The other day I had the chance to go ziplining on Grouse Mountain with their Air Grouse ziplining tour. Essentially you can purchase your zipline pass at the base of the mountain and it will include your skyride (gondola) fare as well at the 2-hour zipline circuit.

There are three ziplines at the lodge level and then you’ll take the Peak Chair up to the final two which will have you ripping above the treetops at up to 80km/h.

It’s a great way to explore Grouse Mountain beyond the gondola and believe me, it’s a serious rush. There is a little bit of hiking involved, especially to get up to the two top towers but once you’re strapped in and ready to go just sit back and let the line carry you away.

Unfortunately I had my camera strapped around my neck so when I went into “landing position” all you could see on my video is the sky. However, I’ve mixed up all my clips into this single video (with music by Silversun Pickups).

The total cost of the zipline tour is about $105 and as Jenn Thomson noted (as she did the media tour with me) it’s about the cost of taking your kid to a hockey game or going out for a big fancy dinner.

You can also book in groups (it’s fun to ride with someone else on the twin line beside you) and they’ll take a group photo for you as a keepsake before you set out on your tour. I’m looking forward to trying this with John and I promise next time, I’ll scream a little less.

One of the highlights of any Victoria trip for me is always the Royal BC Museum. They have seasonal exhibits combined with traditional displays and the IMAX which make it enjoyable for all ages, any time of year.

We were on a mission to explore “Treasures: The World’s Cultures of the British Museum” that is in Victoria until September of this year and spent the better part of an hour perusing all of the dazzling ancient artifacts.

The self-guided tour leads you through displays starting with Africa, moving on to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, America and the Modern World. You’ll see everything from a mummy, to the Rosetta Stone, busts of Marcus Aurelius, a Rembrandt sketch, ancient carved Buddha statues, and gold masks from Columbia.

Photo credit: (c) The Trustees of the British Museum – Deir elBahri, Thebes, Egypt , Early 22nd Dynasty, ca 930 BC, Papyrus

Photo credit: (c) The Trustees of the British Museum – Found at Olympia, Greece ca 460 BC, Bronze

The features at the Royal BC Museum always draw a crowd and they saw the highest attendance of almost a half a million visitors during their 2007 Titanic exhibit.

On any given day you can explore the National History Gallery (home of that famous Wolly Mammoth), and the Human History Gallery that features everything from First Nations history to a Modern History Gallery. John said thanks to these exhibits he’s been able to learn more about the province and our nation – they’re personal favourites of mine as well. They’ve also included a permanent Climate Change feature that features everything from the Pine Beetle to exploring weather patterns at interactive computer stations.

You are welcome to take photographs (without flash) throughout the museum, except in the special exhibit halls or where otherwise noted. If you regularly frequent the museum (more than once a year) it would be worth looking into an annual pass, which is only $45 for adults. Many other attractions over in the Vancouver area offer annual or family passes for locals and I think they’re tremendous deals e.g. the Vancouver Aquarium.

Outside the Royal BC Museum you’ll spot the Netherlands Carillon bell tower, thunderbird park, the BC archives, a native plant garden, sculptures, and monuments. Of course the museum is also across the street from the legendary Empress Hotel as well as the BC Legislature building.

I’ve visited the museum every time I’ve ever been to Victoria and when you combine the traditional galleries with the traveling exhibits it just adds that much more value to your trip.

This stop was during our Coast Hotels ‘New Victoria for New Media’ tour – view my Flickr set for more images.

Nestled up on a hill overlooking the peninsula, Sea Cider in Saanichton is an orchard oasis.

Producing almost a dozen varieties of cider this 3-acre orchard, and 7-acre forest, creates delicious and refreshing organic spirits year-round. For Kristen Jordan, who founded Sea Cider with her husband five years ago it was a natural move when they took over the farm, both of them having a connection to cider-making and orchards in their past.

Sea Cider grows various varieties of apples on their 1,000 trees, while also using their wooded acreage to grow complimentary products such as stinging nettles for tea, lavender, honey, and mint. It seems that every bit of land is used to grow and cultivate the fruit and the Sea Cider products, even the spent apples are composted and Kristen mentioned some local chefs are interested in working them into some menu items.

The operation is modest but they have a great group of helpers including volunteers that come to them from the WWOOF program. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms connects people who would like to work the land or learn how to run organic operations with those currently in business.

The cider house is perched at the top of the land with a fabulous patio that looks out over the land and water. Once inside, surrounded by lovely woodwork, towering ceilings, and local artwork, you’re able to enjoy tasting flights and local pairings prepared on-site.

During our visit we sampled the following ciders that were poured by Kristen while she provided history and background for each of the drinks:

From the ‘sweet tooth’ series:

The alcohol in the ciders ranges from 8% to 16.2% in the Pomona.

Our samplers were paired with Saltspring Cheese Company cheese, smoked bison, North Island tuna, two kinds of chutney, sea asparagus, and sponge toffee.

The ciders are crisp and refreshing, crossing the spectrum from very light apple tastes and nuances to deep, dark, and lusciously sweet. The entire experience at Sea Cider is an education in eating local and discovering just how many foods are created by Island farmers and artisans. “It’s a humble drink,” said Kristen. “There’s a cider tradition that’s been lost and we want to help bring it back.”

