What’s Happening in and near Vancouver, British Columbia in August?

July 29, 2010

I think summer is one of the best times to visit British Columbia. The sun consistently shines but it’s rarely stinking hot. In August there plenty of activities to keep people of all ages and interests engaged and happy. Here are some ideas to consider.

Vancouver

• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival  Plays are offered nightly and take place in Vanier Park. This year Falstaff, Henry V, Antony and Cleopatra and Much Ado About Nothing are offered.
• Abbotsford Air Show The air show takes place August 13,14 and 15th. Prices are $30 per adult and $12 for kids aged 6-12.

• Theatre Under the Stars This year Singin’ in the Rain and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat alternate evenings in Stanley Park until August 21st. Ticket prices start at $19.
• Try Sewell’s Sea Safari two hour tour out of Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Explore caves, check out harbour seals, enjoy views of the Vancouver skyline and look for bald eagles. Prices are $73 per adult and $43 for kids.

Victoria

• 2010 Canada Dry Dragon Boat Festival From August 13-15th Victoria’s inner harbour is the site of dragon boat races. Lots of multicultural performances complement the exciting races. Free admission.

Vancouver Island

• Hike for one day or backpack for up to four days on the Juan de Fuca Trail - a shorter, easier and less expensive version of the West Coast Trail.

Tofino

• Try a bit of everything – bear and whale watching, trips to Hot Springs Cove or a surf lesson. You can’t go wrong sea kayaking in the Clayoquot Sound Wilderness area either.

 

Whistler Area

• Try zip lining for a quick thrill.
• Hike to the Black Tusk - a long – 29 km -but very rewarding day hike though you can backpack to Taylor Meadows and finish the hike the next day.

• Discover the Stein Valley River. It’s about a three hour drive from Vancouver and offers spectacular peaks, glaciers, meadows, lakes and lots of wildlife including black and grizzly bears.

Sunshine Coast

• Take a boat tour of spectacular Princess Louisa Inlet. It’s a long fjord with world class mountain scenery and numerous waterfalls including the famous Chatterbox Falls.
• Hike to the Skookumchuck Rapids – the second largest saltwater rapids in the world. Check the tide schedules before you go so you catch the action of the kayakers in some of the bigger waves. It’s an easy 5 mile return hike to get to the rapids.

 

The ‘Best of’ List for the Cumbria & West Highland Ways

July 29, 2010

Just a few weeks ago I finished hiking the Cumbria Way through England’s Lake District and the West Highland Way in western Scotland. Here ‘s what made my list.

Favourite Sections and Highlights on the Cumbria Way

• Around Beacon Tarn on  the way to Coniston
• The climb to Stake Pass and the walk down the valley towards Rosthwaite
• The entire day from Keswick to Caldbeck
• Hospitality and friendliness of the locals
• Lovely, pastoral scenery

Favourite B&B’s on the Cumbria Way

Candlewyck Farm B&B Set on 7 acres of land within walking distance of the start of the Cumbria Way.
Claremont House in Ambleside. It’s not fancy but Dave the host was truly outstanding. He is a former member of the Mountain Rescue Team and is a wealth of information on hiking in the Lake District. He very generously went out of his way on several occasions to pick us up and drop us off at trailheads.
Edwardene Hotel in Keswick. Lovely rooms, nice breakfast and our hosts without asking washed and dried our stinky clothes. Amazing hospitality!

Best Restaurant on the Cumbria Way

Zeffirellis Compston Road, Ambleside Ph: 015394 33845.  Excellent, inventive italian inspired vegetarian menu – even for people who may not usually eat vegetarian!!

