July 05, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Beaches & Swimming
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With the weather as hot as it is people are always looking for the perfect place to kick back for the day. The Quinsam pothole are now and have been a great choice for escape from the heat of the day. Located about 15 mins from Willis Rd turnoff in Campbell River this is a spot you are going to need someone to show you as opposed to stumbling across as it is quite a hidden jem. The water was a perfect temperature and there is a great water fall (only 3 feet) that you can slide off in to a pool or even go under the falls if you can find your way under them. If you're in the local area it is really worth while trying to track this beauty down but I warn you that it may be quite a hunt.
July 05, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Beaches & Swimming
View a larger image on flickr.com
With the weather as hot as it is people are always looking for the perfect place to kick back for the day. The Quinsam pothole are now and have been a great choice for escape from the heat of the day. Located about 15 mins from Willis Rd turnoff in campbell river this is a spot you are going to need someone to show you as apose to stumbling across as it is quite a hidden jem. The water was perfect temperature and there is a great water fall(only 3 feet) that you can slide off in to a pool or even go under the falls if you can find your way under them. If your in the local area it is really worth while trying to track this beauty down but i warn you that it may be quite a hunt.
July 05, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
West Vancouver, Hiking
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Recently, I hiked one of the Juniper Point trails at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. For the time and travel invested it was an awesome payout. The trail is pretty easy going for the first three quarters then it's down some steps and step-like rocks to a landing on a big boulder with an awesome view West in the Georgia Strait. The great part is how close you are to the city and downtown but because of where you are situated, you can't see any civilization besides the odd boat. It's like your own lil' paradise. It's clearly a popular spot with the locals as I see many families and people walking there dogs along the trail.
July 04, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Hiking
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If you want a quick, couple hour hike, Eskers Provincial Park northwest of Prince George is a beautiful walk that showcases unique landforms and picturesque wetlands. The shorter, 3km walk also doubles as an interpretive trail that gives you information about glacial activity and how it created the landforms of the park. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of some wildlife in the wetlands, whether it is ducks or beavers or even moose. If you have some more time, you can do the 6km Kathie Lake trail, or even spend the time canoeing one of the many lakes that are stocked with fish. What’s the best about Eskers is that it’s only 30 minutes from the city which means that a days worth of adventure is right at your fingertips.
Krystin
July 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Theatre & Performing Arts
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The Park Drive-In in Prince George BC privides an evening full of entertainment fun. Being one of only three drive-in movie theaters remaining in British Columbia, a unique experience is found during today's technologically advanced times. As a well-known hot spot of movie-going delight by Prince George residents, the Park Drive-In sees many vehicles lining up at its gates, which is 10km down Cheif Lake Road, during summer weekends.
Two movies are offered a night - the cost of which is less than a ticket to see one blockbuster at any big time movie theater. This weekend on my outing to the Park Drive-In, Night at the Museum: The Battle of the Smithsonian and X-Men: Wolverine were the nightly features. I got quite a few laughs and just as many thrills out of the experience. Not only is old-time movie going fun had at the Park Drive-In, go karts and mini golf are also available and a blast for both kids and adults. Go out early and hit up 10 minutes of go-kart fun and an hour worth of mini-golf and you'll be all ready to curl up with a blanket in the front seat for a couple great movies.
I very much enjoy myself every time I head out to the Drive-In. It's an old-fashioned night of entertainment that I love to partake in, and I encourage anyone from the area or travelling through it to experience it themselves.
Christina
July 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Art Galleries & Artists
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JIM ETZKORN
Potter, Jim Etzkorn, has received numerous accolades and awards, taught and presented to groups around the world, and designed the dinner service for the G8 Summit in 2003, but his day-to-day motivation comes from the hope that his work will find a place in the regular lives and hearts of families for generations.
Etzkorn, who lives and works in Prince George, BC, said it is the chance that his work might become a treasured family heirloom that most inspires him to continue what he started 30 years ago. 
“Like the exercises you might do leading up to a big race, the day-to-day stuff sustains me,” he said. “The contact with humanity is my affirmation. It’s not technological, it’s very personal, and it keeps me grounded.”
It was a connection with the pots of Asian history that inspired a style that he describes as “functional and decorative, utilizing traditional and contemporary forms, techniques and ideas”. Hypothesizing that he “might have been Asian in another life”, Etzkorn said he has always been drawn to the big, swelling shapes of Oriental antiquities and the primal spirit that seems to emit from them. 
He draws further inspiration from other artists, nature, and the Asian concept of wabi-sabi– a Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on embracing transitions over results. For Etzkorn, the transitions involved in making a piece of pottery-each piece is handled 15 or 16 times-can be as satisfying as the piece itself.
“The process is long and there are no immediate rewards,” Etzkorn said. “But when I’m working, I am totally in the present-it’s like time stands still. That something beautiful can start as a lump of mud, is still amazing to me.” 
Jim Etzkorn’s work can be found at Side Street Studio in Victoria.
July 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Sightseeing Tours
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I found my self in a great spot for Canada Day this year with a chance to go out on a boat to see our Canada Day fireworks in Campbell River. I cant remember how many times I've seen them from the shore and thought to myself what a show it would be from the water and i must say i was not dissapointed. The sound and light coming off the water made the show so awesome you could feel it in your chest and the show was almost 15 mins long getting better with every blast. for anyone thinking or this kind of fun for next year's show you will have to make sure to call the tour company as they said that they would love to do this trip next year.
