Vancouver Tours Blog

22 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Which City Really Does Have The Most Restaurants Per Capita

Travel to most city websites around the net and you’ll be surprised by how many purport to have more restaurants per capita than anywhere else. This is claimed by San Francisco; Madison, Wisconsin; Washington DC; and Shreveport, Louisiana. At least Canadian cities stake the same claim.

So which cities do have a legitimate claim to the title of “Most Restaurants Per Capita?” The National Restaurant Association (NRA) does publish a list of restaurants per capita per state. According to the Association, California has by far the most restaurants with a staggering 87,225 dining establishments. New York State comes in at a paltry 58,027. The top five is rounded out by Texas (53,631), Florida (41,901) Pennsylvania (31,466).

In terms of per capita per state, Washington DC tops the list according to NRA. The US capital region boosts some 0.4 restaurants per 100 people. Second is, surprisingly, Montana at .354 restaurants per 100 people. Rounding out the NRA’s top five are Rhode Island (0.304 per 100) Vermont (.303 per 100) New York (.301 per 100). If you are a little hungry you might want avoid the three states with the fewest restaurants Mississippi, Kentucky and Utah.

In terms of North American cities, it is a little harder to ascertain who can claim the title of city with most restaurants per capita.

Here are ten cities with more than 100,000 people that have made the claim. But who has the real claim? Who offers the cuisine searcher or just plain hungry shopper the most choice? Who can claim the title of The Restaurant City.

The city of San Francisco is a city of 744,230 people and claims to have 2,662 restaurants within the city boundaries. There is no doubt that the standard of restaurants in the city of the bay is exceptional. If you just include San Francisco properly your density is 279 people per restaurant. But because costs of housing the number of people living in the city proper has declined while the number of businesses including restaurants, San Francisco is a distorted number. If you count the metro area, the number of restaurants climbs to 4,300 restaurants (we won’t include hundreds more in the nearby wine country of Napa and Sonoma). If you consider the metro area population of 7,168,176 and divide by 4,300 you get a per capita density of 1,667 people per restaurant.

Winnipeg is a city on the edge of the Canadian prairies that boasts a broad cross section of immigrant communities all of whom have their local ethnic cuisines. If you want French toast for breakfast, perogies and sauerkraut for lunch , and Vietnamese imperial rolls for dinner then this is the place to come. This city regularly claims to have more restaurants per capita than any other city. Some websites claim the city has 900 restaurants but in reality there are just 478. With a population of 619,544 Winnipeg can claim only one restaurant per 1,296 snow-bound Canadian.

Victoria. This city on Vancouver Island and capital city of British Columbia, Canada regularly makes the claim that it has the “second highest number of restaurants per capita,” which is perhaps clever psychology as the city has never indicted which is top. With a population of 335,000 the city claims to have 265 Italian, French, Greek, East Indian, Vegetarian, German, Dutch, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai eateries. That means Victoria has a restaurant per 1,264 people. But with its spectacular location halfway between Vancouver and Seattle, you’d hardly care if its claim is a little off.

In New York City no one cooks at home and by the time you’ve heard of a restaurant it has probably closed. Restaurants open and close with alarming alacrity in the Big Apple. On average, the city of New York can claim 6,650 dining places from the chic Lespinasse to the greasiest corner diner — the most restaurants in any one place on the continent. Yet with 8,168,338 people, New York can only claim to have 1, 228 people per restaurant. It might seem that every second building in New York is a restaurant but they have to cater to a lot of vertically housed residents. That explains why it is hard to find a table some nights.

The one Canadian city that can make a great claim to have the most restaurants per capita is Montreal in the province of Quebec. With just over 5,000 restaurants in the metro island area, is appears there are at least one restaurant on every street corner. With its diverse immigrant population and French majority, the city has every type of cuisine available from Lebanese to continental French to native Canadian. Some 3,720,000 Quebecois live in the metro area making Montreal the second largest French speaking city in the world. Giving it a restaurant per capita number of 744.

When you leave Austin you enter Texas so the saying goes. This funky city in central Texas has 1,088 eating places to enhance its reputation as Music City USA. That list includes 128 establishments in or around the University of Texas alone. Austin’s burgeoning population is currently 690, 252 making their people to restaurant ratio 634.

Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, is a small city of just over half a million people. Pap John’s Pizza and Yum Brands, the parent company of A&W, KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, both make Louisville their corporate home so it is not surprising that that this city on the Ohio River has 1,089 restaurants. That makes for 510 people per restaurant.

Madison owns the rights to the title of “city with the most restaurants per capita” and the capital makes the claim throughout its literature. However, pining down the actual number of restaurants is pretty hard. The best list available points to 437 restaurants that caters to 221,551 people in the Wisconsin city. But that makes for only 506 people for each restaurant. Good for only third on this list.

Wichita, Kansas is not usually a city that leaps to mind when one thinks of cuisine. But with an ethnically diverse work force, the largest city in Kansas has a reputation for cultural diversity and is located in the breadbasket of America. The 739 restaurants in town have only to cater to 360, 715 people. That translates into 488 people per restaurant, good for second on our list.

Dallas. This Lone Star State city has a population of 1,250,950 and a selection of restaurants that add up to 2,666. While the city is known for its BBQ and steak houses there is a surprising mix of great eateries from chic to basic. That means every restaurant, fast food place and steak house in Texas’ third largest city can boast an potential pool of just 469 people. Making this city the winner of the title “City With The Most Restaurants per Capita.”

Source by Kevin Fields

19 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Romford-Essex – Facts About the Town

The town of Romford – Essex is located in northeast London, England. The town is also the headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. If you are in Charing Crossing, you can reach the town by travelling 23 kilometres in the northeastern direction. The town can be found on the London metropolitan plan that lists all the major centres in the area.

Romford started as a small market town.During the time, it was a part of the Essex county and the headquarters of the Liberty of Havering, until 1892.The construction of a railway line and road networks opened the way for further development. The population grew and other industries came into being. The economy of Romford thrived on agriculture, but as time went on, emphasis was on light product manufacturing. The light industry became the backbone of the economy but other forms of industry such as retail have become dominant. By the turn of the 20th century, urban settlements began to form around the area. The town was rapidly expanding and it was not long before the town was granted municipal borough status in 1937.By the beginning of 1965, the borough merged with Greater London.

Modern Romford is a large town with many facilities for shopping and entertainment. Visitors will find large shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, bars and sports clubs. The town never sleeps because the nightlife is vibrant.

The original town can be traced back to the Medieval Ages. Early Romford grew along the main London road. The town was given market status in 1247.During the time, the population relied on agriculture. Historical records show that corn grinding was done by several mills that were scattered around the town. Besides agriculture, leather processing was one of the main activities.

Records show that many types of industries such as brewing, metalworking, charcoal burning, weaving and cloth making existed in the region. The introduction of transport systems was the main factor in the growth of the town. A road linking London and Romford was constructed in 1721.The project was carried out by the Turnpike Trust.

By the turn of the 18th century, coach services plied the London-Romford road. The Romford Canal was seen as an ideal link between the Thames and the town, but attempts at making the links failed and the idea was finally abandoned. Had the project been successful, it could have provided a channel for transporting goods between London and Romford.

Source by Simon Haughtone

14 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Car Rental Gas Service Option – Is it Wise?

That statement in one form or another has been part of car rentals since the beginning. In the early days, it was a straight out principle issue. You used it, you replace it. At some point between then, and now, someone realized that “there’s a lot of money to be made with the gas tank on rentals.

For those who don’t know, lets explain your refuelling options in car rentals. When you rent a car, the car usually comes with a full tank of gas. In some circumstances, it comes with a partially full tank. In either case, the rental company will give you three options. Bring it back at the same level you got it at, (full) prepay for a full tank of gas (GSO) and bring it back empty, or bring it back empty and pay a refuelling charge (FSO) of a more expensive per gallon rate.

Fuel Service Option (FSO) is almost always the costliest option. Up and down the California Coast, most cities have FSO charges around $5.99 a gallon (and with recent prices, even higher). Around the country, its not much better. While your mileage may vary on the actual price per gallon, the FSO charges are almost always a good Dollar per gallon more expensive than the prevailing GSO (prepaid) rate or the rate of the local gas stations. It may seem that there is no really good reason to use the FSO, but there is. While most FSO users are people with more money than time or people who forgot to fill up the gas tank, there is one segment where it is cheaper to use this service than any other.