Favourite Sections & Highlights on the West Highland Way

• Lovely section of walking with views of Dumgoyach on Day 1
• The Conic Hill area on Day 2 is beautiful. Stunning views of Loch Lomond and the islands along the West Highland Fault greet you.
• Some but not all sections of walking along Loch Lomond
• Views of the hills, water and islands are excellent from the Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran
• The remote feeling of Rannoch Moor
• This may sound weird but loved watching the British military jets flying through the mountains – sometimes below me!
• The Devils Staircase and the first few miles past it towards Kinlochleven
• Hiking the Old military road out of Kinlochleven
• Catching a sheep roundup complete with 4 farmers and 12 dogs
• ‘Oreo cookie’ cows

Best Accommodation on the West Highland Way

Anchorage Cottage An eight minute drive from Rowardennan at the end of day 2 and just across the street from Loch Lomond. Get picked up from Rowardennan and delivered to a very clean and comfortable B&B. There’s also a pleasant sitting room complete with computer and free WiFi. Hosts were very accommodating and friendly.
Ewich Guest House This place is about 3 miles from Tyndrum and about a 10 minute drive from the Drovers Inn. Car pickups are easily arranged. Stay here for 2 nights while you hike from Inverarnan to Tyndrum. It had the best breakfasts by far on the West Highland Way. Nicely appointed single and double rooms are both available at very reasonable prices. Great bird watching and a farm like setting with chickens and llamas.  Also enjoy a lovely sitting area with a fireplace. Dinners available too any month but July.

Best Restaurant on the West Highland Way

The Lime Tree Enjoy inventive cuisine at this restaurant that has been awarded One Michellin Star.

Best Birdbook for England, Scotland (& Europe)

Birds of Great Britain and Europe (RSPB) by Rob Hume. Published by Dorling Kinderslry. ISBN# 0-7513-1234-7.

Most Useful Article of Clothing

Arm warmers. Temperatures varied over the day, body heat varied and they were a cinch to take off and put on.

How do they do it?

Most B&B’s offer blood pudding (sometimes fried) along with streaky bacon, sausages and eggs, tomatoes and beans for breakfast. It’s the same breakfast all over Great Britain. Wait a few weeks after you get home to get your cholesterol checked.

Wierdest Pizza Topping

• Haggis

Incredible but True

• The number of outdoor-climbing shops in the town of Ambleside in the Lake District is 34.
• Keswick, another town 17 miles north, has 38 outdoor-climbing type shops.

Don’t Forget

• A sunhat that stays on in the wind
•  A heavier raincoat.
• Various sizes of Compeed – a blister remedy available all over Great Britain

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Bike Myra Canyon on the amazing Kettle Valley Railway

July 26, 2010

A recent trip to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley included a full day of cycling on the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR). The Kettle Valley Railway’s history date back to the early 1900’s when silver was discovered near Nelson, British Columbia.  Years of surveying and building culminated in an official rail opening in 1915. In later years the economic importance of the railway line decreased and some sections or subdivisions as they are called were phased out and by 1990 the last of the railway lines was abandoned. Fortunately the railway line was converted to trail and now 600 kilometers (360 miles) are open for backcountry use.

The KVR trail is true wilderness. It winds through the backcountry of southern BC passing through a range of environments including vineyards, orchards, forests, lakes, deserts and mountains. Small centers are connected via the trail –places like Beaverdell, McCulloch, Chute Lake, Coalmont, and Brookmere which are mere dots on the map and at most have a few places to stay. Tunnels, bridges, wild animals, rattlesnakes, extreme heat and thunderstorms are some of the hazards one might encounter.

Myra Canyon

Short sections can be hiked but every summer more and more mountain bikers are discovering the joys of this trail. It’s possible to cycle one day sections near some of the bigger centers like Penticton and Kelowna. One of the most scenic sections to cycle is the 20 kilometer section through the Myra Canyon, about 1000 meters above Kelowna. Fires in 2003 burnt 12 of the trestles and blackened over 20,000 hectares. Through the efforts of the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, private individuals and several layers of government, funding was secured and the trestles were rebuilt. The Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Railway reopened in 2008; the section is suitable for people with a range of cycling abilities – from families to experts. Cycle over eighteen trestles and through two tunnels over 20 kilometers (12 miles). 

