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Stanley Park named world's second most beautiful city park

Vanessa Miyasaka
May 7th, 2013

Photo by Vanessa Miyasaka

According to Travel + Leisure magazine, Vancouver's own Stanley Park is also the world's second most beautiful city park, edging out many famous parks around the globe. Surrounded by water and covered in lush greenery, Stanley Park park offers visitors a gorgeous landscape with public entertainment such as beaches, gardens, and a seaside swimming pool. 

Stanley Park also has tourist attractions including intricately carved First Nations totem poles, the Vancouver Aquarium, and stunning rose and rhododendron gardens. 

View from North Vancouver, Stanley Park
Photo Vanessa Miyasaka

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The Peerless: the paddlewheeler that could

Bernie Fandrich
Apr 5th, 2013

"The Peerless" after her hair-raising voyage through the Thompson River's Black Canyon. Photos courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives.

The Peerless, a paddle wheeler built and launched in Kamloops in November 1880, was to capitalize on the CPR construction activity.

She was an impressive 131-feet long by 25-feet wide, drew only 18 inches of water, had 16 watertight compartments, and could move at 18 knots (about 35 km/h). If you’ve rafted with Kumsheen Rafting Resort, visualize three J-rig power rafts tied side by side. Now add fifteen more rafts in rows of three lashed end to end, and you can get some idea of her massive size.

In June 1881, the Peerless headed down the Thompson to Harpers Grist Mill on the Bonaparte River above Ashcroft. Captain Irving, a highly skilled river man, had little difficulty getting back up the Thompson to her berth in Savona.

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Kumsheen Celebrates 40 years of River Excellence

Bernie Fandrich
Feb 24th, 2013

Photo sourced from Kumsheen Rafting Resort Facebook page

It all started with one little raft, a few paddles, eight miles of Thompson River whitewater, and a VW van loaded with enthusiasm.

Four decades later, Kumsheen and I have both matured but I’m just as passionate about the Thompson now as I was that first summer in 1973.

To commemorate 40 years of rafting the Thompson, we have created specials all season long including 40-dollar discounts off many departures. Click here to view the details.

It took over two years to write but British Columbia’s Majestic Thompson River is finally in print. The book has received great endorsements including one from Canada’s national icon Rick Mercer (CBC’s The Rick Mercer Report).  “Rich in Canadian history and adventure, this is my kind of book. Having gotten me safely on and off the Thompson, Bernie’s my kind of guy.”

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Black Rock Oceanfront Resort: heaven on earth

Sponsored Content
Nov 16th, 2012

Photo courtesy of miss604

The sky above Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia, turned mandarin orange when Canada's top luxury hotel began to glow in the setting sun. Beams of light shined through the ancient spruce and cedar trees and onto a group of hikers who were returning from the Wild Pacific Trail to their oceanside home away from home.


Dramatic Ucluelet sunset; Photo courtesy of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Facebook page

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Win three free nights at Ocean Village, Tofino

Anja Konjicanin
Sep 20th, 2012

"People call them beehives, A-frames and Quonset huts; today they are sun magnets. What a beautiful day in Tofino. Can't wait for the sunset tonight! If you're not here you should ask yourself why...", Photos courtesy of Ocean Village in Tofino, BC Facebook page

Yabadabadoo! Vancouver Observer is running a contest for Ocean Village in Tofino, BC. Register for a chance to win three free nights for two guests here.

Surf. Hike. Explore. The ocean is your front yard.

Spectacular views of the coast. Gorgeous natural landscapes.

Cleanse your mind in a quiet cottage.

Sign up here. Retail value up to $477.

Contest ends October 31.

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BC Day long weekend offers excellent opportunity to visit local provincial parks

Aaron Yeung
Aug 3rd, 2012

There's no shortage of places to go this holiday long weekend. (University of Victoria library)

With an upcoming sun-kissed weekend reaching highs of 30 degrees, it's a perfect time to spend the BC Day long-weekend outdoors. Whether hiking, camping, or having a family picnic, there are many oppourtunities to celebrate BC by visiting a provincial park. BC Parks' online search engine allows you to sort through parks based on location, activity, or amenities.

Here are some family-choice sites to consider. (*All are dog-friendly.)

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Kumsheen Rafting Resort brings Canada's top photographers for fun and informative photo trip in Lytton, BC

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Jul 17th, 2012
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Photos courtesy of Kumsheen Rafting Resort 

BC’s favourite whitewater rafting house Kumsheen Rafting Resort is giving photo enthusiasts of all skill levels a rare opportunity to hang out and learn from two of Canada’s finest, award-winning outdoor professional photographers, Don MacGregor and Mike Woodworth. This intensive and hands-on three-day Outdoor Photography Workshop is set to run from August 19 to 22, 2012, from Ashcroft to Lytton, BC.

As the raft leaves shore, the group will zoom in on some of BC’s spectacular history from the best viewing spots, discovering incredible sights through their lenses. Two of the three days are devoted to floating the legendary Thompson River.

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Colony Farm Habitat Enhancement Project, Port Coquitlam: A natural joy

Joseph Boltrukiewicz
Nov 13th, 2011
Colony Farm, a place of relaxation for many people in the Tri-City area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, is a green, ecologically healthy area about 20 minutes from Vancouver. It's now in the process of an ecological upgrade.
A recent short stroll from my home to this beautiful area brought quite a surprise.
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Last day to enter Ocean Village Resort Contest and 10 reasons why you should

Anja Konjicanin
Oct 24th, 2011

Photos courtesy of Ocean Village in Tofino, BC Facebook page

Today is the last day to enter the Ocean Village Beachfront Resort Contest.

Ocean Village in Tofino is known for its "epic" storm-watching and gorgeous sunsets. Here are 10 more reasons why the Ocean Village Beach Resort is a wonderful place to stay, courtesy of the Trip Advisor community.

1. Magical scenery 

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Spectacular beachfront comfort at Ocean Village Resort in Tofino, B.C.

Sponsored Content
Sep 22nd, 2011

Tofino photo by Sander Jain

The one bedroom cabin was cozy. The kitchen was well stocked. It  even had a big pot for cooking crabs, the local delicacy. The dining area with its wooden table by the window seemed a perfect place for enjoying a meal. 

Fresh linens on the beds and locally made, all-natural Sea Wench soap  in the bathroom and the sound of the waves filtered in to the living room, as the ocean crashed against the shore.   The view was spectacular. 

We spent a good portion of the day on Mackenzie Beach,  located about 50 paces away from our cabin door. I had one of my very first surfing experiences on this beach over the summer, but now, with only a few people out, it was a different experience.  We pretty much had the beach to ourselves.

Shane recommended we try the Wildside Grill, a food stand in the very close “Live to Surf” complex. From Ocean Village, Wildside Grill is probably less than a ten-minute walk. This was possibly the epitome of what I love about Tofino. Co-owner and fisherman Jeff Mikus greeted us and showed us around the small kitchen, where the friendly staff prepared everything on the spot.

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