July 23rd, 2008
The Southern Gulf Islands make up one of the most ecologically distinctive and fragile areas in southern Canada.
They are beautiful, serene places, within relatively easy reach from Vancouver’s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Galiano Island- The skinniest, driest and least agricultural of the islands, Galiano retains most of its unspoiled characteristics. You can spend hours spotting bald eagles, cormorants and gulls, and when the herring are running, California Sea Lions and the Killer Whales appear.
Mayne- A leisurely hike up Mount Peake yields splendid views, and on most days, you won’t see another person in sight! It definitely isn’t one of the more popular of the Gulf Islands, but if you are looking to spend some “alone time”, this is the island to go to.
Salt Spring- Locals have united over organic farming practices and with the huge artisan scene, the locals have created a lively arts and crafts experience for visitors. Rustic accommodations are available for around $60 a night. Salt Spring Island is probably the most popular of the Gulf Islands, but it is full of charm and well worth it for those who like to shopping and visiting with the locals.
Saturna- On the spectacular bluff walk east of Mount Warburton Pike, you’re likely to see feral goats, killer whales along the rocky shore and everyone waves at you as they drive by. Not many tourist travel here, so there is lots of open spaces to explore on your own.
Pender- Although people refer to Pender Island in the singular, there are actually two islands connected by a single lane bridge. North Pender, the most populous, is home to most of the islands 2400 residents and the Otter Bay ferry terminal. South Pender is mostly rolling farm land. Time moves slowly here, and you can spend you time on the sandy beach at Mortimer Spit or exploring hidden coves.
Getting There:
By Ferry - BC Ferries offer frequent service to the islands from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. bcferries.com
By Air - Seair services all islands from YVR’s south terminal. seairseaplanes.com
Harbour air services Pender and Salt Spring islands with departures from downtown Vancouver and YVR’s south terminal. harbour-air.com
photo credit:
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B5media, BC Ferries, beaches, Family, gulf islands, hiking, kayaking, nature, Travel Information, Vancouver, vancouver traveler, WalksShare This
By KennyG -- 5 comments
July 23rd, 2008
The days of being able to purchase bottled water at Vancouver’s city-run facilities could be numbered.
City counselor Tim Stevenson wants those bottles of water gone, and is leading a campaign to ban their sale at all city-run facilities.
His campaign is gaining lots of momentum and support from inside his party as well as outside.
The entire metro Vancouver region is about to start a big public education campaign aimed at getting people to turn away from the bottles and turn on the tap.
Vancouver has access to one of the best glacially fed water sources in the world, and the city feels that everyone should take advantage of that great water and get rid of all those plastic bottles!
How do you feel about all those plastic water bottles? and do you think that this is something that Vancouverites should support?
photo credit - sxc.hu
B5media, Eco, Health and Wellness, information, news, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
July 22nd, 2008
Barefoot Contessa is the answer to all your shopping problems.
Here you will find all those quirky gifts, trinkets, original one-of-a-kind clothing, fantastic handbags, jewelry and an abundant selection of household decor items that you won’t find anywhere else.
Their original clothing-line is recreated from vintage fabric, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. They also offer clothing from local designers, so there is definitely a wide range of unique clothing items to choose from. They are constantly getting new products in, so each visit will offer a new array of items see.
Barefoot Contessa in a unique shopping experience and one I would highly recommend.
They are located at 3715 Main Street in Vancouver. 604-879.1137
Open 11am to 6pm daily
www.thebarefootcontessa.com
B5media, Gift Ideas, shopping, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
July 22nd, 2008
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
attractions, B5media, Entertainment, recreation, Sports, Vancouver, vancouver traveler, WhisterShare This
By KennyG -- 1 comment
July 22nd, 2008
It’s a modern Woodstock for Vancouverites!
The first annual music festival in beautiful Pemberton features music giants such as Coldplay, Jay-Z, Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, Sam Roberts, Metric, Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails and The Tragically Hip, as well as many much less known acts like Vampire Weekend, Chromeo, Timeline and Tony Pantage, just to name a few.
So pack your tents and sleeping bags and get ready for an amazing weekend with lots of entertainment and unbelievable music.
There will be two stages for the performers, with more the50 bands schedule to play. There will be a large dance tent, a market, lots of food vendors and of course the camping!