If you have more than half a day then I highly recommend cycling from Myra Canyon to Penticton – a distance of about 80kms. Monashee Tours based in Kelowna can shuttle you to the start and pick you up at an agreed upon rendezvous site at the end of the day. At about the half way mark Chute Lake Resort appears. Stock up on cold drinks, burgers and homemade apple or rhubarb pie before continuing. Buy extra cold drinks if it’s a hot day. It took the better part of 6 hours to cycle the 80 kms and the last two hours were hot,  34C and dehydration was definitely a problem.

Although it’s downhill all the way from Chute Lake to Penticton, on a railway grade of 2.2%, it’s by no means an easy ride. You have to deal with a great deal of sand which takes a light tough on the handlebars. Watch for rattlesnakes through the Rock Ovens and shortly after you pass Hillside Winery look for The Trail Store – a perfect place for a summertime cold drink, slushie or ice cream cone, all provided by an incredibly hospitable family!

If you want to cycle the entire Kettle Valley Railway then it’s a good idea to purchase the book – Cycling the Kettle Valley Trail by Dan & Sandra Langford.  They provide route notes and lots of helpful information though their layout is confusing. I’ll have a blog later in the week on where to stay between Midway and Brookmere.

Some sections of the KVR are truly first class and well worth cycling. In particular you won’t go wrong with the Myra Canyon section.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

5 Places to Sea Kayak Within 90 Minutes of Vancouver

July 22, 2010

Vancouver is lucky to be close to so much excellent sea kayaking. In fact within 90 minutes of downtown Vancouver there is plenty of sea kayaking to keep both novice and expert kayakers happy. Take your own or rent a sea kayak;  if you’re a bit nervous take advantage of a short lesson offered by most of the rental companies.

Here’s where you can sea kayak close to Vancouver

• Granville Island’s Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre offers lessons, tours and rentals from three locations – Granville Island, English Bay (close to Stanley Park) and Jericho Beach. For new kayakers the waters around Granville Island are easier to paddle though there is more boat traffic. A few hours in any of these locations provide a unique perspective of Vancouver. Two hour rentals cost $36 for a single kayak and $49 for a double 

•  Deep Cove is 25 -30 minutes away from downtown Vancouver. Sea kayaking is on the beautiful waters of Indian Arm, a fjord worthy of up to two full days of paddling. The Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Center is located in a quiet bay so novice paddlers can try out  kayaks in a protected area before heading down the fjord. There are nearby beaches for picnics too. On a weekend, Deep Cove is hopping and it’s best to get there early to get a parking space. Book your rentals ahead of time to guarantee a kayak. Two hour rates for a single kayak are $30 and $42 for a double. This is an easy place to bring your own kayak and head out for the day though overnight parking is available only on the streets if you plan to camp at the end of Indian Arm.

 

• Bowen Island is a twenty minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. On a good day if you timed the ferries correctly you could make it from downtown to Bowen Island in just over an hour. On the dock beside the ferry terminal sits the Bowen Island Sea Kayaking Shop. Put in a kayak right off the dock and explore Snug Cove and the coast around Bowen Island. The company offers two different three hour tours. The southern tour takes you to Apodoca Beach and close to seals. Look for bald eagles overhead. The northern tour showcases the mountains. A three hour rental is $45 for a single and $65 for a double.

• The Pasley Islands are a fantastic destination and easily accessed from the western end of Bowen Island. They are an archipelago of 8 islands that make you feel that you’re hundreds of miles away from a big city.  There is a terrific public beach on one of islands which is ideal for a picnic and swim. Bring your own kayak (good parking available) or rent a kayak from the Bowen Island shop but make sure to let them know that’s it’s the Pasley’s specifically that you want to paddle. They do offer a full day tour for $120. 
• Pushing the 90 minute envelope puts you in range of all sorts of paddling in and around the Sunshine Coast. It’s only a 40 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and then a 25 minute drive to Sechelt. Bring your own kayak and explore the Sechelt Inlet for  2- 6 days. Otherwise paddle over to Bucaneer Bay on Thormanby Island for a day and plop yourself on the lovely beach for some summertime R&R. You can rent from Halfmoon Sea Kayaks and check out the Secret Cove area with its quiet lagoons. Their rental price for four hours is $40 for a single and $65 for a double.  They offer a wide range of tours as well.

