July 02, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Beaches & Swimming
Find more information about Vancouver - Beaches & Swimming
BC Girl and Canadian Idol Finalist Carly Rae Jepsen shoots her latest video on the beaches of Vancouver. You too can build a castle and stay until the sun comes down. Enjoy!
July 02, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Penticton, Festivals & Events
Wow! The
Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival was a huge success. For the first time ever the two big events, the Saturday Night Tribute Show and the Sunday Judged Finals, sold out completely. This has become a very impressive event, attracting top talent from around North America.
Between the Elvis Festival and the
Peach City Beach Cruise, it was really amazing to see the traffic in downtown Penticton. There were people everywhere because both events took place within the same two block radius. On top of that, the Penticton Farmer's Market STILL ran on Saturday morning.
Talk about things to do! Summer in Penticton is jammed with so many great things: sun, sand, festivals, fresh fruit, wineries... the list goes on.
July 02, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Bowen Island, Dining
Find more information about Bowen Island - Dining
Next time you are heading to Bowen Island, don't limit your visit to Snug Cove but climb the hill up to the lesser crowded
Artisan Square. Not only will you find some delicious chocolate at
Cocoa West and awesome local jewelry at by local jazz singer
Christie Grace you will also find one of the most amazing bistros I have come across.
Artisan Eats has just the right blend of fabulous local food, atmopshere and a small but excellent wine list to make it a reason in itself to go back to Bowen Island more often. I want to try everything on their menu!
July 02, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Dining
Find more information about Nanaimo - Dining
When visiting Nanaimo, you have to check out the Dinghy Dock Pub
on Protection Island. British Columbia Field Reporter Chris Wheeler
takes a five-minute ferry ride to Canada's only floating pub and
samples the seafood, talks to "Molly" the parrot and jives to a live
band. What a place to enjoy an evening brew and watch the sunset...
just watch out for pirates!
More videos showcasing the Nanaimo, The Harbour City at: http://www.youtube.com/DestinationNanaimo
July 01, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Sandspit, Kayaking & Canoeing
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I just spent a month on Haida Gwaii for a university field "school". Everything was just amazing! We hit up Masset, Old Masset, Tlell, Port Clements, Queen Charlotte City, Skidegate, Sandspit, and Gwaii Haanas and did so many different things! One thing that REALLY stands out though was Mount Moresby Adventure Camp! Located on Moresby Island, not far from the launch point into Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, this place is GORGEOUS! MMAC is right on Mosquito Lake and Mount Moresby overshadows the lake and there are some really cool short and long hikes nearby! The bunkhouse and mess hall buildings are also stunning; two cedar traditional longhouses!
But that's not all! Our field school rented out the camp in May as the camp was just coming alive and we had the chance to talk to Jonathan, the director. We got to hear about MMAC's beginnings and as it turns out, MMAC is not just a business, its actually this amazing Forest Stewardship and Outdoor Education Program that is partnered with the Haida Gwaii School District. Every year all the grades 4, 8 and 12 spend a week or two at the camp learning outdoor skills and environmental stewardship among other things. I think he said that as of this year every kid on Haida Gwaii will have been to MMAC! And better yet, all the money from tours and facility rentals that MMAC puts on goes towards supporting this program!
The staff that we met at MMAC, including Jonathan, are all pretty awesome and their resumes are pretty impressive! No need to worry about safety or having a good time with them around!
MMAC offers ecotourism sea kayaking tours into Gwaii Haanas, kids adventure camps and kids eco-tours as well as offering the MMAC facility up for rental for retreats and field schools to support the non-profit school camp!
It was such an amazing experience, kayaking and canoeing on the lake, hiking trails built by campers, campfires, 'class time' in the mess hall, spreading out our mattresses in front of the fire in the bunkhouses and waking up to the smell of cedar every morning! I hope everyone going to Haida Gwaii takes a tour with MMAC to support this great cause!!
