Once you arrive in Nanaimo, you’re in for a real treat. Walking the main streets in the heart of this quaint and pretty harbour city, we were incredibly surprised to find so many creative, one-of-a-kind boutiques.  From home wares to clothing, it’s all here and surprisingly affordable. There are three distinct shopping districts within the downtown core, all within walking distance of one another.  You can spend a day or two easily exploring The Arts District, The Old City Quarter and the Waterfront District – the later being particularly popular when our famous west coast summer weather arrives. Beautiful hanging baskets adorn the streets, the brilliant sunlight dances across the water, and people are happy!

The Nanaimo Museum recently re-opened its doors as part of the new Port of Nanaimo Centre. With displays that include a stunning First Nations gallery, and a Sports Hall of Fame, there are also regularly changing exhibits for all to enjoy. The location of the Museum is fabulous too.  Facing out over the harbour, the views outside are equal to those within.

Perhaps what impressed us most is the inviting hospitality of the locals.  Everywhere we visited, that small town feeling of familiarity permeated the environment.  Friendly, smiling faces greeted us from the Nanaimo Museum and coffee shop, to the strangers we hailed for directions out of the downtown core.

F&C with a Beer

Seeking a bite to eat, you can dine on fresh halibut at the floating fish and chip stand in the Nanaimo Harbour (yummy F&C!), savour authentic French cuisine on downtown’s main street or, go for that west coast favourite…award-winning sushi!  One eatery of note (we didn’t get to sample it on this trip but the locals are raving), is the recently re- opened Rendez Vous Restaurant and Tapas Bar.  Successful local restaurateur, Peter Ertsos is extremely excited about taking over this restaurant with such an incredible history. Originally built in the mid-fifties , former owners, the Wong Brothers, brought a touch of New York sophistication to Nanaimo.  Apparently back in the day, any one who was anyone (from all over the world), dined here.  Peter and his team are bringing a fresh, west coast flavour to the heritage restaurant, striving to work with local purveyors as much as possible and definitely keeping to the mainland and Island suppliers only.  We can’t wait to check it out on our next visit.

Summer Events

• July 22-25

The Nanaimo Marine Festival and Bathtub Race includes three days of music, children’s programs, a food fair and fireworks, winding up with the World Championship Bathtub Race.

• August 20-22

The Vancouver Island Exhibition is an old fashioned country fair with 4-H agriculture exhibitions and amusement park, carnival rides and top main stage entertainment.

Things to See & Do

• Wild Play Elements Park
• Scenic Yellow Point and Cedar Artisan Tours
• Historic Downtown Walking Tour
• Newcastle Island Interpretative Tour
• Swimming with Seals
• Cowichan Wine and Culture Tour
• Artificial Reef Diving
• Fishing Charters
• Nanaimo Harbour Tours

For all your travel needs including accommodations and booking dining or touring reservations, contact Tourism Nanaimo at www.tourismnanaimo.com or telephone 1.800.663.7337

For ferry reservations or to check the sailing schedules; contact BC Ferries at www.bcferries.com

The Brand New BC Ferries Vacation Centre, Vancouver, BC

There’s a real buzz about town these days.  The afterglow of the spectacular 2010 Winter Games is fading but the excitement surrounding vacations throughout British Columbia has done anything but diminish!  With the opening of the brand new BC Ferries Vacation Centre, the best of land and sea itineraries is made more easily accessible.

Nearby neighbour, the new Vancouver Convention Centre

Located at a bright corner of distinction within downtown Vancouver- right at Burrard Street and Canada Place; the vibrant BC Ferries office is actually housed within the other new kid on the block, the dazzling new Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.  This area truly boasts stellar company with Tourism Vancouver’s Visitor Info Centre and the absolutely gorgeous and relatively new Vancouver Convention Centre on the opposite corners. And literally within a few hundred feet from all is Vancouver’s cruise ship dock and the City’s original Trade and Convention Centre – itself a splendid site with its billowing sails.

