London Chef - A Unique Victoria Experience

                                     The London Chef at work.

We recently had the pleasure of a tour of London Chef, a Victoria business operated by Micayla and Dan Hayes for the last two years.  Primarily a catering business serving Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands,  Micayla manages the business and Dan is the chef.  The store front at 953 Fort Street houses a Café & Pantry next to a show piece Cooking Class Room, equipped for the diverse cooking classes they offer.  Their 600 year old, Douglas Fir table seats 18 for class dinners and private functions. 

Both Micayla and Dan are extroverts who obviously love what they do.  Dan is a passionate and entertaining chef.  Based on our mini-class, Dan’s must be a blast!  He even passed out trivia prizes. Micayla operates a successful business in a tight local market.  They and their staff did an excellent job of making us welcome.

Dan prepared a delicious seafood dinner, starting with Southern Provencal fish soup with croutons and freshly made roasted red pepper rouille.  The soup was followed by Risotto Nero with squid.  This unique dish uses squid ink to turn the rice black and add a distinctive Mediterranean flavour.  Dan turned the presentation into a cooking lesson with lots of great tips and funny personal anecdotes.  He showed us how to easily peel garlic and explained why risotto rice should be stirred in just one direction to develop the starch, how to fillet a squid, and why saffron is sooo expensive.  We now know that many culinary herbs grow wild on Vancouver Island.  It truly was an entertaining evening.  In addition to catering and the café, they offer cooking classes for kids (age 4 to 10), kid's birthday parties, adult cooking classes, private dining events, corporate events, and private cocktail parties.  Check their website at http://thelondonchef.com/ for details. For more pictures, please go to our Facebook Page.

Bus loads of tourists and lots of locals go to Oak Bay Marina where at least four harbour seals hang out by the fish cleaning table. The only seem to eat frozen herring from the Marina bait freezer. They are fat because they are well fed and they hang around there most of the year. There are signs everywhere telling people not to hand feed them to avoid getting bit. Many do not heed the warning. The seals seem so tame. I wonder if they like finger....

Kenzie's Flyfishing Adventure and Cowichan River Wilderness Lodge Cowichan Lake

If you are in Cowichan Lake and if you like to fish, call Kenzie of Kenzie's Flyfishing Adventures. He runs a great operation out of the Cowichan River Wilderness Lodge. When you are at the Lodge, you will be truly "in the wilderness" yet just minutes from Lake Cowichan. Stay in the beautiful Lodge and try flyfishing if you have never done it before. Enjoy the video. What a way to go.....

Adrenaline Zipline Adventure Tours and Fun It Is

We recently went out by Sooke to experience this exciting tour and it was a blast. We would recommend it to anyone. It is exhilerating and breathtaking as you soar through the tree tops. You have to try this sometime. Ron does not do well with heights and he managed this quite well. It is just plane fun that you have to try to understand. It is well run and very safe. It is located on the side of the 17 mile Pub, so have some fun and then have a beer and a great meal in the pub afterwords. This is a must do if you live in Victoria or if you are visiting. Everyone we rode with was from out of town. Check out the smile on Linda's face....it pretty much says it all.

Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew West of Victoria Vancouver Island,

Botanical Beach is one of my favourite places on Vancouver Island. At low tide a whole shelf of the rocky coastline is exposed leaving hundreds of large tide pools. We took Don, Betty and Dan there to share it with them. It is such a phenomenal place you have to see it to believe it. Check out my pictures. Click Here. The scenery is spectacular and you are standing on the west end of Juan de Fuca Strait looking out into the Pacific Ocean. Across the Strait you will see the American shore of Juan de Fuca Strait around Neah Bay. The scenery is spectacular. There is generally lots of wave action and the tide pools are amazing. You need to go on a low tide, the lower the better. You can go on any tide below 3 feet and you should see lots. The spring and summer are the best times because the low tides occur during daytime. Have fun and be sure to look at the pictures.

Guadalajara Mexico with Linda and Ron

This is a video we created to share our experience in Guadalajara Mexico. Enjoy

Ron and Linda's Adventure in Puerto Vallarta

We recently paid our first visit to Puerto Vallarta...here is a short video of some of our experience.

