August 28, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
Our BC trip was awesome. We visited the entire province and the National
Parks in and on the border of British Columbia. We flew in to Vancouver YVR,
beautiful Airport. Stayed two days on Hourbourside on the burrand Inlet in
Vancouver. Visited Stanely Park, took the Big Bus tour, visitied Granville
Island, ChinaTown, Gastown. Thereafter visited hope, Merrit, Revelstoke, Golden,
Fieldthe National Parks including Yoho, and Banff / Jasper (BC-Alberta border),
Mt. Robson. The landscape and scenery is BREATHTAKING. Truly Heaven.
Also Visited Kamaloops,Victoria, Brentwood Bay, Squamish, horseshow Bay
Village,Whistler. Vancouver Island as some nice little fishing villages.
Hello BC staff were very helpfull whereever we went. A special thanks to
the wonderful customer service in HELLO BC at the Mount Robson hello BC office.
The young lady helped us in finding good accomodations and was very helpfull as
were the other hello BC offices throughout our trip. Traveler tip: At Lake
Louise, take the Gondola up to the Mountain before 2pm and enjoy an AWESOME all
you can eat five star buffet for a couple of bucks.
We also visited several suburbs in Vancouver. Surrey, Delta, Richmond,
Burnaby. Found lots of fellow Indo-Canadians and awesome PUNJABI food in Little
India's Punjabi Market. Also was impressed listening to locals about People of
Indian Origin settling in British Columbia since the late 1800's.
I would like to thank the wonderful province of British Columbia for a real
awesome Vacation.
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Beaches & Swimming
Late fall and winter are great times to visit Tofino on BC's wild, west coast.
This video compilation was put together after a terrific long weekend spent in Tofino storm watching in November 2006. Most days were clear, cool blue skies with tormented seas.
Accommodations were excellent - we stayed at the Middle Beach Lodge which has a terrific and comfortable common area (great place to warm up and play board games after a refreshing stroll on the beach) and easy beach access.
We dined at various restaurants but my favourites were Sobo for down to earth, well priced, delicious simple seafood (think Thai seafood tacos, polenta fried for about $10) and the Raincoast Cafe for finer dining (refined west coast cuisine in a comfortable, non-pretentious setting).
But alas we could not pass up enjoying a drink at the Wickininnish - superb setting, magnificent, dramatic view, prices to match.
Also enjoyed a jaunt to up Ucluelet and had great Halibut and Chips in a little road side diner called Smiley's. You can eat and go bowling at the same time!
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Climbing & Caving
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The birth place of mountaineering in Canada Rogers Pass and the Selkirk Mountains.A classic climb of the north west ridge of Mount Sir Donald in Glacier National Park.
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Backcountry Skiing
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Lake Ohara in Yoho National Park for cross country skiing at forty below zero.Nothing like it.Being on a light pair of cross country skiis with toe bindings and a pack on your back heading into a back country lodge for a few days of winter touring.The snow is so dry it just blows by you as you ski.The cold is evident from the smoke that rises straight up from the chimnley of the lodge.There is complete silence.Nothing to hear but your skiis as they move through the snow.Remarkable.
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Climbing & Caving
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Glacier National Parks Hermit Meadows in the Selkirk Mountains south of Rogers Pass in the summer is a popular hiking area.In the winter after avalanche season it is truly a remarkable location for Ski Mountaineering.Some of the best powder skiing you will ever experience with wide open bowls to ski.
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Galiano Island, Beaches & Swimming
After an enchanting walk through the forest at the Northern tip of Galiano - 6 and 5 year olds in tow - we came to the ocean. Dionisio Point Provincial Park is amazing. Hours were spent looking at tidal pools, logs, rocks, beaches and a incredible view. We saw only a couple other people and felt like we were seeing the land and sea just as the people who lived there 7,000 years ago did. I have rarely experienced waterfront in such purity and I was thrilled to share it with my daughter.
August 24, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Pemberton, Biking
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Sample locally-grown produce and West Coast scenery by bicycle
Slow Food Cycle Sunday is a free one-day tour
organized by the community of Pemberton (north of Whistler, Canada) to
increase awareness and appreciation of their growers and suppliers.
This year three friends and I joined more than 2100 cyclists to on the 50 kilometers of country
roadway that linked 12 participating farms. The ride is non-competitive, family-friendly and delicious!
From the official Slow Food Cycle Sunday web site:
“The World Watch Institute reports that the average food item
eaten in North America has traveled 2500-4000 km from farm table. The
distance between good food and your table is as short as a 26km bike
ride.
Sea to Sky’s signature agritourism event, Slow Food Cycle Sunday
Pemberton blows the fast-food drive-through away. A pedal-powered trip
through the natural buffet that is Pemberton Meadows farmland, to meet
local growers and sample produce fresh from the field.
Next year’s event is scheduled for August 16, 2009
August 19, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Langley, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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Last Sunday, I made a trip out to Thunderbird Show Park to watch the Gand Prix sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society. My family and I purchased tickets to sit under the marquww tent where we had a spectacular view of the course and horses. We were also served a fantastic lunch and enjoyed the Warsteiner emporium where beer and wine was being served. There was also a large viewing area where some of my friends parked their vehicles and tail gated for free to enjoy the fascinating event.
If you have the chance there is another Grand Prix being held this Sunday (August 24th) be the Keg Steakhouse and it should be jest as, if not more entertaining then last Sunday.
There is more information on the horse show's website:
www.thunderbirdshowpark.com
August 11, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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Vancouver is one of the world’s most spectacular and British Columbia’s largest city. Vancouver is one of the only places in the world where it is possible to ski, snowboard, hike and golf all on the same day. The city will also host to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at Cypress Mountain. There are plenty of things to do and see in Vancouver and with so much on offer it’s helpful to have some inspiration. Vancouver’s top ten attractions including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, Robson Street, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Gastown, Chinatown and Chinatown Night Market, Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Aquarium is the perfect starting point. Vancouver has a lively calendar of events and festivals all year round including Polar Bear Swim, New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Victoria Day, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver Chamber Music Festival, Vancouver International Comedy Festival, Canada Day, Pacific National Exhibition, Gay Pride Day, BC Day, Civic Holiday, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day and Christmas Carolship Parade.
August 07, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Ferry
Just back from a family wedding up in Prince Rupert and had to share with folks how great the trip up via BC Ferries was (Port Hardy/Prince Rupert onbaord Northern Adventure). We saw a lot of whales; probably 20 orcas and a five or so grey. The scenery is impressive and I have lived on the Coast most of my life- including the northern end of Vancouver Island so I honestly thought I'd be a bit bored by it all. We travelled as large group- ten or so family members and we were all impressed. They do a casual bbq on one of the decks- it was very impressive, very west coast and relaxed! There was a 2 year old, 8, and 15 year old with us and they were all equally entertained. I would strongly recommend booking a cabin- we did and it was great especially for the kids and a mid day nap- its an EARLY start!
Prince Rupert has some nice parts- great museum, loved "Cow Bay Cafe"- amazing fresh food, Cowpuccion's Cafe is great too- we were there every morning for coffees and bagels. The sunken gardens were pretty. The surrounding area is very scenic- lots of great hiking/camping. We spent a sunny day at Diana Lake- water was chilly for me but the kids loved it.
There is so much to see and do in this province, I love exploring it it always makes me so happy that this is home!