Window on Canada : YVR

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport as seen from YVR's runway
Photo by Sue Frause

How to get those Olympics tix

If you're hankerin' to take in the Olympics in person and not on TV, the time to do it is between Oct. 3 and Nov. 7, 2008. That's when Canadian residents can go to vancouver2010.com to request 2010 Olympic Winter Games tickets.

Organizers say there's no rush to submit requests on the first day, as ticket requests issued early on have no advantage over those requested closer to Nov. 7. Popular and oversubscribed events, such as the ice hockey finals or the Opening Ceremony, will be allocated via lottery. Closer to Games time, remaining tickets will be available at box offices, through a call center as well as online.

Admission prices begin at $25, with half of the tickets available for $100 or less. US and all other international spectators can purchase their tickets through their respective National Olympic Committees. Paralympic Winter Games tickets go on sale May 6, 2009.

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will also be offering an Olympic Experience Package. It's a way to see a variety of events while taking into account timing for transportation and early arrival at venues.

Photo by Sue Frause

Nanaimo hosts Canadian Body Painting Championships on Vancouver Island

Semi-clad bodies, both male and female, will be the canvas for some very unusual art during the Canadian Body Painting Championships, Sept. 4-7 at Beban Park in Nanaimo, BC.

"This is an exciting time to be given world sanctioning, while Nanaimo celebrates being a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada," said event co-organizer Dawn Tyndall. Nanaimo's Body Gras team has a strong history and was instrumental in having the world sanctioned event being hosted on Vancouver Island.

Five workshops will be taught by some of the top artists in the world, including Shaul Maloem from the Make Up Institute Stockholm. The Monkey's Jungle Masquerade Party will welcome artists and models on Friday, September 5. The party is open to the public and begins at 7:30 pm in the Centennial Building at Beban Park. Tickets are $15.

The main body painting competition is Saturday, Sept. 6 and is open to the public from 12-6 PM. There will be live demos and face painting for kids of all ages. Saturday night features It's a Jungle Out There, with live music, a fire dancing performance, professional dance troupe, art presentations and the awards ceremonies.

Get out your jogging shoes in Quebec

I'm not sure why you have to pay to jog around a city. Let alone run around a city. As a long-ago jogger who switched to walking and biking due to knee issues, it ain't my thing.

But if I was a single woman in a city and wanted to go out for a jog, this is a great idea. Quebec Jogging Tours offers guided running tours around the city of Quebec. They're geared for both slow and hard runners, and you can either go in a group or on an individual tour.

Not only will a running tour cover more ground than a traditional city tour, you'll see places not accessible to tour buses. Plus, you'll be in fine form to enjoy the many fine restos of Quebec City. There are currently three tours of QC, ranging from 6-11 km (3.7-6.8 miles) and costing from $30-$68.

The company plans to offer tours in Montreal soon.

A couple checks out their new shoes in London's Regent's Park
Photo by Sue Frause

Top Inn: Burrowing Owl Winery

Dan Austin and Paul Lehman, founding partners of Austin-Lehman Adventures based in Missoula, Montana, recently selected their top 10 favorite inns. The adventure company specializes in immersive, active travel and the inns will be included in its 2009 itineraries.

Among the top ten inns was one from Canada, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, BC. Here's the complete list:

Fox Island, Kenai, Alaska: Guests boat-in to log-hewn cabins sited ina rocky cove on a small, private island. ALA’s Alaska: Best of the Greatland

Burrowing Owl, Okanagan Wine Region, BC: Dramatic views of mountains and vineyards from the balcony of a charming 10-room guesthouse. ALA’s Okanagan Valley: Canada's Wine Country

Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Year-round luxury resort on a wildlife sanctuary enjoys Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List designation. ALA’s Grand Teton: Valley Floors to Jagged Peaks

Hotel San Juan de Dios, Chiapas, Mexico: Private gardens, antiques and chimneys grace guest accommodations of this one-time hacienda in the historic region of San Cristobal de las Casas. ALA’s Mexico Chiapas: Rainforest to Ruins

Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru: This former 16th-century monastery is built on the foundation of an Incan palace. Today its oxygen-enriched rooms are part of a five-star hotel at 11,024 feet. ALA’s Peru: Land of the Inca

Grootbos Garden Lodge, Gansbaai, South Africa: A lush canopy embraces private balconies and suites in the Grootbos Nature Reserve, home to 650 indigenous plants and conserving 1700 hectares of fybos, the Cape’s unique vegetation. ALA’s South Africa Safari & Multisport Adventure

Ant's Nest, Limpopo Province, South Africa: Guests experience classic Africa at this original veranda-laced homestead furnished with local fabrics, timber and stone and offering a swimming pool surrounded by manicured gardens. ALA’s South Africa Family Adventure Safari

Mountain Home Lodge, Leavenworth, WA: A 12-room lodge with cabins offers classic cuisine in a 20-acre meadow overlooking the Washington Cascades. ALA’s Washington Cascades – Best of the Northwest Adventure

Chico Hot Springs, Pray, Montana: Rustic cum chic, mineral hot spring pools, spa services and gourmet dining are part of the experience at this National Register of Historic Places inn. ALA’s Montana: Canyons, Calderas, & Cowboys

Arenas Del Mar, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Beach and rainforest near the Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific. Dining features fresh and local cuisine. Guests enjoy exemplary personalized service. ALA’s Costa Rica Coastlines to Cloud Forests Family Adventure

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Oliver, BC
Photo by Sue Frause

The countdown begins : Vancouver 2010

Canadian athletes are headed home after a 15th place finish at the Beijing Games. They earned 18 medals including three gold, nine silver and six bronze.

And of course they're already ramping up for the 2012 Summer Games in London, England where the Canadian Olympic Committee is hoping to make a top-12 finish.

There was no shortage of Canadians at the Beijing Games. Representatives from Tourism Vancouver, Tourism British Columbia and the Canada Tourism Commission -- along with folks from VANOC -- were checking out what did and didn't work.

Read an article at CTV titled Beijing provides lessons for Vancouver 2010 here.

Up in the mountains, Whistler's three competition venues are complete: Whistler Creekside for alpine skiing events; Whistler Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton; and Whistler Olympic Park, for Nordic and cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping.

Whistler Village's pedestrian stroll, already lined with restaurants, cafes and pubs, will have six Live Sites where people can watch the Games on large outdoor screens. There will also be free entertainment featuring bands, performing artists and theatre. Medal presentations will be held at Celebration Plaza each evening.

A view from the The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Photo by Sue Frause

FInal museum pieces recovered at UBC

RCMP investigators have recovered the last two of 12 Bill Reid pieces stolen from the UBC Museum of Anthropology in May 2008.

The gold eagle brooch was recovered intact, while the carved argillite pipe was recovered with approximately two inches of it broken off and it remains missing. For reasons that would negatively impact the investigation, the RCMP were not in a position to release this information sooner.

Police are continuing their investigation, and are in the process of completing a report to Crown Counsel outlining all of the circumstances surrounding the break-and-enter and theft. Although the RCMP are pleased that they have been able to recover all the stolen pieces, they are seeking any information which will lead to the recovery of the broken-off piece of the carved argillite pipe.

Anyone who has any information as to the whereabouts of this piece is asked to contact 778.886.2870 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.

All of the recovered Bill Reid pieces have been returned to the UBC Museum of Anthropology. They are being examined to determine suitability for exhibition when the Museum re-opens in March 2009 after a six-month closure for renovations. Three Mexican jewelery pieces, heavily damaged, remain in police hands.

UBC Museum of Anthropology will be closed Sept. 2 - March 3, 2008 for "innovations"
Photo by Sue Frause

MONOPOLY! Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver selected to be on new board

After a worldwide vote, Montréal will represent the most expensive property on the new MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition game board.