If you have a discount code, it may be because of your employer. Some employers, such as Microsoft and Government Contracts like Lockheed Martin have negotiated rates where the same dollar amount for fuel refueling is charged nationwide. Depending on the market, it may not be that bad. In one circumstance, a friend of mine who worked for one of the above mentioned companies went on a trip to Kona, Hawaii. On that trip, the fuel service option refueling price was less than the per gallon prices of all the local gas stations within 5 miles of the airport. In that case, its always best to just bring the car back as it is.

On the other end of the spectrum, the GSO option is a prepaid full tank of gas at a specific rate. In most car rental agencies, the GSO price is the average of the three closest gas stations. With this average, the multiply the tank capacity by that number and offer it as a flat rate to fill up the tank. But let the buyer beware. If the tank is not totally empty when you return it, you do not get a refund on the gas you use. You have effectively paid for a full tank of gas and if your not “empty” on return, you’ve just given the car rental agency free gas to use.

So to recap, when should you use FSO (fuel service option)?

  • Only when you have no other choice
  • Only when your company discount provides you a special rate for the gas refuel
  • For those who have more money than time

And when should you Fuel up with the GSO option?

  • Trips where you know you will have the car for over a week
  • Trips where you know you will be driving more than 400 miles
  • When you know your going to be strapped for time at return

A few final tips. When your leaving the rental area, take note of the closest gas station. If you have time, its often good to drive right in and gas up the car to ensure it was totally full when you got the car. Many of today’s tanks allow for as much as 50-100 miles before the needle drops below full. If the agency stated the tank is full, the nozzle should click practically immediately (3/10 of a gallon). But to be fare, you really need not worry if its less than 3/4 of a gallon unless 85 cents is enough for you to argue and waste 20 minutes. If you put more than that in, take the receipt to the counter when you return the car and get the amount of the gas deducted from the bill.

If you have a GPS unit, lock in the location of the car rental area and the closest gas station to save you time on return. Some of the best made plans are ruined by getting lost trying to get back to the airport. If traveling in a group, assign one person to look for the car rental return signs, the exit off ramp, nearest restaurant among other things that you may need on your way back to the airport.

Under no circumstances are you to buy the most expensive grade of gasoline! Let me repeat that in clearer terms. by the cheap gas. The car rental agencies all buy the cheapest gas the law will allow. Do not feel guilty topping of that car with a more expensive grade of gas. The car will break down and be sold from abuse long before the gas causes issues for the car.

Source by Justin Parker

10 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

An Experience to Remember-Massage Therapy Vancouver

Massage Therapy, Vancouver could be an essential part of alternative and complementary medicine for you.

Like the rest of us, you’ve surely had a headache at some point or another. And what do you automatically do when you have one? You rub your forehead even before you reach for that bottle of aspirin. Practically the same thing happens when you bang an elbow or a knee into something. It is as if you expect the pain to be magically rubbed away. And this is not surprising.

The conviction that if we rub it the pain will go away is ingrained in us. It is a reflex action born out of countless years of experience. In fact, this touching, feeling therapy is one of the oldest forms of healing practiced by man. Many Egyptian tombs bear witness to this fact in their paintings of massage therapy, as do several Chinese texts.

This simple act of rubbing or pressing, massaging, a part of your body in search of relief has developed into a scientific art. It is now looked upon as an essential part of alternative and complementary medicine. More than ever before it is now being heralded as standard treatment for a number of medical conditions, not all of them necessarily physical. Massages have also been proven beneficial in relief from pain, stress, anxiety, depression and much more.

Most salons or spas today offer a variety of massages under the skilled and knowledgeable hands of massage therapists and target various specific benefits. Are you looking for a massage that will ease and energize you? Go for the gentle Swedish massage, popular at any center of massage therapy. Breathe easy and relax as the kneading, long strokes and deep circular movements, the vibrations and tapping rejuvenate you.

Have you suffered an injury recently or not so recently, and does it still bother you? You can opt for a deep-tissue massage in which relief is brought to the connective tissues and deeper layers of muscle with slow, forceful strokes.

