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October 13, 2009 | Tips from Us > Port Moody, Hiking
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Our good friend and colleague Mark suggested the Diez Vistas when asked for a recommendation on an intermediate hike in the area that would result in good exercise and a spectacular view. The Diez Vistas trail delivered on both and then some!
Leaving our car in the Buntzen Lake parking lot (free!), we headed up the trail on a glorious October Saturday morning. We were ahead of most of the hikers and had the trail to ourselves. Having done the Grouse Grind I was a bit aprehensive that this was going to be another "put your head down, one foot in front until you get to the top" climbs but I was pleasantly surprised that while it was no walk in the park, there were sufficient breaks from the switchbacks to look up and enjoy the trip.
The hike to the first peak (of ten thus the name Diez Vistas) took us just over an hour. The trail is well marked and maintained. There is a sneak peak view about ten minutes before the actual viewpoint so we kept going as the majority of the climb has been completed and the summit at 570 metres has been reached. As with all spectacular sights, we didn't actually see the view until we came around a large boulder and then it hit us. Indian Arm, Deep Cove, the City of Vancouver and as far as Vancouver Island were all within our vision. It was really something special.
We understand there are nine more viewpoints that meander the top of the ridge ending at the far end of Buntzen Lake but we chose to retrace our steps due to time restraints (and because a fellow hiker said that we had just seen the best one). Perhaps we'll get back up there again another day and do them all!
July 2, 2009 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Beaches & Swimming
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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 2, 2009 | Tips from Us > 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!
November 18, 2008 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Shopping
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On my lunch break while waiting for my delicious Greek Chicken Salad Wrap, I picked up a cool brochure I wanted to share. Its called Victoria Modern Urban Guides, and it lists a whole bunch of shops that make Victoria unique and funky and a great map of downtown Victoria and Oak Bay where most of the shops are located. I was especially pleased to find a couple of my favourite haunts, The Papery - awesome cards, and Romanoff Home & Interiors - gorgeous home design. There is a a website,
http://modernurbanguides.com. Turns out there is a brochure and a website for Vancouver too! Check it out!
August 5, 2008 | Tips from Us > Oliver, Wineries & Vineyards
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A trip to the Southern Okanagan this August long weekend resulted in the discovery of a new (to me anyway) winery. Burrowing Owl will always be a classic and one of my all time favourites - the wine is consistently spectacular and the winery top class but a new kid on the block has the potential to add to my 'must stop list'.
Open only a year to the public although making wine since 2005, Le Vieux Pin positions themselves as making wine in the french tradition but with the latest equipment.
A wonderful welcome along a farm path alive with lavender and organic apples (the owner offers both for free picking!) , the winery also has a bocci court and pleasant patio.
Once inside, its the wine that is the star. On this visit we were offered by some very knowledgable and gracious staff, the 2007 Vaila Pinot Noir Rose - nectar of the gods was the description that came to my tongue and my rather uneducated but very happy palette. After quickly snapping up a bottle to purchase, we found out its an award winner scoring 97 points! And a very cool label to boot! Check out Le Vieux next time you are in Oliver - they say tastings by appointment but if the Open sign is out - go in - you won't be dissapointed!!!
March 3, 2008 | Tips from Us > Tofino, Walking
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It doesn't matter how many times I go out to the west coast of Vancouver Island, I'm always amazed at the raw beauty of our natural wonders. It was even more evident as seen recently through the eyes of our two English guests who while well travelled, seemed totally delighted with everything British Columbia had to offer. Of special interest to one was the old growth forest and the other the expansive and tantalizing beach.
So they are both coming back, one to explore our coastal rainforests and the other to body surf all summer long.