This unique hub is now a treasure trove of upscale, elegant and sophisticated hotels (Fairmont Waterfront and the Pan Pacific hotels also grace the vicinity), where the people-watching from each hotel’s lobby lounge is outstanding.  As are the breath-taking views of Vancouver’s beloved downtown inner harbour and North Shore Mountains!

The Venue

The fun interactive vacation planner

Taking over 2,500 square feet at street level, BC Ferries’ new Vacation Centre includes an interactive, high definition 90 square foot media wall. Showcasing some of the most gorgeous visuals this province can deliver, the ‘wall’ works like a giant I-Pad or touch phone. The touch screen technology is mastered in seconds, delivering customers a brilliant way to discover more about BC’s coastal water routes and some really exciting holiday options.

Happy customers plan their BC Ferries getaway

Plan a BC Ferries Vacation to the Sunshine Coast, or over to Vancouver Island, then perhaps travel to the Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast and then go right on up to Haida Gwaii.  Once you’ve determined where you’d like to go, simply walk over to one of several guest services desks where a highly knowledgeable and well trained BC Ferries travel agent will help you make the reservations.  It’s that simple.  Within this comfortable setting, you can do several things from reserve ferry space, book and pay for a combination ferry/resort/tour package – choosing from over 20 pre-planned getaways, pre-pay regular ferry travel, or receive valuable advice for a future holiday.  Some of the packaged vacations include golf getaways at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, to winery tours on southern Vancouver Island, and soothing spa retreats at Painted Boat on the Sunshine Coast.  For the fishing enthusiast, consider Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert.

I had a great chat with Janet Carson, Vice President of Marketing and Travel Services at the opening in mid-May.  Her enthusiasm for the launch of the Centre was felt by everyone who attended.  She shared “Our BC Ferries Vacation Centre focuses on unique travel packages for visitors and local residents, and will help our customers create unforgettable B.C. vacations.   And, our sales associates are pleased to provide their expertise to recommend products that will enhance the vacation experience!”

Gorgeous gifts in the retail gallery

Before you leave, be sure to check out the ship tracking and the gorgeous gift gallery. Presenting unique local artisans’ work, jewelry and clothing, as well as a vast array of  books from coastal destinations throughout British Columbia, there’s sure to be an item that either you’ll want for your own, or to give to a special someone… don’t forget a ferry vacation makes a great gift too!

On Board Decadence!

BC Ferries have more exciting news!  Beginning immediately, sweet tooth ferry travelers on the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route will find their cravings satiated with four utterly decadent treats created by Cakes Etc. of Victoria. The yummy lineup of goodies includes a rich Fudge Brownie , Raspberry Marble Cheesecake, Belgium White Chocolate Mousse Pyramids and what I know will be my personal favourite – a Chocolate Silk Dessert Square.  The move to bring these specialty items on board further complements BC Ferries dedication to delivering outstanding experiences on board their fleet. “We have successful partnerships with companies such as White Spot and Starbucks and we felt partnering on desserts made perfect sense as Cakes Etc. has wonderful products,” said Geoff Dickson, BC Ferries’ Vice President Catering and Retail Operations. “We believe we’ve hit the mark with these delicious treats so why not spoil yourself on your next trip with us.”

For more information on the exciting new ferry vacation packages, general routes and ferry schedules, please visit www.bcferries.com or, if you are in downtown Vancouver, drop by the Vacation Centre at 1010 Canada Place.

BC Ferries Vacation Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00pm

*** Photo Credits: Homepage and top photo – BC Ferries, all others:  Kyle Hickey, CtoC Productions

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa Dining Room View

you stay over a weekend), and yes,  he and his gifted staff are equally talented at cooking up local seafood delicacies.  One of my all time favourites include his Sambuca Mussels.  Dipping crusty bread into the broth, drips running down your chin is half the enjoyment of dining on these utterly delectable morsels.  Sip with a crisp California Chardonnay and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a late afternoon nosh.  In fact, there’s nothing better as you gaze out over the ocean from your table by the window – oh, perhaps staying on for dinner?!  Discover more at www.kingfisherspa.com and click here for my full review.

