Canada in NY Times Top Getaways

It was nice to read that four Canadian destinations were included in The New York Times travel article, 31 Places to Go This Summer:

Quebec City

Montreal

BC's Sunshine Coast

Manitoba

Fishin' in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photo by Sue Frause

Travel advisory to Indonesia

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Indonesia, including Bali.

You are advised to exercise a high level of security awareness in the country due to the current threat of terrorist attacks against Western interests in Indonesia. The possibility for terrorist attacks puts Canadians at greater risk throughout the country.

Canadian travellers should evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel to Indonesia. Terrorist attacks can occur at any time and in any location, including in Bali.

I'm in Bali right now, and have no qualms about being here. Although coincidentally, I did hear today that the travel advisory to Indonesia has been lifted by the United States.

Is Canada far behind?

Part of my friend's home in Bali
Photo by Sue Frause

Canadians in Hong Kong

According to Wikipedia, there are 250,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong.

I was on a walking tour yesterday with a Canadian who was visiting from Toronto.

In fact there's even a Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the largest such organization outside of Canada.

To read more about my Asian adventures, click here.

Hong Kong Bride
Photo by Sue Frause

UBC offers $50,000 reward

The University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology (MOA) has been devastated by the theft this weekend of 15 objects, including 12 pieces by the renowned late Haida artist Bill Reid.

Collectively, the monetary value of these pieces as art objects is approximately $2 million. However, the dollar value of the gold in these artworks is significantly less, only $15,392 if computed at current gold prices.

“The theft of these art objects is a loss of cultural patrimony for the whole of Canada,” MOA Director Anthony Shelton said today. “We are working with the RCMP as they conduct their investigation, and are hopeful that these cultural treasures will be recovered safely.”

The University of British Columbia is posting a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the safe return of the stolen artworks in their original condition and the arrest of any suspects involved in the theft by June 30, 2008.

Referring to one of the stolen Bill Reid pieces, an extraordinary gold box with a sculptured, three-dimensional eagle on top, Shelton said: “This theft is the equivalent of a kidnapping aimed at one of the signature pieces of First Nation art that carries and communicates the creative genius of the whole of the Canadian people. The perpetrators must realize it is the Nation that will be their judge.”

Photographs of the stolen artworks can be seen on the UBC web site.

Gold bracelet by Bill Reid, circa 1960
Photo courtesy University of British Columbia

Theft is "devastating" to UBC

The good news is, I'm in Hong Kong, and Closet Canuck is not censored here as it was in Beijing. The bad news arrived in an email from the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology today:

The Museum of Anthropology and the University of British Columbia are devastated by the theft this weekend of 15 objects, including 12 pieces by Haida artist Bill Reid.

The loss of these art objects is a loss of cultural patrimony for the whole of Canada. We are working with the RCMP as they conduct their investigation, and are hopeful that these cultural treasures will be recovered safely.

Twelve of Reid's pieces were stolen overnight on Friday, May 23. They were all gold, and authorities fear that they will be melted down. Three Mexican art objects were also lifted during the heist.

Read the CBC's latest story here.

UBC's Museum of Anthropology
Photo by Sue Frause

BC Premier Campbell in Beijing

Beijing ~ I haven't seen him around town, but Premier Gordon Campbell officially opened Vancouver Aquarium’s brand new exhibit in China on May 23.

Treasures of Canada’s Pacific Coast was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Beijing Aquarium.

Premier Campbell was joined by Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, Canada; B.C.Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen; Vancouver Aquarium president Dr. John Nightingale; and Vancouver Aquarium board member James Ho.

The public ceremony celebrated the collaboration between the two aquariums in Vancouver and Beijing.

Treasures of Canada’s Pacific Coast is a long-term temporary display at the Beijing Aquarium, featuring six living displays of British Columbia’s marine (ocean) fish and invertebrates including rockfish, ratfish, sea stars, sea anemones and more. The exhibit also features displays and a video showcasing BC's diverse and rich ocean coastline.

