June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Shopping
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Everyone likes to shop, even on vacation. Maybe you forgot your bathing suit or just want to treat yourself to something nice (you are on holiday after all). If spending $400 on a dress is not for you then avoid Robson Street and head to Metropolis at Metrotown.
With 450 shops, Metropolis is BC's largest shopping mall. There is something for everyone. You will not have any problems finding what you are looking for.
Although Metrotown is the area where the Metropolis Mall is, most people just refer to the mall as Metrotown.
There are year round activities in the Grand Court of the mall, ranging from a giant rocking horse at Christmas to pop and rock idol competitions. Currently there is a dinosaur exhibition titled "Dinosaurs unearthed".
You could spend all day in this mall. Shop in the morning. Have lunch in the newly renovated food court which serves up an array of food from the usual delicious fried options to more healthy options (“Garden Fresh” is my wife’s favourite). Shop some more in the afternoon. Then check out a movie at Burnaby's largest theatre.
Open to 9pm every night except Sunday (6pm). There is plenty of free parking, Skytrain to/from Downtown and a bus station serving the suburbs.
Even if you live in Metro Vancouver and have never been to Metropolis at Metrotown then come and visit and treat yourself to something fun (I am sure you deserve it).
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Moody, Parks
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Located in Port Moody situated next to the inlet Rocky Point Park is Port Moody’s best known park.
Set to the backdrop of cascading mountains, the park has many amenities. The centre of many people’s attention seems to be the kids water park (well on sunny days anyway). Filled with spraying pipes, tubes and water guns it is a kids water dream come true. I enjoyed running through the water park being soaked in all directions with my two year old.
Another way to enjoy the water is the outdoor pool. Open from June 15th to the end of August. Being able to swim outside under the sun with the mountains in the back ground is a relaxing and yet invigorating experience.
Next to the water park is a great playground. The pirate ship was crawling with children going crazy, while others enjoyed playing on the swings and other fun things. How the park is designed allows kids to play and the parents can sit around close by and supervise without having to play the role of Captain Jack and climb on the pirate ship too.
Picnic tables provide the ideal opportunity for family gatherings that can last the whole day.
For older kids there is the skateboard “SK8” Park. The city took recommendations from the the youth of the city resulting in a well used park by skateboarders and BMX bikers.
Pajo’s and Rocky Point Ice Cream supply a constant flow of fish and chips, burgers and yummy ice cream for the hungry visitors.
The boathouse restaurant (specializing in Seafood) caters to a different audience. People wanting to enjoy a quality meal set in a modern environment will love this restaurant.
Running through the park is the Trans Canada Trail. If you’re up for a walk within the woods follow the trail East. If you’re wanting more of a hike go West as the trail heads up to SFU mountain.
The park also hosts a boat launch with boat house for groups and clubs.
The park is a great place to have a fun filled day this summer.
June 17, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Parks
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Welcome to the jewel of Nanaimo, Newcastle Island! British
Columbia Field Reporter Chris Wheeler jumps aboard the "pickle boat"
and takes a stroll on the sandstone beaches of Newcastle Island. Rich
in natural and cultural history, Newcastle is a fascinating BC
Provincial Park that has many activities to check out! From the moment
you step off the dock, you start to feel a unique vibe of both
relaxation and awe.
Find out more at: http://www.secretnanaimo.com
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Queen Charlotte City, Boating & Sailing
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With the long and inlet-laden coastline BC has, touring by sea makes perfect sense. One might expect to have novel adventure, easy
wildlife viewing and a peaceful pace from a sea-bound tourism experience. Recently
Bluewater Adventures showed me I could
concurrently have a luxurious and gourmet experience.
Aboard their 70' Island Odyssey yacht, guests are served freshly prepared, mouth-watering meals and tapas prepared by the onboard chef. After about ten minutes aboard, I better understood why the wealthy seem to be so fond of owning great big showy boats. With tourism companies like
Bluewater around, living the high-life at sea is temporarily brought within grasp of anyone wishing to treat themselves.
Despite only being onboard for 3 hours, I ventured below the decks to get a peek at the 'living quarters'. There were many inviting, cheerful, wood-polished sleeping rooms with porthole windows. Not spacious, but certainly full of childlike 'playing fort' styled fun.
This manner of small ship tourism elegantly fills the gap for those who run from the bloat of a
cruise ship AND the labours of a
self-guided trip. If this is you, BC's small ship adventures will be a true wilderness experience and education.
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Attractions
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The game of Manhunt is a variant of hide-and-seek. A group of people meet about every two weeks to play the game at different, but accessible, places in Victoria. This new tradition has been around for one year and has been celebrated by the community as a great way to make new friends and build relationships with different kinds of people. If you are looking for an adventure in Victoria, make sure you play the Game of Manhunt.
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Attractions
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We were astounded by the Painted Chasm just south of 100 Mile House. It seemed
like a painting, yet its vastness reminded us of a smaller version of the Grand
Canyon. It showed us the diversity in geography available throughout BC, but
especially in the Cariboo area. The colourful layers of volcanic sediments were an
exciting detail within the rock bed that displayed the power of the volcanoes and
glaciers that formed this ancient land. It really did take our breath away!
Excellent hidden gem…cheerio!
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Sightseeing Tours
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Hello everyone! We had a fantastic time in Canada and want to tell everyone about a wonderful hike we had in the South Cariboo area. Mount Begbie is about a 10 minute hike just off hwy 97, south of 100 Mile. Once at the top, there is a brilliant, two story look-out tower that gives a panoramic view of the area. My husband brought up a map with us and we were able to point out the Marble Range, the Cariboo Mountains, MANY lakes and a few deer in the valley. We had our lunch on the picnic table right on the top of the mountain! What an experience--don’t forget your binoculars!
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Sightseeing Tours
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Hello everyone! We had a fantastic time in Canada and want to tell everyone about a wonderful hike we had in the South Cariboo area. Mount Begbie is about a 10 minute hike just off hwy 97, south of 100 Mile. Once at the summit, there is a brilliant, two story look-out tower that gives a panoramic view of the area. My husband brought up a map with us and we were able to point out the Marble Range, the Cariboo Mountains, MANY lakes and a few deer in the valley. We had our lunch on the picnic table right on the top of the mountain! What an experience--don’t forget your binoculars!
June 15, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Theatre & Performing Arts
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Last week we saw Bachelorette Jillian sizing up the Bachelors in
Vancouver, British Columbia. This week, the group is in
Whistler, BC -- a great mountain village and a key venue for the
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
If you'd like to follow in the footsteps of the wanna-be wedded ones, here's the insider scoop for what's in this week's episode:
If you don't know what this post is all about, time to join the fun. It's a show on the ABC network called "
The Bachelorette".
(Photo: ABC Television Network)
June 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Attractions
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In its prime over ten thousand people inhabited the riverside area of Quesnelle Forks but through the progression of the gold rush, it slowly became the ghost town it is today. Buildings still remain but the dynamic weather patterns have obviously taken their toll and most show . Luckily though, involved community members are investing the time and money to slowly restore the buildings, erect interpretive signage and preserve the historical site. A stroll through the cemetery invokes mixed feelings of sadness for those who obviously died young in various mining accidents while at the same time, adhering an air of peacefulness seated on the banks of the Quesnel and Cariboo river junctions. The scenery surrounding the site is absolutely beautiful and there are day picnic areas as well as overnight camping available. A visit to this site is worth the detour as it is an integral part of the gold rush history of the region and province.