July 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Fishing
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The Peace Country of Northern BC shares a special place in the hearts of many. After recently moving here myself, I have found that I am growing to love it here as well. My name is Erin, and some co-workers and I decided to do a little exploring around our area. One of the places we went to was the Williston Lake Resort, near Hudson's Hope.
The Peace Country boasts nature's delights: plentiful fields, snow capped mountains, rolling hills, lush forests and sparkling lakes—my co-workers and I were amazed at the scenery.
As soon as we entered the lodge, I loved it right away. The Williston Lodge was built in the traditional log cabin style, with each of its logs hewn by hand for a beautifully seamless fit. The lodge is a work of art.
Not only is it beautiful, but the lodge is an excellent place to vacation and recharge, as it offers many lounging areas, including a large, sun-drenched balcony that is perfect for reclining. I felt like I was on an exotic island somewhere, just soaking up all those UV rays. It was great and wonderfully relaxing.
The Lodge offers a lot of activites that I didn't have time to do, but would have loved to. In the summer, there is fishing, horseback riding, ATV adventures and hiking. Winter guests who enjoying skiing or snowboarding will have the opportunity to ski the local mountains and enjoy the fresh powder. During the winter season there is also snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and wildlife observation.
The Williston Lodge Resort is a gem that sparkles in the Peace and draws travelers from far and near. After spending a short visit to the lodge, I was beckoned back for a second stay.
July 02, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Farms & Markets
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The lower mainland is infamous for the variety of cultures that reside here. It is one thing I love about Metro Vancouver. I heard of of the Richmond Night Market years ago and had never gone, until last week when a friend invited me. I jumped at the opportunity.
Now in its seventh summer, the market is every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from the end of May to the beginning of September.
The official website states, "It's a festival, a carnival, a celebration of food, culture and adventure. The Richmond Night Market is a dazzling summer event that captures the hearts and imaginations of millions of visitors of all ages. The sheer splendour of the site has a magnetic quality, a vast space teeming with visitors, 400 vendors selling extraordinary fabrics, decorations, trinkets, toys and richly aromatic foods, and entertainers romancing audiences with cultural performances from Asian and Western traditions."
Not sure I would describe my experience of the night market as a carnival, but if you love Asian food like I do then it is well worth the visit. It is tempting to fill up on food from the first few vendors (as you are greeted with delightful smells and interesting foods) but take your time to explore as there are many different food vendors to choose from.
The non food vendors tend to lean more towards being a little 'tacky' but we bought some fun sunglasses from one of the many sunglasses vendors.
One of the main attractions is the main stage where many young Asian dance groups entertained the screaming adoring audience. These were amateur dance groups but we were rather impressed with their
choreographed performances and their hard work they had obviously put into their practicing.
We left that evening with a full stomach of delicious food, some fun sunglasses and a great evening doing something completely different.
July 02, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Dining
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It was the last night of my brother and families vacation and we were trying to decide where to take them for their last meal. Metro Vancouver residents are spoiled with so many amazing restaurants, not just from the freshness and quality of the food but also from the variety of styles. I would make suggestion after suggestion to my wife but it wasn't until I mentioned Hapa Izakaya that her face lit up with excitement. It seemed that we had chosen somewhere to go.
Hapa is not just another Asian restaurant, the food is spectacular, the staff are a great balance of professional and friendly and the atmosphere is open but private at the same time. We visited the Robson Street location where the interior is dark, dimly light and has a mixture of seating arrangements, from a traditional round table where you remove your shoes to more western style seating.
Traditionally Izakaya bars are where business men gather after work in Japan. They are never advertised and people are invited by another to join them. The bars themselves are not located on high streets, but are 'hidden' down a street alley, down a flight of stairs and through an unmarked door. Offering up a balance of food, music, and a space to bond with your guests.
When the owner of Hapa Justin Ault and wife decided to bring the concept of the Izakaya to Vancouver they were faced with an interesting challenge of promoting the concept of the Izakaya in a Western landscape. Firstly, you will notice that the sign outside of the restaurant is minimal. Secondly, on opening night of the
restaurant friends and influencers in the city were invited to enjoy the food and experience Hapa. After the guests were informed that their meal was 'on the house' they were asked if they enjoyed their experience that evening, that if they recommended Hapa to a friend then for the next two weeks they would also be offered a complimentary meal. In summary, they spent their marketing dollars offering food rather than more traditional advertising methods that would be expected in Western culture. It is brilliant marketing method. Obviously, word spread like wild fire throughout the city and Hapa has been busy ever since.
Everyone I talk to who has eaten at Hapa seem to have their favourites. Only a certain amount of the menu is permanent the rest changes year round, often depending which fish has been freshly caught that day. My favourite is the Ebi Mayo, deep fried shrimp, tossed in a spicy mayonnaise sauce (to die for), it is rare that we don't order more than one serving.
Not really a place where you take the kids, more of a setting for a romantic dinner with a loved one, or a gathering for friends who enjoy Japanese food but want something a little more special than a 'sushi' restaurant.
Visit the restaurant at 1479 Robson Street or in Kitsilano 1516 Yew Street (right next to the beach).