August 29, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Hope, Sightseeing Tours
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Three cities along a 200km stretch of highway. Gas stations between cities: non-existent. That's what you're faced with driving the Coquihalla Highway, Hwy 5, between
Hope and
Kamloops. While it's absolutely drivable don't head off without checking your gas tank first. You know your own vehicle the best, so gauge your fuel consumpition accordingly.
Merritt is roughly 100km from both Kamloops and Hope - smack-dab in the middle of the route - if you are travelling during the day you'll need at least enough gas to get there. If you are travelling at night you may need to drive the whole stretch on a single tank of gas. Cell phone service is spotty along this mountainous highway, so if you do run out of gas you may not be able to quickly call for service. And if you get a tow truck to deliver fuel to you, be prepared to pay an outragious price for the gas. Save the hassle and check your fuel first. Contact one the respective
Visitor Info Centres for more information on the locations and hours of operation of local gas stations. Road conditions along the Coquihalla are available from the
Ministry of Transportation.
August 26, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Hiking
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There are no restaurants awaiting you at the top, no bars or Gondola rides down; in that sense nothing compares with the Grouse Grind, one of the more challenging
hikes in Vancouver. But if you are looking for a similar, steep, high-cardo hike in Victoria, head out to
Goldstream Provincial Park and take on the Mt. Finlayson Trail. This steep, rugged trail challenges hikers with varied terrain before rewarding them at the top with a sense of accomplishment and amazing views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Finlayson Arm and surrounding areas. And while there is no snack bar at the top, you'll get twice the workout (because you have to hike back down), it's much more scenic and you'll avoid the commuter-like crowds that plague the Grouse Grind. The average hiker should be able to hike up and back in about three hours. Proper footwear is essential.
August 25, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Shopping
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If you're planning to visit
Granville Island while in Vancouver, do what the locals do and leave your car behind. Unless you go early in the morning or late at night, traffic down there is a nightmare. Lots of free parking (a plus) coupled with very few throughways (a minus) means total gridlock most of the day. But there are lots of alternative ways of getting there though, and more scenic too. Hop aboard one of the ubiquitous Aqua Buses that dot the waters of False Creek and take a sea cruise before getting there. One of my favourites methods is to walk to Granville Island along the Seawall; great views of the city, fresh ocean breeze and lots of benches for you sit and take it all in (no one said you had to rush). Bicycles and Rollerblades are also allowed on the Seawall.
Public transit is another option. If you must drive, consider using the metered parking outside the entrance to Granville Island instead of driving in. It means you'll do a little walking, but believe me it's a small price to pay to avoid the congestion. Plenty of metered parking is available on 1st, 2nd, 3rd Avenues between Fir St and Burrard St. If you`re lucky there are a few unmetered spots to be had, but those aren't vacant very often.
August 24, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
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If you find yourself in Vancouver without a car and want to do a little sightseeing, consider getting yourself a Transit Daypass, available from most 7-11 convenience stores or just about any place that sells lottery tickets. The Daypass allows unlimited travel on BC Transit services for an entire day. So if you're really on the move the savings really starts to add up, not to mention you don't have to fuss with finding exact change every trip. Vancouver's transit system is broken into three zones, so where you want to go will determine which Daypass you need to buy. Visit
HelloBC for some ideas on things to see and do in Vancouver And for more information on Vancouver's Trasit services, go to the
Translink website.
August 10, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
Another "Celebration of Light" fireworks festival has come and left Vancouver. About 1.4 million people took in the free event, and if you've never been before, the crowds can get unruly. This year I decided not fight the crowds on the Downtown side of English Bay and headed over the Burrard Bridge to the Vanier Park side. What a difference! The crowds on the south side are much better behaved, you can actually find a spot to sit down and when the show is over people leave the area peacefully. I'm not suggesting there aren't people there, just not nearly as many people. Something to consider if you plan on going to next year's festival.