August 30, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Wells, Dining
Find more information about Wells - Dining
View a larger image on flickr.com
I just returned from a two-week journey around British Columbia, and well, I would have to say one of the most memorable communities was Wells.
The Frog on the Bog cafe jumped out at us with its bright red walls and friendly deck, as did all the shops along the main street. The Pottery studio is as yellow as the sunflower art in the front and the blue and pink Bear's Paw Cafe glowed in the sunset. Of course, I was glowing after scarfing a piece of homemade carrot cake topped with, you guessed it, colourful hot pink icing! Yum!
Dave, the Bear's Paw Cafe owner, shared with me his photo album from all his outdoor adventures around Wells. Turns out the locals are just as welcoming as the painted buildings!
May 14, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Squamish, Surfing & Watersports
Find more information about Squamish - Surfing & Watersports
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Howe Sound wind forced me to sit lower and lower on the rocks, allowing the jutting spit to block the morning air from reaching my stinging ears.
Despite their wet suits, the kite surfers swore at the cool BC water, and shared their energetic hoots and hollers with us onlookers as they stomped the waves. And then they would soar off again, into the snow-capped mountains or Shannon Falls or against the cargo ship docked on the opposite shore. I sat and shot away, and relished in the action as they played. The spit ranks right up there with the best wind-surfing and kite-surfing spots in the world.
May 11, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
Find more information about Vancouver - Attractions
Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with the beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium. I have been fascinated with belugas ever since I grabbed my pillow, put on my pj's, and joined an aquarium sleepover a few years ago (yes, I brought my young son with me). Despite the late night, it was magical to follow the belugas around the tank and then into my dreams.
So dinner last night was followed by a nice slice of pool-side pie and a splash of "artic" sea water. Those blubbery beluga tails look small, but they can pack a punch! Fortunately I stood up fast enough to evade most of the over-the-fence wave.
And I didn't know this, but you can get into the pool with a trainer to feed, touch, and train one of the belugas. When you are that close to them, there is no way to move when they splash you - full soaking is included in the encounter. Fortunately, so is a wet suit.
Check out the live Beluga cam on the Aquarium website.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Squamish, Sightseeing Tours
Find more information about Squamish - Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
Too many people zoom up to Whistler from Vancouver and forget to get out and enjoy the scenery. This is a shot from just outside Britannia, close to Squamish. There are many viewpoints along the highway that are more than worth the stop to stretch your legs.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Kaslo, Hot Springs
Find more information about Kaslo - Hot Springs
Ainsworth Hot Springs is my favourite hot spot when I head to the Kootenay Rockies. While the outdoor pools and views of Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains are spectacular enough, the reason I visit is the horseshoe-shaped cave where the water comes in. At the back of the cave, the water is the hottest (42C, 114F) and highest. Don't stay too long - it is really, really hot! Forget the horseshoe, I just keep going in circles - hot - cold - hot - cold.
These days, hot springs and spas are luxurious escapes. Ainsworth's cave reminds me that raw nature is still the source for the water that soothes.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Cache Creek, Historic & Heritage Sites
Find more information about Cache Creek - Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
Last September, my family and I stopped at the Historic Hat Creek Ranch after a trip to 100 Mile House. We took a stagecoach ride on the Cariboo Waggon Road, which is the original road from the Cariboo gold rush. After speaking with our horse wrangler, we discovered he is a blood relation to Don McLean, who was the Hudson Bay Company Chief Trader for the area and the original founder of the Hat Creek Roadhouse.
It was fascinating to not only tour the heritage site, but to feel that a part of the history is still alive.
February 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Attractions
Find more information about Vancouver - Attractions
My Great Find includes a Great Sleep. A few years ago, I slept over at the Vancouver Aquarium with my family, a few seals, and a pool full of sea stars.
We had the whole place to ourselves (and a few other families), including a host who showed us the entire Aquarium at night. We went behind the scenes and fishtanks to tour the operation - the part visitors normally don't see.
We fed the fish, otters, frogs, and other creatures and fell asleep watching the Beluga's - our heads rested on pillowcases we made while sipping our pre-sleep hot cocoa.
Overall we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that totally surpassed visiting the Aquarium during the day. It cost just a bit more than the usual admission price and a nights stay at a hotel, but well worth it.
February 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver - Dining
Downtown Vancouver has an abundance of quick-and-easy (and economic) eatiers, which I find myself frequenting more and more. Here are some of my favourite food places, where I can take the food to go, which means...to the beach, to the park, to the stairs on the Vancouver Art Gallery, to the middle of the Burrard Inlet by boat, etc. There are so many great outdoor places to eat, you just need to bring your own food.
1. Hot Dog Vendors - all over the place, including the waterfront walkway. Veggie dogs too!
2. International Food Courts - mainly concentrated around the Burrard Street and Pender area downtown and in the shopping malls. India Abroad in the food court at Hornby and Pender is a local favourite.
3. Fujiya Sushi - sushi to go on West Pender. I always pick up a package of Pocky for an easy picnic dessert.
4. Markets - there are many farmers markets in Vancouver (but not downtown), with the most popular being Granville Island. I often speak to the farm growers, who fill in the story and detail of the food.
5. Food Stores - IGA, Capers, T&T (asian), Nesters, and Urban Fare all have great selections of local B.C. foods. I love the soup at Capers on Robson and often grab a cup, some fresh bread, and Ginger Beer to go before heading to Stanley Park. Or, I just sit on their patio and people watch.
February 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
North Vancouver, Kayaking & Canoeing
Find more information about North Vancouver - Kayaking & Canoeing
I always tell visitors to head to Deep Cove. A quick 20 minute drive from downtown Vancouver to Deep Cove gets you into a small treasure trove of coastal life. Deep Cove is a small waterfront community in North Vancouver on Indian Arm, a remote-like fjord off Burrard Inlet.
Things to do include licking ice-cream, hiking the Baden-Powell trail, throwing the frisbee or tossing the hacky-sack in Cates Park, sitting on the wharf, and going on a treasure hunt in the many local shops.
But the Great Find of Deep Cove is the kayaking. I rent a kayak from Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak and head out to explore the area on my own. I love paddling past the architecturally inspiring waterfront homes on my way to Raccoon Island, where I stop for a picnic lunch or dinner and a bit of exploring... and sometimes skinny dipping (as long as no one is around, which is usually the case).
While I haven't done it, you can continue down Indian Arm and turn an evening paddle into an overnight adventure. Perhaps this summer.
January 29, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Gardens
Find more information about Vancouver - Gardens
Stanley Park is a spectacular 40 hectare park in downtown Vancouver. It is Canada's largest park and one of British Columbia's top attractions. It is to us Vancouverites what Central Park is to New Yorkers. You may have heard that Stanley Park has recently been hit by violent winter storms, with over 3,000 trees being toppled and parts of the world-famous seawall getting shut down (I saw this morning that news reports have hit France media even!). As devastating as the storms have been, there is still so much beauty within the park, and many reasons to visit. Much of the seawall is still open, as it many of the park's attractions, including the incomparable
Vancouver Aquarium, and great restaurants like the
Sequoia Grill. You should still set aside an afternoon to visit the park while in Vancouver.
British Columbia Magazine is launching a special issue of the magazine,
Stanley Park - After the Storm, to celebrate the park's timeless beauty and capture this point in the park's history.
Stanley Park - After the Storm makes a great memento of a visit to B.C. and helps contribute to the park's restoration.