July 29, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Biking
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The Crankworx 2007 mountain bike festival is on in Whistler. I've heard much about it so I decided to check it out for myself today.
We watched incredible athletes compete in the slopeside competition where they do insane jumps while going down the 'boneyard' terrain park. At the end of the course, after performing back flips, tail whips and other crazy stunts, they jump off the jumbotron, probably a 30 foot jump.
I was lucky to take this picture of winner Ben Boyko in mid air while jumped off the jumbotron and did a full 360 before landing. Ben is hovering above the giant screen where his image is displayed.
The terrain park is entertaining to watch all summer. You might not see 30 feet jumps, but you'll still be amazed.
ElChango89 posted a
great video on YouTube.
June 28, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy will be playing our Vancouver Whitecaps on October 3 at BC Place in Vancouver.
Get your pre-sale tickets first by using promo code Cobi.
June 28, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Theatre & Performing Arts
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It's the annual Vancouver Jazz Festival. My friend Abdulla invited me to go see and hear Zapato Negro, an Afro Cuban, Latin jazz band at the Cellar restaurant and Jazz club. They were fantastic. The Cellar is a great place for a meal and some good music. They have all kinds of great musicians all the time.
The cellar is located at 3611 West Broadway, a 15 minute cab ride from downtown. But what I would do is take the afternoon to stroll along the beaches of Kitselano to Jericho Beach and walk to the Cellar for some dinner and great music. You can cab it home after.
May 16, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Sightseeing Tours
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Last summer I had the pleasure to take the Whistler Mountaineer to Whistler. The trainride started with a nice champagne breakfast. After, we went out onto the viewing wagon to watch the breathtaking scenery. Before we knew it, we arrived in Whistler. The picture I'm submitting is one I took another time, when I was hiking around Whistler and the train passed us.
March 09, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Hiking
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I discovered Smuggler Cove last year during a trip to the Sunshine Coast with my dad and sister. We found it on a map we picked up at a Visitor Centre and decided to check it out. The hike was easy and after about half an hour or so we arrived at this beautiful little inlet. There were only a few people and a couple of boats. We sat on the rocks in the sun, ate our lunch and took in the beauty of this magical place. Just as we were ready to leave, a big bold eagle flew by. Amazing.
March 09, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Penticton, Wineries & Vineyards
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During a wine tasting trip last year I liked the Pinot Noir at Red Rooster Winery the best. Like most wineries, the architecture of the building is also interesting. Their wines aren't available in most liquor stores in Vancouver, so whenever I'm in Penticton, I swing by and stock up.
February 19, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Hiking
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One of the most special places in BC has be the West Coast Trail. The experience of hiking for a week long over beaches and through the rain forest on the west coast of Vancouver island is something I'll never forget.
February 12, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
Three years from today (February 12), Vancouver will be the focus of the world when the 2010 Winter Games start. To mark the occasion, VANOC unveiled a countdown clock in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery today at lunchtime. It was packed with people so I couldn't get too close yet, but it looked very nice from a distance. Every day when I walk by it on my way to work I'll be reminded that the excitement of the event is only 1096 days or less away.
July 18, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Tofino, Surfing & Watersports
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After watching the video Jeanine submitted last week, I started searching YouTube for more videos we can post on this blog. When searching for Tofino I can across the video below by
Planet Smashers, a Ska band from Montreal who dedicated a song to the surf culture in
Tofino. Enjoy!
April 13, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Hiking
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A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to hike the famous West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. For one week we were completely disconnected from everything. Just 75KM of nothing but rain forest, beach and the most awesome scenery imaginable.
We hiked the trail from Port Renfrew to Bamfield (south to north). It's supposed to be a little easier because you're still fresh when you do the hardest part first. Others argue it's better do start north so your pack is lighter near the end. The trail leads you along the ocean shoreline, either on the beach, or up on the cliffs. So the only climbing is up and down cliffs. This often involves wooden ladders, some very high and steep. And because you're in a rain forest, you have a fair chance you'll get (you got it) RAIN. That makes the ladders a little more challenging but after climbing a few of them we got the hang of it. we just took our time. We got our fair share of rain during the trip, but it didn't bring our spirits down at all. The scenery and the experience of being in the middle of nowhere made it all worth while.
You're allowed to camp almost anywhere so you can isolate yourself from all other hikers if you like. We chose the safety of the bigger campsites, equipped with bear locks and outhouses. We're not the most experienced multi-day hikers so we liked to stay close to people who knew what they were doing better than us. The bear locks in particularly are very useful because a couple of times we had to hang our food up in a tree to make sure the bears wouldn't get to it. And performing this activity in the dark and rain is not ea