September 04, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Pemberton, Hot Springs
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Labour Day weekend marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall in BC, and is usually one of the last weekends for fair-weather campers to head out before the cold weather sets in.
To make the most of the long weekend, a few friends and I decided to head far enough away (ie: meaning no cell reception), but still close enough to Vancouver that we weren't driving the entire time. We decided on St. Agnes' Well/Skookumchuck Hot Springs -- a remote campsite with natural hot springs located four hours north of Vancouver along the Lillooet River.
The campsite had the usual BC elements -- big trees, snow-capped mountains, situated along a rushing river (and a couple nearby lakes) -- with a dash of the Gold Rush History that's present in this part of the province: it's accessed by a gravel logging road that makes up a section of the historic Gold Rush Trail, and two small, overgrown cemetery plots along the way had headstones dating back to the 1960s.
The hot springs were the biggest draw (and such an affordable luxury for camping!). Fed from a natural spring, they've been developed into a series of rustic, outdoor thermal baths located in the middle of the campsite. There's a single- to two-person barrel, a few multiple-person "canoe-like" tubs, and one sheltered A-Frame bath house. The baths stay open 24-hours and at night are lit by candles.
We also brought rods to cast for fish in the river, and took advantage of the Sea to Sky Highway on the drive back: in Pemberton, we stopped for coffee and lunch, and outside Squamish, we jumped off the dock into Alice Lake, then tested the waters over at Murrin Lake.
There's certainly no shortage of things to do or scenery to take in along this slice of the province -- it was the perfect "official" end to summer!
October 25, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Bowen Island, Kayaking & Canoeing
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When you're dodging umbrellas on the way to work, you know fall has officially hit. If you're dreaming of summer plans already, here's a great idea: head to Bowen Island for some ocean paddle-boarding.
Bowen Island is only 45-minutes from Vancouver, but it felt miles away: it's small, quaint and laid-back. After the ferry docked, a short stroll led us to an open-air market, galleries, studios, stores and restaurants (we stopped for fresh fish-n-chips on a patio).
Soon we were in need of cooler temperatures, so we headed to the dock to try paddle-boarding. This not-so-extreme water sport is like a cross between kayaking and surfing: there is a wide, long board and an equally long oar, and you're supposed to stand up and paddle.
Sounds simple, right? Well it's trickier than it looks (balance is key) - and I definitely made the first splash into the ocean (luckily the water was cool and refreshing).
After a few wobbly moments, we all picked it up and spent the rest of the hour cruising around - even spotting a pack of glossy seals likewise enjoying the water. Another great thing about paddle-boarding? It's very affordable! This left us plenty of money to snack on the delicious, authentic tacos, conveniently located on the pier next door to the kayaking/boarding shop.
Paddle-boarding available from Bowen Island Sea Kayaking.
July 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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What's a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon? Watching wiener dog races at the Hastings Race Course Track, of course! Having never been to the track before, I was compelled to go this Sunday to watch cute wiener dogs battle it out in a 20m dash. There were 3 heats, which took place in between the horse races. The dogs were hilarious to watch, even though not all crossed the finish line: some ended up going backwards, others circled each other and one just plain decided he didn't want to race anymore. But the two that did cross the finish line got loud cheers from the crowd for their photo finish race.
Although the wiener dogs were fun to watch (note: they only happen once a year), the horse races were definitely my favourite. It was great getting beers, hot dogs and placing cheap bets on the horses (you can bet as low as $2.00), and then cheering on your horse as they whipped by you! Word of advice: betting solely on the cool-factor of a horse's name is not a good strategy, and may lose you a few bucks. Overall it didn't matter that I lost money, because there was nothing better than spending a day in the sun, having some drinks and food and watching horses race by!
July 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Camping
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Prince Rupert may get its share of rainy, overcast weather but this is not always the case! I just returned from a week-long visit where it was sunny and hot, and the skies, blue and cloudless - perfect camping weather!
A few friends and I headed out to Kasiks Wilderness Resort, located between Prince Rupert and Terrace along the Skeena River. The drive along the Skeena is incredibly scenic, and you can often spot bears, eagles, moose, waterfalls and idle fishermen standing by their lines in the river.
