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Royal BC Museum, Victoria BC

October 18, 2010 in Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

Many of my favorite memories are from visits to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Walking through the exhibits you can feel the history. My Sister and I would race ahead of our family to the First People’s Gallery, through to tall Totems and into the Big house, once inside we would walk around the fire listening to the sounds of a ‘potlatch’.

Now as an adult I treasure the Haida Argillite carving gallery. Haida argillite carvings are a sculptural tradition among the Haida indigenous nation of the Northwest Coast of North America, which came into existence in the early 19th century and continues today.

Royal BC Museum
In the Natural History Gallery you begin in the Ice Age complete with a massive Ice Age Mammoth. Then winding your way through to Climate Change exhibition , Living land, Living Sea Galley, past a typical west coast BC Seashore diorama and into my favorite part of the Natural History Gallery; the deep dark Coastal Forest diorama.

You feel like you have just stepped into the middle of a forest, you can hear a Ravens call, look to your left and see a grizzly bear fishing a salmon out of the river, Elk feeding at the base of giant Douglas Fir trees and a grand cougar sunning itself on a rock overlooking the islands below. You realize how small humans are compared to these large creatures and magnificent trees.

Our visits would always end with a treat from the café. Now that there is the IMAX theatre we have new tradition we start with a treat from the café, walk off the goodies in the Galleries and end with an exciting IMAX feature.

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Leaves falling on Victoria

September 15, 2010 in Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

I know most other communities may claim they have bragging rights to fall foliage, but if you are looking for a quick getaway packed full of autumn colors Goldstream Provincial Park is a must see. Just 10 miles north of Victoria, Goldstream Park is a majestic old growth rainforest and it is teaming with wildlife and history. It is located on traditional First Nations fishing grounds and just off one of the many trails you may glimpse remains of abandoned mining shafts and tunnels left from the mid-19th century gold rush.

By Brandon Godfrey. Click Image to Enlarge

Goldstream Park flora and fauna is diverse.  You walk amongst Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Big leaf maple, Arbutus , Red alders, Cottonwood trees. The forest floor is covered by ferns and salal bush. Listen for the rush of the river and the calls of eagles over head. Along your walk you are surrounded by Douglas fir that is over 600 hundred years old. The Western cedar trees reach a height of over 200 feet tall and the giant Big leaf maples show their spectacular autumn tones. It is a photographer’s paradise.  In fact, photographer Brandon Godfrey, has captured the majesty of this park in the photo above.

From late October through December of each year the Goldstream River is home to the natures amazing salmon spawn. Chum, coho and chinook salmon enter the river via Finlayson Arm from the Pacific Ocean. Their trip really began three years previously…they were born in the fresh waters of Goldstream River, traveled to the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean where they mature before making the trek back to the Goldstream River to spawn.

CowichanValleyPhotos.com

During the spawning migration up river, the male of the species searches for a suitable female. Once male and female fish have paired up for mating, the female takes the role of builder, preparing the spawning bed, the male protects the area by swimming around the activity of the female and aggressively biting at anything that intrudes, including smaller male fish. Often, spawning takes place in rather shallow water, making the fish easy prey for predators such as birds, bears, raccoons, and other animals. This is where you can see wildlife trying to get a paw or beak full of salmon. Wildlife sightings are bountiful during this time.

Call Toll Free: 1-800-888-2535 or click here to book your overnight stay & car rental. Be sure to pack the camera and good walking shoes!

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Sidney’s Secrets

August 10, 2010 in Northwest Destinations, Travel Vancouver Island by Barbie | No comments

Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre

Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney

The town of Sidney is located 12 miles north of downtown Victoria, BC. ‘Sidney-by-the-Sea’ is home to many boutique shops and the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.