Montreal is one of only two blue properties on the board, followed by Riga, the capital of Latvia. But two other Canadian cities made the game, Vancouver (orange) and Toronto.

Earlier this year, MONOPOLY fans from around the world voted for their favorite cities. More than 5.6 million votes were cast for 70 cities, which determined 20 of the 22 featured in the game. The 20 cities with the most write-in votes faced off in a bonus vote and the two with the most votes, Taipei and Gdynia, earned the brown property spaces on the game board.

The 22 cities that earned spots on the board in order of highest rent properties are:

Montreal
Riga
Cape Town
Belgrade
Paris
Jerusalem
Hong Kong
Beijing
London
New York
Sydney
Vancouver
Shanghai
Rome
Toronto
Kyiv
Istanbul
Athens
Barcelona
Tokyo
Taipei
Gydnia

The new version of MONOPOLY will be available in stores August 26 in more than 50 countries and 37 languages. The game was invented by Charles Darrow in 1935. (purple).

Quebec's Despatie : Hi-Ho, Silver!

I have an affinity for all things from Quebec -- OK, not poutine! So of course I was rooting for diver Alexandre Despatie last night during the springboard diving competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old, born in Montreal, picked up the silver medal, one of four that Canada won on Tuesday. The Laval resident also received a silver four years ago in Athens.

It's been a long journey for Despatie, who has recently suffered from an injured back and a broken foot.

Read about his victory in The Gazette.

Go Canada!

Feist sings for BC's 150th

I was in Victoria, BC for British Columbia's 150th anniversary celebration the first weekend in August.

Here's a Flip video I made from the Fairmont Empress lawn of Feist performing on the main stage in front of the BC Legislature.

Love the lights!

Stanstead in Quebec's Eastern Townships: A border runs through it

I was going through photos of my numerous trips to Canada, and ran across this unusual one below. It's of a fellow travel journalist lying on the border that runs through the Haskell Free Library and Opera House in Stanstead, Quebec (above).

Located in the Eastern Townships, one of Stanstead's claims to fame is that the Canada/USA border runs right through the library: 60% of the building is in Stanstead and 40% in Derby Line, Vermont.

You can enter the library in Vermont and check out your books in Quebec!



Photos by Sue Frause

Go Easterly, Travelers!

Enjoy the end of summer and early autumn with VIA Rail’s Easterly Class: A Maritime Learning Experience. This unique program is in its fourth year, and the seasonal upgrade features premier-class sleeper service on VIA's Ocean route and education programs from VIA Rail's nationally certified Learning Coordinators. It runs through October 18, 2008.

Passengers will enjoy such summer celebrations as the 100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables and the 250th Anniversary of Democracy. New Easterly Class amenities include expanded menu items such as Irish Whiskey Atlantic Salmon, wine pairings during meals and a custom newsletter.

Easterly Class is a seasonal upgrade to the Ocean route's Comfort Sleeper class. The Ocean operates year-round, six times per week in each direction between Montréal and Halifax, while the learning component upgrade is featured throughout summer and early fall.

All meals on board – three in total from Montréal to Halifax – are included in the ticket price for Easterly Class passengers. The Ocean’s cozy sleeping accommodations include duvet bedding, plump pillows, towels and a shower kit, bottled water and chocolates.

Autumn in Montreal
Photo by Sue Frause

Canada gets Gold, Silver, Bronze

BEIJING -- A week of frustration for Canada ended in a medal-laden hour at the XXIX Olympics on Saturday as two female wrestlers and a pair of rowers won gold, silver and bronze.

No more looking up to Togo, Tajikistan, or even Denmark and Poland: Canada climbed the medal standings into 24th place after seven days of personal bests and even Olympic records, but no medals.

Read the rest of the story by Randy Newell at the Beijing Games for Canwest News Services here.