Fresh Mussels and Clams

Sambuca Mussels

Directions:

Locate the freshest and local shellfish provider for this dish.

Wash mussels in fresh water to remove all impurities and pull off the beards.

Ingredients:

200 gr  Mussels (debearded)

30   gr  Dice ripe Roma Tomato

30   ml  Sambuca

100 ml  Whipped Cream

15   ml  Olive Oil

Pinch   Sea Salt

Method:

Saute tomato and mussels in olive oil for 2 minutes, add Sambuca (caution of the flame), add cream and salt.  Cook for 3 minutes or until mussels open.

To Plate:

Arrange open mussel around a medium bowl and pour tomatoes and cream over the middle.  Finish with fresh garden herbs

Photos Courtesy of Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa and R. Bond, CtoC Productions

Long considered one of Vancouver Island’s most popular romantic getaway resorts, Tigh-na-Mara is perfect for romance and re-charging.  This fabulous escape located 30 minutes from Nanaimo on the water in Parksville includes two nights in a cozy Spa Bungalow Studio, a Touch of Romance Package at the Grotto Spa and one Breakfast for Two in the Cedar Room.  Subject to availability, taxes and gratuities not included.  And should you be travelling from the mainland, ferry passage for one undersized vehicle and two passengers is also included…compliments of BC Ferries!

Heading to Vancouver Island with BC Ferries!

Tigh-na-mara Seaside Resort & Spa, Parksville, BC

View the hotel at www.tigh-na-mara.com and www.bcferries.com.  Then, check out our review here.

Click here for full Contest Rules and Regulations

All entries must be received by:  Midnight, January 2, 2010.  Good Luck!

The Harbour Ferry boats, affectionately referred to as pickle boats, offer visitors and residents a trip to Newcastle Island or a 45-minute tour of the Nanaimo Harbour.

“They’re so unique in their design to give a lot of visibility and they’re such a fun ship,” said Bill Pollard, a pickle boat skipper.

A glossy green sheen of paint coats the outside of the boat and a plexiglass window offers unobstructed views of the surrounding water and landscape. The boats offer seating for about 14 passengers and passengers are allowed to take along their dogs.

Once the skipper casts off, the sound of the diesel engine is unmistakable and as the ship leaves the dock behind, the boat is sprayed with frothy white crests as it skims the surface of the water.

Wind plies the strands of hair on passenger’s heads as the boat roars forward toward the open waters of the harbour. Just outside the window birds use the wind to their advantage during their flight.

The pickle boats offer a unique view of the Harbour City. The buildings meld together, in shades of silver and gray against the skyline, nestled behind an expanse of waves and the people strolling along the Harbourfront Walkway.

A cool breeze touches the side of the boat and winds it’s way into the interior as the shores of Newcastle Island approach.

The first trips in the spring are to Newcastle Island, a popular spot for camping and walkers in the summer, and in May the harbour tours begin.

“Newcastle, of course, is such a quiet peaceful place to walk,” said Pollard. “The tours are real popular even with people from Nanaimo because they talk a lot about the history of Nanaimo and how we got to where we are now. It’s really a nice trip.”

Pollard said people love to take tours at sunset during the summer. The tours offer people a glimpse into Nanaimo’s past with the history of the First Nations, Nanaimo Bastion and discovery of coal.

While onboard listening to the skipper discuss the history of the city and area, nature tells it’s own story outside the boat. Marine mammals and birds are often seen on tours.

The trip to Newcastle Island takes about 10 minutes and costs $8 for adults and $4 for children. The 45-minute harbour tour costs $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and $9 for children.

People can board the pickle boats at the Fisherman’s Market pier, Maffeo Sutton Park pier and at Newcastle Island.

A full schedule is available online at www.nanaimoharbourferry.com.

For more information please contact 1-877-297-8526.

Few activities are more relaxing than getting out on a lake or stream and enjoying the outdoors.

There are more than 13 lakes within Nanaimo’s city limits and most are stocked with catchable size trout twice a year, which means good fishing spots are within a five-minute drive of almost any home in Nanaimo.