The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre has live marine life showcased in 17 massive aquarium habitats. Thousands of fish, invertebrates and marine plant life including giant octopus to microscopic plankton are at home here in 87 tons of seawater contained behind huge acrylic viewing panels. After touring the Centre, with your new insight into the ocean and what we can each do to cherish and respect the ocean ecosystem. Why not go out on a quick adventure to Sidney Island.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Summer Adventure: Geocaching in Victoria

July 2, 2010 in Day Trippers, Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

I was at a conference when I was first asked “Do you Geocache?” It was explained that Geocaching is a treasure hunt game that is played all over the world. You log into the Geocache.com, search for a treasure to find, go explore, record, and share your findings online. After learning about it – it was decided that a group from the class would “Geocache” after class, which was a welcomed opportunity to get outside and get some fresh air. Read the rest of this entry »

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Take a Totem Tour in Victoria BC

June 15, 2010 in Travel Vancouver Island, Travel Victoria by Barbie | 1 comment

A true treasure of Vancouver Island is our First Nations Totems. Within steps from our Victoria Clipper Terminal you can take a free, self guided Totem tour and enjoy this city jewel.

Kawakwaka’wakw Pole by Barbie

Kawakwaka’wakw Pole

The term ‘Totem Poles’ is commonly used but a visit to the Royal BC Museum you will learn the poles are more accurately called ‘monumental carvings’. The poles are carved images that display figures representing animals, ancestors or supernatural beings. These poles serve as markers of hereditary rights and privileges.

There are several poles around Victoria and Vancouver Island – the ones mentioned here are within a ten minute walking loop from the Victoria Clipper Terminal door. Read the rest of this entry »

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Victoria Tea Time – Are you a MIF or a TIF?

May 18, 2010 in Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

Are you a MIF or a TIF? How can you tell? It all depends on what you put in your teacup first -  MIF (milk-in-first) or TIF (tea-in-first).  There is science to support the MIF. Dr. Andrew Stapley, a chemical engineer at Loughborough University claimed that his study showed that, “when milk is exposed to high temperatures, such as being poured into a cup of piping hot tea, its proteins tend to degrade, or “denature”, producing a slightly stale taste.”  Read the rest of this entry »

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Victoria Tea Enjoyed at Home

April 29, 2010 in Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

Afternoon TeaEven though the sun has made an appearance the last couple of days, it’s still spring. And as we all know with spring comes rain. So when in Victoria be sure to seek out some teas to take home with you to start your own afternoon tradition – great on a rainy day! Here are three of my favorite places to buy tea.

Murchie’s Tea & Coffee Ltd (1110 Government Street) has been in the business since 1894. Here you’ll find exceptional traditional blends and some new twists. One of our passengers shared with me that she had just come back from Murchie’s with a two year supply of tea. Her husband told me it’s worth noting that they live in Beijing, China! And here is his wife buying tea in Victoria, BC. It turns out she could not live without the Murchie’s Apricot blend. Read the rest of this entry »

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Treat Yourself to Afternoon Tea in Victoria, BC

April 20, 2010 in Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

Seattleites may covet their coffee, well Victorians value their tea.  Born and raised on Vancouver Island my family has kept the tea tradition alive. When guests come to visit we make sure they get to experience an afternoon tea at both the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Butchart Gardens. Don’t try to decide which one to do – do both! Two different tea services, both are sure to delight your senses with the ambiance, the service and the delicious treats!

Tea at the Fairmont Empress

Photo: Anna Steger

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress – A true classic high tea service.  The Empress Tea Lobby is grand.  Queen Elizabeth II has taken her afternoon tea here, why not treat yourself like royalty and sip the special Empress Blend tea whilst indulging in sandwiches, scones, heavy cream and tea fancies!

The Empress Blend tea is a specialty blend of Assam (thick malty and full bodied), Kenya (floral-like flavour and a golden coppery infusion), South India (superb fruity and sprightly flavour), Ceylon (airy, almost piquant flavour), and China (burgundy depth with light oaky notes).  After tea enjoy a walk through the regal Fairmont Empress Hotel. Ask the staff to direct you downstairs where there is a fascinating historical display.

Afternoon tea at Butchart Gardens is served in the original Butchart family residence. The tea varieties offered have an appropriate garden theme; Gardens Blend (light black tea blend of Darjeeling, Black Hunan and Gunpowder), Bachelor Button (Chinese Black and Sencha tea flavoured with bergamot, rhubarb and blue cornflowers), Teaberry Blend (Black Ceylon tea flavoured with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants) and Rose Congou (Chinese lack tea scented with rose petals).  No matter which tea blend you chose it is sure to compliment the sandwiches, cakes and cookies served.

There goes the kettle whistle!  Pinkies out!

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