It looks like it’s going to be another lovely weekend in Vancouver. I encourage you to get out and explore the beautiful coastline.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Hiking Tips for England & Scotland

July 19, 2010

I’ve just returned from 2 weeks of hiking in England and Scotland- including 6 days hiking the Cumbria Way in England’s Lake District and 7 days hiking Scotland’s West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William. I’ve done loads of hiking and backpacking but every trip teaches me something new. Here’s my list of tips that will likely make your hike more enjoyable, especially in rainy, windy Great Britain.

Don’t leave home without the following:

• If you have a choice of raincoats at home pick the most waterproof one. I have a lightweight Marmot and a heavier Arc’teryx and the Arc’teryx was worth its weight in gold especially on the days when it was sheeting rain. One of our B&B hosts was on a Lake District search and rescue team and swore by the British made Paramo brand.
• DO NOT BRING PONCHOS!!! You won’t be able to see your feet.
• Bring arm warmers. You can buy them in a bike shop. They’re lightweight and you can easily vary how far up and down your arm you want them. They aren’t a fashion statement but in Great Britain’s climate they make tremendous sense.
• If you’re planning to camp on the West Highland Way, which is a popular option, then bring a head net to combat the midges. Otherwise it will look like you have a bad case of pimples. Also bring an insect repellent with at least 30% Deet. The midges were never really a problem for hikers but mornings and evenings in some spots were brutal for the campers – especially setting up and taking down a tent.

• Before you set out on any hike, head to the local drugstore and buy a variety of sizes of Compeed – a miracle product for blisters. The blister on my friend’s foot in the picture below is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen but Compeed actually made hiking with it possible.

• If you usually wear a sunhat the bring one with a wide brim that you can tie on – otherwise the wind will whip it off. Bring something to wear on your head when it’s pouring rain.
• Use a baggage transfer service – Sherpa Van for much of England and the West Highland Way, Travel-lite for the West Highland Way only or Luggage Transfers for the South West Coast path. Door to door pickup and drop-off from hotels and sometimes campsites is offered for a very reasonable fee. I met one fellow who spoke eloquently on Day 1 of the purity of carrying everything on your back. By Day 4 he had hired the service and had decided that his next holiday was going to involve beaches instead. The long distance hikes are hard enough without adding 20-25 pounds to your back.
• Bring socks of varying thickness. Lightweight, liner type socks were sometimes more comfortable than traditional hiking socks.
• Get a set of good maps especially for the Cumbria Way which is poorly signed in places. Bring a compass and don’t rely solely on a GPS. Batteries die.
• If you’re a big water drinker then you might want to consider brings drops or a water filter to add to your supply on a long day. There were always plenty of streams but water absolutely needs to be disinfected especially in sheep and cow country.
• Bring extra food with you. On many days shops were nonexistent until the end of the day.
• Keep small change so you can make a telephone call from the rare payphone. Most restaurants and hotels were kind enough to offer but there were occasions where we needed the money to make the call. Foreigners might find cell phone roaming and usage calls outrageously expensive.
• Long distance walks in England and Scotland are harder than you might think. Before you go, get in shape and put in the miles on the boots you plan to wear. If at all possible hike on a variety of terrain beforehand – up hills and down hills. Try hiking  two to three 10-12 mile days in a row before you go.
• Be mentally prepared for long days. One day on the West Highland Way was 13 miles – about average – but it felt much longer because there was so much scrambling around rocks and roots. If you know that’s going to be the case you’re much more likely to deal with it in a positive manner.
• I had two bad days of rain, one day with on and off rain and the rest were either cloudy or sunny. Overall I felt lucky to have as little rain as I did. Go expecting rain and anyday it doesn’t happen is a bonus.
• Don’t bother asking for directions in Scotland. It’s not that the Scots aren’t willing and helpful. It’s the fact that you likely won’t understand a word they say with their thick Scottish accents. It’s highly embarrassing asking someone to repeat themselves three and four times.
• On a few of the longer days I pulled out my IPod for the last few miles. The music energized me and took my mind off of sore feet.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Some of the Best Lake District Walking – Keswick to Caldbeck

July 6, 2010

Today we finished the Cumbria Way in Carlisle – a rather uninteresting 15 + mile walk from Caldbeck but yesterday was a different story altogether.

