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Monthly Archives: October 2012

Altitudes Bistro at the Peak of Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Attractions, British Columbia, Canada, Day Trip, Restaurants, Reviews

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Altitudes, bc, bistro, british columbia, granville island brewery, grouse mountain, Island Lager, north vancouver, patio, restaurant, vancouver

Having just outlined what makes Grouse Mountain so special, I thought I’d share the dining experience we had at their casual restaurant, Altitudes Bistro.

The room has the benefit of glass walls on the west and south walls, providing some of the best views and making your dining experience about more than just food.  There are traditional booths and tables but the room also has a good collection of low tables with armchairs, perfect for après-ski.

The large patio is currently under construction and with any luck it will be open for this year’s ski season.  Nothing beats a roof-top patio, well nothing but a mountain top patio with city, mountain and ocean views where you can enjoy a beverage and some great food after hitting the slopes!  Let’s hope I’m right about their timeline.

Now, for the eats.  To start, we had a pitcher of Granville Island Lager, a local brewery which supplies to many lower mainland restaurants.  Always crisp, clean and easy drinking.  To fill our starving bellies, we enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich, the burger and a pasta dish.

The pulled pork on a bun was moist and flavourful, the brioche bun was fluffy  and balanced by a crispy onion ring and moist coleslaw and pork.  I love coleslaw and I really like it on sandwiches so I can’t complain.  I thought about getting this sandwich without the onion ring but wanted to experience it as the kitchen intended.

We also ordered the Angus Beef Burger, again featuring a brioche bun and came dressed with aged white cheddar, bacon and barbeque sauce.  The burger looked so good that we were prompted to order it after we saw it at neighbouring tables and after we had already ordered a dish each!  The burger was juicy, tasty and lived up to its presentation.

Both sandwiches came accompanied with greens.  I was pleased with the salad; it was fresh, had plenty of veggies, olives and both the goat cheese and dressing were light and in perfect amounts.  Where sometimes the salad is an after-thought for me, and I think to myself how much I prefer my own salads, this one had me longing for more.

The pasta dish was done well but it was not on the menu as they had to accommodate our allergies.  They did a great job handling this and we felt well taken care of.

I don’t think this is a restaurant you go out of your way to go to.  If you have a pass it certainly makes getting up there more tempting but the cost of food plus the Skyride would be an expensive night out for most.  Generally, patrons are already up the mountain and need to satisfy their hunger before going down.

Pulled pork with coleslaw and a thick onion ring

Angus Beef Burger

Linguini pasta dish created especially for us

Sunset from the top of the world

Located at the top of Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, BC where the view reigns supreme.

Altitudes Bistro on Urbanspoon

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Incredible Adventure Awaits on Grouse Mountain

29 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Attractions, British Columbia, Canada, Day Trip, Restaurants

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Altitudes, bc, beavertails, british columbia, eye of the wind, gondola, grizzly bear, Grouse Grind, grouse mountain, hiking, Lupins, mountain view conservation, North Vanouver, Northern spotted owl, owls, raptor, restaurant, scenery, skiing, Skyride, the grind, trails, vancouver, view, wildlife refuge, wind turbine, wolves, zipline

The Lower Mainland

One of my favourite views of Vancouver can be found from the top of Grouse Mountain. Billing itself as the “Peak of Vancouver”, the mountain is actually located in North Vancouver, just across the Burrard Inlet.  You can distinguish this mountain from the others on the North Shore by the enormous, wind turbine near the top, but I’ll get to that in a bit.

First, you must get to the top and there are a few ways of doing so.  Take the road up the mountain passed the Capilano Suspension Bridge, to the main parking lot at the base.  There is plenty of free and paid parking if you choose to drive or you can take public transit.  The more adventurous of us pedal their way up but be forewarned, the road is quite steep.

Once there, you can climb the infamous “Grouse Grind” or you can take the gondola, also known as The Skyride.  I’ve done the climb and I must say it really is exactly as advertised: “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”!  Open only during the summer months, the Grind is not for everyone and certainly worth trying once.  Many people do it all the time and there is even a system to time your efforts.  Check out the board at Alpine Guest Services to see your results or those of your fellow climbers.  Daily best times are also posted on their website.  For most, the hike will take an average of an hour and a half, but the daily bests are much faster than that.  It took me about an hour last time I did it.