July 01, 2009 | News and Specials >
Queen Charlotte City, Festivals & Events
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Are you seeking some fun for the whole family and some fantastic music? Well, then seek no more! Come to Tlell, on the Queen Charlotte Islands, from August 7th to 9th and experience the
Edge of the World Music Festival!
The Edge of the World Music Festival is an annual event that happens on The Queen Charlotte Islands. Every year, many different musicians come from all over the country to play their music. It varies from rock and country to hip hop and reggae. There are also small booths open, where you can purchase food, artwork, and memorabilia.
This year we're
Dancing on the Edge of the World! With great music comes great dancing! You're invited to strut your stuff and just have a great time!
Just a few of those lined up to play this summer are:
-Ballgag 'n' Chain Gang from Victoria, BC
-Jarimba from Vancouver, BC
-Random Order from Toronto
-Nice Verdes from Australia
-Retrosphere from Skidegate, BC
-Gillian Hobbs from Vancouver, BC
-John Spearn, Dapp, Alberta
These are not the limit! These are just a sample of what is in store!
And if you are a musician, or part of a band that would like to perform at the music festival, feel free to go to this website: http://www.edgefestival.com/getting.htm and contact the organizers of the Edge of the World Music Festival '09.
To get here from the mainland there are two options:
1.) By boat...BC Ferries is your option, and www.bcferries.com has information and phone numbers so you can make reservations or ask more questions.
2.) By plane...you have a few options. Pacific Coastal Airplanes is based in Masset, which is about an hour drive from the festival site.
Air Canada Jazz, which is based in Sandspit, is a short ferry ride across Skidegate Inlet (20 minutes or so) and then about a 45 minute drive to the festival site.
Two campsites are located near the Festival site (one is right across the road and one is 10 minutes away). Camping is a great idea, but remember, it is on a first come, first serve basis...no reservations! so you need to make sure you can find a spot!
Fees:
Adults
|
Weekend Festival Pass |
$50.00 |
| Friday Night |
$25.00 |
| Saturday Only |
$35.00 |
| Saturday Night Only |
$25.00 |
| Sunday Only |
$25.00 |
| Family ** |
Weekend Pass |
$100.00 |
| Saturday - All Day |
Pass Only |
| Sunday - All Day |
Pass Only |
Youth 13 - 18
& Seniors 65+ |
Weekend Pass |
$35.00 |
| Friday Night |
$20.00 |
| Saturday - All Day |
$30.00 |
| Saturday Night Only |
$20.00 |
| Sunday - All Day |
$20.00 |
| Children < 12 |
All Fares |
Free |
these are based off of the main website:http://www.edgefestival.com/gen_info.htm#ticket
(**family means 2 adults, plus max. 3 children)
REMEMBER: No pets allowed on the Festival grounds!! This is a family event, so alcohol and drugs are prohibited as well. Make sure you keep your furry friends at home and don't support any illegal substances or alcohol! Thanks!
This year is expected to be great, just like the previous years. There are always great reviews, and the hospitality around here just welcomes everyone! The atmosphere is fun and vibrant, and you don't want to miss this awesome event!
EDGE OF THE WORLD MUSIC FEST '09! COME HAVE SOME FUN, LISTEN TO SOME FABULOUS MUSIC, AND JUST HAVE A GREAT TIME!
July 01, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Golf
Find more information about Victoria - Golf
We played the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club near Victoria on Vancouver Island and caught some video of an amazing rainbow from the patio. Then we saw a group of golfers fly off in a helicopter! Must be nice.
The views from clubhouse and golf course are fantastic. You can see the ocean and nearby islands in the background. We had dinner at the Satellite Bar & Grille at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club and it was very good. I have to say I don't normally expect much from a golf course restaurant but the menu, food quality and selection of local wines far exceeded my expectations.
The golf course is surrounded by 9 wineries, so we visited a few. The Pinor Noir from Avrill Creek is fantastic! Cherry Point and Merridale Cider have great venues for tastings as well. Check the golf course and nearby wineries out if you can!