Olympic Games support in Hong Kong
Photo by Sue Frause

NB's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival

Fredericton, New Brunswick is home to one of Canada’s largest jazz festivals, the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. The 18th annual edition takes place in historic downtown Fredricton, September 9-14. The end of summer music fest features more than 120 performances on 23 stages, along with 40 free shows.

The line-up includes both well known and up-and-coming artists from around the world playing jazz, funk and electric blues. Among them are five-time Grammy Award Winner Buddy Guy; British pop band Bloc Party; Georgia guitar-wizard Derek Trucks; Vermont's promising young rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals; Amsterdam's Ana Popovic; France's Nano; and one of Britain’s premier jazz vocalists, Sarah Jane Morris performing with Sting’s long-time guitarist, Dominic Miller.

Saxophone
Photo by Sue Frause

Foodie tours in Vancouver, Toronto

Public Market
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

I just wrote a feature for Crosscut about edible walking tours in the Pacific Northwest. Among them was Edible British Columbia's popular tours in Vancouver.

It turns out that other Canadian cities have these popular foodie tours, too. Toronto's A Taste of the World offers four tours: Broadway Gaeway-4 Cultures; Foodies Gaslight Stroll-Rosedale & Yorkville; Second Chinatown Foodies Quarters Walk; Kensington Foodies Roots Walk.

Sunset over Seattle's Pike Place Market
Photo by Sue Frause

Canadian medal count disappointing

Inspecting the Summer Olympics
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

It sounds like Canadians aren't happy with their medal count at the Beijing Games. Here's what the CBC had to say about it on August 13:

"The head of the Canadian Olympic Committee says Canadians who are upset with their country's lack of medal production at the Beijing Games should calm down and relax."

You can read the rest of the story here.

The Water Cube with the Bird's Nest in the background.
Photo by Sue Frause (May 2008).

What about those Canadian rowers?

Who knew?

BEIJING -- It was a race four years in the making.

The explosive, pent-up energy from those years of waiting was unleashed in devastating fashion by the Elk Lake-based Canadian men's rowing eight yesterday as it destroyed the field to win its preliminary race at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Read the rest of the story abbout this hot rowing eight team in the Times Colonist.

Then tune in to see who wins on Sunday!

Kayakers in Port Townsend, Washington
Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada : Saskatchewan

On the way to the Big Muddy Badlands
Photo by Sue Frause

Whale watching on a river?

Living on the west coast, I have a tendency to think that we are the place in the world to see whales. So imagine my surprise the first time I went whale watching in a river!

The St. Lawrence River is home to blue, finback, minke and beluga whales. Now through mid-October is a great time to go whale watching.

There are numerous companies offering deluxe whale watching tours, or just go on your own with a local company. A good starting point is Quebec City, a hoppin' place this summer with its year-long celebration of turning 400 years old.

She still looks great!

Whale watching on the St. Lawrence River
Photo by Sue Frause

Canadian Olympic Team in Beijing

The Canadian Olympic Team is 331 strong for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. They'll be led by Olympic and world champion kayaker Adam van Koeverden in Friday's Opening Ceremonies that take place on the lucky 08.08.08.

Sounds like the Canadian athletes are going to be mighty comfy during their stay in Beijing. Click on to read the article in the Toronto Star:

Enjoying comforts of home in Beijing - Canadian athletes have a special place where they can eat, sleep and stay happy before competing

A sign promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on the way to the Great Wall of China. Photo by Sue Frause.

The rain in Spain lies mainly in Quebec?

Phare de Pointe des Monts, Quebec
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

Don't let the rain scare you away from visiting Quebec, one of my favorite Canadian provinces. Several years ago, I traveled along the Quebec Lighthouse Trail on the Gaspe Peninsula, and I'm ready to return. This year's unseasonably and un-summery weather has had an adverse effect on Quebec's farmlands and crops. Read a story I wrote about the Quebec Lighthouse Trail here.