Ucluelet Wildlife

The area around Ucluelet is prolific with all kinds of wildlife. In our 4 days in Ucluelet we saw black bears, bald eagles, Ollie the Otter, countless seals and sea lions and many Humpback whales. Every kind of sea bird possible was viewed over the four days. The area truly has an abundance of wildlife. If you are wanting to view wildlife, I certainly would recommend Ucluelet to you. The neat thing is that there is a lot more we didn't see. More time would have remedied that. Enjoy the wildlife video. For more information on Ucluelet, click here.

Whale Watching in Ucluelet BC

During the spring and summer Ucluelet is home to a large whale population. Grey whales migrate past Ucluelet and Humpbacks come to feed on the plentiful fish. Grey whales and other whales also come into these waters. On this trip we only saw Humpbacks. Most of the time they cruise the surface and just break their backs out of the water. Occassionally, they dive deep and give a good look at their tail. While we were in the Broken Group Islands just outside of Ucluelet Harbour, we ran into the "energizer bunny" of whales. This one whale put on a show of a lifetime. In over an hour he must have done 25 full breaches and a whole pile of tail slaps. He would also roll over and wave his fins in the air. He was amazing. I found out that it was pretty hard to get good stills and even harder to get good video of these whales. When they were close to us my battery died. I hope you enjoy the shots I did get. For more information on activities in Ucluelet, click here.

Wild Pacific Trail - Ucluelet BC

If you travel to the West Coast of Vancouver Island be sure to visit the amazing town of Ucluelet. They have an outstanding oceanside trail that is called the Wild Pacific Trail. It has a large number of overlooks where you can get really good views of the surrounding ocean. You can even see the whales that pass by. Whatever else you do, be sure you take in this trail. It has a short circle route of 2 km and longer routes up to about 8 km. View after view awaits you and they are spectacular as you will see in the video. It is even amazing in the fog.
Check it out.
For more information on Ucluelet, click here.

The Salish Sea presented at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney BC

Just below the surface of the ocean around Vancouver Island you will discover a world like no other. It is amazing as you will see in the attached video. This is just a small sample of what you will see when you attend the Shaw Ocean Discovery in Sidney BC. You will see Octopus with tentacles as long as your body, wolf eels with jaws so strong they could break broomsticks, many varieties of amazing starfish from the 23 leg version to the small brittle stars that crawl along the bottom, and beautiful anemones and so much more. All of this can be viewed on a giant movie screen and much of it is live in displays throughout the centre. There is also a touch pool where you can feel many of these amazing creatures. Do not miss this amazing attraction in Sidney BC.

Find out more about the Ocean Discovery Centre, click here.

Harbour Ferry Tour - A Great Way to See Victoria

If you are looking for a great way to get a good look at our city, take the Harbour Ferry through the Inner Harbour and up the Gorge Waterway. It is a super trip. Friendly boat captains will give you a thorough commentary as you travel these waters. Victoria;s Inner Harbour is very busy as you will see. This video is just a taste of what you will see. Enjoy. If you go to the Inner Harbour on Sunday morning at 10:45 am, you can watch their water ballet to the Blue Danube Waltz. It runs throughout the summer until Labour Day.

Ocean Discovery Centre- TAKE A ONE MINUTE TOUR

It is now open, so make sure you go to beautiful Sidney by the Sea and visit greater Victoria's newsest attraction, the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. Whatever you do, don't miss it. It is spectacular, interesting, educational and inspiring. Before you leave, you will want to decide, just how you are going to contribute to saving our ocean for future generations. Enjoy our short video.

For more information on the centre click here

Shaw Ocean Discover Centre Opens

The new Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre celebrated its grand opening on Saturday July 20. It was truly a grand event and a feather in the cap of Sidney by the Sea, just 25 minutes north of Victoria BC. Check out the video and then also take a tour on our other video.

THE VICTORIA BUG ZOO

If you visit Victoria and are in the downtown area be sure to visit the Victoria Bug Zoo. It is a great place for kids and for adults alike. There is so much to see and do. It is exciting, entertaining and very interesting. You will learn a lot about the creatures we share the planet with. There are a lot more of them then us, so it is a good idea to learn a little. It is truly faciinating. Check out the video.

Elephant Seal Comes Ashore Victoria BC

When you live in a city surrounded by ocean you never know what the sea may offer up. A couple of days ago an elephant seal came ashore to molt. They just lay there and scratch. Must be painful. This one even scratched a small hole in its skin. There were signs up telling people to keep their distance but a young lady decided that it was her time to bond with the seal. Several people told her she was too close but that didn't work. There is a bit of danger involved in being that close. If the seal doesn't like it they can lunge several feet in a second.

