April 30, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Nanaimo, Biking
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Newcastle and Gabriola Islands are small islands less than 5km off east coast Vancouver Island's city of Nanaimo. They're part of a group of islands in the Strait of Georgia locally known as the "southern Gulf Islands". Both are accessible by ferry.
Newcastle Island has been home to Coast Salish First Nations villages, a sandstone quarry, and a resort. It is now a car-free parkland with trails and a campground. Gabriola Island is an island village of 50 square kilometres and 4,500 residents. It has a seaside campground, nearby pubs and cafes, a farmer's market, and small deer.
View a few photos by following this link:
http://www.ulrike.ca/2007/09/cycling-newcastle-and-gabriola-islands.html
April 30, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
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I've travelled by bike and train in Thailand, New Zealand and the U.S.; but it wasn't until a couple of tour-ready folding bikes were put into my hands that I even considered doing it at here in B.C.
Accordingly, I devised a "gonzo" three-week bike and train journey across western Canada and presented an itinerary to my friend Michelle: we would board the "Whistler Mountaineer" from Vancouver to Whistler, pedal around Whistler valley for a couple of days, then board Rocky Mountaineer's "Fraser Discovery Route" to head north and east to Jasper, Alberta via Quesnel. After a few days in Jasper, we could swap trains and step aboard VIA Rail's "Canadian" and head east to Saskatoon (in Saskatchewan), then Winnipeg (Manitoba). We'd spent a couple of days cycling around in each city and then take VIA Rail back to Jasper.
I warned her that in Jasper we'd go hardcore: we would clip panniers onto the Dahons and road-test the bikes on the 300-kilometer stretch of mountainous highway between Jasper to Banff. We'd leave our sleeping bags at home and stay at yet-to-be-confirmed Hostelling International wildernous cabins along the way. Once in Banff we'd get back on track and complete the rail circle almost a month later by climbing on Rocky Mountaineer's "Kicking Horse Route" to return to Vancouver via Kamloops.
What happened? I wrote
35 short stories en route and if f you're interested in a trip like this, I hope the stories provide you with some useful information!
April 21, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Mackenzie, Air / Airports
Wished your website was like the BC books. What is the nearest airport to MacKenzie and how far is it from that airport?
Zahia
April 17, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Festivals & Events
Excepted from the weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for April 11, 2008.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Region Highlights:
- Bella Coola - the Tour De Bella Coola
- Quesnel - Sugaring Off Farm Festival at Moose Meadow Farms
- Tapping Birch workshop in Quesnel on April 19th
- Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo on April 18-20th
- 141st Annual Clinton Ball on May 17th
April 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Parksville, Dining
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I had a business lunch at the new Parksville Beach Club Resort today in its Pacific Prime Steak & Chop restaurant. The restaurant is fairly intimate, it looks like room for only 30 or so, with amazing unobstructed views of Parksville beach, the Strait, and the Coast Mountains.
The menu was smaller than most other restaurants and offered salads, sandwiches, and a few other lunch entrees. I think small menus are a good thing - makes me think the food will be fresh. I'd say the average lunch was about $12.
I had Pacific Prime's version of fish & chips called "Torpedo Prawns". It was nicely presented with one of the best tartar sauces I've ever had. My colleague had the club stack sandwich that came with a generous portion of greens.
Both of us really enjoyed our first taste of Pacific Prime and it's safe to say we'll be back with friends and family.
April 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Sun Peaks Resort, Cross-Country Skiing
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I have been an avid downhill skier for many years and decided this year to challenge myself and try cross country skiing. What an eye opener that was. I have a new found respect for this sport.
A group of us ventured out with our guides on a starry moonlit cold and crisp evening, thinking what a perfect way to learn to cross country ski - no one would see us in the dark if by chance we fell. The experienced skiers strapped on their head lamps while we novices put flashlights around our necks.
What an amazing experience, the trail was so quiet (with the exception of an occasional groan from one of us) and the stars were brilliant. The best part was we all succeeded. With tips from our guides we were able to complete our course and return to the village with triumphant cheers!
My recommendation is to go ahead and have that wonderful cheesecake for dessert then head out for an evening cross country ski. You will have an evening that will raise your heart rate and make you feel like a champion!
April 13, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Oliver, Golf
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Every year I go on a "guys golf weekend" to the Okanagan. There are great courses everywhere from Vernon through to Osoyoos, but the highlight of my whole golf year is the 18th tee shot at Fairview, near Oliver, in what has become the South Okanagan wine belt.
Alongside prime vineyards, Fairview is well-named: it is fair and it has great views, but it is also a demanding golf test. Score well and you have played well. The reward is the 18th hole tee shot: a drive off a cliff to a landing area seemingly hundreds of feet below, with the valley behind. Hit the ball cleanly, and it goes up, and out, and hangs, and hangs.. and... it is sheer ecstasy watching and waiting for it to land.
We play Fairview twice in the weekend - two chances of hitting the "best shot of the year"!
April 13, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Surrey, Festivals & Events
I've been thinking about a trip to India - who would guess I could do it at home? Reading my morning paper, I discovered that the largest Vaisakhi celebration in the world, outside of India, is in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver. Not far at all from where I live.
Vaisakhi is a holy day, marking the birth of Sikkhism and why not, the harvest too. Although, that must be an "India" thing because there is not too much harvesting going on in BC in April. Nevertheless 100,000 colourfully garbed Sikhs and a few curious others like me showed up to particpate in the parade and share the wealth. That last is a very good thing, as people and organizations set up stalls along the parade route. You cannot walk five feet without having food and drink and sweets pressed on you - traditional East Indian fare from chickpea curry to fried bread to pizza and chocolate chip cookies. Well, maybe not all traditional but all wonderful and all free.
The parade got underway with drummers drumming and music reverberating off the walls of nearby businesses. A flashy motorcyle core revved their Harleys and children marched by spnning ghutkas. After a few minutes of that, a smiling man with a bag full of kerchiefs moved through the crowd helping the heathens like me tie a kerchief over our heads. Seems the float carrying the holy men was making its way towards us and heads must be covered.
When I removed it later I was amused to discover I'd also been advertising for "Gilco Real Estate." Entrepreneurship is alive and well at Vaisakhi! But equal opporturnity not so much. As the holy men floated by I turned to the fellow next to me and asked, "When does the float with holy women come past?" I received the only frown of the day. Oh well, maybe next year.
April 08, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Maple Ridge, Wildlife Tours
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Want to experience birds of prey up close and personal? There is a place in Maple Ridge called Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey that offer hands-on experiences with Raptors. They offer several different courses, for the bird of prey enthusiasts. Who knew these animals had such unique personalities? Every course offered is lead by a Falconer.