Phare de Pointe des Monts, Quebec
Photo by Sue Frause

Scenic ferry ride to Washington state

Mt. Baker
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

One of the most scenic ferry rides in the Pacific Northwest is aboard Washington State Ferries from Sidney on Vancouver Island to Anacortes, Washington. The seasonal trip, which runs through the end of September, takes about two hours. Here is Mt. Baker in Whatcom County, shortly before docking in Anacortes. Make sure you bring your passport and to save $, consider walking on. It's only $16 one way.

Photo by Sue Frause

Feist

Feist
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

Feist was part of the free entertainment for BC's 150th Anniversary celebration in Victoria on BC Day, August 4. She shared the outdoor stage with fellow Canadian entertainers Dal Richards, Colin James, Burton Cummings and Sarah McLachlan.

Photo by Sue Frause

Snowbirds of Canada

Snowbirds of Canada
Originally uploaded by Sue Frause

What a shock/thrill to see the Snowbirds fly over Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel while we were having lunch alfresco in the Verandah. It was loud but thrilling! Here are eight of the nine jets, the other is hiding behind the ivy of the Verandah. What a fun way to help British Columbia celebrates its 150th Anniversary on BC Day!

Photo by Sue Frause

BC Legislative Buildings, Victoria

I'm off to Victoria on Vancouver Island Monday morning to celebrate BC Day and BC's 150th anniversary. Or is it a birthday? I'm never quite sure about that. I'll be taking the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes, 90 minutes from where I live on Whidbey Island, to Sidney on Vancouver Island. It's about 30 minutes from Victoria.

Photo by Sue Frause

Sea to Sky Highway reopens

The Sea to Sky Highway that connects Vancouver and Whistler reopened Saturday evening, 30 minutes earlier than expected. A massive slide closed the highway for most of the week.

Read more about it in the Vancouver Sun.

Map courtesy Whistler Blackcomb

Big Buzz : To bee or not to bee?

Three Queens and their accompanying entourage of more than 10,000 bees are now in residence atop the roof of Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. The Queens checked into their 14^th storey triple hive apiary on June 4. To mark the royal visit and celebrate their arrival the hotel will offer a “B&B & BEE” package.

The Fairmont Royal York’s Executive Chef David Garcelon, photographed above at the St. Lawrence Market, says the three new hives are a natural extension of the his flourishing rooftop herb garden. The rooftop apiary was established in partnership with the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative and FoodShare. Both initiatives will deliver fresh local products in a sustainable way to hotel guests.

"You can’t find a supplier much closer than your own roof," said Garcelon. He anticipates that the bee colonies will deliver "some irresistible honey for our guests" and at the same time promote the hotel's ecological commitment to bee culture. To see a fun and informative podcast about the bees, click on the headline above.

The “B&B & BEE” overnight city getaway package includes:

-One night accommodation in a Fairmont Room
-Full breakfast for two in EPIC or York’s Kitchen
-Valet parking for one vehicle
-A souvenir bee embossed soap
-A $1 donation the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative

The package starts at $224 CAD per night, based on double occupancy. It is available through September 1, 2008. Book online or call 800.441.1414 and use bee code IU8BEE.

Photo by Sue Frause

Whistler is open for business!

Tourism Whistler is sending out the word that they're open for business, even with the closure of the Sea-to-Sky Highway due to a large rock slide earlier this week.

"Whistler is open for business," said Breton Murphy of Tourism Whistler. "We want to remind people that there are a variety of alternative transportation options."

They include bus and car along Highway 99 north along Duffey Lake road, float planes and water taxis to Squamish from the Vancouver area.

Whistler's hotel and activity operators are being flexible with their booking, refund and cancellation policies.

It's BC Day long weekend coming up and the Canadian National BBQ Championships are still going ahead in Whistler August 2-3. A Taste of British Columbia, which features food and wine from across BC, is also still a go on August 3.

Alta Lake near Whistler
Photo by Sue Frause