The Grind can be pretty hectic, more like a motorway.  If you want to enjoy the hike as well as get some exercise, there is an alternative route that runs close to the main trail. Taking a bit longer and covering more ground, this trail, called the BCMC, can be found roughly 200 metres up the Grouse Grind where a junction splits the trails.  The GG heads up to the left but you will keep straight here and cross a dry creek bed. On the other side of the creek bed there is another junction (the Baden-Powell trail heads straight), turn left here heading up the hill, following the markers.  A word of caution: the North Shore mountains are steeper and more rugged than they appear; never leave the trail and always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.  Many hikers have found themselves lost on these mountains and not all have lived to tell the tale.

If you didn’t bring your hiking shoes or the GG sounds like your idea of a bad time, then the gondola ride may be more your style.  You will need to pay a fee to ride but the view is worth it.  If you’re a local, you may want to consider a pass.  If you have dinner reservations at The Observatory, the ride up and down is complimentary.  The Skyride is actually a fun ride, if you don’t mind riding a bit like a standing sardine and swaying to and fro occasionally.  The staff do their best to entertain and inform the groups on the way up and if you’re lucky enough to secure a window spot, the ride provides you with your first opportunity to see Vancouver as it gets increasingly smaller.

Waiting for the Skyride

At the top, there is plenty to do no matter what time of year you visit.  In the summer you can: observe animals, watch a lumber jack show, head up the turbine, watch a movie, paraglide, zipline and of course, eat.

There is a grizzly bear habitat on the mountaintop and these large animals amble about their enclosure for our viewing pleasure.  Both bears were found as cubs, one orphaned and the other seemingly so.  Now they are full-grown and living side by side, which is not normal bear behaviour but fortunately works for them.  There’s an interpretive program if your interests run more towards learning than observing.

If you’ve never seen a Grizzly up close, behind a fence is the best way

Relieving himself of an itch

New to Grouse is the Remarkable Raptor program.  Featuring owls, hawks, a vulture and an eagle, the objective is to experience these birds of prey through the Birds of Motion show or via a guided eco-walk through their natural territory.  Grouse Mountain is also doing their part to raise awareness for BC’s rarest bird: the Northern Spotted Owl.  Nearly extinct in the region, the owl, which lives primarily in old growth forests, is being breed in captivity in hopes of repopulating the wild.  For more information visit the Mountain View Conservation and Viewing Centre‘s website.

On your way up the Skyride, you may have noticed what you thought were dogs, just off the parking lot.  You would be greatly mistaken though as these are actually wolves. Hand raised for the entertainment industry and no longer needed, these wolves now call Grouse their home since releasing them into the wild was not an option.  Be sure to check them out from the parking lot.

The wind turbine or The Eye of the Wind, as it’s called is the only wind turbine to have a viewPOD allowing for a 360° view of the surrounding area.  The glass pod is only metres from the spinning blades but an ongoing dispute between BC Hydro and the mountain means that the wind turbine is often off, which is a shame since it was built to generate 25% of the energy that the mountain uses.

Eye of the Wind

Notice the ViewPOD near the blades

I have not tried the other summer activities, which include ziplining and paragliding, but paragliding is on my list for next summer.  I’ll tell you how it goes, I expect it will be amazing.

The mountain provides just as much value in the winter with skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating taking centre stage.  There are also sleigh rides, Snow-Limo, zipling and the turbine to explore.  Not to mention having a cup of hot cocoa in the lodge.

Speaking of drinks, there are several places to eat at the top.  There’s Lupins, a cafe style eatery, Beaver Tails for an iconic Canadian Treat, the Altitudes Bistro for casual dining and lastly The Observatory for fine dining.

You can spend an entire day here, regardless of the season and you will feel miles away from city below.  Head up on clear day for the best views but even in the fog, the adventure can be worth the trip.

Grouse Mountain is located at: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC and is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm 365 days a year.

The Grind is a one-way trail, so be prepared to pay for the Skyride for your return trip. Alternatively, you can hike down the BCMC trail.

