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Post by sarah on Jul 13, 2016 23:16:20 GMT -5
I'm planning to visit Vancouver with my boyfriend in The current loose plan is Whistler for 3 nights, Vancouver island for 1-2 nights, and Vancouver city for 1-2 nights. I'm wondering if there are any natural bogs in the area we could hike through and check out some CPs in their natural habitat. Also open to suggestions for non-CP related things to do. I didn't realize before how big Vancouver Island was, we don't have much time to spend there so it'd be great to get some insider tips on where to focus. We'll be airbnb-ing the whole trip so hopefully we'll get some good tips from the hosts, too. And of course, we would like some recommendations for fresh seafood places and also sushi
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Post by H2O on Jul 14, 2016 0:02:13 GMT -5
Loads of things to do! I could write a book but here is the short list.
Mainland CP related, hit up Hawaiian Botanicals, keep in mind they're only open on the weekend these days. Other stuff, hit up the Vancouver Aquarium and the Blodel Conservatory. Both places I hit up when I go to the mainland. For interesting sushi (just really cool ideas for rolls) try The General Public, 3289 Main Street Vancouver.
For the Island, come visit the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, we have a couple Nepenthes on display and if you come while I'm working you'll walk away with cuttings. Butchart Gardens is just down the road and although nothing CP related it is still an amazing garden. Loads of tourist things to do, if you want a list let me know. Best sushi in Victoria is probably Ebizo 604 Broughton Street Victoria. I go there all the time, not open on Mondays.
For native CP's you're going to be out of luck. The mainland has a distinctive lack of habitat and where are plants there is no easy way to see them. I can show you one of many sites on the Island but all are day trips or more. If you manage to make it up to Tofino there is one site that is very easy to get to and very easy to see plants, although by September they will be mostly dormant.
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Post by sarah on Jul 14, 2016 16:50:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions H2O. Hawaiian Botanicals and the aquarium are both on our list already I would very much like to visit the butterfly gardens as well but we aren't certain about visiting Victoria yet. How difficult is it to get to the Island from downtown Vancouver? If we don't have a car, will it take a long time to get to the ferries? We were originally thinking of going to Nanaimo but it looks like Victoria might actually be easier to get to and have more stuff to do. I'm assuming public transport will be lacking once on Vancouver island, especially if we leave the city, so we might rent a car and explore the surrounding areas a bit. Dormant by September? That's too bad. Maybe our next trip out will be in the summer That's alright though, the boyfriend is not really a CP person so I didn't want to dominate the trip by dragging him out through swamps and bogs the whole time.
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Post by sarah on Aug 22, 2016 12:32:56 GMT -5
The trip's all booked, we'll be in Victoria for the last 3 days of our trip, and the Butterfly Gardens are top of the list. We'll probably be there on Sep 12 or 13th. Hope to see you there, @h2o! Do you have any recommendations for a good spot for an easy day hike on the island? Someplace pretty and not too far a drive from Victoria?
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Post by H2O on Aug 22, 2016 14:10:44 GMT -5
Sounds great! I would advise coming on the 12th as I won't be at work on the 13th.
I could suggest a dozen different hikes all within half an hour from Victoria. Are you looking for something super easy, easy, normalish, or hard? Also are you looking to hike to ocean view areas or mountain view areas?
PM me and I'll give you my phone number, will be easier to text you all the option.
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Post by porcorosso on Aug 22, 2016 20:45:17 GMT -5
there are sundews living in their natural habitat in between Squamish and whistler. Right off the highway. Closer to Squamish than Whistler. You need to wade or swim to get to them. I recommend floating to them on some kind of floating device. If you are interested shoot me a pm and I can give you directions. I live in Squamish, if I am off work at the time I may be able to show you personally. cheers,
I lived in Vancouver for over a decade. If you want a great hole in the wall sushi joint with good sushi at reasonable prices I recommend : Tokyo John's on Cambie Street and for great okinomiyaki's and delicious other rolls I recommend " the clubhouse" which is close to the olympic village
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Post by sarah on Aug 22, 2016 21:58:14 GMT -5
Oooo hole in the wall places are the best! I googled it and the airbnb we're staying at is just a few blocks away, score!
I don't think we're up for wading through a swamp to see some sundews, at least not this time. We weren't planning to rent a car for the whistler leg, and I doubt the shuttle bus driver will take kindly to a pit stop for a swim. Thank you for the offer though.
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Post by porcorosso on Aug 23, 2016 12:47:01 GMT -5
that is too bad :( They are growing on floating logs in a great lake for swimming just north of Squamish. I found them by accident whilst swimming a couple of years ago. They seem to have been there for years, very well established. I check on them every year. I have taken a few people to see them thus far :) Enjoy your stay in Vancouver :) It is a great place to visit or live :)
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Post by lloyd on Aug 23, 2016 12:51:30 GMT -5
Pacific NorthWest Carnivorous Plant Club C/o Richmond Nature Park 11851 Westminster Hwy Richmond British Columbia Canada V6X 1B4 e-mail: cteichreb (at) hotmail.com
Not sure how active they are these days.
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Post by sarah on Aug 23, 2016 14:48:20 GMT -5
that is too bad They are growing on floating logs in a great lake for swimming just north of Squamish. I found them by accident whilst swimming a couple of years ago. They seem to have been there for years, very well established. I check on them every year. I have taken a few people to see them thus far Enjoy your stay in Vancouver It is a great place to visit or live Maybe next time I visit it'll be in the summer, nice and warm. The forecasts for the week I'm there all say it'll be under 20* the whole time. I'd love to check it out eventually.
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