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My Place – Christina Carlson

Everyone has a special place, a place where you have memories, where you can find peace and harmony. A place where you know you are just happy being there. For some it’s a quiet place, for others it’s a noisy place. But all of these places have one thing in common; they are places where you think of first when asked “Where is Your Place?”.

1. Who are you and how long have you lived on Vancouver Island?

My name is Christina and I was born and raised on Vancouver Island. I’m a Tourism Management student, and before that I spent a few years working in health care.

2. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I’m a typical introvert, so my hobbies include reading, puzzles, hanging out with my cats and going for hikes.

3. Where on Vancouver Island is “Your Place”?

I recently took a trip up to Port Renfrew for the first time and quickly became enamored with the place. The west coast of the Island is spectacular as a rule, but what first appealed to me about Port Renfrew was the seclusion. Driving down Pacific Marine Rd. surrounded by fall colours with hardly any other cars around was a treat in and of itself. There is no reception in this area of Vancouver Island except for wifi, making it a great place for a weekend getaway.

While Port Renfrew is still a commercial fishing and forestry town, it’s also known as a fantastic destination for hiking and surfing, not to mention the fishing charters. Standing near the top of highway 14, visitors should definitely take advantage of the many nearby beaches that boast spectacular scenery. The Botany Bay/Botanical Beach loop is located just outside of town in the Botanical Beach Provincial Park. If you’ve only got a few hours to spend, it’s certainly do-able. If you’ve got a little more leisure time, you can take your pick of amazing beaches to choose from along the highway.

We settled on Sombrio Beach and were not disappointed. We passed families young and old, not to mention plenty of surfers on the trail, as the weather was mild and the waves were high. The sea isn’t the only draw, however. The lush forest is home to an abundance of wildlife in the area.

No sooner had we decided to head back to our car than we were warned about a black bear on the beach. I’d never come that close to a bear before, so it was unexpected to say the least! We snapped a few quick shots from a safe distance before heading back to our cabin.

There are no bad choices when it comes to destinations on Vancouver Island. For now though, I’m planning my return trip to Port Renfrew!

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Paddling With the Salmon

Fall has always been a special time on Vancouver Island. The heat of summer begins to dissipate, the rain returns, the leaves on the trees begin to change, and the wildlife begin their frenzied preparations for winter. For the many species of pacific salmon, fall also marks the beginning of their spawn, the time when they return to the rivers and streams of their birth. It’s an amazing journey from salt water to fresh water, and one that we’d like to experience first-hand!

Salmon making their way up the Nanaimo river

There are many places to get a good view of the salmon spawn but the best vantage point has to be on the water itself, with the salmon swimming and sometimes leaping right beside you! Living Forest Campground marks the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets the Nanaimo River, making it the ideal place to witness the spawn. Here, not only do you experience the excitement of the spawn, you will also inevitably witness other wildlife being drawn to the shores. During this time, it is not uncommon to see birds of prey like eagles, vultures and owls abandoning their usual hunting and sleeping patterns in order to take full advantage of this annual feast.

We’ve decided to once again host our Paddling With the Salmon event at Living Forest Campground with some help from Brackish Adventures and Sundown Diving. Snorkel, paddle board or kayak along with the spawning salmon! With equipment, instructors, and lunch all included, the dates for this experience have been set as September 29 and October 6, 7, 13 & 20 to give you more opportunities to join us. Be sure to follow us on Instagram & Facebook for the latest updates!

 

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Off the Eaten Path Dinner Series – Salmon Feast

When it comes to fresh, local ingredients and delicious dining experiences, there’s nothing that pairs better than beautiful, outdoor spaces. This was the basis that formed our Off the Eaten Path dinner series. This farm to table venture has truly been one of the highlights of our summer season. As the third and final dinner of the year, we decided to do something different.

Shot of a Nanaimo River Coho Buck

This change of pace was inspired by the changes that September brings. A change in the temperature, in the foliage, and in the local wildlife. Most notably, the spawning salmon that make the journey from salt water to fresh water, travelling up the Nanaimo river each year in order to reach the place of their birth. This annual event has marked a time of harvest for thousands of years.