January 21, 2006 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Dining
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I took Susan's advice and did a "
Dine Out" in Vancouver last night. I was staying at the Marriott Residence Inn on Hornby Street by myself and couldn't bear the thought of take-out so braved the stares of a woman eating alone and went down to the hotel restaurant Mi Bar and Grill. It was the first night of Tourism Vancouver's promotional campaign featuring a wide variety of restaurants, set menus and wine parings and as its a very popular promotion, the restaurant had a full list of reservations. The maitre de was very welcoming however, and invited me to sit at the bar and enjoy my dinner. For $15 dollars I had a choice of 2 appetizers, 3 entres and 2 deserts. I chose
Dungeness Crab Cakes, Beef Short Ribs with Black Bean Cake and Corn Salsa, and White and Dark Chocolate Mousse for desert. The meal was delicious, the crab fresh and light, the short ribs, albeit a bit on the fatty side, tender and tasty, and the desert, heavenly! I enjoyed a lovely glass of recommended Penfolds Semillion Chardonnay that was smooth and light, a great addition to my meal. Not only did I have a great meal for a fabulous price, the service at Mi Bar and Grill was tremendous. The staff obviously like working there and the restaurant is small enough to give them time to attend to each and every guest. Hope you get a chance to try some new restaurants and some new dishes over the next few weeks. And if you have to go by yourself, trust me, its much better than take out!
December 23, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Afternoon Tea
I have to admit, I haven't been in the Christmas spirit. The shopping mall parking lot tends not to bring out the best in me and work has been busy, and its so hard to find the right present, and, and, and. Today however, I got that lovely tingly feeling after a visit to the
Fairmont Empress Hotel. Heading out on my lunch hour to battle the crowds, I was on a mission to purchase a gift certificate at the incredible
Willow Stream Spa. From the moment I walked into the lobby of the Empress, my spirits started to lift. The bellman opened the door with fanfare and wished me a Merry Christmas and the staff at the spa were delightful, professional and my modest purchase was treated with the same dignity and respect as the lady beside me purchasing the "Pure Pampering Full Day Special". Once my beautifully packaged gift was purchased, I made my way back to the lobby where I stopped to admire the works of local business who have participated in the Festival of Trees. Trees are decorated in a wide range of themes from the traditional balls and garlands to themed trees featuring dumptrucks and flashing lights and proceeds from the event go to the BC Childrens Hospital. One of my personal favourites was the Wedding Tree complete with tin cans and a Barbie bride as a tree top. I wandered further and ended up in the Tea Lobby where guests dressed up in Christmas finery (the little girl in the red velvet dress stole my heart) were enjoying the world famous Afternoon Tea and entertained by a choir decked in period costume. Reluctantly, it was time to return to work, but as I passed back through the lobby, I watched excited guests arriving for their stay at the Empress, the anticipation in their eyes just knowing they were going to have a very special Christmas was evident. I walked out with a smile on my face and looked forward to getting home to my family and starting our Christmas f
December 2, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Skating Rink
I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Not only has Victoria experienced our first snow fall of the season (and possibly only), the beginning of December marks the start of Christmas seasonal celebrations at
Butchart Gardens. I want to get out to Butchart early this year (we try and go every year as a family tradition) and view the wonderful display of lights enhanced with a snow frosting. I'm especially looking forward to trying out Butchart's newest addition, an outdoor skating rink! Carollers, twinkling lights, skating, hot chocolate, poinsettias and the search for the twelve days of Christmas! I'm definitely going to be in the Christmas spirit after this weekend!
October 30, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Flightseeing
Travelling from Vancouver to Victoria this week, I had my first ride on
Helijet's new 23 passenger Sikorsky S61 and it was a treat! Launched on September 19th, a joint initiative with Helijet Airways and Executive Transport Airways, this bird takes flying to a whole new level. I must admit confusion as I knew I was riding on a helicopter but upon entering the long and lean machine I was greeted by a flight attendant who launched into a safety briefing so similar to those you hear on airplane flights. My seat was incredibly comfy and I had a perfect view of Georgia Strait in my individual window seat. The view is indeed spectacular however, the gentle motion of the helicopter (ear plugs still a must) put me into a pretty good nap and awoke only to hear the attendants landing announcement. If you're travelling between Victoria and Vancouver in the next while, you may want to check out their schedule and give it a try!
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