I left Keswick on my own bound for Caldbeck. My friend had elected to take the day off and nurse blisters and sore ankles. We were to meet in the pub by 5pm. I had just over 15 miles ahead of me but over 17 miles if the weather turned and I was forced to take the lower route.

Much of the time you could see the path stretched out in front of you as you made your way from one valley to another. It was desolate but the scenery was outstanding.

At Skiddaw House you have to make a decision. Commit to the Eastern Alternative Route and the highest point on the Cumbria Way or head west if the weather is bad and the tops of the peaks aren’t visible and take the longer but lower route. I went for the high route.

Life was good until after lunch. I had made good time and route finding was easy. But then it was on  to Lingy Hut and Hike Peak.  Clouds were forming and it was windy. I admit to feelings of ‘what the hell did I get myself into?’ but embraced the British can do attitude and started heading up past old mine workings. The path narrowed and the hut disppeared from view. Route notes suggested taking a bearing where streams joined. I had a better plan. Spy people on the ridge and race like hell to catch up to them.

From Lingy Hut it was still over a mile to High Peak, a nondescript peak with expansive views. There I met 5 men being tested on their route finding skills and trying to qualify to be summertime guides. I must give off an air of total incompetence because they pretty much figured they’d have to lead me off  the mountain. All I needed from them was a declination though even that word didn’t impress them. Just so you know there are about 5 Cumbria Way markers in the 15 miles and the last one I saw was on the hut. There was not one marker pointing to Caldbeck which I have to say in bad weather (eg 75% of the time) would be helpful. I took a compass bearing – and I haven’t had to do that in a very long time, and headed down the mountain. Lo and behold, after following a warren of paths, I ended up in front of a gate with – a CUMBRIA WAY marker.

The pressure was off and now it was a very pleasant couple of miles to walk into town. It took just over 6 hours to walk the 15.5 miles. In fact I beat my friend by three hours as she toured the countryside with Sherpa Van delivering bags.

The Keswick to Caldbeck section was my favourite day on the Cumbria Way. The huge valleys and desolate landscape inspired me. I hope for more days like this one on the West Highland Way in Scotland – which we start tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Sea Kayaking the Broughton Archipelago, BC – Pictures of the Week

June 26, 2010

The Broughton Archipelago is a maze of islands north of the Johnstone Strait off of Vancouver Island. Challenging water, currents and unpredictable weather keep sea kayakers away. Look for deserted campsites and beautiful shell beaches. If you’re lucky you might see a school of dolphins!

Eight Reasons to Visit Quebec’s Eastern Townships This Year

June 24, 2010

If you’ve never been to Quebec’s Eastern Townships then you’re in for a treat. The area lies south of the St. Lawrence River and roughly one hour east of Montreal by car. To the south, is the United States, specifically the State of Vermont. There are lots of small towns including some of Quebec’s Most Beautiful Villages.

The Eastern Townships are a year round vacation destination with lots of outdoor activities for both summer and winter. Late spring, summer and early fall are the best times to visit if you’re biking. Visit in late November through March if you’re a skier but visit anytime if you’re looking for a romantic getaway.

Eight Reasons to Visit

1. Beautiful, rolling farm country

2. Some of Quebec’s Most Beautiful Villages

3. Scenic wine country and wine tastings

4. Incredible leaf colours in September and October

5. St. Benoit du Lac Abbey – for the setting, architecture, cider and cheeses

6. Excellent cuisine. You’ll find lots of small cafes too serving coffee and pastries.

7. Quiet cycling along The Green Route

8. Well appointed and friendly B&B’s with the option of 5 star accommodation

It goes without saying that the Francophone culture and friendly people only add to the experience.

Bon Voyage.

