The Vancouver Traveler

Being a retired Naval Vet, if there is one thing that I miss, it is this…the Christmas Lighting Contest.  This year is the 21st Annual Navy Lighting Contest, in support of the Mustard Seed Food Bank, will take place nightly 6 – 9 pm from 11 – 24 December 2008.
Three buses will take visitors in a “loop route” throughout CFB Naden and then the Dockyard sections of of the base each night.  A typical tour lasts approximatelu 25 minutes.
Visitors are to go to CFB Esquimalt main gates on Admirals Road for parking and to drop off non-perishable food items and/or …read more

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The Festival of Lights creates a magical wonderland throughout Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate just about everything in the park and the Christmas carols that play in the backgound set the tone for the Dancing Light show.
But the highlight for everyone (especiallly the children) will be the stories told by Santa himself in his very own cozy living room, followed by special appearances by Christmas Elves or by the great Magician David Wilson.

flickr:keepitsurreal
The Festival of Lights will be running from December 5 until January 4 from 4:30pm til 9:30pm.
The VanDusen Botanical Garden will be closed Dec.25
Cost for addmission is adults $11; …read more

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T & T Supermarket – So you’ve seen supermarkets? Unless your hometown is Hong Kong or Singapore, you haven’t seen one like this. Just have a look at the seafood display inside the doors: king crab, scallops, three different kinds of oysters, lobster, and geoducks. Farther in is a host of other wondrous products, including strange Asian fruits like rambutan, lychee, and the pungent durian. Browse, maybe pick up something you don’t recognize!
Outside, walk 1 block east on Keefer Street to Taylor Street. Andy Livingstone Park is farther ahead to your right, but to continue the tour turn left on Taylor …read more

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Start – Canada Place
Finish   – Maple Tree Square
Time – 2 to 4 hours; not including shopping, eatting and sightseeing stops
Best time – Anytime during business hours, but Chinatown in particulary active in the morning. If you arrive between noon and 2pm you can enjoy some delicious dim sum at many of the restaurants.
Worst time – Chinatown is pretty much closed after 6pm. Except on weekends in the summer when a few streets are closed down to accomodate a night market from 6:30 to 11pm.
Chinatown and Gastown are two of Vancouver’s most facinating neighborhoods. Gastown has history and the kind of old-fashioned …read more

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The old wooden roller-coaster  at the PNE celebrated it 50th birthday last month.
The roller-coaster is the most popular ride at Playland, despite the millions they spend on new rides every year.
Since the coaster is made of wood, instead of steel, the duration of the ride fluctuates depending on the time of day and the weather conditions. Rides at the end of the day are faster then those at the beginning because the tracks heat up as the coaster is used. As a result, ride times can vary up to 6 seconds, not much of a time difference, until you consider …read more

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The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is hosting WARHOL-Larger the Life until August 24, 2008.
This exhibition delves into one the the 20th century’s most compelling and artistic personalities.
Warhol has over 150 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs and films spanning over four decades.
On display will be prints of his Cambell Soup Cans, portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. It will also feature a Mao room with Mao wallpaper, prints and drawings and compilations of five different films.
There will be a display of Warhol’s connection to Canada through archival materials, photos and newspaper clippings.
Victoria in one of three Canadian hosts for this …read more

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If you are looking for something invigorating, exciting and unforgettable, then look no further then the outdoor phenomenon called zip-trekking.
Ziptrek Ecotours offers this amazing experience at Whistler/Blackcomb, combining both an exhilarating experience and environmental education.
They offer 10 zip-lines on two different 5 line tours plus a Tree Trek Canopy Walk.
For more information visit their website at www.ziptrek.com
photo credit – Ziptrek Ecotours

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Since 1990, Vancouver has been the host to this spectacular international fireworks competition.
Formally known as Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire, competitions were held around the world, most notably in the Canadian cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
In 2000 the Canadian government restricted tobacco advertising and Benson & Hedges pulled out of their sponsorship of the million dollar event.
In 2001, the event was saved by HSBC Bank, BC Hydro Power Smart and the City of Vancouver.
The international event was renamed HSBC Celebration of Light, and this extremely popular event continues to light the skies over Vancouver’s English Bay, as three countries …read more

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The Greater Vancouver Zoois located in the Fraser Valley community of Aldergrove, just off the Trans-Canada Highway.
Hundreds of animals from all over the world are on exhibit including lions, tigers, hippos, leopards, giraffes and zebras. There is a North American exhibit with grizzlies, Vancouver Island wolves, bison, moose, elk and the world’s only albino black bear.
You can hop aboard the Safari Express Train which will give you a 15 minute full narrated tour of the park, and is great fun for the entire family.
It is easy to spend the entire day here and there is something that will excite every …read more

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Greater Vancouver’s only water-slide park offers advanced, intermediate and children’s slides. There is a slide there for everyone depending on your experience or your “scare” level.
Their advanced slides come with names like “Oliver Twist”, the “Kamikazi” or the “Corkscrew”, all which offer 425 feet of twists, turns and thrills.
If you like speed, give the “Whipper Snapper” a try, its 395 feet with less turns and a great straight down section where you can get some serious speed!
There is inner-tubing and children’s pools which have 5 slides available.
The water is kept at a temperature between 25 and 29 degrees.
Splashdown Water Park is …read more

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