The buildings at the top

Mount Baker in the distance

The red roofs of Seymour Mountain, another North Shore Ski area

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Art Goes Digital with Google Art Project

26 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Art

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art, google, google art project, google street view, inspiration, museum, online art

Sometimes, when I find myself in need of some other worldly inspiration, I take to the Google Art Project.  Have you done this?  I can literally spend hours focusing on one painting, something I probably wouldn’t do if I was in the museum itself.

If you haven’t heard of the site, let me give you a quick overview.

Originally launched in 2011, the project partnered with 17 museums to digitally capture artwork to be viewed online.  You can stroll the museums using Google Street View, zoom in for a surprisingly detailed, crisp brush stroke close look, create your own virtual collection all while learning more about these incredible pieces of art.  The project has since expanded, it now features works from over 150 art collections from 40 countries, with more than 30,000 pieces of art to view.

It might not be the same as being in the museum looking at the original piece, perhaps nothing can compare to that, but it does allow more people access and in that way, can be a helpful contributor to fueling art appreciation.

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Harrison Hot Springs

24 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Attractions, British Columbia, Canada, Hotels, Overnight Trip, Reviews

≈ 2 Comments

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bc, beach, british columbia, first blood, gold rush, harrison hot springs, hiking, hope, hot springs, othello, rambo, resort, sandy cove, spa, sylvester stallone, trails, tunnels

View of the lake from the main street

East of Vancouver is a small resort community known as Harrison Hot Springs.  Famous for its naturally hot water, tourists have been flocking to the area for some well needed r&r since the Canadian National Railway built their mainline a short distance away in 1886.

The springs have been used by the First Nations people who live nearby on the Harrison River and gold miners discovered the hot water on their way to Port Douglas over 150 years earlier.  Today, the resort and town offer pools where you can enjoy the water without the smell of sulphur in your nose, which you will appreciate since this spring, one of a few up the Lillooet Valley and Harrison River, has the highest mineral content of almost any spring.

We stayed just one night at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, located just steps from the lake front.  They have three pools to enjoy the water, several on-site restaurants, a spa, and outdoor activities such as tennis.  The outdoor bar provided us with fresh beverages as did our pool side room.

The lake itself provides a beautiful backdrop to the resort, with stunning blues and tree-lined mountains.  A small enclosed swimming area within the lake gives swimmers a safe place to play without threat the many motorized boats.  Speaking of which, the boat dock was located at the far end of the beach and was busy all day long.  There are facilities on the beach and restaurants and food shacks line the boulevard that runs parallel with the water.

A circular pool is formed by a sand breakwater creating a safe swimming spot

It looked like a fun place for kids too.  There was a giant off shore play structure, boat rentals, bumper boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes; you name it, they had it.  They also play host to a sand castle contest every year.  Kids were scooting up the roads on rented tricycles and families took to the four-person pedal powered quadracycles.

For recreation, we decided to hike up the mountain nearest our hotel.  We learned that many of the hikes traverse rough terrain with steep climbs and can last an entire day.  Since we didn’t have the right kind of equipment for that type of adventure, we found a trail that lead us passed the point where the spring emerges from the mountain and concluded at a secluded beach called Sandy Cove.  It was perfect.  Just a small amount of exertion, fresh mountain air, breathtaking views down to the lake through the trees, a fern filled forest walk and a small stretch of sand away from everyone.

Eyeing the trail, supplies on the ready

Glimpses of the lake from the Sandy Cove Trail

If you look closely, you can see the giant floating water structure in the distance

Sandy Cove

A deserted beach just for the two of us

Kayakers and windsurfers in the middle of the lake

I feel like I need to share this little hike with you so here are the directions:

Leaving from the Harrison Resort, the easiest trailhead is found 30 metres passed the Hot Springs source on the left hand side.  A short switch-back will take you to the main trail that climbs the mountain.  The first 150 metres are the most difficult. After reaching the first plateau you will have a great view of Harrison Lake.  As you turn back from the view to the trail it appears to head right, around the massive rock in front of you, in fact the actual trail forks off to the left climbing the hill on this left side.  This is a short, hand-over-foot climb (fairly difficult and you should have good shoes) for roughly 25 metres.  Once you reach the top the rest of the hike is comparatively straightforward.  Follow the trail as it winds its way around the mountain until you hit a “T” junction at the bottom of a hill.  Head right to get to Sandy Cove.