We’re partnering again with Farm’s Gate Foods & Catering in this family-style dinner event. And in an effort to provide the ideal natural environment for this event we’re hosting it in the beautiful confines of Living Forest Campground, which is situated at the point where the ocean meets the Nanaimo River. This junction is the ideal place to view the salmon as they travel towards their destination, continuing a cycle that means so much to our ecosystem.

View From Living Forest Campground Overlooking the Ocean

If you would like to participate in our salmon feast, be sure to follow us on facebook and twitter for the latest updates. Want to take this experience a step further? Why not join us for our annual Paddle With the Salmon event which will also be hosted at Living Forest. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.

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Brackish Adventures

Brackish Adventures

Vancouver Island is known to be an adventurer’s paradise, with unspoilt natural beauty always within driving distance. In the case of Brackish Adventures, there’s no drive necessary as they bring the fun to you! This mobile company rents out an assortment of watersports equipment and accessories, most notably paddleboards and kayaks.

Adventuring on the coast

Not only are they able to bring the equipment and accessories to you, but will also provide lessons for you and your party as well as assist in the planning of your excursion. Operating within the Central Vancouver Island region, they are familiar with the waterways located within Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay and Parksville making for an enjoyable outing with experienced instructors.

Adventuring up the river

With a love of the outdoors and a passion for kayaking and paddle boarding, Brackish Adventures has developed a solid reputation as a fantastic tour company. They are there to help you build your confidence while at the same time having a memorable experience with friends and family.

Are you looking for a unique paddle boarding, kayaking or snorkeling experience? Keep an eye out for word of our annual Paddling With the Salmon excursions that we’ll be hosting with help from Brackish Adventures and Sundown Diving!

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Off the Eaten Path Dinner Series – Hops Farm

For our Off the Eaten Path dinner series, we sought to create a farm-to table dining experience that truly reflected the agricultural landscape of Vancouer Island. For our second dinner, we drew inspiration from our friends and business partners at the Longwood Brewery. Specifically, we drew inspiration from the local hops farm that sources much of the hops used in their beer! Cedar Valley Hops is located south of Nanaimo and their products have been used in many of the local breweries and distilleries on the island.

Hops grown at Cedar Valley Hops Farm

While some might consider hosting a dinner at a hops farm unconventional, no one can deny that it makes for a uniquely beautiful location. And what better way to add to the experience than to make Longwood Brewery beer available as a pairing? Taste the product while surrounded by the source!

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Longwood brews surrounded by Cedar Valley hops

For our choice of food pairing, we wanted to do something a little different while equally special. Farm’s Gate Foods and Catering is a Cowichan-based catering venture wholly dedicated to using local products. Their drive to ‘go local’ stems from what they describe as, “a sense of respect and admiration for the work it takes to produce the ingredients used in our recipes.” Their love of all things local pairs well with our choice of local beer and wine!

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Amazing, local food prepared with the utmost care by Farm’s Gate Foods and Catering

Our second dinner will be taking place on August 16th. Interested in taking part? You better be quick as only a handful of tickets are left for this long table dinner, so check out our facebook page, or contact us directly!

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Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Like so many tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, Merridale Cidery & Distillery began with a desire to leave city living behind and return to the simplicity of country life. Janet Docherty and Rick Pipes had accomplished quite a bit in their professional lives when the inspiration to start a cidery struck. At the time there was very little by way of locally grown cider and they spotted a niche that was needing to be filled. They purchased property in the Cowichan Valley, considered by many to be the bread basket of Vancouver Island and got down to work.

Merridale Distillery Building

Rick put his education in fermentation and distillation to work, first with creating cider and then a few years later expanding to gin, brandy and even vodka. In fact, in 2013 they became the first craft distillery certified in BC. But it wasn’t just agriculture that these two had in mind. They understood the importance of creating an experience for their customers that went beyond their product. They wanted to explore the full potential of their venture, and share Merridale as a whole with their costomers.

The Farmhouse Eatery with performer Dylan Stone

They made connections with the local tourism industry and opened their property up to tours and special events. They built a restaurant, gift shop, tasting room, and most surprising of all, set up two luxury yurts on the property that can be rented by guests. Today, Janet and Rick sit on several tourism-related boards on Vancouver Island, assisting in development of the tourism industry.

