The Honda Celebration of Light kicked off its 26th year in Vancouver on Saturday, July 23rd as Royal Fireworks, representing Netherlands, dazzled almost half a million spectators on the shores and waters of English Bay.
Vancouver Fireworks Photos
Netherlands Night 1
Thanks to those who shared their photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool, #Photos604 on Instagram, and Twitter, here’s a sample of what it was like last night:
https://twitter.com/hshsuhshsu/status/757114674483634176
Up next is Howard’s Fireworks, representing Australia (July 27, 2016) and Walt Disney Entertainment, representing United States (July 30, 2016). Follow the Honda Celebration of Light on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
There are so many beautiful beaches around Vancouver, each with its own features, amenities, and scenery. Iona Beach Regional Park is unique in that the park, with beach, includes 13km of hiking trails, 3km of horseback riding trails, and 4km of cycling trails. Pinched between the Fraser River outlets to the Salish Sea, between Richmond and Vancouver, it offers riverfront and seaside views like nowhere else in the region.
Watch planes land at YVR airport next door, walk out along one of the jetties, watch sunsets from the sand dunes, sit around a firepit, take some Instagram-worthy photos of wildlife at the wetlands. More than 300 species of birds feed and rest at Iona Beach Regional Park so while dogs are welcome, they need to remain on leash.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks are hosting a photo contest this summer and there’s still time to enter to win. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
“I… I just need a minute,” I told the guide who was leading me around the corner of a rock face. I was 8,000ft up as I held onto my support harness with every ounce of energy I could muster. My foot kicked a rock loose and it tumbled. I counted the seconds until I heard it hit something below, as you would between bolts of lightning and claps of thunder, and the stone’s landing was almost inaudible.
Terrified selfie, mid-tour.
Deep breaths. Wipe tears. I can do this. I found my footing and glided my lifeline across to the next set of iron bars that were anchored into the mountainside. I clipped in, paused, and started climbing again.
Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse Mountain
After my Via Ferrata experience at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort last summer I was shaken. I told myself I didn’t have fun. But for the last 10 months, I’ve been telling everyone the story. The story of how I slinked, climbed, and navigated a mountainside with nothing but rebar handholds and a cable to keep my heart beating (a million miles a minute).
Our fearless guide.
I traversed the ridge-line dividing the Rocky Mountain trench from the Purcell range for over 460 meters, using steel steps, handles, ladder rungs, and a steel cable. I know, it sounds pretty bad-ass now, especially given that the entire tour starts out by crossing the third longest suspension bridge in Canada — and that the Via Ferrata setup was only about a month old when I had my adventure.
During the tour, I was terrified. I hoped that my legs or arms wouldn’t give out, and it took me a while to fully trust my support line, on which I could rest my entire weight at designated areas. I did manage, somehow, to get my phone out to take some photos at those stopping points. I had to take petrified selfies with a smile plastered on my face, and text my husband: “You know I love you. I just want you to know that.”
I pushed on, and then feelings of fear and desperation were traded up for accomplishment and triumph. Having conquered such an activity over the course of two hours, I felt exhilarated when we reached the summit. Our group sat on boulders at the peak, and looked out over the town of Golden and the Columbia River.
I always tell myself I should do the things that scare me, and boy I had no idea how much Via Ferrata would scare me. However, I have these stories, and I have these pictures, and I’m so glad I did this.
If you would like to challenge yourself to Via Ferrata while you’re in the Kootenay Rockies region, head up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. No rock climbing experience is required, I didn’t have any, but I think it might help. Either that, or just be completely open to the new adventure. I was, but I didn’t know what to expect so I think the unknown is what also leapt me out of my comfort zone.
Composed selfie at the top!
Bring some water, sunscreen, gloves for gripping, and dress for the elements. I wore a backpack and was able to reach it during breaks when I was clipped into the iron rungs. Family rates are available, for kids 12 and up, and you’ll be given all the safety gear you need.
There are two guided routes to choose from. The Discovery Route is for first-timers and the Ascension Route is “one of the most technical & scenic in North America”. At the end of it all, you’ll stand on top of the world, and it will feel amazing. You’ll definitely earn that burger & beer back at Eagles Eye Restaurant.
Difficulty ratings for the Via Ferrata are internationally ranked: French F-PD German K1-K2 UIAA II-III. For more information, follow Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and plan your trip with Kootenay Rockies Tourism.
West Vancouver sure knows how to throw a festival, making use of its spectacular setting and the loads of culinary, visual, performing, and literary arts talent in our region. The Harmony Arts Festival, presented by Odlum Brown Limited, runs July 29th to August 7th, 2016 is now in its 26th year of celebrating arts on the waterfront.
Harmony Arts Festival
On both weekends of the festival, attendees will have the chance to stroll down Argyle Avenue between 14th and 16th streets to purchase high quality artwork from the ABC Senior Services Art Market. The popular ArtSpeaks workshops, sponsored by British Pacific Properties, entice amateur artists who are looking to delve further into their own artistic processes.
For kids, there’s the Artsy Kids tent sponsored by the North Shore News. Young people can also take part in the Harmony Kids Camp from August 2nd to 5th.
Music lovers always find a welcome mixture between the new and t he familiar at the many musical venues at the Harmony Arts Festival. The popular Onni Group Sunset Concerts, featured nightly on the West Vancouver Community Foundation Stage, will return with ten concerts at 7:30pm. Along with this is the Hollyburn House Seniors Series, showcasing three shows including a special Remembering Dal with the Dal Richards’ Orchestra commemoration event.