Head back if you have had enough or continue along the beach and at the far end you will pick up the Whippoorwill Point Trail.  Another 300 metres will bring you to Whippoorwill Point.  Keep your eyes open as it can be difficult to spot as it is somewhat overgrown.  Whippoorwill Point is a rock out cropping that marks the entrance to the Harrison River.  Back on the trail, you will follow the Harrison River until the trail brings you back to the original “T” where you originally turned right.  Turn right back up the hill and head back the way you came to the village.

There are two paths to start the hike, one behind the yellow cement Hot Springs source building and one further up the gravel road on your left hand sides just before the road ends in front of the wire fence gates.

The only really tricky part of this hike is after the first climb to the lookout over Harrison Lake.  Be sure to climb the rock bluff on the left hand side when facing the bluff.

Our room at the resort provided us with the essentials for an overnight stay and the easy access to the pools was definitely a plus.

At sunset

From Harrison, we were able to explore the local area a bit more.  We drove into Hope, toured the Othello Tunnels and visited Bridal Veil Falls.

Getting directions to the Othello Tunnels at the Hope, BC Tourism Office

And just in case you didn’t know, they filmed Rambo in Hope! Here I am doing my best Sylvester Stallone

For a quick, last-minute weekend getaway, it was certainly a win.

Tips:

  • The drive was about two hours from Vancouver
  • The resort had a lot of children playing and splashing in the pools.  If this is a romantic get-away be sure to stay in the adult pool and ask for a pool-side ground level room if you want easy access to the water
  • Come prepared for a rigorous hike if that’s your thing but always tell someone when you expect to be back
  • Visit http://www.tourismharrison.com for more information
  • Count on driving one hour north to the Othello Tunnels
  • The Bridal Veil Falls were a short thirty minute drive from the village of Harrison

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Moments in Time

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Art, Health: of the Mind, Body, Spirit and Planet, Literature, Reviews

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a narrow perspective, Albom, anish kapoor, chicago airport, cloud gate, fran volz, lincoln memorial replica, Mitch, Mitch Albom, novel, O'Hare, ryan and trevor oakes, the lincoln memorial, The Time Keeper

This is a post about a book, but it so much more than that.  It is about humanity, sacrifice, happiness, the meaning of life, parenting, family, appreciation, love, loss and time.  These are the things that I thought about while spending several hours wandering around Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

But the book set it off.

After disembarking one flight only to realize I had four hours until the next, I stopped at the first book store on my path and made a purchase.  Little did I know that the story inside would stop me in my tracks and turn my whole world upside down, if only for a moment.  Have you ever found yourself touched by something that completely changed your views or pushed you to think and analyze yourself and your life?

What this story did for me might not be the same for you.  I was starved for emotional and sincere connections having just spent a week with colleagues who only offered surface conversation.  The narrative of the book and the moral implications went far beyond entertainment for me.

What amazes me most is that someone created this.  Whether it be artwork, literature, film, a play, song, or any other form of human expression, someone had to pour their emotions and creativity out and expose themselves for who they are so that collectively, we as a whole can partake in that feeling.  It must take a lot of courage to do this.

I gazed at the art I passed along the way, thoughtfully appreciating it.  Hurried travellers whizzed by, as I photographed what I saw.  I know I’ve been that person before, time is not always on our side.  I found myself crying over the slightest thought or because of another human interaction I witnessed.  These were not tears of sadness, these were tears of joy and awe of life itself.

I wasn’t finished the book yet and I had music if I wanted it but I didn’t.  Once at the gate I spent my time waving to the little girls that were seated near me and contemplating my time in the airport.  Just before boarding, I noticed the three young girls had all fallen asleep and that their mother would find it impossible to carry them and all their stuff on board.  I was concerned for her, how was she supposed to get on the plane without help?  So I went over and asked her if she needed a hand.  It turns out she wasn’t getting on that flight but the conversation I had with her was priceless.  It reaffirmed my thoughts that day and made me think about the roles we play with the people we love.

