howl in response to a barking dog. It was a hauntingly beautiful sound and I was sad when it ended after about 10 minutes.
If you are in Golden enjoying the town's summer or winter activities - and there are many, you really should make the short trip to see the wolves.