October 26, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I had just 15 minutes in Victoria to find an inexpensive present for my four-year-old so I ran into Chinatown. I swooped into Quigley's and bought some White Rabbit candy, sparklers and a box of watercolours.
October 24, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Dining
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When I was a little girl, my parents took me to Sunshine Village for a family ski vacation. I remember waking up every morning and eating my fresh fruit breakfast in a dining room that, for me, epitomized the 1970’s. Imagine orange knit drapes, an open fireplace, tiled and wood walls, orange carpet and dark wood tables. Very hip.
Well, I relived my childhood in
Whistler last week – only this time I was feasting on black cod, crème brulee and sipping the best of BC wine in the
Fifty Two 80 Bistro, which is tucked away in the
Four Seasons Resort. The Bistro is also very 70’s – orange drapes, a round, open fireplace decorated in a mosaic of coloured tiles, low chairs, and orange carpet. Very hip, but now in a more chic-chic, retro way.
The service was incredible and the attentive waiter managed to make me feel as though I was getting special treatment. However, by the end of dinner I realized he was making everyone at our table feel as though they were the ones getting special treatment.
Overall, a hip place for an après-ski drink or a swanky dinner.
October 19, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Sightseeing Tours
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“How do I get to the village?” I asked the hotel Concierge.
“Just walk along the courtyard onto the Meadow Path, turn right at Fitzsimmons Trail, cross over the covered bridge, enter Rebagliati Park, around the BMX Track, through the Skate Park, and cross the street into the Town Centre.”
Cool!
Whistler really is a walkers, hikers, riders, bike haven! I paused at a
Whistler Trail map, which are all over the place, to check that I was heading in the right direction. I counted seven types of trails throughout the valley: Wide XC Trail, Crush Gravel Trail, Single Track Mountain Bike Trail, Nature/Walking Trail, Valley Trail, Paved Road and Golf Cart Trail.
It was just me and my shoes so I mainly stayed on the Walking Trail. The air hung somewhere between post-summer and pre-ski season and I was glad I brought a toque (wool hat).
At the Skate Park and BMX Track I got a chance to watch a few of the local Extreme athletes do their tricks. Needless to say, I was happy to just be watching.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to rent a bike to explore a bit more, but I highly recommend checking out the valley trails when you head to Whistler.
October 17, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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Here is something cool. Yesterday I took the family to the
Vancouver Art Gallery and it just happened to be
supersunday, which meant Family Day. There were kids everywhere, so I didn't feel too bad when my son started to do somersaults in the Chinese Paper Cutting exhibition room.
Since he is only four, I also didn't feel too bad when he decided he had enough of the
Picasso exhibit after a rushed five minute walk through the first floor. Fortunately, there was a mound of a million pennies on another floor that caught his attention enough to convince him to stay. We managed to extend our adventure by participating in one of the hands-on art projects for the kids – tracing our family history with a map of the world, shiny stars and felt pens. Supersundays are the third Sunday of every month and Picasso is showing until January 15, 2006.
October 12, 2005 | Tips from Us >
West Vancouver, Dining
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If you read my previous entry on
Sechelt, you will know that I had to go back to finish my summer rituals. Well, the Thanksgiving dinner beckoned (as did my mom) and I just got back from another "stuffed" trip to the Sunshine Coast. In fact, this weekend was a bit more relaxing than usual: I reserved my spot on the ferry. Instead of missing a sailing and hanging out in the car for an extra few hours, as per my normal ferry routine, I pretty much drove on just minutes before the ferry was ready to leave. Reservations can be made online at
BC Ferries; they cost about $15 and I highly recommend them during peak travel dates - weekends, holidays, and summer. However, if you do get caught without a reservation, I also recommend another dinner ritual that beckons - fish & chips. Once your car is parked in line, walk out of the Horseshoe Bay terminal (bring your ferry ticket with you), and head to Troll's Restaurant. They know the ferry schedule off by heart and will ensure you get your hot fries back to your car before loading begins. While I enjoyed my reservation, I must admit I missed having the time to indulge in my traditional fish & chips.