It turns out that the book I purchased to “kill time” was about time itself.  Why would we ever want to kill something so precious?  From now on, I will try to remember this.

Many thanks to Mitch Albom and his newest novel, The Time Keeper.

Have No Narrow Perspective by Ryan and Trevor Oakes. A concave drawing of Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture.

Incredibly, this is drawn free hand by the identical twin artists

Fran Volz’s Lincoln Memorial Replica. Standing 10 1/2 feet by 9 feet and made out of environmentally friendly EPS, this replica is nearly half the size of the original marble statue.

Even a walkway becomes art if you allow it

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West Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Attractions, British Columbia, Canada, Day Trip

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bc, british columbia, hiking, light house, Lighthouse, old growth forest, park, provincial, trails, vancouver, West vancouver


The last stand of old growth trees in the lower mainland is located in a quiet park on the edge of West Vancouver. This is where the Burrard Inlet meets Howe Sound and is formally known as Point Atkinson as named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. Ten kilometres of shaded trails wind their way through 75 hectares of terrain with frequent elevation changes and rocky outcrops that provide amazing views of the surrounding area.

There has been a lighthouse here since 1874. The current building was erected in 1912 and can be seen from several different vantage points throughout the park. No longer requiring manpower, the house I assume was once home for these brave souls still stands and looks lived in. If you could handle the numerous people visiting to view the lighthouse, it would be a fantastic home. Several buildings stand in the park as part of the Department of National Defence and serve as a reminder of the importance that this area played in World War II.

The trees you will find here include Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar. They stand on rock that varies in age from 96 to 187 million years old! There are numerous animals, birds, lichens, fungi, mosses, insects and sea life that call the park home. The area is extremely fragile and all visitors are asked to remain on the trails. Conditions in the park can be hazardous; cliffs, tree roots and mud all pose serious risks as does the threat of getting lost. It is easier to lose your way than you think so it is suggested that you never wander from the trails and come prepared for the weather.

The park has scattered picnic areas throughout and full facilities. Follow the maps located at the park entrance and look out for the signs throughout the park.

Located just off Marine Drive on Beacon Lane. The sign is hard to see if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Drive slowly as Marine Drive is windy and used by cyclists.

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Hell’s Kitchen

15 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in British Columbia, Canada, Restaurants, Reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bc, beer, hell's kitchen, kitsilano, monday deals, patio, pizza, restaurant, review, vancouver

****Please note that Hell’s Kitchen has closed their doors since this post.  Thanks for the yummy food while you were here.  Best of luck to everyone on their future endeavours. 

There’s a really good deal at Hell’s Kitchen in Kitsilano every Monday.  Pizza and beer for $13.  That’s an 11″ pizza and 14 oz sleeve of domestic draught.

There’s a street-side covered patio which provides ample opportunity to people watch or choose to eat inside.  We always choose the former when the weather is warm.  The service has always been great: speedy and reliable and the food has yet to disappoint.

In the foreground: Central Park with caramelized onions, pancetta, provolone, parmesan, fresh basil. In the back: Sergeant Pepperoni: Calabrese & double cured pepperoni, wild mushrooms, fresh thyme

El Diablo: hot banana peppers, smoked free-range chicken, diced tomatoes, goat cheese

Hell’s Kitchen is located at: 2041 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3
Phone: 604-736-HELL (4355)

Hell's Kitchen on Urbanspoon

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Jamaica Mon!

12 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Attractions, Hotels, Overnight Trip, Reviews

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7 mile beach, bloody bay, caribbean, catamaran, dunn's river falls, Fort Charlotte, hilton rose hall, Jamaica, Joe Cool Taxi and Tours, Lucea, mobay, montego bay, negril, relaxation, rui tropical bay, three palms, vacation

My boyfriend and I were incredibly fortunate to enjoy a Jamaican holiday this year.  With the promise of white sand beaches, sunny skies and humid weather, we were more than excited to land in Montego Bay in May to jump-start our summer.

We stayed at two hotels on the island, the first was the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay and the second was the Riu Tropical Bay in Negril.

Our stay was marred by rain but that didn’t stop us from having a lot of fun in spite of it or from enjoying all the delicious, albeit somewhat sugary, rum beverages.