A sports massage, rather similar to a Swedish massage, works on treating and even preventing injuries.

Finally, a trigger point massage is geared toward dealing with the sensitive tight muscle fibers that develop in a person’s muscles as a result of overuse or injury.

Find all of these massages and more at salons offering massage therapy, Vancouver.

To each his own and once you have decided on the type of massage that suits you best or that you want, there are several things you can do to make your massage experience long-lasting and unforgettable.

Practically every salon or spa worth its name offers added attractions – the sauna, the steam room, immersion pools and zen gardens, and, lucky you- you can take advantage of them and do everything a la Cleopatra to feel as beautiful and sensuous as she.

Then take the experience home with you and extend it into your daily routine. Use the beauty and wonders of nature to absorb even further the mesmerizing experience you have just had and make the magic last longer.

When you have connected with nature, soak yourself in a long, hot bath with the works- aroma therapy, et al…

Top it off with a night cap and love yourself for gifting you the experience of a lifetime that you can have again and again and again.

Source by james federer

08 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Inside the Vancouver Canucks Dressing Room!

Well…let me be the first to say that showering at Richmond Ice Centre just DON’T CUT IT anymore!  Couple of images below to allow everyone to become really aquainted with the everyday locker room set up of a beer league hockey player. 

RIC Crapper...                  RIC Changeroom

Now…I’m not complaining…we don’t ask for much, really.  Just a night or two off from regular family and life duties…couple of pops…few laughs with the team.  But at some point we need to start getting REAL here…WE pay the ticket price to not only watch professional athletes, but SUPPORT them.  We put their kids through (the best available) school…help buy their (armani) clothes, put (Morton Steak House) meals on their tables…and despite all this, we fund locker rooms that allow them to feel like the royalty we’ve set up!  Boy, long gone are the days of stiching up players on wooden crates in cold, dark, dank locker rooms.  What if some of the ticket prices went back to the community, where changerooms could be well…just a wee bit more glamourous? 

Yeah, I know…never gonna happen so keep dreaming.  Well, seeing what the Canucks (and some media heads) get to hang in, what’s wrong with a little fantasy every now and then?  Enjoy!

Vancouver Canucks Locker Room

 canucks.jpg

Remember your locker room at the local rink when you were a kid…yeah, the one that had a goalie stick paddle chained to the key so no one would run off with it?

Or your locker room for your junior team…the one that finally made you feel like your were big time? Or your college room…depending where you were, it was a complete dump or the Taj Mahal?

Well, forget everything you thought a locker room was and check out the revamped room belonging to the Vancouver Canucks. We just came across the pics…they were actually released last September.  We apologize if they are old news to some of you, but I am sure they are worth a second look.  Welcome to the SHOW!

Canucks Changing Room

Dry-Room.jpg

Excuse me, where’s my stall?

Main-Room-1.jpg

Any Bud Lights in those coolers?

Main-Room-2.jpg

This is where you park your wheels

Main-Room-3.jpg

Mine has to be around here somewhere…

Main-Room-4.jpg

Hungry?

Food-Stations.jpg

Make yourself at home in the kitchen

Kitchen1.jpg

Relax in the lounge

Lounge-1.jpg

Hop online and order your PondRocket gear before the game!

Computer-Station.jpg

This where you put on the foil

Training-Room.jpg

Another view of the training room

Training-Room-2.jpg

A tour wouldn’t be complete without a dip in the hot tub…where’s Snookie?

Whirlpool.jpg

Now go and grab a real shower, and be sure to wear your sandals!

(Check out the “DID YOU KNOW” Section at www.FarParker.com for more articles on improving your recreational sports life!)

Source by PuckGobbler

08 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

How to Contact Comic Book Artists and Writers

The first annual New York Comic-con brought out Milla Jovovich and was so successful, organizers almost had to shut it down. The second annual New York Comic-con was organized much better, even bringing out Steven King and Stan Lee to meet fans.

Below are some more insider tips for contacting your favorite comic book artists and writers at various comic book conventions around the country…

Meeting in Person:

Although most comic book creators, artists, and writers will tell you where to send fan mail inside their publications, the comic book industry also takes great pains to make itself available to their fan base through conventions, expos, and fan events.