Open to coincide with the British Columbia Canada Pavilion for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing, the marine exhibit highlights the beauty of British Columbia’s coastline and the fascinating qualities of the aquatic animals who make their home along the shores of British Columbia.

Closet Canuck censored in China

I'm in Beijing with my husband, who is attending the international meeting of Public Relations Organisation International.

Naturally, I'm blogging from the road, both in my Seattle Post-Intelligencer blog and here at Closet Canuck.

But a funny thing happened on the way to reading Closet Canuck ... I couldn't get into it. It turns out that China censors certain blogs and other Internet sites, and mine happens to be one of them.

Is it the word Closet? Or possibly Canuck?

Whatever the red flag, the online censorship is known as The Great Firewall of China.

I have a friend who lives here in Beijing, and he suggested I use this website to get access to my Closet Canuck blog: Anonymouse.

It works!

There was no censorship of me taking photos in The Forbidden City
Photo by Bob Frause

Greetings from Beijing

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing are only 78 days away. And although I've yet to see any of the venues, this Asian City is in the final months of getting ready for their big global summer sports party that begins August 8.

This is my first visit to Asia, and after being in Beijing for only 24 hours, I've come up with a few impressions:

The air is not what I'm accustomed to in the Pacific Northwest. Although not as bad as I thought it would be, many of the outdoor workers wear masks to avoid inhaling all the dirty little particles. My eyes sting, and on a sunny day, you can't see forever.

The people are friendly. Being of Nordic heritage, I get a lot of stares and nobody has asked me for directions. But from the cab driver at Beijing Capital International Airport to the staff at The Peninsula, they're a friendly bunch.

There's no shortage of faulous food!

I was in Mexico City and New York City in the past month, and Beijing feels much less hectic with less traffic and people walking on the streets. There's a zen-like sense here, which I didn't expect.

It's not intimidating. Outside of all the vendors coming up on the streets trying to sell you everything from cheap jewelry and personal tours, I feel comfortable here. This morning my husband and I visited The Forbidden City, and although we were one of only a few non-Asians awaiting the ticket booth to open at 8:30AM (many more Europeans and Australians are here), we felt welcome in this country called China.

The world will be watching Beijing this summer.

A sign on a downtown Beijing building

Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada : Granville Is. Market

Chef Guided Market Tour with Edible British Columbia
Granville Island, Vancouver
Photograph by Sue Frause

Winnipeg jazz band takes on New York

What a pleasant surprise to see the River East Collegiate Senior Jazz Band of Winnipeg participate in Essentially Ellington last week in New York City. I was visiting my son who lives and works in the city, but also cheering on our local band, the South Whidbey High School Jazz Ensemble. They, along with River East, were among 15 North American high school jazz bands named finalists earlier this year. The competition and festival was held May 15-17 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program was created by Jazz at Lincoln Center during the 1995-96 season. The program supports the development of school music programs through distribution of the music of Duke Ellington and other cirriculum resources, including recordings, teaching guides and expert feedback.

The annual competition and festival is held each May in New York City -- this year marked the 13th anniversary of Essentially Ellington. Last fall, 82 high school jazz bands applied for the program, and the top 15 bands were selected as finalists through a blind screening process.

The River East Collegiate Senior Jazz Band was the only Canadian finalist. Director Jeff Kula's 's band performs locally and also at the provincial and national levels. The band was an Essentially Ellington finalist in 2003, 2004 and 2007.

You can read more about the competition and festival my Seattle Post-Intelligencer blog.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is located in the Time Warner Center

Photo by Sue Frause

Victoria Gin : Bottoms Up!

The historic Bengal Lounge of The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC was the setting for the release of Victoria Gin on May 13. Winchester Cellars created BC’s first handcrafted gin, and they are also Vancouver Island’s first licensed distillery. The unique recipe for Victoria Gin blends ten organic and wild botanicals, from juniper berries to rose petals. The 11th ingredient is known only to the distiller.