The Hilton was well-kept and with its location on a private bay, we felt safe and secluded.  The rooms were clean and each had a balcony.  Even though it rained a lot we didn’t spend much time in our room, instead we spent our time in the outdoor covered lounges.

To keep the Jamaican heat at bay, there were two pools.  The first pool was just a regular rectangle but the second had much more going on.  It had water slides and a lazy river! Meant for children but fun for the whole family, we spent a lot of time in tubes floating around the river and going down (and up) the slides.  The water park feature of the hotel may attract more families and if that bothers you, I’d stay away.  I don’t mind kids but there weren’t that many anyway, could have been the time of year, I’m not sure.  There were several bars and eateries on the property including one swim up bar as well as waiter service.  We found lounging by the ocean to be the most relaxing spot and used the lazy river pool when we wanted a bit of shade.

The ocean at this hotel was clean and calm and the swimming area was quite big.  We brought our own snorkeling gear and ventured out-of-bounds where we encountered more waves and a rougher ocean.  We didn’t see much aside from vegetation but it was fun none-the-less.  The lifeguard was not too happy to see us coming back and we were told not to leave the cordoned off area again but since we didn’t see much we were fine with that.

Sandy beach at the Hilton Rose Hall

We had two outstanding meals while staying here, the first was at the on-site Italian restaurant and the second was off-site at the associated golf club.  The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Three Palms.  The service was exceptional and the food was marvelous.  It was dark and stormy when we went but we heard the view of the golf course is quite pleasant.

One of the activities that we thoroughly enjoyed at the Hilton was the catamaran.  Intended to be a guided activity for people without sailing experience, we opted to take one out ourselves and wing it.  Unfortunately, it didn’t go exactly as planned the first time around but the more we did it the better we became.  By the end, we were sailors!  Alright, maybe not quite that skilled but we were able to skim across the water at a fairly quick pace and not get caught on the reef.  Success if you ask me.

A familiar sight at most hotels: the catamaran

We’re not really playing chess but if you play chess you could probably guess that

Playing in the stream was more along our lines

There was a lot to do at night, with the hotel hosting the typical events and entertainment.  We didn’t partake in most of it but it was there if you were interested, and many people were.

We took one tour while in Jamaica, to Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios.  The bus departed our hotel early in the morning for the two-hour drive along the coast from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios.  We passed through several small communities and even saw Usain Bolt’s high school.  It was an informative drive as our tour operator gave us first-hand information on the life of the average Jamaican and provided us with some knowledge of the local fauna.

Upon arrival at the falls, we were led inside and handed off to our falls guide who wore no shoes.  Then we were offered non-slip water shoes.  Our tour guide led us down the hillside to the bottom of the falls where the water met the ocean.  It was a beautiful spot.  This is where their tour starts in earnest.  Instructed to hold hands to form a human chain, we then entered the water, climbing up the rocks on the side of the falls.  The cascading falls were easy to climb, owing to the fact that the rocks have been scraped to give them texture; the water was cold but not overly so, refreshing would be an accurate description.  Overhead foliage blocked out most of the sun but the air was warm so I was not uncomfortable.  Holding hands with strangers was a bit awkward, the whole idea being that if one person slips the person holding their hand can stabilize them but personally I think I would go down with the unlucky person and bring the entire chain down with me.  Other people commented that their first reaction would be to let go.  It must work since they insisted the entire time that we comply but we inconspicuously broke the human chain a few times, rebels that we are.

Be prepared to get wet.  Soaked actually.  The water is flowing at a good clip and the trail you take sometimes goes directly under the water.  Certain spots along the way are natural slides and you are placed and pushed, encouraged to have fun, or you are asked to jump in while your photo is taken.  And of course your photo is being taken, why even a video is being shot and heck, you will be taught a song as well and asked to sing, splash, and wave all in the name of fun.  It was corny but I am into that.  Everyone played along and I noticed that quite a few people bought the video, ourselves included.

The entire trip up the falls took about one hour and then we were left to our own devices to navigate the vendor stall maze that was the exit.  This part was not for me.  I don’t enjoy being asked over and over again to purchase something I don’t want or flirted with in the hopes I want this kind of attention.  It goes hand in hand with being in a tourist trap and part of being in Jamaica but I really could have done without it.  Back at the bus I noticed other members of our entourage had purchased the knickknacks so I guess not everyone feels the same way I do, to each his own right?