WINE TOUR OF THE COWICHAN VALLEY

When you travel north from Victoria, as you approach Duncan, you can easily find the vineyards that are dotted throughout the beautiful and warm Cowichan Valley. Ideal conditions exist here for excellent grape production. Award winning wines have continually come from this area. It is a great day trip if you are staying in Victoria. Maps are available on-line or you can get them from most wine shops in Victoria or in Duncan. They are also available at tourist information kiosks. Vigneti Zanatta Vineyard also serves up some great lunches, but it is recommended that you make reservations. For more information on each vineyard, please go to our web site. Enjoy our video.

Butterfly Gardens

On the way to Butchart Gardens, you will pass right by the Butterfly Gardens. Far to many people miss this great attraction. For just a minute fraction of the cost of a trip to Costa Rica, you can enjoy a tropical jungle experience right in greater Victoria. Just 20 minutes from downtown and you can immerse yourself in lush tropical plants, get up close and personal with tropical birds, fish, flamingos, and of course a host of butterflies. There are displays around the gardens and the whole place is very accessible. Don't forget to check out the incredible orchid display. Check out the video and then follow-up with a visit. This is a great indoor attraction and a great back-up plan if the weather goes bad.

FINNERTY GARDENS UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

If you follow my city tour it will bring you to the University of Victoria. The grounds at the University of Victoria are beautiful and a highlight of a campus tour certainly would be the Finnerty Gardens. The are lush year round and they explode with color in the spring which can begin as early as February and last through April. In the summer the garden is a lush as it will get. There are lawns to relax on or benches where you can sit and contemplate life. It is a wonderful garden with names of plants and flowers on signs. If you love gardens, you will like this one. The video will give you a bit of an idea what the garden is like.

Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park

Located between Parksville and Port Alberni and just after Cameron Lake is one of the most accessible stands of giant, old growth Douglas Fir in BC. They are located right next to the highway in MacMillan Provincial Park. The stand is called "Cathedral Grove". The pathways are gentle and accessible. It is a peaceful place and a location where you can get in touch with the awesomeness of nature. Some of these trees are over 800 years old. Enjoy the video.

Secret Sea Lion Cave Trail

When you travel west past Sooke, between Mystic Beach and Sombrio Beach there is a trail that leaves the Juan de Fuca Marine trail and drops down to the water where there is a land based Sea Lion Cave. The trail to the sea lion cave begins on the Highway to Port Renfrew on a forestry road. There is a bright yellow gate that marks the start of the trail. 2km down the trail you step off into the bush and begin a descent down to the water. It is rugged and has a bit of danger requiring you to be careful. When you get to the water there is a cave that sea lions use during the winter months. They begin leaving the area each spring around April or May. Enjoy the video.

Elk Lake - Summer Fun on a hot day!

A popular spot for locals on a hot summer day is Hamsterly Beach at Elk Lake. This is one of the finer Regional Parks and a great place to cool off, take in some sun, and just relax. The beach is sandy and the water is clean. Bring a picnic or enjoy the concession operated in the park. There are also food services nearby. I suggest that you get there about 10:30 am or 11:00 am to stake out your turf. There is shade if you like it. There are also picnic tables available. Have fun at Elk Lake.

THE DALLAS ROAD BREAKWATER

One of the best things to do in Victoria is to take a walk out onto the Breakwater on Dallas Road at the Port of Victoria. This half-mile concrete protection for the Inner Harbour allows you to walk strait out into the ocean which is about 110 feet deep at the end. You will see divers along the outside of the breakwater as it is an excellent dive site with great sea life. It is a reserve and divers cannot take anything from this dive site. You may see seals, sea lions, whales, countless sea birds....you just don't know what a visit into the ocean will surprise you with. It is a very special place. At low tides there is a beach next to the breakwater. There is also a dive shop and restaurant at the entrance to the breakwater. Locals use the breakwater to fish from as well. There are kelp beds along the breakwater and they are home to lots of fish. Enjoy this special place for outdoor activity. Enjoy the video. In the summer, as many as 4 cruise ships can be birthed at the port of Victoria which is right next to the breakwater. It looks like a small city when they are there. The restaurant has some good treats, give it a try also. It is quite the place in a storm. It is good to stay off the Breakwater when the wind is blowing strong.

