Mardi

I am a 19 y/o /f wanting advice on travel to Canada, esp. BC, esp. Shawnigan Lake in July/Aug 1998. Is there anything I should watch out for, anything I should catch up with...ANYTHING to help me prepare...

If there are any must-see places you know about, please let me know.

Ta muchly
Up the Vale
Mardi

Carla

When I was in BC a few years ago, I took a drive up the Coquihalla Highway.I believe it is also called #5. Its a toll road but worth the money and VERRRRY beautiful. I think you will love Canada especially the west. If you have a chance, take a drive over to Banff and up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper. I think this is the most breathtaking part of the world.

Derek

I have no idea where Shawnigan Lake is, but for a 19 year old visiting in July/August the place to be is the Okanagan Lake. I used to live in Kelowna for 10 years and never knew how popular it was until I moved to another province. For the August long weekend (first weekend)Kelowna and Penticton are packed with tons of people your age partying all weekend long for what we call 'Peachfest' weekend, even though the peachfest weekend is the following weekend and it's celebrated by mostly late adults, early seniors & farmer types I believe.Since the first weekend is a long weekend (holiday monday) people aging from 18-28 travel from as far as Regina,Sask. , a good 16-hour drive to Penticton/Kelowna to hit the beaches and river channel every day and the bars every night (including Sunday). There is much to do in Penticton, except the beach,river channel and the bars. Kelowna has a lot more to do and is only a 40-minute drive difference (both are on Okanagan lake, but Penticton is in between Okanagan and Skaha). When in Penticton stay near the Skaha side,there is way more happening there than on the Okanagan side and hit the 'Night Moves' bar on Friday, but be there by 8:30 or don't plan on getting in! If you're going to camp and you like your music and can afford a little extra, stay at Holiday hills campground, where about 6 or 7 bands play over three nights, but this means missing out on the bar, unless you mix it up. You're looking at $80/person for the three nights. In Kelowna, go to Gyro beach and Splashes bar, and there is too much to write about what there is to do in Kelowna.
It is worth the trip you can get there and the other person's comment above about Jasper/Banff, it's a must if possible. I live in Calgary which is only one hour from Banff and I take it for granted more or less. There is so much to enjoy out there. Anyways, good luck and maybe I'll see you down there.

Richard Magnusson

Hello there! If you get around to the Lake Superiour region of Ontario I would suggest a side trip into the States down the North Shore of Minnesota. Though I live in Thunder Bay (Ontario) this is where I go on holiday in the area. The North Shore is a bit more touristy but for good reason, its a little less industrialised and is a perhaps a bit more scenic...on top of that it has a good string of Idyllic, sleepy little towns. Crossing the border is not a problem. If your going to Niagra falls definately go to Niagra-on-the-lake on the Ontario side, its a wonderful little town. Have a great trip!

shirley

Many Aussies come and live in Rossland, B.C.for the winter ski season. They love it here. This is the home of Red and Granite Mt., hometown of some former Olympians, eg Karen Lee-Gardner, Nancy Greene-Raine. It is located 4 hrs. east of the Kelowna-Penticton desert area and 8 hrs. E. of Vancouver and 8 hrs. W. of Calgary. Ski area known for long vertical drop. Whitewater Ski Area in Nelson, B.C. (location of shooting of movie Roxanne starring Steve Martin and Kevin Costner's choice of recreation area during his recent shooting of The Postman), is becoming famous for its powder snow fields. Try it out. Welcome, mate!

Dionne

I lived in Banff during the last six months and had WAY to many Aussie housemates to pass up this opportunity. Banff is crawling with Aussies so you probley wouldn't get home sick. Aussie's are also very well recieved by both employers and locals around town. Banff is also close to tons of Canadian 'hot spots' like Jasper, Lake Louise, Kananaskis (this is where the new Alec Baldwin filck was filmed), the Icefields, tons of wicked climbing and hiking, natural hotsprings....
Banff is also a HUGE party town!!!!!!!!!! The locals tend to get really close really fast so you basically always have a friend around as well (however this also means a lack of privacy!).

narelle

I am a 16 y.o. student doing an assignment on travelling to Canada. If anybody can give me any information on airfare costs, accomodation and costs, places to visit and costs it would be very much appreciated.

Jeff Faye

Hello;

Well first off which Shawnigan Lake do you mean?There is one on Vancouver Island, also one in the Cariboo part of B.C.(Chaunigan Lake).Been to both, but the lake in the Cariboo is very isolated but worth the visit!. My sister was married there.Give me a shout if you want more info.

Janet Hughes

I live in Victoria, BC, which is about 45 mins. south of Shawnigan Lake. I lived in Shawnigan for a while - it is beautiful, but town is tiny. VIA Rail offers train service from Victoria to Courtenay (Courtenay is 4 hrs. north of Victoria). It stops in Shawnigan Lake, and is a great way to see Vancouver Island. You can get a 40%25 discount on your ticket if you book 7 days in advance. While on Vancouver Island, don't miss Botanical Beach, Carmanah Valley, Long Beach and Strathcona Provincial Park. Write back if you need more info. on anything!

kay

I work as a Tour Guide in the Rockies and love the area, you have picked the right time to go. Are you staying in Hostels, YMCA, hotels ?? You will need reservations that time of year. Everything is expensive but great. A helicopter ride in the moutains is an unbelievable experience. It will cost about $100 CAD for 25 minutes. If you like you could even get dropped off in a mountain meadow to take a walk with a naturalist in good weather this is like being on top of the world !! Banff is the place to party and Jasper is the place to rent a canoe or bike or horse and enjoy the scenery. Rail tours are a great way to relax and sightsee... again make a reservation soon. Your travel agent can do it or visit www.viarail.ca this is the rail service for Canada I have never looked at the site but if nothing else you can probably order some info from them. Whistler is a great town to visit near Vancouver with lots a young people to hang out with. It's a ski centre in winter and a place to mountain bike or hike in summer. White water rafting can be done all over around $80 CAD for a good day with lunch. If you are interested in museums banff has a few as does Vancouver and Victoria (larger) Native culture is something different you may like. Natives being "Indian" but no longer polictically correct. Most of all book things ahead and bring money the Rockies have a short tourist season and activities are expensive. You will have a great time if you can afford it. Forget souveniers and just spend your money on yourself. Also remember in North America you need money to tip. Waiters/bartenders 15%25 of the bill on top of all the taxes !! I Read the other comments and agree with them all.

Rosa

If you are going through Vancouver, and I'll assume you are to catch the ferry, be sure to visit the Aquarium and Science World. Bring a raincoat. If you take the ferry, get there early, or be prepared for a long wait.