One of two luxury yurts that can be rented

Thinking about taking a trip to Merridale Cidery? Why not try our Taste of Cowichan tour!

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St. Jean’s Cannery

St Jean’s

Whether you’ve lived on the west coast your whole life or you’re coming here for the first time, you’ve gotta try the fish! What better place to do so then at the largest salmon cannery in all of southern BC? St. Jean’s Cannery is well-known for their wild salmon, both smoked or candied. They come in a variety of flavors, making their gift shop well worth the visit. In addition, St. Jean’s has a variety of other seafood products such as shellfish, tuna, chowder and sauces, just to name a few.

St Jean’s was founded by Armand St. Jean, a young man from Quebec that made his way out to Vancouver Island with his family in the 1950’s. In the smoke house he built himself, Armand would often smoke oysters using techniques he learned back east. He would then package the oysters and sell them at local bars to hungry patrons. It didn’t take long for this small enterprise to grow into a proper cannery.

Armand St. Jean

Armand continued to run the business alongside his sons, and after a showcasing their products at Expo ’86, the family was able to open a larger facility. St. Jean’s also expanded their depots on the mainland and made connections with the sport fishing lodges along the coast. After purchasing Raincoast Trading, a brand dedicated to sustainable fishing practices, the majority shares in St. Jean’s were purchased by a group of five West Coast Nations. The Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have always played a dual role as both stewards and participants in Vancouver Island’s seafood economy, and their values of sustainability were shared by St. Jean’s, leading to a fruitful partnership.

Cheers to a new partnership

Today St. Jean’s continues to build upon their reputation for sustainable, quality seafood. On their website you can purchase frozen or canned seafood products that are guaranteed hand-packed. However, their facility in south Nanaimo is well-worth the visit. The Smokehouse gift shop provides their full range of products, including a host of gift options. If you’re lucky, you might get a sample or two!

Thinking about visiting St. Jean’s? Why not try our Taste of Nanaimo tour?

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Simply Gabriola Island Day Tour

Just steps from the Malaspina Galleries

Gabriola Island has earned itself the title of Isle of the Arts among the Gulf Islands. Home to a wide range of artisans and agriculturalists, Gabriola often feels like a world away despite being a 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo. Small, independently owned shops, galleries and restaurants reflect local tastes and visitors can expect to encounter wildlife, scenic beaches, and unique sandstone formations on our Simply Gabriola Island tour.

La Belle Vie Studio

Learning about local plants

Our first stop on the Gabriola tour is La Belle Vie Wellnes Studio. This beautiful studio is also the home of our host, Josée, who is a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. She conducts mutiple workshops on her property that include foraging for local edible plants, creating tinctures and teas, as well as full wellness retreats. While her husband is an architect who has begun designing tiny homes and is interested in environmentally friendly building practices, they also host a bed & breakfast.

Pier Gallery Collective

Checking out the local art

Our next stop is the nearby Pier Gallery where the work of over a dozen local artists is featured. From glassware, to ceramics, silversmithing, painting and weaving, just about every medium is featured. While the gallery itself is small, the artists use every inch of space to showcase the range of work that can be found of Gabriola.

The Kitchen

Fried catfish and okra wrap with malt vinegar fries

The Kitchen is a restaurant that draws inspiration from just about everywhere. From fried catfish to porkbelly to smoked peach compote, the Kitchen has something for just about everybody. Settle in to enjoy some unique flavor profiles while listening to their impressive collection of vinyl records.

Paprika Studio

Paprika Gallery

Nina is no stranger to the art of silversmithing, as this skill was passed down to her from her mother. Inspired by the natural environment, Nina’s creations are beautifully shaped and uniquely patterned. Her gallery space where she showcases her work and the work of others, also doubles as her studio, where she carefully crafts her pieces. Inside she demonstrates different techniques and tools needed to manipulate and shape the silver into her vision and shares her passion with others.