And if you’re interested in biking  then please feel free to download my ‘Biking the Eastern Townships and Route Verte of Quebec’ guide.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Incredible Irish Islands

June 21, 2010

The west coast of Ireland is dotted with islands – incredibly beautiful, romantic islands. Take time to visit; you may find that they end up being the highlight of your visit. They were for me.

The Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are perhaps the best known of the Irish islands, probably because of their famous Aran knit sweater, a useful water repellent piece of clothing worn by the farmers and fisherman. (Incidentally each family had its own carefully guarded pattern and unique combination of stitches. The sweaters were one of the ways of identifying fisherman who had drowned and washed up on shore.) The islands are located 9 miles off the coast of Galway and are accessed by two passenger only ferries, one from Doolin and one from Rossaveal. Take the Doolin one if you’re in the vicinity of the Cliffs of Moher and have a wish to be scared to death and likely seasick for 90 minutes. The 40 minute ride from Rossaveal is a piece of cake in comparison.

Once you arrive in Inishmore, the largest island and home to 800 mostly Irish speakers, you’ll find there’s plenty to enjoy over a few days. Rent a bike and cycle the island on very scenic, very quiet, mostly easy backroads. It’s a good way to get the flavour of the whole island. You could also:

• Visit Dun Aengus, a 4000 year old fort perched on a cliff
• Go bird watching
• Take a ride on a pony cart
• Watch the local fisherman fish from their tar and canvas boats called currachs and if you happen to be there in June catch currach races at the Patrun Festival (June 25-27, 2010)
• Enjoy traditional music in a local pub
• Walk to the Church of St. Benan, reputed to be the smallest in the world
• Check out the Black Fort, another cliffside ruin only a few miles from Kilronan
• Look for a seal colony along the coastal road about 2 miles from Kilronan

Stay at the Pier House - a comfortable but by no means fancy place overlooking Kilronan Pier. The onsite restaurant is wonderful.

The Blasket Islands

If you’re walking or driving the Dingle Way then it’s impossible to miss the stunning views of the Blasket Islands near Slea Head. The islands lie three kilometers off the Dingle Peninsula and can be reached by  a 20 minute ferry ride.  Once on the islands you can walk, hike and swim. Before you head for the islands you could visit The Great Blasket Center in Dunquin.  The center highlights the unique way of life that has existed on the island. The residents are famous for producing a large amount of Irish literature. In fact the Blasket Islander’s distinctive life coupled with its rich history of literature is the basis for a World Heritage Site application. 

The Skellig Islands

The Skellig Islands are 2 steep and rocky islands lying about 16 kilometers off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula and are accessed by boat from either Portmagee or Caherdaniel. The smaller of the islands is home to 28,000 breeding pairs of gannets. These birds have a wingspan of six feet so the sheer mass of birds is mind boggling. They have the good sense to leave for Africa sometime in October and return again in the spring. They are not to be missed.

The larger island goes by the name of Skellig Michael. It was originally settled in 490AD by Christian monks. The monks endured at least four Viking raids but remained on the island for about 500 years. The island was abandoned in the twelfth century when the monks headed to the Augustinian monastery on the mainland. Two lighthouses were established beginning in 1820 but apart from the lighthouse keepers there has been little human traffic so the site is in excellent shape. The island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

A visit to Skellig Michael requires a head for heights and the ability to climb 600 stairs. The beehive huts that are part of the monastery are built at the top of the stairs. The island consists of nothing but cliffs. There are no handrails so people with a fear of heights can be seen coming down the stairs on their rear ends. There are a few small flat sections so one can bring a lunch and enjoy the view. Puffins nest on the steep hillside so you can also enjoy watching their comings and goings.

Boat trips to the Skellig Islands can be reserved in advance and it is likely your B&B host will be able to provide that service.  The very pretty town of Portmagee about 20 minutes away from Cahirciveen has the most departures though unfortunately you won’t know until the morning of the day that you plan to go if the boat will run. Boats are only able to run 100 days of the year because of weather and wave conditions. They almost never operate in the winter but summer is no guarantee as even in August of 2008 they were only able to run half the time.