The gin is distilled in small batches in a handmade wood-fired copper pot-still. Since only the middle part or “hearts” of each run is saved for bottling, the result is an intensely flavored spirit that is as full-bodied and complex as a fine single-malt whiskey. And forget James Bond. Shaken or stirred, it makes a perfect martini. Or add ice and a splash of tonic for a cool G&T. The gin comes in heavy French flint bottles, with a label featuring a portrait of a youthful Queen Victoria.

Winchester Cellars is located at Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island. Victoria Gin will be available exclusively through the Fairmont Empress Hotel, The Strath Spirit Merchants and from the Tasting Room at Winchester Cellars through June 1, 2008. It retails for $49 CAD.

The Empress Hotel celebrates its 100th birthday this year
Photo by Sue Frause

Whales and Flowers, Oh My!

Prince of Whales Whale Watching is launching its Whales and Garden Tour from Victoria to the Butchart Gardens on May 30, 2008.

The 5+ hour adventure begins at Victoria's Inner Harbour, continues through the Gulf Islands for whale watching and ends at the secluded private dock of Butchart Gardens. After a leisurely stroll through the 55 acres, there's also time for dinner in The Dining Room Restaurant (service begins June 15). The trip includes admission to the gardens and shuttle by coach back to Victoria.

Prince of Whales continues its Vancouver/Victoria trips, which incorporate whale watching into the crossing. This season it has added to its popular package by including a "quick-trip" back to Vancouver from the Butchart docks, making the scenic journey to Vancouver’s Coal Harbour in just 2.5 hours.

Aboard the Prince of Whales from Victoria to Vancouver
Photo by Sue Frause

BC ferry stops in London, England

BC Ferries' MV Coastal Celebration arrived in London, England today for a special promotional stop on its way home to British Columbia. The new 160-metre vessel, the largest double ended ferry in the world, made its way up the Thames River and moored just east of the historic Tower Bridge.

Captain Trafford Taylor, BC Ferries Executive VP of New Vessel Construction, disembarked and delivered an official invitation to the City of London to attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in BC.

The MV Coastal Celebration is a billboard on the water, with its large photo decals that promote both BC and the Vancouver 2010 Games. This special promotion is an Olympic first.

The vessel was viewed by thousands of Londoners and UK visitors as it made its way up the Thames River into the heart of the city.

You can view the ship's progress by visiting the BC Ferries' website.

Coastal Celebration is BC Ferries' third and final new Coastal Class vessel. It left Germany's FSG Shipyard on May 9 and the voyage to BC will take approximately 45 days.

The Coastal Celebration in London, England
Photo courtesy BC Ferries

Whistler Wellness Week begins May 31

It's all about Body, Beauty and Betterment.

That's the focus of the 3rd Annual Whistler Wellness Week, set for May 31-June 8 at Whistler. With a line-up of more than 100 seminars and top-notch instructors from around the globe, the event is for both locals and visitors alike.

Seminar topics range from physical fitness and beauty to uncluttering your home to make a more harmonious living space. Participants may select from up to five seminars each day in the three areas of Body, Beauty and Betterment.

Highlights of this year's wellness week include Yoga Twenty Four, a 24-hour yoga marathon. Yoga enthusiasts will hit the mats and 18 different instructors will put them through their yoga paces for a full 24 hours. Take part in the full 24 hours or just a portion.

The Gaia Gala will be the fourth Be the Change event sponsored by Whistler Wellness. These gatherings were inspired by Deepak Chopra's visit to Whistler last year. The Gaia Gala will features a reception, entertainment, presentation and discussion of how each one of us can make the world a better place.

A new addition to this year's event is the emphasis on the environment. Whistler Wellness Week has teamed up with Envirofest and AWARE (Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment) to present a number of workshops.

Day passes for Whistler Wellness Week are $40. Packages start at $179 per person and include two-nights' accommodation and a two-day pass.

Aboard the Whistler Mountaineer that travels between North Vancouver and Whistler. Photo by Sue Frause.

Happy Mother's Day!

Moms and babes at International Flora, the Montreal Garden Festival
Photo by Sue Frause.

Quebec Cookbook : Best in World

Ile d'Orléan's Farmers in Chef's Hats has received a Gourmand World Cookbook Award. The book, authored by Linda Arsenault, was honored as Best in the World in the local growers category during a recent competition in London.