The Pemberton Music Festival is on July 25 to 27, but get there early to stack out your spot for the weekend!
The cost for the weekend pass is $259.50 and a single day pass is $149.50, there is also a fee if you want to camp.
The festival site is at the base of Mount Currie in Pemberton, which is about a 2 hour drive from Vancouver.
photo credit:
image 1
B5media, British Columbia, celebrities, concert, Entertainment, Events, fraser valley, music, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
July 22nd, 2008
Over the years, the legend of Ogopogo has gained credibility as more and more sightings are reported.
Long ago, the Indians spoke of “N’ha-a-itk” who they referred to as a fierce lake monster that resided in Squally Point which is just 20 km south of Kelowna, in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley.
Descriptions vary, but certain characteristics have been used to describe Ogopogo over the decades.
Ogopogo is green, with a snake-like body and is about 25 meters long. Some have said his head looks like a horse, while others have reported it being reptilian and even goat like.
Some have claimed to have photographed the lake monster, but like the Loch Ness Monster, all those photographs have proved inconclusive.
Is it real or not?
Why not take a trip out to Kelown, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver, and see for yourself!
It also a great place to find out more about “The Legend of Ogopogo“.
photo credit-sxc.hu
B5media, Family, fraser valley, history, kelowna, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 2 comments
July 21st, 2008
The Fairmont Hotel and Resort have just launched “electronic rehab getaways” at their resorts in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Whistler.
Designed for those guest who need help disconnecting from work, clients who sign up for this specialized package hand over thier cellphones, Blackberries and other mobile devices, which are then locked up in the hotel safe.
The guest are also asked to sign a waiver pledging to go offline for the duration of their stay.
As part of the package, those needing electronic rehab, are treated to herbal teas, complimentary access to fitness classes and mineral spa pools, meditation as well as being surrounded by spectacular scenary.
Packages start at about $500 depending on which hotel or resort you are staying at.
If you think you are in need of one of these retreats visit www.fairmont.com
photo credit-pda
B5media, British Columbia, Health and Wellness, lodging, Pampering Yourself, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
July 20th, 2008
In 1994, when plans were developed to upgrade the Stanley Park Zoo, Vancouver voters decided in a referendum to phase out the zoo.
The zoo began much earlier with a bear kept on a chain, but grew into a collection of over 50 animals, including snakes, wolves, emus, buffalo, kangaroos, monkeys and the famous Humboldt penguins.
The Stanley Park Zoo closed completely in December 1997, after the last remaining animal, a polar bear named Tuk, died at age 36.
He had remained after the other animals had left because of his old age.
The polar bear pit, which was often criticized by Animal Rights Activists, was converted into a demonstration salmon hatchery.
Even without the zoo, Stanley Park remain the largest and most popular park in the Vancouver area.
It is estimated that 8 million people visit the park yearly and the Project for Public Spaces ranked Stanley Park as the sixteenth best park in the world and sixth best in North America.
photo credit
polar bear
B5media, history, information, parks, stanley park, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 2 comments
July 20th, 2008
Vancouver’s only downtown casino is located on the north shore of False Creek, just steps from BC Place and GM Place.
Edgewater Casino offers an assortment of 500 slot machines, all your favorite table games including craps, roulette, blackjack and baccarat and Vancouver’s only poker room.
Complementary shuttle service is avaliable for pick-up at most major hotels, contact Edgewater Casino Guest Services for more information.
Edgewater Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. edgewatercasino.ca
B5media, downtown, Entertainment, nightlife, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
July 19th, 2008
Bet you didn’t know that more then 100 buildings in the downtown Vancouver core, including the central library, BC Place, GM Place and many of Vancouver’s major hotels are heated via a 10.5 km network of high pressure steam pipes flowing away from the Central Heat Distribution Ltd. boiler plant.
The famous steam clock in Gastown though is a bit of misnomer, although built in 1977 to 1875 specs, steam and gravity -driven operation proved unreliable for the Gastown landmark.
Electricity now controls the timed steam explostions every 15 minutes.
photo credit - flickr.com
B5media, Gas Town, history, information, Vancouver, vancouver travelerShare This
By KennyG -- 0 comments
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