Ravenskill Orchard

Enjoying a tasting of delicious Gabby’s Cider

What started out as a hobby for Keith Mackenzie and Marti Wright quickly took on a life of it’s own. When they first purchased their property on Gabriola, it was a tad overgrown but showed a lot of promise. The idea to grow heritage varieties came from Marti, who missed the Northern Spy apples of her native New York. Before long they had built their home and began the process of growing a high-density orchard, which involved grafting their trees to dwarf rootstock. Today, they’re becoming well-known for their delicious Gabby’s Cider, so named for the Island they now call home. Visit their rustic tasting room, pick some apples in the U-Pick, and learn about the fascinating work that goes into creating such a tasty product.

Malaspina Galleries

Walking the beautiful Malaspina Galleries

Take a stroll along the beautiful and historic Malaspina galleries. This natural sandstone formation was initially visited by the explorer Captain Malaspina and his crew, and then again later on by early British settlers in the area. The Galleries are a must-see for first time or repeat visitors, as the calm waters of the bay overlook Newcastle Island and downtown Nanaimo in the distance. It’s the perfect place to take a break and reflect on the day.

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Welcome to the Team!

Tourism can sometimes be a tricky business. Most of the time, tourism operators are providing an intangible experience rather than a tangible product. So how do operators create a consistent and engaging experience? How do they market their experiences and to whom? And furthermore, how do you teach these skills to tourism professionals? These are the questions that the Tourism Management faculty at VIU faced. Their solution was to create a new class they called Experiential Product Development.

The instructor of this class decided to challenge the students to create real experiences and contacted several local tour operators to get involved. One such operator was Vancouver Island Expeditions, and we had a few different ideas for new experiences including a day tour to Gabriola Island and creating a farm-to-table series. The students provided enthusiasm, knowledge and hard work to make these projects a reality. We at VI Expeditions were so impressed by the work done that we decided to submit our summer student posting only to the students of this class.

This summer we are happy to welcome Christina to the team, whose group worked on our Gabriola Day Tour. Christina was born and raised in Nanaimo and is currently completing her fourth and final year in the Tourism Management program at VIU. In her spare time she volunteers on the Board of Directors at the Vancouver Island Exhibition and is known to enjoy a glass of wine (or two).

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Off the Eaten Path Dinner Series – Vineyard

The difficulty with managing a tourism business on Vancouver Island isn’t that there aren’t enough opportunities, it’s that there are just too many to choose from! Between the amazing wineries, world-class restaurants, and beautiful scenery, deciding where to go or what to showcase can be a challenge. There are, quite simply, too many amazing businesses to partner with.

Beautiful dinner made by the team at Hilltop Bistro

We had this in mind when we sought to create our Off the Eaten Path dinner series, a Farm to Table venture set in different locations. The series, we hoped, would be a way to provide rare and intimate dining experiences by partnering with local businesses. Farm to Table dining experiences have become popular and are in high demand. People want something unique and different to participate in, while at the same time supporting local agriculture.

The Hilltop team hard at work

We approached a few friends about our idea and it wasn’t long before it began to take shape. The team at Hilltop Bistro have created one of the most sought-after dining experiences in Nanaimo. We knew that they’d create an unforgettable menu for our guests while sourcing many of their ingredients from local farmers. The Chateau Wolff Estate Winery has a beautiful property in rural Nanaimo facing the southern slopes of Mount Benson. This lovely property would prove to be the perfect setting for what turned out to be a wonderful night.

Tables set and ready

While we set up the tents, laid out the silverware, went bushwacking for the salal centrepieces and watered the flower pots, clouds loomed overhead. The threat of rain had all of us on edge as we toiled away. While we were determined to see our vision through, we thought bringing a few blankets along might not be a bad idea.

Chateau Wolff Estate overlooking Mt. Benson

But of course, in the end, there was nothing to worry about. The dinner was a masterpiece of west coast fare, made with plenty of seafood, local seasonal ingredients and prepared with the utmost care. Chateau Wolff were ever the hospitable hosts, happy to share their piece of paradise with our guests. As for ourselves, we can’t thank our friends enough for all of their hard work and we look forward to the next one!

If you’re interested in hearing about Part 2 of our Off the Eaten Path dinner series, the date and venue have been set! It will be taking place at Cedar Valley Hop Yards on August 16th, so be sure to follow us on instagram and facebook for updates!