More than 6,000 cookbooks and books on wine from 107+ countries were part of the competition.

The 124-page cookbook, in both French and English, includes 50 recipes from local chefs using 50 products from the Ile d Orleans. They include fruits, vegetables, cheese, poultry, lamb, bison, duck, fish, chocolate, beer, cider and wine. The book also includes an agritourism map of The Farmers' Route, a listing of The Farmers in Chef Hats and their products and more than 100 photographs.

Ile d Orleans is just 15 minutes from Quebec City. Its fertile soil made it one of the first colonies of New France, where nearly 300 founding families took root. The history of the island can be found today in its horticulture, architecture, art and artisans, culture and fine inns and restaurants.

Pictured above: Philip Rae, Chef and Innkeeper at Auberge Le Canard Huppe, tested all the recipes

Canadians returning to Whidbey Island

Although it's not quite the bargain that it was several years ago, it's not keeping me away from Canada. And with the US and Canadian dollars almost at par these days, the Canadians are once again returning south of the border.

Whidbey Island has always been a popular destination for BC folks. And I'm happy to say, you're back!

This morning, while out for my walk through Langley on Whidbey, I ran into a nice gentleman and his little dachsund June. At one point in the conversation I asked, "Are you Canadian?" He was a bit surprised, replied "Yes," and I explained that he gave it away when he said the word about.

He laughed.

Turns out he's from Vancouver, and he and his wife heard from friends about the Inn at Langley. When it came time to decide between a four-day getaway to Vancouver Island or Whidbey Island, they decided to head south.

Glad you did!

Inn at Langley on Whidbey Island

Photograph by Sue Frause

Corner Gas : TV show's last season

Last Chance for Gas!

Corner Gas creator and star Brent Butt announced that the Prairie Pants Productions' series will come to an end following the conclusion of its upcoming sixth season. Production on the final 19 new episodes, to be broadcast in 2008-2009 in Canada on CTV and The Comedy Network, begins May 15 in Regina and Rouleau, Saskatchewan. The series’ finale will air sometime in the spring of 2009.

But just because the show is over doesn't mean all is lost. CnT Conventions and Tours of Regina offers guided tours of the Corner Gas sets in Regina and Rouleau from May 25 to September 14. With the series ending this season, 2008 is your last chance to take a unique look at a piece of Canadian television history.

Window on Canada : Harbour Sunset

Sunset over Victoria's Inner Harbour, Vancouver Isle
Photo by Sue Frause

2010 Olympics: Big Gondola!

Peak 2 Peak Gondola construction on Whistler Blackcomb is back on schedule after a snowy six-month winter. Completion of the gigantic gondola is scheduled for December 2008.

Just in time for the winter ski season and two years in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The two-year construction project wrapped up phase one in November with the completion of the two tallest towers, along with concrete poured for the foundations of the remaining two towers.

Phase two just kicked off with the clearing of more than ten feet of snow around the lift terminals. Access roads have also been cleared on Whistler and Blackcomb, and the steel for the towers is being moved into place.

Across the Atlantic, five spools of cable (weighing nearly 100 metric tonnes each) were loaded onto a barge along with four "smaller" reels. They left Basel, Switzerland on April 10 and connected with an ocean going vessel in The Netherlands on April 23.

The cable is now on its trans-Atlantic journey to the Port of Vancouver in Washington State. This port has a heavy-lift mobile harbour crane and is the closest port that could handle the heavy spools. The cable is expected to arrive in the US on June 5, then will be transferred to rail cars and off to Whistler it goes!

Upon arrival at Whistler, the spools will be placed onto a special low-bed truck and transported up the mountain.

It will take 12-13 weeks for the cable stringing.

You can watch it all happen at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/peaktopeak via webcams, construction updates, photographs and videos.

A massive piece of steel at the Blackcomb terminal structure
Photo by Rick Temple

I'm rooting for Sidney Crosby!

Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia is obviously proud of its hometown hero. Sidney Crosby, #87 for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is a star on ice. And although there is no Canadian team left in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I'll be following the 20-year-old on CBC Sports.

P.S. That's not a photo of Sidney, but Don Cherry, a legend in the hockey world.

Bruce Bennett /Getty Images photo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada : Stroll Nanaimo

Harbourside Walkway is Nanaimo's top attraction.

The three-mile path meanders along Vancouver Island's Nanaimo Harbour between Harbour Park Mall and the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.

Read my story, A stroll around Nanaimo, in The Herald's Outdoors section. Photos by Sue Frause.

Nanaimo's harbour in springtime 2007

Nanaimo's world famous Nanaimo Bar

Downtown Nanaimo is a blend of old and new

A little rain doesn't keep locals from their morning walk

Top 25 Destinations : Canada

I'm a big fan of TripAdvisor, and they recently released the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards.

The categories include Top 100 Destinations World along with Top 25 Destinations for the US, Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Latin America - Caribbean, South America, Africa and Canada.

In the world category, seven Canadian destinations made the list of 100: Banff, Victoria, Lake Louise, Vancouver, Quebec City, Whistler and Jasper.

The Top 25 Destinations in Canada include:

Banff, Alberta*
Victoria, BC*
Lake Louise, Alberta*
Vancouver, BC*
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Quebec City, Quebec*
Whistler, BC*
Jasper, Alberta*
Halifax, Nova Scotia*
Tofino, BC*
Cavendish, PEI
Charlottetown, PEI
Montreal, Quebec*
Toronto, Ontario*
Ottawa, Ontario*
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia*
Canmore, Alberta*
Calgary, Alberta*
Mont Tremblant, Quebec*
Baddec, Nova Scotia
Kelowna, BC*
Kingston, Ontario
Whitehorse, Yukon
Tadoussac, Quebec*
Nanaimo, BC*

*Indicates destinations I've visited (18 out of 25 or 72%)

Tadoussac, Quebec
Photo by Sue Frause

Team Canada's Olympics Garb

Hudson’s Bay Company has unveiled the clothing that Team Canada will wear at the Beijing 2008 Games.

The look is described as "vibrant reds and Chinese symbolism married with Canadian tradition."

The Team Canada Beijing Games clothing line is emblazoned with maple leaves, the word Canada written in both English and Mandarin and a primarily red and white colour pallet.

Color inspiration is also drawn from the five elements of Chinese astrology: earth, wood, fire, water and metal. On some pieces, Chinese symbolism takes the form of the lucky number eight.

Hbc asked 50 Olympians and Paralympians from previous Summer Games what they wanted from the Beijing clothing line. Athletes were shown fabric samples and given a preview of the inspiration behind the clothing.

The consensus was that Canadian athletes want clothing that’s as fashionable as it is sporty. They also want fabrics that are comfortable and breathable in Beijing’s anticipated high temperatures.

In response, the Hbc design team created clothing that incorporates performance fabrics that provide UV protection, four-way stretch, odor resistance, and wicking and cooling properties for ultimate comfort. This also happens to be the first eco-friendly uniform designed for Team Canada, using fabrics such as bamboo, Cocona™ (fabric made from recycled coconut shells), cotton blends and organic cotton.

Canada’s Team members in Beijing will each receive 25 items as part of the 2008 Team package. The wardrobe includes leisure wear, jackets, pants and shorts, hoodies, T-shirts, shoes and luggage. They’ll also go home with a few special athlete-only items that will not be available to the public — this includes the parade and podium jackets which will be unveiled at the Beijing Games.

There was no mention of masks being part of the wardrobe.

In other clothing news, Roots is no longer outfitting Olympic teams. You can read the story in the Toronto Star.

Photo courtesy Hudson's Bay Company

Farewell CBC Radio Orchestra

North America's last radio orchestra is getting the heave-ho.

The CBC Orchestra, based in Vancouver, will play its last sweet sounds sometime in September of this year.

The 35 orchestra members, all freelancers, will be looking for gigs elsewhere.

More details in the Victoria Times-Colonist.