Kasiks Resort was great. The camping spots are set back from the property and surrounded by dense wood, so it was quiet and private - true wilderness camping. But after a night of roughing it, we were very excited to find that the main lodge had a lounge/TV room (with satellite) and a kitchen which served up delicious - and cheap - breakfast...just in time to watch the Netherlands/Spain World Cup final match! Awesome. Not exactly "camping," but we were pretty happy for modern amenities that day.
Here are a few other things to do in Rupert when the sun is shining: stroll along the waterfront rocky beach and hunt for sea creatures or look for glimpses of seals and sea otters, kayak next to huge anchored ships in the harbour, and hike to views of rapids from Butze Rapids trail. Or my favourite: sit out on a patio and eat fresh seafood - there's nothing better!
June 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Hope, Climbing & Caving
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Recently I had the good fortune of checking out REO Rafting Resort near Boston Bar. What a great place! Not only do they have whitewater rafting down a range of Class 1 - 4 rapids, but a bunch of other activities - all set in a remote, wilderness location.
Besides the good food (and it was really good), I loved the rock climbing wall. They have a relatively easy, outdoor wall (although be warned - it looked easier than it actually was, as I found out first hand!), tucked away in a forest clearing, with a couple of different "routes" to challenge yourself.
Even if you aren't into rafting, be sure to check out the rock climbing and other amenities at REO Rafting Resort.
(Oh, and the picture above is of me scaling the wall, horrible technique and all! :) )
May 18, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Hope, Attractions
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Saturday afternoon was a great summer day, so a friend and I headed out to Hell's Gate near Hope to check it out. Part of the fun was the drive itself - within an hour or so you can leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and drive a scenic, winding road along the Fraser River and through a series of tunnels (don't forget to hold your breath & make a wish!).
Once we got to Hell's Gate (about 3 hrs. from Vancover), we hopped on the airtram that crosses the Fraser River at its narrowest point. This section is notorious for its current - twice the volume of Niagara Falls passes through there! After a short ride across, we got to the other side and spent some time walking across the suspension bridge and checking out the displays on the history of the river. To cap it off, we ordered a delicious salmon burger from the cafe and ate it on the patio in the sun - so nice and relaxing!
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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Vancouverites love their hockey (like all Canadians) – especially their Canucks. I’ve been to a handful of games and each time I have a blast. The fans are at once boisterous and respectful (jesting at the opposing team’s fans – especially Calgary Flames – but still polite to their fellow Canuck seat-neighbors. We are Canadian after all). I love when the mascot Fin playfully bites the heads of fans (the picture shown is of him going in for a "bite") and Mark Donnelly sings the national anthem! Lately the stadium announcer will belt out “Wooooo” after each Canuck goal, which is then repeated back by the fans. It’s addicting – you can’t not do it!
Vancouver is also home to a WHL team, the Giants. I haven't been to a game yet but here’s what my colleague Karen had to say about it: “At the Giants game I went to there were no business guys in suits heading to the game, it was lots of families and tons of people in jerseys...What I loved most was that there was so much entertainment in between periods: two golf carts on the ice, two blimps flying around, t-shirts being shot at the crowd, coupons dropping from the sky, and even a hamburger tossed out as a prize by the mascot...Impossible to be bored!”
If you prefer to hit the ice yourself, lace up your skates on one of Vancouver’s outdoor rinks. Grouse Mountain (in North Vancouver) has an 8,000 square foot pond high above the city, while Robson Square (downtown Vancouver) is a smaller rink but it’s free and right in the heart of the action (skate rentals are $3.00).
During the next two weeks though NHL team rivalries will be dropped and all Canadians will be cheering for their home country. We’d love to hear your pick on who will win men’s hockey gold. Post your picks/comments below!
Go Canada Go!!
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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One of my Olympic must-do activities was seeing the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit, “The Mechanics of Man”, at the Vancouver Art Gallery. On Sunday a colleague and I checked things out and although the line-up was long – we waited about 45 minutes – seeing the exhibit was worth it for me.