You also don’t need a boat, as some of the best fishing can be done right from the shores of most lakes accessible via Nanaimo’s extensive parks and trails system.

Westwood Lake is among the local hot spots for trout.

I haven’t been fishing since 1986 and I’ve never done any fly fishing, so Rick Passek, fly fishing instructor and author of The Freshman Flyfisher, A Beginners Guide for a New Generation, offered to come over from the Lower Mainland to take me out on Westwood Lake for the day.

Within a few minutes Passek had us out in his boat, rods assembled and trolling flies in the water. (I didn’t know you could troll with flies.)

A temperature reading of the water and a scan of the water’s surface told him chironomids (tiny pupae of the chironomid fly) were hatching and drifting up off the bottom.

“There’s usually two hatches a day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon,” said Passek. “They’re members of the midge family. Basically they’re non-biting mosquitoes.”

They’re also one of the most widespread insects, found in most lakes, streams, marshes and bogs.

Within minutes trout were hitting our flies. Passek brought one in and used a throat pump – essentially a tiny turkey baster – to suck some contents from the fish’s gullet to see what it had for breakfast. Chironomids – and from their degree of silvery colour, Passek estimated the depth the fish ate them – about six metres. The trout swam off.

But when chironomid mimics didn’t do the trick, he tried a couple different flies and before long he had trout hitting our lines like crazy.

Continued on page 43

“These fish were recently stocked in this lake,” said Passek. “We call them pellet pigs. They’re still schooling, moving around the lake and trying to figure out what they can eat.”

Passek’s fly – a bead-head, black, UV-dubbed, micro leech – must have looked pretty good because I was enjoying the thrill of having a fish on the line for the first time in 23 years. I even got the hang of basic fly casting techniques.

All told we got about 80 hits and brought 20 fish to the boat – all released. Anglers around us didn’t fair nearly so well and I didn’t feel the least bit guilty about my unfair advantage of relying on a professional flyfisher.

As sports go, flyfishing is relatively cheap to get into. A basic rod, reel, line and case combination package runs $160. Add a few flies and a fishing license and you’re off to the fishing hole.

“You can get started for under $300,” said Passek.

photos@nanaimobulletin.com

-30-

Sider: Local fly fishing supplies and information contacts

Gone Fishin’

www.gonefishinshop.com

Suite 600-2980 N Island Hwy

Nanaimo, BC V9T

(250) 758-7726

Canadian Tire Associate Store

6900 Island Highway North, Nanaimo – (250) 390-1500

Walmart Nanaimo

3200 Island Hwy N # 100

Nanaimo BC, V9T 1W1

Phone #: 250-758-0343

Island Angler Fishing Magazine

www.islandangler.net;

As I step forward on the wire, I leave the safety of the wooden platform further and further behind. The wire beneath my feet grows increasingly shaky.

With nothing to hang on to overhead but the small wire my harness is clipped to, the trapeze obstacle gives me the feeling of walking a tightrope, albeit not gracefully. The adrenaline is definitely pumping.

While my initial reaction was to turn around and head for solid ground, I forced myself to swallow my fear and continue onward.

This is what the TreeGO aerial adventure park is all about, says Jonathan Huitikka, site supervisor with WildPlay Element Parks.

He says the owners of the park, two former mountaineering guides from Victoria and Squamish, witnessed the changes as people faced their fears and climbed.

“They wanted to bring a similar experience to more people,” says Huitikka. “People find they get a real sense of accomplishment from completing the course. A lot of people are like, ‘Wow, that was really hard, but I made it!’”

The course boasts about 70 different obstacles in the trees from start to finish and takes about two hours for the average climber to navigate.

Before anyone is allowed to climb around on the aerial obstacle course, they must successfully make their way through a quick demonstration course.

After being shown how my harness and the rope clips work, I tried it out along with the rest of the group. The harness, while awkward for the first minute, was easy to figure out. You are clipped in to an overhead red safety wire at all times with two different ropes attached to your harness, with a third rope you use to attach yourself to the zipline pulleys.

