July 23, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sooke, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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My wife and I just had the most fantastic time zip lining through the rainforest near Sooke at a place called Adrena Line Adventure Tours. With seven runs in total, (the longest being about 305 m (1,000 ft) and 46 m (150 ft) above ground), it took about an hour and a half to zig zag our way down the hillside.
Our guides were great. They got us hooked up with all the necessary gear and took us on a training zip line (the bunny slope of the zip lining world). We then boarded the funkiest 4-wheel drive vehicles that drove us along an old logging road to the hilltop. Views of the Sooke Basin, Olympic Mountains and Juan de Fuca Strait were amazing. Do not forget your camera on this trip.
As someone who gets a little uneasy after making it half way up a step ladder, I was a little leery of how I might make out on this adventure. But as soon as we had our introduction and trial run we both felt very safe and secure with the equipment and the experienced guides – I couldn’t believe that I was zipping upside down on my second line!
The last line before the end is the steepest and people have been clocked going 65 km/hr (40 mph)!
Adrena Line is approximately 40 minutes from downtown Victoria on Hwy 14. Sooke has a ton of other fun activities to do including whale watching, ocean kayaking and hiking.
July 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Kimberley, Dining
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Kimberley is one of those lovely mountain towns that you want to return to time and time again. Each trip I make there I discover something new that strengthens my afinity for small towns in the Kootenays. On a recent trip I was fortunate to dine at the Old Bauernhaus Restaurant which is located a few minutes from Kimberley's popular Platzl, on the road to the Kimberley Alpine ski resort. The building itself is fascinating. Built in 1640 in Bavaria, it was dismantled, shipped to Kimberley in 1987 and rebuilt as a warm, inviting restaurant. We had "the feast" which pretty much sums it up. Course upon course of slowcooked food arrived at the table. It just kept coming and I just kept eating it all because it was absolutely delicious. The food is German, which has never been a favourite of mine....but I am now a convert and will be back on my next visit to this lovely town.
July 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sooke, Dining
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Just got back from the foodie haven (and romantic getaway) in Sooke at the acclaimed Sooke Harbour House and restaurant. Not only is the inn and its rooms stunning (hallways and unique, spacious rooms decorated with amazing local art, fab little patios that overlook Whiffen Spit - which makes a great walk - and the mountains with great views of the otters playing in the bay. One otter even visited us in the garden!), and the service absolutely top-flight, but we had a chance to dine at their fantastic restaurant, which I can't recommend enough. For real foodies, this place is truly remarkable. Chef Tuson and his team fully subscribe to the 100-mile diet and EVERYTHING on the menu (with the exception of chocolate, coffee and orange juice for drinks) is sourced from local suppliers, grown on Vancouver Island or in the Harbour House's stunning and remarkable organic gardens. Your food will likely have been picked or delivered fresh that morning.
We had a four-course meal (about $75 not including wine/service) that we rate as among the best we've ever had. You've never had salads like the salads here - filled with unusual and delicious herbs, leaves and flower petals! The lamb melted in our mouths and the desserts - a rhubarb souffle that was astounding and a white chocolae mousse with edible rose petals and crazy sorbets - were remarkable. Plus, SHH also offers its visitors a free Garden tour in the mornings, where you can learn about what the gardens grow, and how they're used in your meals. You'll be eating fronds and herbs left right and centre and discovering all sorts of joyous combinations. Sooke is an easy drive from Victoria too (while in Victoria, be sure to have fish & chips or grilled fish from the little take-away joint "Red Fish Blue Fish" right on the wharf), but you can also take the #61 bus from Downtown Victoria and then a quick cab from downtown Sooke. SHH isn't cheap but it is stunning on all accounts.