The general rule of thumb is if you wait a while, a comic convention (or “comic-con”) is likely to be announced in your area, and the organizers will make all sorts of promises as to who will be there (most of whom won’t show up). Buy your ticket anyway, and take a few hundred bucks and a good Sharpie pen — because even if the people who show up aren’t the people promised, they’ll most likely be worth meeting.

Most comic conventions today go far beyond only comic books. They often feature actors, directors, television stars, set designers, comic artists, writers, and an assortment of retro names that will have you scratching your head trying to remember who they were. The show will usually charge around $25 for a ticket, but the attractions will last all day long, from rare film screenings to autograph sessions to bootleg comics for sale. Most conventions travel around the country so fans don’t have to spend any money to travel.

What should you bring to get signed? Nothing really, unless you know someone is going to be there and you have some great piece of memorabilia sitting around relevant to that person. Usually there are plenty of items for sale at comic conventions you can purchase to have signed.

Prices at convention’s vendor booths are usually not cheap, however you can pick up some really neat pieces of pop culture memorabilia if you look hard enough, and the chance to get that item signed by its creator can be something really special.

Comic book conventions and the comics themselves are a huge industry that gets bigger every year. Therefore, comic-cons are a great place to spot up and coming stars before their signatures becomes worth thousands of dollars when they really hit it big.

How do you find a comic convention I your area? It’s pretty easy — just visit the Comic Book Conventions Web site. This resource list all upcoming comic-cons, usually four or five per weekend, and it also announces changes to programming, cancellation, and contact information.

The better conventions come back the same time every year, such as the Mid-Ohio-Con, which takes places in Columbus, Ohio on Thanksgiving weekend. The 2004 Mid-Ohio-Con lineup included the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld and Noel Neill, the original TV Lois Lane, as well as numerous other comic industry names.

The Vancouver Comic-Con happens once every few months, while Dragon-Con takes place each September. Every corner of the country has some sort of gathering, but even if you have to get in the car and drive a few hours to a really good-size convention near you, the money spent in doing so can be gained back when you take that authentic John Byrne sketch and put it up for auction on eBay.

The big names of the comic convention business include the following:

San Diego Comic-Con International, P.O. Box 128458, San Diego, CA 92112-8458, 619-491-2475

The biggest and the best, Comic-Con has become a brand name in the business. Tens of thousands of enthusiasts gather every year, some flying in from across the country to listen to panels of experts, get autographs, buy memorabilia, watch special screenings of movies, and just hang out.

Dragon*Con, P.O. Box 16459, Atlanta, GA 30321-0459, 770-909-0115

A solid number two, Dragon*Con takes on more of a fantasy tilt–but it’s not just for Dungeons and Dragons fanatics. D*C gets bigger every year, and as the collectors grow from obsessed teenagers to well-funded adult fans, the money going through the registers keeps increasing as well.

Big Apple Comic Convention, 75-34 Metropolitan Avenue, New York, NY 11379, 201-865-3288

This one is in New York City, so of course it’s big. If you live in the northeast, the Big Apple Con is the one for you.

Mid-Obio-Con, P.O. Box 3831, Mansfield, OH 44907, 419-526-1427

The Midwest really knows how to put on a show, and M-O-C always has an interesting lineup of names. It’s not the biggest comic-con around, but it’s got a reputation as one of the best.

Mega-Con, P.O. Box 1097, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, 727-796-5725

New York Comic-con, Jacob Javiz Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, 1-888-605-6059

Sending Fan Mail:

To write your favorite comic book artist, look for his or her fan mail address printed in the comic book. Or send your letter to the comic book publisher, whose address will also appear inside the book.

Visit Contact Any Celebrity for instant access to the best mailing address, agent, manager, publicist, production company, and charitable cause for your favorite comic book artists and writers.

Source by Jordan McAuley

07 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Alcohol Abuse and Codependency: Two Sides of the Same Coin

As my sister-in-law’s ex-military husband sank into his confined world of alcoholism, she refused to shrink along with him. She was very clear she would not go through another divorce. Instead, she vigorously pursued her garden, bridge and investment club activities. She maintained a strong bond with her middle-aged daughter and many friends…until cancer ended her life.

