September 22, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Outdoor Activity Tours
We love to travel throughout B.C. with a few other other couples and we recently stayed at King Pacific Lodge with 6 of our friends. While we were very impressed with the first class service the price was quite steep, even by our standards, which are typically quite high. The food and staff were amazing and the scenery was sublime. We typically plan 1 or 2 nature-based trips each year for about a week at a time but next trip we're looking to try something new and are considering splitting our time between two or three different resorts over a 7-10 day stretch so that we can kill a few birds with one stone.
Basically I'm just looking for any suggestions of new and exciting places to visit or new ways of seeing beautiful BC. Price is not a huge issue ... we're looking for luxury experiences. Any suggestions would be welcomed :)
September 18, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Sidney, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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It all started with a subtle hard nudge from my son since we moved to Victoria six weeks ago. He has been catching crabs by hand (all legal size) off the shore at Willows Beach in Victoria. None by fluke but by hours of walking in chest deep waters and a net. It then sparked the idea of there must be a way to keep these delicious creatures and feast on them (legally)! My sisters boyfriend mentioned the Pier in Sidney-Sidney Fishing Pier just a block from main street you can't miss it.
We went to a quaint little shop with a pirate out front decorated with buoys and large crab traps called "The Boater's Exchange". There you will find the best crab traps and service. Then go over to "True Value Hardware" for your shellfish license. Kids are free and hey I thought this sounds like fun so I got one too. Everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and friendly as we only knew how to barbeque a steak just moving from the prairies you know. Oh and for good luck better pick up a stock pot and a large pail so you can feast later...also garlic butter. I also thought I better stop at the Sidney Bakery on main street for their glazed doughnuts just in case...
Next was a stop at the fresh fish market at the end of main street where you can buy bait for a buck! That in itself is a smelly experience. They just slap in the large fish that they would normally discard right into your pail~unbelievable again remember we are from the prairies (I think I mentioned that already)~I maybe should have taken the camera from around my neck so that when I asked "how do we get these big fish into the little bait keeper in the crab trap?" I did not feel a bit stupid Ha! So I thought it was the right time to pull out my doughnut.
READY, SET, GO! We are ready to go crab trapping. It was the coolest experience I have had. Being out on the pier is like being out on a boat~well that is what I tell myself since we don't know anyone with a boat. My son loaded the trap with a the fish bait and with the advice of other experienced crab trappers we put a rock in to add some weight. They also said that chicken parts work really well for bait. Sometimes the seals like to steal your bait too as they were splashing around. We left the trap in for about 15 minutes and pull it up and the excitment continues. You can see the crab moving around and you can't wait to see the size. You measure them (a measure stick you buy with your trap) and then if it is legal size you then with the crab crawling around the deck you try to get a hold of it's back legs (watch out for the claw-you will only get bit once and remember the pain forever) to see if it is male or female. The females get thrown back. If it is a male you keep it and feast on it.
I really recommend this experience. The stories you hear from the other fisherman on the pier are intriguing and witty. We finished it off with lunch at the Pier Bistro and some hot chocolate.
September 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Cranbrook, Hiking
With Summer winding down and the potential of an increased workload looming on the horizon, a R&R getaway was just what I needed. Having worked in the Tourism Industry, I had heard many great things about the city of Cranbrook and made the decision go up there for a few days. Cranbrook is a very short flight from Vancouver and is nestled in the rugged Kootenay Rockies Region of British Columbia.
I really had no idea of what to expect while in Cranbrook other than what I had heard about it and what I had researched on the web. I have to say that Cranbrook is a friendly town of approx. 18,000 with a healthy outdoor lifestyle consisting of golfing, hiking, boating, fishing, horseback riding and much more. I knew I had made the right decision as soon as I planted my feet on the airport tarmac.
My days at Cranbrook were filled with activities. From hiking on the numerous trails sprinkled around the community forest and by the bird sanctuary located at Queen Elizabeth, to swinging some iron clubs at the local golf courses in town, time just flew by. My evenings were spent enjoying the many dining experiences around town.