On the green course, I quickly got into the rhythm of clipping and unclipping my harness ropes to the overhead safety line and tested my balance on the first couple of shaky bridges with relative success.

As I moved from the green course to the blue course, I tried out a variety of ziplines, wobbly bridges, ladders, rock climbing walls, tunnels and suspended logs I had to balance on.

The tarzan swing on the blue course was one of my favourite obstacles, and although high up and a little scary, the guide below me reminded me that I had the option to take an ‘easy route’ if I didn’t want to try it.

Continued on page 43

Huitikka says giving the clients options like this is one of the nicest things about the course. If the customer gets too scared, guides are trained to lower people at any point on the course and there are signs at the end of each section telling people to either climb down or continue onwards to the next level.

At the red level, I was climbing obstacles that truly challenged my abilities–the spider net crawl and rock climbing wall portion (I took the optional harder route) required a lot of upper body strength.

By the time I reached the final stretch, the black course, I was apprehensive about what was in store for me.

Huitikka says the course is different for everyone because it is all about how far each individual is willing to push him or herself.

“If you want to balance and push your skills to the limit, you can make it really challenging,” he says.

I opted to hang onto the overhead safety rope for dear life on many of the final obstacles instead of trying to complete the obstacles hands-free, by balance alone. Even many of the shaky, suspended bridges and log rolls on the first two levels had me gripping on above as the ground swam in my vision below me.

The final challenge was grappling–extremely ungracefully, I might add–with jumping from swinging log to swinging log and walking the tight rope mentioned above.

Once on solid ground, with shaky knees and a bit of a relieved feeling, I congratulated myself on my performance. The promised sense of accomplishment hit me and I reflected that I would definitely take a swing through the course again–if only for the multitudes of fun ziplines, each one longer and higher up than the last.

Huitikka says I am not the first to desire a return trip.

“It seems to be really catching on,” he says, adding the park averages about 200 visitors per day in the summer.

Plans to open five more parks in the next five years are also evidence of how popular this activity is becoming, says Huitikka. The locations of these parks are still being determined, but one will likely be built near Victoria.

Huitikka recommends that visitors with more climbing prowess visit the TreeGO park on weekdays or during the less busy months of May, June, September and October because large summer groups can slow progress through the course down.

Children wanting to complete the course must reach a height of 4 foot 7 for the childrens’ yellow course and to go on the adult course, they must be able to reach to a height of 5 foot 11.

Huitikka says people of all different ages can try out what the park has to offer, from seven-year-olds to their 86-year-old grandparents.

For more information, please go to www.wildplayparks.com.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com;

My journey on the Nanaimo Historical Walking tour began and ended underneath this iconic symbol of Nanaimo’s past – each step in between on the concrete pavement bringing me a little bit closer to discovering the secrets and stories of the Harbour City.

The Nanaimo Historical Walking Tour is provided by Tracks Outdoor Adventures. Owner Paula Sandland is a second generation Nanaimoite and has given tours in the Harbour City for the past nine years.

“Some people just love history, and I’m one of them,” she said. “I love history and I love Nanaimo.”

She studies up on her Nanaimo history a number of ways.

“I read a lot of books, and the museum is excellent,” she said.

Sandland most enjoys talking about Nanaimo’s rich mining history, which spanned over the course of an entire century.

“There were coal mines on Protection Island, Newcastle Island, all in the inner harbour, and those were just the starting mines,” Sandland said.

Perhaps the most scandalous story on the tour is that of architect Francis Rattenbury, designer of the Nanaimo Courthouse. At 56, Rattenbury, famous for designing the Victoria Legislature and Empress Hotel, left his wife Florence and their two children for 27-year-old Alma Pakenham.

The couple fled to England, where Rattenbury would meet his demise years later at the hands of Pakenham’s 18-year-old lover.

Sandland says there is also a legend around Snake Island, just off the Nanaimo harbour. The story goes that a woman had eaten a posionous plant and it filled her body with snakes, so she was taken to Snake Island to die in isolation.