There are several companies running trips and prices are in the order of 40 Euros per person. Michael O’Sullivan doesn’t have a website but can be reached at: Waterville Boats  lobsterb@iol.ie Ph: +353 (0) 66 9474800/ Michael +353(0) 87 2202355   Pat +353(0) 87 4178268.

Journey times depend on the boat size but are typically 45 minutes each way. The boats circle Little Skellig Island and then drop you off on Skellig Michael. You are given about 2 hours to walk up and explore which is adequate time. Be warned that there are no bathroom facilities on the island.

Clare Island

Clare Island is accessed from Roonah Point, close to Westport. Spectacular cliffs make for some interesting walking. Bicycling is also possible. It is a short 20 minute ferry ride and it is possible to stay in a B&B or the one hotel.

Inishbofin Island

Inishbofin Island  is 10 kilometres off the coast near Clifden and is accessed via a 30 minute ferry ride from the small fishing village of Cleggan. There are cliff top walks, white, sandy beaches and interesting flora and fauna.

I’ve missed a few of the Irish islands but if you’re read this far then you can see what incredible places they are to visit. Put Ireland on your travel wish list. You won’t be disappointed.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Visiting Vancouver? Over 30 Ideas to Keep You Busy

June 16, 2010

How often have you had visitors and wondered what in the world you were going to do with them short of sitting staring at each other across the living room?? Fortunately in Vancouver there’s a great deal to do to keep even the most jaded visitor and host happy, especially in the summer.

Impressing Your Visitor

Show your visitors those things that are unique to BC and even to Canada if they are from other parts of the world. First impressions count! If you’ve picked them up at the airport and providing they’re not asleep, take a detour along SW Marine Dr (only 7  minutes from the airport) and continue out along Spanish Banks. Some of the highlights of this drive are the following:

• The Spanish Banks area is  particularly good at low tide when you can walk out on the sand flats for a mile.
• Some of Vancouvers best beaches are along here including Locarno Beach which is perfect for an outdoor BBQ on a warm evening. 
• The view of  Vancouver from this vantage point with the water and mountains is truly spectacular. 
• Around Point Grey is the Museum of Anthropology . The building has recently been renovated and it is here you can see totem poles and unique BC First Nations art.
• Kitsilano has a fantastic salt water outdoor pool – three times the size of an Olympic pool – with fabulous views of the mountains as a backdrop for those that just want to suntan and relax.

Downtown Vancouver

For many the skyscrapers of downtown are quite an eye-opener; for indoor days there’s plenty of shopping both at indoor malls and on Robson Street, in Gastown, or even Chinatown with it’s myriad shops to poke around in.  You could also try one of these activities.

• Kids will enjoy Science World, and the Imax Theatre is far superior in size and effect than the one at Canada Place.
• Park the car at Sunset Beach in the West End and take the ferry over to Granville Island - a great way to add to the fun.
• The HR MacMillan Space Center has indoor shows, laser and light shows and telescope viewings. Try to visit  on a clear night.
• Bard on the Beach Shakespearean plays are on in the summer months in the same area. Before the play begins try a walk around Vanier Point.
• Take a dinner cruise while enjoying the downtown skyline.
• Enjoy a scenic float plane tour. It’s not too expensive when you consider how many people you can tuck in and what can be seen in a very short space of time.

Stanley Park

You can easily spend a whole day here. The best way is to either cycle it or walk it.