This year’s much anticipated new venue, The Park Royal Marina Club, will be located right on the beach in Ambleside landing, and will feature an adults-only culinary & bar experience. Attendees will sing & dance the night away with the Marina Club Concerts, showcasing dueling pianos on the Marina Club Stage.
Also new this year is the Readings in the Park series, sponsored by Amica Mature Lifestyles, taking place on the West Vancouver Community Foundation Stage.
Cinema in the Park sponsored by West Vancouver Optometry, will return with nine movie screenings at 9:00pm. every evening on the West Vancouver Community Foundation Stage in John Lawson Park. This year’s movie screenings will include Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Wizard of Oz, A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle.
No trip to the Harmony Arts Festival is complete without sampling the food and beverages on offer. The popular RE/MAX Waterfront Lounge will return to Millennium Park and feature delicious Italian cuisine provided by Caffe Al Mercato. There is also the Beachside Patio on the west side of Millennium Park offering drinks and local seafood from The Dirty Apron. Attendees looking for something more casual may opt for one of the food carts at Artisan Eats, sponsored by Canadian In-Home Care and located within John Lawson Park.
Enjoy the 6th annual Best of the West event, sponsored by Grosvenor Americas. Held on August 3rd at the Ambleside pier, this competition is a pairing event featuring 12 restaurants and 12 wineries. In addition, a new Mixology Night on the Pier event will be held on August 4th, and will feature exciting cocktail creations from the best bartenders in the city. Boaters can once again take advantage of the best view in town with the return of the Pop-Up Marina & Club 25, sponsored by Eric Christiansen – West Vancouver Real Estate.
Win Tickets to Mixology Night on the Pier
I have two tickets to give away to Mixology Night on the Pier on Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. This exciting new culinary event will feature several bar stations, catered food and great music – all taking place under the gorgeous setting sun along Ambleside Pier. BC’s top bartenders will entice participants with an array of creative and daring new drinks. Visitors will be able to relax and sample spirits at each station.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. I will draw one contest winner at 12:00pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Follow the Harmony Arts Festival on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update: The winner is @PoMoNancyO!
This summer I’ve had the pleasure of writing about, and researching, a handful of Nanaimo’s festivals. From chowder and Nanaimo Bars, beer and food trucks, to world class blues music and championship bathtub racing. While I was on assignment for Festival Seekers, I also hiked to Ammonite Falls and got above the city with Sunshine Coast Air, and enjoyed plenty of good eats and great drinks.
2 Days in Nanaimo
If you’re heading to Nanaimo, for fun, family, friends, or a festival, here are a couple of itinerary suggestions:
Indulge With A Day of Nanaimo Bars
Eat
Follow the self-guided Nanaimo Bar Trail for themed dessert bar goodies that include deep fried varieties, spring rolls, cupcakes, gluten free, pie, ice cream, cheesecake, truffles, and of course classic Nanaimo Bars.
Drink
Also along the Nanaimo Bar Trail, you’ll find Nanaimo Bar Martinis served up at several locations. Pop into Modern Cafe (221 Commercial St) in the heart of downtown to sip your way through a Nanaimo Bar experience. Themed martinis are also served up at The Grand Hotel (4898 Rutherford Rd), Bold Knight Restaurant (1140 Trans Canada Hwy), The Nanaimo BAR (#2, 75 Front St), and Wolf Brewing (940 Old Victoria Rd) pairs their Dead Whale Beer with a Nanaimo Bar in their tasting room.
Play
The Nanaimo Bar Pedicure is offered at House of Kiyo Salon & Spa (#2 -404 Stewart Ave) downtown, and you can shop Lobelia’s Lair (#8 321 Wesley Street) in the Old City Quarter for Nanaimo Bar soap & massage oils. The Nanaimo Museum (100 Museum Way) downtown even has a Nanaimo Bar History Exhibit.
Adventure Awaits
Eat
After (or the day before) a sweet binge on coconut, custard, and chocolate goodness, fuel up with some hearty eats at Gabriel’s Cafe (39A Commercial St) downtown. Have an omelette with oyster mushrooms, kale & aged cheddar for breakfast, or snack on some quinoa & chickpea fritters with Sriracha mayo at lunch time. Breakfast and lunch is also served at Two Chefs Affair (123B Commercial St) downtown. Try French toast with pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and vanilla bean, served with blueberries and sweet cream cheese, or a Crab BLT for lunch with fresh crab, tomatoes, crispy bacon, lettuce, and pickled ginger, stacked on a butter toasted bun.
Drink
There are some great taprooms in Nanaimo, all with a different community and flare. White Sails is just across from Maffeo Sutton Park, the Longwood Brewpub is just up the highway (5775 Turner Road) and their taproom is closer to town (101A – 2046 Boxwood Rd), and Wolf Brewing Co has a taproom (940 Old Victoria Rd) just south of downtown.
Play
From waterfront strolls to forest hikes, Nanaimo is a great place to go for a hike or walk. Tourism Nanaimo has posted about their Top 5 Walks and my favourite is their list of Waterfall Walks, including Ammonite Falls. Of course you can also bike, paddle, SCUBA, swim, zipline and more all around the region.
Three upcoming festivals that would make a great home base for your Nanaimo adventure this summer are: Nanaimo Marine Festival’s World Championship Bathtub Race on now (July 21-24); Longwoodstock Festival at Longwood Brewery (August 12-13), and the Summertime Blues Festival (August 26-28).
For all of these recommendations and more, follow Tourism Nanaimo (Facebook, Twitter) as well as Festival Seekers (Facebook, Twitter). Have a great time on Vancouver Island!