The bus ride back to the hotel was much more subdued.  I froze my butt off because I didn’t think to bring a dry change of clothes and the towel provided was no match for the air-conditioned bus.  But I had Bob Marley to keep me happy.  And if you have never been to Jamaica perhaps you don’t know this but they think tourists need to hear Bob Marley 24-7.  If before this trip I enjoyed his music, after I can say I am still not ready to listen to it, not yet, they played it that much.

On the coast between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios

The next part of our trip was spent in Negril.  I used tripadvisor to research a service to get us from one resort to the next.  I found Joe Cool Taxi and quickly booked with him.  Jamaica can be a dangerous place and there are people willing to take advantage of your ignorance so I highly recommend that you educate yourself prior to going out on your own.  Licensed taxis have a red plate beginning with “PP” or “PPV” and belong to JUTA.  Tourists are discouraged from taking the pirate taxis and the route taxis (cross between a bus and a cab) are mostly utilized by locals getting to and from work and school.  Don’t be afraid to take a taxi as it’s a great way to get out with a local and Joe was exceptional.  He was delightful, interesting and a great driver, truly first class.  He was prompt and cheerful and handled our luggage for us.  He had cold beverages waiting for us, made sure we stopped as often as we had to and offered to take us to see some of the sights along our route.

Cheers! In Joe’s taxi the party continued…

We decided to visit Fort Charlotte in Lucea.  Named after King George III’s wife, the fort was constructed in 1746 to protect Jamaica’s north-west coast from naval attack.  Its rectangular cut stone walls held up to fifty men and up to twenty-three guns that were thankfully never put to use, or so the story goes.  Fort Charlotte is in good condition despite its age with several features still standing.  I thought we’d see more students within the walls of the fort as a nearby school seemed to be on their lunch break but only one girl wandered in.  She politely said hello and set herself up out-of-the-way.  I recall it being very windy here, with the blue sea a few metres below and birds floating overhead.

School children watch us as we pass

I walk the perimeter of the fort with Joe, getting a local’s take on things

Many buildings still stand around the fort, some filled with junk, others offering a glimpse into the fort itself

Once in Negril we did some tourist shopping with Joe before arriving at our hotel, the Rui Tropical Bay.  The best thing to do in the heat is get into the water and the hotel provided ample opportunity to do so, having two pools, one with a swim up bar and built-in loungers and the other with a volleyball net.  Your other option is the Caribbean Sea and with its premium location on Bloody Bay, a rather ominous name for a gorgeous stretch of beach, you are in good hands.  There were vendors here as the bay is lined with numerous hotels as well as being accessible to the public; the more people to sell to the more likely you will be asked over and over again if you want to buy.  It’s part of being a tourist but one of the reasons I enjoyed the beach at the first hotel more.   However its superior location on the western edge of the island, the soft white sand, and the calm, clear blue water more than made up for this and the resulting vibe was laid back and comfortable as most people took the vendors for what they are and enjoyed their company.

There is no shortage of things to do on Bloody Bay and near-by 7 Mile Beach.  Jet ski, parasail, kayak, take a fishing tour, take out a catamaran, purchase food, buy hand-crafted items, relax, swim and best of all, watch the sun go down as a giant orange glowing ball.  7 Mile Beach was a short taxi ride from our hotel.  We spent an afternoon strolling from one end to the other but the more adventurous couple with us took a parasailing trip and enjoyed their time in the air immensely.

We found the food better at this hotel compared to the first.  Obviously you don’t go somewhere like this for the food, it’s resort food not Paris but there were a lot of options and it was fresh.  Dinner reservations were harder to get here and we were only able to get one near the end of our stay.  We found this meal hardly stacked up against the nightly buffet so we weren’t too upset that reservations were hard to get.  And of course there were nightly shows put on for our enjoyment which we did take the time to watch.