October 11, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
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It's Autumn! You can always tell - the air is crisper and cooler, leaves start turning colour, and
Steamworks Brewpub serves up their delicious Pumpkin Beer. Located in Vancouver's Gastown area - the most historic
neighbourhood in Vancouver - Steamworks brews this unique beer the beginning of every Autumn. Lightly spiced and ripe with pumpkin flavour, it's a great way to ring in cool season in the city. If you like beer, head down for a pint or two. But don't wait too long, they only serve the brew till Halloween.
October 06, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Dining
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When I was on
Vancouver Island last week, I couldn't help but indulge in my favourite chocolate treats. I know the Island is well known for grizzly bears, salmon fishing, spring golf, totem poles and whale watching - but I think chocolate
has to be added to that list. Whenever I visit
Victoria, I refuse to leave without my pink-and-white checkered hand-wrapped Victoria Creams from
Rogers Chocolate; Raspberry for my youngest son, Strawberry for my 11-year-old, Rum for me and just plain, which is anything but plain, Chocolate for my husband. I place them in the bottom of my travel bag (where they are hard to reach) and wait anxiously until I arrive home. Needless to say, I get swarmed by the family everytime. I grew up eating Nanaimo bars, which are named after the City of
Nanaimo, at Christmas time. When I was there last week I came face-to-face with an entire tray of these layered treats. Hold me back! Semi-sweet chocolate top, sugary yellow centre and graham crumb bottom. I walked by all the souvenir shops, with their spoons, pins, t-shirts and placemats, and snuck home with a tray full of Nanaimo bars.
October 04, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Wildlife Tours
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When visiting the
Capilano Suspension Bridge and/or
Grouse Mountain, make sure to stop at the
Capilano Salmon Hatchery. It's right in between these two two attractions and it's free! It's a great way to learn about the lifecycle of Salmon. I spent an hour there with visitors from out of town last weekend and it was fun cheering on the Salmon at a special viewing area as they make their way up the river.
October 01, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
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I have a wee bit of a headache. Yep, that's right, I went to the
Autumn Brewmasters' Festival in
Vancouver last night. It was my first time and I don't think it will be my last. For $25 I received a four ounce plastic beer glass and three token chips to trade in for BC brew samples (I have one left I would now love to trade in for a Tylenol). I purchased more tokens at a price of 3 for $5. As the night went on, the crowd got busier, the music got louder and the beer needed to be lighter. I started out with a good hearty chocolate and coffee infused Stout, by half-time I was drinking Amber ales, and at the end of the night I was looking for golden Lagers. The other thing that progressed throughout the evening was the length of the line-up for the washroom. In total I tasted about 20 samples from Breweries all over BC; my top picks were from Crannog Ales, located in Sorrento, and Steamworks Brewing Company, located in
Gastown. The event sells-out each year, so if you are already planning on going next year purchase your tickets in advance.
September 30, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Art Galleries & Artists
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When I prepare myself well for a trip, I appreciate the journey more. Practicing a few words in another language helps me communicate. Understanding the geographical formation and history of a particular region helps me appreciate viewpoints.
I started my preparation for a visit to
Emily Carr House in
Victoria over a year ago, knowing, like Emily, I could only appreciate the fullness of the trip if I developed a deeper connection to the subject. Emily Carr, a famous Canadian painter and author, was born in Victoria, lived in Vancouver and traveled throughout the BC coast up to Alaska.
Yesterday, when I finally stood in her garden, I was shrouded in the layers I accumulated from hodge-podging together pieces and experiences that touched Emily’s life in one form or another. Here is what I did over the last year to prepare for a trip to Emily’s garden.
1. First, I read The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. In my opinion this book presents a good visual of British Columbia life at the time, and set a vivid, colourful stage of Emily’s puzzled and courageous life between 1871 and 1942.
2. Next, I read Klee Wyck, by Emily Carr. This is her own account of her travels as she ventured along the coast to paint. Klee Wyck is the aboriginal name given to Emily by the First Nations People in
Ucluelet; it means "laughing one."
3. I have spent many hours wandering through the
Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. I love seeing first hand the totem poles and artefacts of the myriad of First Nation groups throughout BC. I tell everyone to go there. Often.
4. Emily C