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吃喝玩樂 Food & Fun |
text / photo. Henry & Stephanie Yuen |
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Travelling with Jumbo our dog
Vancouver Island here we come |
| Ever since we started web searching to plan for our trip to Vancouver Island, our dog Jumbo had been lying quietly next to the computer desk. A couple once said to us, “We seldom travel together. One of us has to stay home to take care of our beloved dog.” Jumbo’s cute face and this couples’ statement put a spark in my head: Why not bring Jumbo along? Glad we did, because we discovered Vancouver Island has everything: Great food and wine, breathing taking views, beautiful beaches, amazing farms and country sides, and it is also a dog’s paradise! |
| We woke up early to catch the BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay to go to Nanaimo. Drizzle turned into rain when we arrived at the terminal, but by the time we drove off the ferry at Nanaimo, the sun was breaking through, what a lovely way to begin our journey to Vancouver Island! |
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Nanaimo
This once quiet seaside town is now showing signs of renewal but still glitters with century old characteristics. Strolling along the harbour boardwalk with Jumbo while we embraced the sea breeze is simply jolly. New Castle Island and Protection Island are just a ferry ride away. How we wish we could go over there to explore the marks that Salish Natives left behind, to swim with the seals, or have a drink at the floating pub!
Chemainus
How can we not stop by such peaceful village and admire these world famous murals, murals that tell fables, memories and histories? At Chemainus, the pace is mellow. We start with a walking tour of the murals and around town and sit down inside a cottage style café for a cup of tea and some home-made pastries; dreamingly watch the world goes by.
Duncan
No matter how many we’ve seen, totems never cease to amaze us. Here at Duncan, the eagles, the whales, the sun and the moon, all seem to come alive again. These beautifully carved are works are definitely more than meet the eyes. In order to understand them, check out the Aboriginal events and programs available at the Cultural Centre.
Cowichan
We do get lost here, thinking that may be somehow we crossed the warp zone and went to the country side of Europe, or landed into a romantic movie scene. The lush green farmlands, the promising vineyards and the old barns under the blue sky are simply picturesque. Oh, the organic produce, the fresh-cut flowers and cultivated food products and the fact that we can pick up eggs and milk that come form the farm just steps away keeps us coming back for more.
Sooke
It is almost lunch hour when we arrive at Sooke. We pick up a package of smoked salmon at the roadside Fishing Shop and from the town market some bread and cheese, and have a picnic lunch by the sea. There are a bus load of kayakers padding nearby, planting bright colours onto the blue horizon. The rhythm of the wave and the singing of the seabirds, along with Jumbo’s wigging tail accompany us. And that is exactly why we choose Sooke as one of our stopovers.
Victoria
We find ourselves wandering in the famous Fantan Alley and Dragon Alley in Chinatown and enjoying it. What went on behind these walls? Who lived here? We are almost sure in this old Chinatown; every face did have a story to tell. Jumbo loves it too when we locate a Dog Gift and Bakery store there. After lunch, we begin our leisure drive along the coastline to Oak Bay but stop a few times to firstly feed the seals at Fishermen’s Wharf; and secondly to adore the breath-taking ocean view. Jumbo probably agrees that the endless stretch of beaches and grassland is the ultimate dog haven, especially when he is allowed to greet and smell the other 4-leg friends leash-free along the way.
Sidney
This is our first visit to Sidney and the instant we arrive, we ask ourselves, “Why didn’t we come here before?” Sidney offers a pleasant lifestyle in a gorgeous yet simple sea-side setting: Book stores, antique shops, an 60’s Ice-cream parlour, a Traditional Oreintal Health Clinic, and flowers everywhere. This pretty little town simply belongs into a picture frame. |
The secret is no more, Vancouver Island offers big city dining pleasure with a wallet-friendly price tag. With farm fresh vegetables and organic produce from passionate neighbours’ backyards such as Cowichan and Salt Spring Island, each bite is nothing short of a gourmet calibre!
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Farmers Market
Go, whenever you see a farmer’s market in operation and pretend you are one of the local folks shopping for produce for the evening’s dinner. Stop, and talk to the hardworking venders who are the hearts and souls behind such satisfying market-shopping experience.
Nanaimo Bar
The best ambassador in food form, Nanaimo Bar reaches its wide spread fame simply by being delicious! It is almost a shame to leave Nanaimo without biting into a Nanaimo Bar! After all, who can resist chocolate?
Drift Restaurant & Lounge 77 Skinner Street, Nanaimo. 250-381-5353
Drift is an interesting restaurant in an interesting building at a unique spot. The theme is ocean; the style is nature meets vogue and the food, surprisingly impressive. No fancy food terms nor cosmetic plating, just full-blown flavour and fair portions.
Wah Lai Yuen 550 Fisgard Streeet, Victoria. 250-381-5353
It is a bakery, a take-out store, a Barbeque shop and a Chinese restaurant! Amazingly, the busy kitchen produces authentic Chinese flavours. We particularly enjoy the congee (rice soup) and the barbequed duck and pork on steamed rice.
Sooke Harbour House
1528 Whiffen Spit Road, Sooke. 1-800-889-9688
Going to the herb garden to pick out what are needed for dinner is Edward’s (Executive Chef) daily routine; yet, the tender, love and care he renders to the herb patches is still immense. The dinner menu would not be written until the same afternoon – Edward has to know what’s freshly caught and picked. That makes dinner at Sooke Harbour House so unique and alluring, a dinner that our hearts and palate yearn for since we set foot on the Island.
Oswego
#500 Oswego Street, Victoria. 1-877-767-9346
The boutique hotel gives us the ‘home away from home’ cozy feel. The 1-bedroom suite is smartly decorated. Our dinner in the hotel restaurant turns out to be a pleasant surprise. Executive Chef Martin is the hidden dragon who produces dish after dish of exceptional cuisine.
Do leave room for the dessert sampling plate! The good thing is, you can always take the leftover back to your room with you.
Sidney Pier Hotel
9805 Seaport Place, Sidney. 1-866-659-9455
The huge, handsome dining room is blessed with a wide angle sea view and a cozy fireplace. The kitchen turns out crafted west coast dishes. Watching the seaside park wakes up in the morning while sipping a cup of coffee with a healthy but yummy breakfast is the perfect testimony that life is so good! If you see the ‘Pan-fried Trout’ on the dinner menu, grab it; not a bad idea to share because the portions here are really generous. |
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Sooke Harbour House
Those who do not believe in paradise will change their minds here.
Greeted by a family of deer snacking at the nearby lawn and the soothing sound of ocean waves, the real holiday begins once we check into this world-famous resort. Jumbo knows exactly where to take his afternoon nap – his comfortable bed and blanket is already waiting for me next to the big tub in our room.
The Oswego Hotel
Located around the corner of the busy tourist strip, Oswego has the best of both worlds – close enough to all the attractions, yet tugged away in its own corner of tranquility. This boutique residence hotel has the friendliest staffs who are also pet lovers.
The Sydney Pier Hotel & Spa
This has to be one of the dream vacation hotels that put the mind, body and soul all in a relaxing mood constantly; same applies to Jumbo whose chef-baked cookie awaits him there. The thoughtful layout of our hotel room displays the ocean, the islands and the boardwalk on one side; and the easy-paced street view on the other side.
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