DaVinci’s anatomical drawings of the human body are incredibly detailed and beautifully etched. They are on yellowed sheets of paper, standard notebook size, and I was surprised to see how intact they actually were. I learned that some drawings have not been surpassed to date and others were the first-known accurate depictions (like his drawing of the spinal column). Pretty amazing stuff!
On every drawing DaVinci made cramped notes in Latin, which are written in his favored “mirror-style” way (ie: backwards). Each drawing had an accompanying description that explained which parts of the body we were looking at, his drawing techniques and methods, as well as other interesting information (such as how he made some discoveries two centuries before anyone else did).
Larger replicas of some drawings are placed on the walls and offer closer observation. Also splashed across the walls are random quotes by DaVinci. Overall, the exhibit was pretty amazing – I’m sure both biology nerds and art lovers will love it – and clearly very fitting for the Olympics!
February 09, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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With just days until the 2010 Winter Olympics begin, I’m starting to get really excited! But if you are ticket-less (like me), fear not! There will be plenty of free sites buzzing with activity where you can watch the Games and enjoy the festivities!
Here’s what’s on my radar:
LiveCity Downtown/Yaletown: Between the two sites – one in Yaletown and the other steps from BC Place and Canada Hockey Place – I should definitely be entertained. Giant TV screens will be set up and broadcast live coverage of the Games, yummy food and drink will be available and live music will be playing every night. Even before the Games start there will be activity: I’m going to be making my way to LiveCity Yaletown this Thursday for the arrival of the Olympic torch!
Robson Square: Take your pick between ice skating outside, zip-lining high over the cityscape or pondering Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mechanics of Man” exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Oh, and did I mention that all are free? (Skate rentals are $3.00.)
Richmond O Zone: If you don’t mind a little travel, hop on the Canada Line Skytrain to head out to this celebration site. I’m planning on checking out the Holland Heineken House (the nation house of the Netherlands) for some beer; the ice carving competitions – and subsequently funky ice art sculptures; trying a hand at bobsleigh (in virtual reality, of course); and all the fantastic live entertainment.
But if none of those suit your fancy, lots of bars and restaurants will be broadcasting the Games. So grab a bite to eat, replenish yourself with some beer and sit back and enjoy the Games.
Live City Downtown: corner of Georgia and Beatty; LiveCity Yaletown, corner of Pacific Blvd and Drake; Robson Square: corner of Robson and How; Richmond O Zone, Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Ave.
February 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Shopping
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Stores in Gastown are an eclectic mix: there’s everything from independent designer boutiques to vintage stores, high-end galleries displaying Aboriginal art and Euro-centric furniture stores. Oh, and seemingly more souvenir shops than Starbucks coffee shops (if that’s possible).
Walking down the cobbled streets made me feel like I was exploring a quaint European alleyway and I enjoyed window-shopping almost more than actually shopping. Partly this was because prices can run a lil’ high in some stores.
I first ventured into Fluevog. This international shoe store started its origins in Vancouver and its funky shoes have been worn by people like Madonna and Scarlet Johanssen. It has such a cult following that there is even an International Fluevog Day (May 15th). I’m assuming it’s celebrating wearing your ‘vogs(as they're fondly called) but I'm not entirely sure.
Next I headed to One of a Few. Like the name suggests, there are only a few of each item of clothing, which is great if you’re looking for something unique. If you want slightly more selection head next door to their aptly named sister shop, Two of a Few.
In search of a good deal, I visited Army & Navy (Canada’s version of Wal-mart). If you’re willing to hunt you can find some pretty good stuff here. Also: their annual shoe sale is a HUGE deal – line-ups usually start forming at 6am and in 2009 they sold 75,000 pairs of shoes in just 12 days!
Also worth checking out: Koolhaus for higher quality, Ikea-esque furniture (but with a heftier price tag); and the OK Boot Corral, a small shop jam-packed with all things Western - including rows and rows of cowboy (and cowgirl!) boots.
Happy shopping!
Locations: Fluevog, 65 Water St; One of a Few, 354 Water St; Two of a Few, 356 Water St; Army & Navy, 36 West Cordova; Koolhaus, 1 Water St; OK Boot Corral, 205 Carrall St.