What real island life looks like

Locals do their shopping and hang out at the markets

Unfortunately, the week came to an abrupt end and reality slowly approached.  Joe took us back to the airport on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  All-in-all we enjoyed our stay at both hotels and we loved the weather, the beaches and the people.  Next time we go we will try to see and do more but with free drinks, unlimited food and loungers at the ready, our over-worked selves caved in to the hospitality and just enjoyed the view without exerting much effort.  Not too shabby.

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Slavery Still Exists

10 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Health: of the Mind, Body, Spirit and Planet, Positive Change

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Free the Slaves, Lisa Kristine, slavery, ted talk

Did you know that millions of people around the world are still enslaved?  This means that they don’t have any choices in life, that they work for free, that they toil day in and day out at the mercy of their owners, often under the threat of violence and sometimes without the knowledge that their circumstances could be any different.  Perhaps this is something that you are vaguely aware of but you’ve never given it much thought.  Children, moms, dads, uncles, cousins, aunts, grandparents, physically fit, injured, sick, old; no one is immune to this horrific treatment and no one deserves this.

I was ignorant before I watched a Ted talk given by Lisa Kristine.  It opened my heart to the devastating conditions that people endure and more importantly, what we can do to help eradicate this from our planet.

With over 27 million slaves around the world and annual profits totalling over $32 billion in free labour, the challenge to overcome this seems daunting.  But there’s hope.  Free the Slaves is an organization that works to liberate slaves around the world and to change the systems that allow slavery to exist.

So how can we help?

First we must spread the word that this still exists.  Be part of the anti-slavery movement by talking about it and spreading the message that we can put a stop to it.

We can also boycott slave made products but we must be careful here.  It would be devastating to all cotton farmers if we all decided not to purchase cotton products because we thought some cotton was farmed with slave labour.  There are honest people out there so it’s important that we aim to have the entire supply chain slave-free.  Take the Cocoa Protocol for example.  This is an agreement between the chocolate industry, human rights groups, labour unions and consumers that pledges to work together to remove child labour and slave labour from the supply chain.  The chocolate industry has provided over $10 million dollars to stop slave labour where it occurs, on farms in West Africa.  While their work isn’t complete, the Cocoa Protocol proves that by working across governments and obeying both local and international laws, positive change can occur.

Demand that governments take action.  It’s illegal in every single country and yet it is still allowed to happen.   Every country has passed the laws but now it will take money to enforce them.  Unfortunately, corruption and bribery often help the slave trade to thrive.  But take Brazil for example: in 2003 the President of Brazil set up a commission to end slavery and by 2005 over 11,000 people had been freed and $3 million given to help them get on their feet.  By allocating funding towards this cause, the Brazilian government took a stand and was able to accomplish this.  All our governments need to do this.

I urge you to watch the talk given by Lisa Kristine.   I am thankful to her for her use of photographs to capture this and to spread the word.  They are heartbreaking and yet hauntingly beautiful and along with her words it’s a very powerful message.  The first trip she took to photograph the enslaved was a pivotal moment in her life and was the catalyst for me to seek out more information on the topic.

There’s a lot more you can do.  Visit the Free the Slaves website for more information.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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Happy Thanksgiving!

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by positivelybeaming in Events, Health: of the Mind, Body, Spirit and Planet

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cake, chicken soup, cooking, family, homemade, pancakes, plum, steaks, tea, thanksgiving

I have a lot to be thankful for, do you?  My heart overflows with joy when I stop to think about everything that I’m blessed with: family, friends, new babies, a home, pets, our health, my abilities, all the good moments, and even the bad ones.  To honour my family and in lieu of a Thanksgiving dinner, I wanted to share some of the great home-made meals we’ve eaten together.

Strawberry blueberry pancakes on the grill, lovingly made on a Sunday morning by my step-dad

Up close and personal

Berry pancakes ready for consumption…they didn’t last long

Grandma’s famous chicken soup

Followed by a plum cake

We washed it all down with a cup of tea

Here my dad stops to pose for a picture as he cuts steaks off a large cut of meat he has aged to perfection

Just off the grill and simmering in juices

Good ol’ meat and potatoes…with a little greens on the side for good measure

I hope you were able to share this holiday with people you love.

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positivelybeaming

positivelybeaming

Striving for the best in life through food, travel, art, literature and health.

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