Flanked by lush forests, farms and orchards, Sea Cider’s location is tranquil and picturesque. Whether you’re heading to Victoria, up Island, or to catch a ferry back to the mainland, Sea Cider is definitely on my list of recommended stops.

You can visit their website to find out more about where you can purchase their ciders outside of the cider house including Uva Wine Bar on Seymour St in downtown Vancouver, the Alibi Room, and Liberty Wine Merchants.

You can also find Sea Cider at local festivals and markets this summer including the Organic Islands Festival & Sustainability Expo and don’t miss their birthday party July 18th.

Our stop at Sea Cider was during our Coast Hotels ‘New Victoria for New Media’ tour – view my Flickr set for more images.

The following was contributed by Miss604.com guest theatre blogger, Megan Stewart

Bill, the inspiration for this one-woman play, might have said, “That was nice, Andrea,” and kissed his granddaughter on the cheek.

“He certainly appreciated the arts,” said playwright and actor Andrea Loewen, the creative force behind Silk Threads, following an affectionate tribute to her grandfather.

At the yesterday’s opening, the audience was largely composed of friends and family who knew Bill personally. They laughed as Andrea put his idiosyncricities on stage, drawing attention to his sparse phone etiquette and affinity for logarithms.

Andrea plays a slightly fictionalized version of herself and delivers a biographical portrayal of her grandfather, Bill, who died in 2006. A Mennonite who emigrated from Russia to Canada as WWII escalated, he found comfort in numbers when English was a challenge. Finally settling in Abbotsford, he had three daughters and was an integral part of the lives of his grandchildren.

But as the mostly biographical play explores, Bill needed convincing that his granddaughter would find success pursuing her dreams of being an artist. As a girl, she wants to be a ballerina, movie star, model, dance teacher and everything else that would put her in the spotlight.

“We don’t all want the same things,” a teenage granddaughter tells her grandfather. I can be more than a wife and a mother, she says.

Family is the heart of his existence, the granddaughter comes to learn, and this guidance was his way of helping her find happiness.

Silk Threads moves between Andrea’s childhood until she is headed to Paris as a young adult to pursue acting. Complimenting her growing understanding of her grandfather’s life, the play visits Bill’s childhood in Russia and the wartime strife and religious persecution of his family once he has left for Canada.

The movements between place and time are not seamless, but Andrea’s performance is breathlessly energetic and engaging. The script is personal and entertaining, with a committed and courageous, 40-minute solo show coming from Andrea.

A tribute from a granddaughter to her late grandfather, Silk Threads is not only about the love of family but also the dedication to faith. Indeed, a portion of the Mennonite congregation from Central Heights Church in Abbotsford attended the performance. Andrea’s questions about the afterlife bring us the title of the play and the most poignant scene of the performance. The closing moment is tender and enchanting.

Editor’s Note: Silk Threads was only showing until June 20th but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on Andrea Loewen and the Pacific Theatre.

Megan Stewart is an independent reporter currently at the UBC graduate school of journalism. She has covered arts across Canada and Australia and also writes for Newslab.ca.

The following is a guest post, contributed by Paulo Vallejo of the IStyleU blog.

Summer is definitely here. Well, outside of the rain we had this weekend. Nevertheless, shopping at your neighborhood farmers market is a worthwhile activity. What exactly is a farmers market? Essentially, it is a place where local farmers commune to sell fresh meat and produce, a lot of times organic. More recently, its also been a place where local artisans sell their craft to the public.

You’re probably wondering why should buy your food from the back of someone’s truck than going to your local grocery store. People who frequent Farmers Markets do so primarily because of the freshness of the products that are being sold there. The local produce is usually picked inside of 24 hours. You see it ripe, fresh, and full of flavor. Most supermarket food are picked, packed and shipped for weeks and sometimes months before it gets to your plate. Farmers markets also allow you to connect with your community. You get to meet local chefs, artists, and food connoisseurs. And most importantly, not only do you get to eat healthy but also give back to the local economy.

So what are some of the best farmers markets in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland? Here are my favorites:

Trout Lake Farmers Market (E.15th and Victoria, East Vancouver) – I find the quality and variety of the produce and dairy products here to be one of the best in the city. If you like goat cheese, this is the market to go to. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm. May 16-Oct 10, 2009.

Main Street Farmers Market (Station Street at Thornton Park, Vancouver) – This is a great weekday only market. If you’re coming home from work and need something fresh for dinner, this is the place to go. I was there last week and they had a great selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers and fish. Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm. Open from June 10-October 21, 2009.

Ambleside Farmers Market (On Bellevue between 13th and 14th streets, West Vancouver) – If you like to try some spiced jams, home made curry sauces, artisan bread or a cold glass of yerba mate tea, you’ll definitely enjoy this market. There are also some great artisans showcasing their crafts. Open Sundays 10am-3pm, June 7 to October 25, 2009.

To find a Farmers Market in your neighborhood, visit the BC Association of Farmers Markets and Vancouver Farmers Markets websites.

Guest author bio: Paulo Vallejo is a Vancouver-based style artist whose work graces various print media in fashion and advertising. He’s also a freelance writer who pens on topics around personal style and the latest fashion trends across the globe, as well as a personal shopper who works with individuals to define their image and create their unique style.