• Rent bicycles at the north end of Denman Street and take a trip around the seawall; even for the less fit this is an easy and fun way to spend half a day.  Hop on and off to look at the various sights or get lunch at the many stops available. Try to choose a quieter time so you can actually take your eyes off the path and enjoy the view!
• Drive around the park  for a different view.  At the more elevated spots such as Prospect Point, the view has widened due to a huge windstorm that took out 10,000 park trees a few years ago.
• There are two lovely beaches, unprepossessingly called 2nd and 3rdbeaches, with 2nd beach having a great outdoor pool for sunny days.
• Visit the Vancouver Aquarium. As long as you are not a “Free Willy” activist then the Orca and Beluga whale exhibits are quite awesome to see.  There are many more marine animls on display as well as an Amazon exhibit. Animals are shown in’natural’ habitats and won’t be doing any tricks or acrobatics to music, and the general presentation is of education and interest - not entertainment.
• In the summer there is outdoor ethnic dancing at the Ceperley Park picnic area. While this may sound a bit odd it can be a lot of fun and was a huge hit with some of my previous visitors.
• If you’re feeling lazy there are narrated horse-drawn carriage rides around the park with general information about both Stanley Park and Vancouver.

The North Shore

• Starting at Deep Cove you can take a great walk to the lookout at Quarry Rock, about 30 minutes along the Baden Powell Trail; it’s not for those afraid of heights.
• There are some small shops and eateries in Deep Cove.
• Rent a kayak where you can explore the lovely inlet of Indian Arm or just the Cove area itself.
• Most evenings see dragonboat teams practicing. Come out and cheer them on.

Grouse Mountain

If you can afford the tram ride you can probably afford to eat at the Observatory Restaurant at the peak,  and in that case the trip up is included with your meal. If you are a fitness freak climb the 3000′ mountain on the Grouse Grind Trail, but only if you are prepared and healthy enough to do it! If neither of those methods attract you then there is a helicopter ride from Coal Harbour that will take you up to the peak and back to the harbour later in the day. Although there are things to see up there such as the lumberjack show and the raptor display the main attraction is the view so only consider going on a very clear day. There is also a free movie about Vancouver running continuously during the day.

West Vancouver

• If you want a view at no physical or monetary cost then drive up Cypress Mountain and pull off at the lookout. You get a great aerial view of the lower mainland and on a really clear day you can see Mount Baker in Washington.
• Every August  the Squamish Nation Pow-Wow is held at the foot of CapilanoRoad. It ‘s quite a sight to see and the Europeans in particular love to see it! There is  food, stalls selling native goods, and of course the dance competitions. It’s definately worth the time for a unique afternoon.
• Head to Sewell’s Marina in Horseshoe Bay. Try their sea safari.
• Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay over to Bowen Island as a foot passenger where you can either just poke around the shops in Snug Cove and have lunch on the deck at Doc Morgans Pub. Enjoy lovely views of Howe sound. You could even try a few hours of sea kayaking, right off the ferry dock. The view of Howe Sound and the snow-capped mountains are about as quintessential BC as you can get without almost any effort on your part.
• If you’re slightly more energetic you can take the loop trail around Killarney Lake or even hike Mt Gardner for the 360 degree view at the top. The island has a little bus service that can get you around but check times.

Sea to Sky Highway through to Whistler

If you only have a day to spare you can easily take a run up to Whistler with stops along the way. Try one of the following.

• Shannon Falls at Squamish is very close to the car park if you want a closer look.
• Stop at the base of the Chief and see if you can spot the climbers on the rock face. It’s worth the one hour one way hike to the top too.
• Brandywine Falls just south of Whistler is an enjoyable 5 minute walk from the car just for sheer height!
• In Whistler there’s lots to tempt you - beaches, canoeing, hiking, golf, shopping, the peak to peak gondola and the zip line. On your way back to Vancouver stop at the lookout to see the Tantalus Range. You’ll have a full day of BC scenery under your belt.

Victoria and the Gulf Islands

Everyone wants to take their visitors to Victoria, but to the average European visitor it pales in historic terms to what they have ‘back home’. The Royal BC Museum though is worth a visit.

• Take a trip downtown at night to see the street entertainers and the lights.
• If you take the ferry from Tsawwassen make sure to get your visitors up on deck when sailing through the Gulf Islands. It’s worth getting your hair messed up with the wind and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a whale or a dolphin too.

There is so much do here and so much to appreciate about living on the West Coast. Now if only the weather will co-operate and if it does you might have a hard time getting your visitors to leave!

Blog kindly provided by Heather Priest of North Vancouver.

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