Six String Nation at UVIC

UVIC hosted an historical event last week at the University Centre's Farquhar Auditorium. Saint Michaels University School presented an outstanding Spotlight on Canada Concert, with a very special moment at the end of the show.

Victoria musician Paul O'Brien premiered his new song "The Voyageur" on the guitar of the same name - an honoured guest brought all the way from Toronto by SMUS, just so this song could be played.

Voyageur is the Six String Nation guitar, crafted from 64 pieces of Canada, from every province/territory across the country. Every piece means something. Every piece has a story. Bits include Trudeau's paddle, Louis Riel's schoolhouse, and the Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii. Victoria's contribution is piece of Fan Tan Alley's original doorway.

Voyageur first visited Victoria last October (see above pic - Mile Zero's Terry Fox Memorial) with project creator Jowi Taylor. It drew a crowd wherever it went, and was a particular hit at SMUS - where Paul O'Brien played it for the students. The day afterwards, he was inspired to write this song.

He was accompanied by SMUS Senior School Orchestra - an 80-piece orchestra and 80-voice choir with orchestral arrangement by Donna Williams. The song received a standing ovation.

Here's the video:

Victoria BC Clover Point Springtime in Victoria

We have had a great run of weather. Temperatures have been around 12C which is a few degrees higher than normal for this time of year. Daffodils and snowdrops are popping out of the ground and bushes are starting to bud. Yesterday we saw a rhodo starting to bloom. Signs are an early spring. Yesterday we went down to Dallas Road and so did many other people. At clover point I found a couple flying a great looking kite. While this was going on a freighter was in close to shore. This is very unusual. There seemed to be three pilot boats at the freighter which is also unusual. Wish you were here.

Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville Travel Magazine Article

If you are on Vancouver Island and in the vicinity of Parksville, be sure to stop in at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort. Stay for a while, or at least use there fabulous Grotto Spa. The food there is excellent, so stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will be glad you did. Check out my experience there just this past week. It is really exceptional. See it at my Travel Magazine. Enjoy.

Catering in Victoria BC by Kitchens of Distinction

In the past few months I have discovered that my new neighbour is a fantastic caterer. Shirley Lang operates a catering business called Kitchens of Distinction. If you are visiting Victoria and staying in a bed and breakfast, or a rental condo or any other accommodation where you can bring in meals, you should seriously give Shirley a call. Shirley caters to couples or small groups. What is better than going out for dinner? Having dinner where you are staying is a great option, especially when you can engage a cook like Shirley. Check out her web site. You will be glad you did.

Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville Photos

I just paid a visit to the Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville. You can see some of the pictures at my facebook site. I will be publishing an article this week on my travel magazine. Check back later in the week. The picture above is the award winning Grotto Spa at the resort. Above, Ron on the deck of our Condo at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort.

Classic Movie of Victoria Past - Very Old Very Cool

Click here for a great video on Victoria Past
This is a great "Travel Talk" film done by Metro Goldwyn Meyer and presented by Turner Broadcasting. Check it out. It is a classic.

Visit our web site http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/ .

Fisherman's Wharf, Victoria BC

From Victoria's Inner Harbour, a short walk or Harbour Ferry ride will take you to "Fisherman's Wharf", a colourful little fishing village on the water.

Stroll around the floating boardwalk, visit artisan shops, and stop at Barb's Place for some tasty fish 'n chips. Enjoy the view!  

You can even hang out with the resident seal.  Keep your eyes open and you'll find her.  Or maybe, she find you!

Photos by Lisa Cole. For more fun things to do in Victoria BC, click here to visit our website!

British Columbia Legislative Buildings Victoria British Columbia

The BC Legislature is on the south side of the Inner Harbour. It is often referred to as the Parliament Buildings. These however are in Ottawa, our nations capital. The BC Legislative Buildings are the seat of our Provincial Government and are located in the Capitol City of BC, Victoria. There is a lot of history in the building and tours are offered. There is a cafeteria in the building that I told serves great lunches. You might check it out when in the building. I know if you tour the building you will find it very interesting. There is also lots to see on the grounds of the building as well. The building provides a great backdrop to the Inner Harbour.

For more information on Victoria, Click Here

Royal BC Museum S'abadeb: The Gifts

Today we went to the Royal BC Museum to see the S'abadeb: The Gifts. It is an amazing show, well worth seeing. It is enlightening to say the least. My 7 year old granddaughter was enthralled with the displays and asked a lot of questions. Later, we spent the rest of the afternoon just checking out the remainder to floor two. The museum is such a delightful place. Check it out.

For more information on things to do in Victoria, click here.

Macaulay Point Today

Macaulay Point, Victoria BC.  

Find us on Twitter and Facebook

Just a reminder that you can now follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/vanisletourism and we also have a great Facebook group, where you can post pictures, links, and questions about Victoria and Vancouver Island!  Find out more about this beautiful place, and get involved in the dialogue: www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-BC/Vancouver-Island-Travel-Guide

Royal BC Museum offers admission by donation

Photo courtesy of the RBCM

VICTORIA, BC – As a gift to thank the community for its continued support, the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is carrying on its New Year’s tradition by offering admission by donation. Visitors are asked to pay-what-they-can from Jan. 2 - 9.

“A measure of success for any museum is its community backing,” says RBCM CEO Pauline Rafferty. “And, despite our changing economy, support for the Royal BC Museum this year has been considerable. Offering admission by donation is our gift to the community, a way we can show our thanks.”

Those visiting the RBCM during admission by donation week will see two Canadian premiere exhibitions. S’abadeb – The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists, a feature show organized by the Seattle Art Museum, brings together 165 ancient and contemporary works of art from the Coast Salish peoples of BC and Washington state. The Silver of the Stars collection showcases contemporary silver drinking vessels, created for some of the biggest names in film, music, fashion, theatre and literature.

In addition, the holiday festivities continue at the RBCM – the streets of Old Town are decked in the season’s finest and, until Jan. 3, historic Helmcken House is open, welcoming visitors to experience an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas.

As the provincial museum and archives, the Royal BC Museum preserves and shares the stories of British Columbia – on-site, off-site and online – through its research, collections, exhibitions and educational programs. Its two-hectare cultural precinct also includes a number of historically significant buildings and First Nations sites.

For more information on the latest activities, events and exhibitions at the Royal BC Museum, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call 1-888-447-7977.

DETAILS:

Admission by donation, Jan. 2 - 9, 2010, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information about Victoria attractions, click here.

Gallery of Drifters - Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre

With the rain we've been getting in Victoria, lately, it's great to know we have a lot of rainy day options when planning a weekend itinerary!  Sidney BC is just a 20 minute drive away, and the Ocean Discovery Centre is a bright, colourful way to spend an otherwise grey day.

I could spend hours in the "Gallery of Drifters", where local species of plankton, algae, and jellyfish are on display. The golden Sea Nettle jellyfish are breathtaking against their electric blue backdrop:

And the Moonjellies make me wonder whether I'm looking into the water or the sky!

Knowledgeable Oceaneers stand by, waiting to answer all our questions about these wild and wonderful creatures (and many more).  This is just a sample of what you'll see when you arrive at the Ocean Discovery Centre in beautiful Sidney by the Sea.  We love this place so much, we've written about it more than once.  

Happy New Year!  Be sure to visit our website for more info on Victoria and Vancouver Island.