The accommodations were first class. I stayed at the re-modeled Best Western with a wonderful view of the beautifully carved mountains enveloped in a natural setting. Each morning I would sit out on the patio drinking locally brewed coffee by the Kicking Horse coffee company and watching spectacular sunrises occurring early every morning. Good times!
Suffice to say that whether you are looking for a relaxing or active getaway in British Columbia, consider Cranbrook.
September 15, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Salt Spring Island, Art Galleries & Artists
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I have found it! The perfect Salt Spring Island art for me. Not a watercolour or a pastel. Not a wood carving or metal statue. Not a poem or pretty photograph or elaborate woven basket or simple wool shawl. Of course, there are lots of those to be had though. My favourite art on Salt Spring Island is of the soft, mushy, melt in your mouth, can't stop eating variety - cheese!
Hand made Salt Spring Island goat cheese, in fact. A soft, delicate chevre that grabbed my heart and soul and left me wanting more.
On our first day on the island we rode our motorcycle up to the farm shop (newly paved roads are a plus) and bought two flavours - Garlic and Basil. On the second day we were back for more, tried Lemon and Pepper, but bought Chili and White Truffle. By the third day we were highly addicted and managed to grab some White Truffle from a local grocery store on the other side of the island before heading back to our cabin for the feast.
Day four - you guessed it - three packages of White Truffle, a loaf of artisan bread and a bottle bought from a nearby winery. Full on addiction had set it.
David Wood, the "head cheese" (pardon the pun) officially recognized us on day four and gave us a welcoming smile that I have to believe is as famous as his cheese. The dogs ran up to us like old friends.
The Salt Spring Island Cheese Company is open daily. I recommend going in the morning to grab a cup of complimentary coffee and relax on their inspiring patio before indulging in your first, but not last, bite of cheese.
September 15, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Salt Spring Island, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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A recent retreat to Saltspring Island landed me oceanside in a fantastic cozy cottage for two - The Love Shack. By cozy, I mean comfortable and petite in the most delightfully eclectic, funky, shabby chic way. The Fulford Harbour hideaway comes complete with an orange slow-bubbling lava lamp, a collection of records including ABBA (Super Trouper of course), Marvin Gaye, Gordon Lightfoot, Santana and Valdy, just to name a few.
The waterfont deck includes an outdoor bathtub and orange and lime green Adirondack chairs. A bowl of pears, plums and island-picked apples awaited our arrival, as did a friendly sea otter walking up the steps from the ocean.
By far, the best part of the Love Shack was the old wood-burning stove, with which we were able to use to quickly convert the cottage into a Love Sauna. Hot, hot, hot!
Shagadelic and groovy baby, just as their website says.
September 13, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Langley, Arts, Culture & History Tours
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Today was a great day. We zipped to Fort Langley to experience Krause Berry Farm. What an amazing selection of berries, bakings, jams, pickled veggies and freshly harvested vegetables. All of the fruits and veggies come from the fields surrounding the main building. U-pick...or they pick! I prefer "they pick" and I sit back on the porch and eat the lovely blueberry shortcakes and down a fresh strawberry smoothie! Beautiful weather today as we drove up to this farm--you could see all the fresh berries glistening on the plants. What a great place. Would definitely come back... for more shortcakes!
September 06, 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. Truely Heavan.
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.
September 05, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Shopping
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Here a short clip of my husband and I going
shopping in Whistler Village. Tons of great shops and restaurants. Enjoy;)
September 04, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Fernie Alpine Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Last winter i read a great story about Fernie Alpine Resort written by Andrew Mclean (famous backcountry skier and climber) and he had said Fernie Alpine Resort was a hidden gem. So in the Spring I visited Fernie and we had an epic day! I just read on Matt's Blog on the
www.skifernie.com site that Fernie had the deepest snow of any major resort in Canada- check out the graph on that site. We plan on another visit to Fernie this winter as we now have heard from many keen skiers that this is the best place for snow- more importantly powder!
September 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Pemberton, Hiking
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Mike from
VancouverTrails.com took me on this beautiful hike just north of
Pemberton. About a 5 hour round trip with three gorgeous lakes and a glacier.