Whitty's Lagoon Regional Park

Whitty's Lagoon is about 25 minutes from downtown Victoria in the community of Metchosin. This area is a bird sanctuary and there are two ways to get to the beach. You can park in the parking lot just of Metchosin Road and hike the 20 minutes down the trail, past the waterfalls and great scenery or you can go a bit further to Whitty's Lagoon Road and park at the end of the road and walk down the steps to the beach. The steps are steep and there are lots of them. You need to get to the area early in the day as it is very popular and parking is at a premium. This is a wonderful place to swim and sun tan on a warm summer day.
Enjoy the video.

French Beach Provincial Park - a local favourite

If you travel west from Victoria just a short way past Sooke, you will come to one of the most popular beaches in this area. It is popular because it is huge and accessible. It only takes about 2 minutes to walk from the parking lot down a slight hill to the beach. There are a number of picnic tables and grassed areas for people to picnic or play. The beach is gravel at high tide and has wide expanses of sand at low tide. There are cliffs to the right as you enter the beach and a rocky area by the cliffs that has some tide pools to explore. There is a great campground next to the day use area if you want to stay for a while. It is a great place to visit. Check out the video.

Discovery Forest Centre Duncan BC

Travel north from Victoria 50 km to the community of Duncan. As you pass through Duncan, on the right you will notice the Discovery Forest Centre. This is a great place for families. There are some great displays that outline the history of foresty which was integral to this community for many years. There is also a fantastic steam train ride through the property. It passes a bird sanctuary and many displays as it winds its way through the property. There is a stop about half-way where you can get off the train and explore and then jump back on the train for the trip back to the station. Check this centre out, you will be glad you did.

Quw' utsun' Cultural Centre Duncan BC

Travel north from Victoria about 1 hour and you will get to Duncan, the City of Totems. Just as you cross the silver bridge, turn left and travel to the Quw' utsun' Cultural Centre. This is a great day trip from Victoria and if you are looking for a great opportunity to soak in a little First Nation culture, this is as good a place as any. I was impressed with the buildings, the very friendly staff and especially the native dancers. This is something for the whole family. The cultural centre also has a great gift shop where you can find jewelry, crafts and the world famous Cowichan sweaters. Enjoy the video.

The Kinsol Trestle

The Kinsol Trestle, also known as the Koksilah River Trestle, is a wooden rail trestle located on Vancouver Island, north of Victoria and just a bit north of Shawnigan Lake. Construction was finished in 1920. It is 38 metres (125 feet) high and 188m (614 ft) long, It the largest wooden trestle in the the British Commonwealth and among the highest railway trestles in the world.
It was built to connect Victoria to Nootka Sound, passing through Cowichan Lake and Port Alberni, in support of the lumber industry on Vancouver Island. It was named after the nearby Kinsol Station which, in turn, took its name from a nearby mining venture grandiosely named “King Solomon Mines”.
There is an effort to raise funds to rebuild the Trestle to make it safe and allow it to be an integral part of the Trans Canada Trail which currently is diverted around the Trestle. It is quite a site to see.

Tide Pool Heaven - Botanical Beach

It takes approximately 2 hours to get to Port Renfrew from Victoria and then another 15 minutes to drive to Botanical Beach. When you get to the end of the road as you pass through town you will hit a stop sign. Turn right and you go to the government dock. Turn left and you go to Botanical Beach. There is pay parking at the park. Then you have about 20 minutes of a walk to the beach, but oh is it worth it. This is my second favourite spot on Vancouver Island. It is mystical and serene. The surf always seems to be on the move. At low tides (spring tides) a shelf of the ocean gets exposed and you can see tide pools everywhere. You just never know what you might find in those tide pools. One visit we found an octopus in about 4 inches of water. You have to check the tide charts if you are going. In the spring the low tides are at reasonable times of the day. Try to be on the beach an hour before and a hour after low tide. Always watch the waves to see what they are doing and how high they are striking the rocks. Be careful or you might get swept off the rocks. This is well worth a visit.

The Sooke Potholes Regional Park

If you travel west from Victoria just before you reach Sooke you will see a sign that takes you 5km to the right to the Sooke Potholes Park. Just near the parking lot you will find a swimming hole that is very popular with locals with young children. To get to the actual potholes you will need to park and walk up the hill about 10 minutes and then hike down the hill to the potholes. The potholes are a series of cascading pools that are in the Sooke River. They have been a part of the regions fun for a very long time. Enjoy the video.