“They say, till this day, that the fish are filled with snakes who reside around Snake Island!” Sandland said.

The tour also touches briefly on the history of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, from whom Nanaimo got its name.

“They would move around different areas, from False Narrows to Mount Benson, and they would move with the seasons,” Sandland said.

Tour-goers often want to know what makes Nanaimo thrive, and ask about the city’s population, industries and pastimes, Sandland said.

“I think the knowledge of Nanaimo has never been quite well known,” she said. “Even to this day, a lot of people think we’re a small little fishing port. They don’t realize that we have over 80,000 people living here.”

The two-hour tour ends near the Bastion, usually just in time for the canon firing at noon. The tour also ends with a complimentary Nanaimo bar – a perfect chocolatey way to wrap up a truly Nanaimo experience.

For more information on the Nanaimo Historical Walking tour, please visit www.tracksoutdooradventures.com/

Participants should be sure to bring a camera, hat, and wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes with good tread.

A light-hearted sport, silly boats combine creativity and engineering, since each participating team has the job of planning, then building a winning water craft design that team members must paddle around a course in Nanaimo harbour, just outside Swy-a-lana Lagoon.

“Basically they’ve got four hours to build a boat from recycled materials – duct tape is a major component,” says Michelle Kocourek, Nanaimo Child Development Centre resource development assistant.

The annual event is the CDC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and the centre has set a new target of $125,000 to signal the event’s 25th anniversary. Last year, teams and sponsors raised more than $100,000, with all proceeds going to programs and equipment for children with developmental needs and their families.

The centre has 400 children on its wait-list, waiting an average of 18-24 months for service – both speech and occupational therapy.

“Our main goal at the centre is to eliminate the wait-list by 2010,” says Kocourek. “We have to raise over $1 million to do that through lobbying and fundraising initiatives and the Silly Boat Regatta is one of the ways we’re going to do that.”

Organizers are expecting 50 or more teams again this year, all primed to make it to the finish line without getting wet.

But staying dry is hardly realistic once the splashing starts. And getting wet is a big part of the fun. After building the boats, that is.

“It’s limited to their creativity. Some of them use bike parts and mocked up paddle wheels. Many of them use inner tubes or Styrofoam – anything that floats. ”

For many Nanaimo businesses and organizations, entering the race is a shared staff experience.

“The huge thing is it’s team-building,” Kocourek said. “Everyone works together and it’s tons of fun.”

The fun actually starts weeks or even months in advance, when teams start planning boat design and materials. That’s where the team building begins.

“Ones that are seasoned prepare well in advance and their boats show it,” Kocourek said.

The Nanaimo Child Development Centre’s 25th Annual Silly Boat Regatta takes place July 18-19 at Maffeo Sutton and Swy-a-lana Lagoon parks. There is always lots to do for non-participants too – children’s entertainers, children’s games and plenty of food booths.

For more information or to register for the fun, please call Kocourek at 250-753-0251, ext. 227 or visit www.sillyboat.com to register online.

The community has hosted the Great International World Championship Bathtub Race for 43 years now, and the event – part of the Nanaimo Marine Festival – is as big as ever.

This year’s race goes at 11 a.m. July 26, with tubbers starting at the Nanaimo harbour downtown and arriving some two hours later at Departure Bay beach to throngs of appreciative spectators.

The four-day festival gets underway earlier in the week with the opening of the entertainment stage, food fair and Kiddies’ Karnival at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Lots of other events, like the World Championship Waiters’ Race and fireworks, accompany the races during the festivities. It’s one of Nanaimo’s biggest summer events.

Things ramp up July 25 downtown with the Sailpast on Wheels parade at 10:30 a.m. The day comes to a close with the Quality Foods Festival of Lights and Music fireworks show at 10 p.m.

As for the bathtub racing itself, the sport has changed significantly since the first race in 1967, when 200 tubbers attempted to cross the Strait of Georgia in vessels of varying seaworthiness. Now, some tubs are even tricked out to compete in the super-modified division.

But as the sport has changed with the time, the festival’s mandate has stayed steadfast – to accent the harbour.