Her approach was not typical. To her credit, she chose to look after herself, rather than adjusting her behavior to keep the marriage in balance.

Generally, if one party to the marriage changes, the other adjusts to keep things in balance. If either of them refuses to adjust, the other one may readjust to regain balance. When both refuse to adjust, typically they eventually end the marriage, but they may just lead separate lives within the marriage framework.

Far more frequently as one partner to a marriage increasingly abuses alcohol, the other adjusts to keep the marriage in balance. And that is what happens to a couple when one becomes addicted to alcohol and the other becomes codependent.

I’ll use the example of the alcoholic male and codependent female. It could be the other way around of course. They both drank when they married, but when they started to have children she curtailed her drinking to just the occasional drink. Their children are now in their teens.

He gradually increased the frequency and amount of his alcohol consumption. Now he is never without a drink in his hand when he is at home after work, and he often gets drunk on weekends. He denies vehemently that he has a problem, arguing that he is functioning, that is, he works and continues to be their primary breadwinner. He insists that the few health problems he has have nothing to do with his drinking.

How does this play out?

  • He gets grumpy when he drinks; she is extra careful of what she says when he’s drinking.
  • He criticizes her for just about everything; she apologizes to keep the peace.
  • He demands secrecy about what goes on at home; both she and the kids never tell their friends about his drinking. The kids never have friends over.
  • Increasingly he demands exclusive attention from her; her friends have drifted away and her outside interests have dwindled to almost nothing.
  • To his credit, he will not drink and drive; she takes full responsibility for errands, taking the kids to their events and picking them up.
  • He often feels sick (hangover); she calls his employer to say he is too ill to work today.
  • He denies he is an alcoholic; she denies her sense of hopelessness.
  • He is addicted to alcohol; she is addicted to the care of an alcoholic.
  • He sees himself as a victim of life; she sees herself as a victim of his alcoholism.

If either the alcohol abuser or the codependent is you, nothing will change because your marriage is well-balanced. Nothing will change, that is, unless one of you chooses to step out of your addiction and create a life for yourself…and then does it.

You may ask, “What will happen to my marriage?” In my case, when I overcame my alcohol addiction, my wife left me. There are no guarantees. But if you want a life, you’ll have to rock the boat. It starts with you.

Source by Neill Neill

06 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Canada’s Provinces, Territories, Cities

What makes Quebec special?

Quebec has a rich and long history spanning five centuries. In 1534, Jacques Cartier, under an expedition sent by King Francis I, landed in Gaspe and claimed the lands for France. The Algonkian, Iroquoian, and Inuit natives initially populated the Quebec area, but Quebec City was not officially founded until 1603 by Samuel de Champlain. This region was governed as a French Royal Province and was known as New France. However, when the French were defeated in the French-Indian War, France’s agreement in the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave its provinces in North American to Great Britain. Thus, New France became the Province of Quebec.

Today, Quebec’s official language is still French, and it is the only province in Canada that is populated by a majority of French Canadians. French, not English, is spoken as the main language in the province. Quebec has also grown to be the largest province in Canada, with the large majority of its population living near the St. Lawrence River.

Quebec’s historical and present-day multiculturalism is evident through its celebration of the crossroads of cultures. Quebec can be compared to the melting pot between the Americas and Europe, with a population that has strong ties to France, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. There is a deep creative energy that runs throughout the province, which is experienced through plays, festivals, operas, sculptures, art galleries, paintings, and cultural festivals.

The interesting history and various cultural influences on Quebec make the area a very unique place to visit. The St. Lawrence River is a majestic landmark which shapes much of the life in Quebec. The Quartier Petit-Champlain, which is on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, is home to the oldest street, church, and commercial district in all of North America. Old Quebec City is also a historical area, as it is the only walled city that exists north of Mexico. The area retains its history with its cobblestone streets and 17th and 18th century architecture. Within Quebec City stands the Château Frontenac, which is one of the most photographed landmarks in all of Canada. Opened in 1893, its chateau style architecture exudes both historical charm and luxury.

Toronto

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. With more than 100 languages spoken in the city, it is home to essentially all cultural and ethnic groups. Approximately 52% of Torontonians are immigrants, while another 22% are second generation immigrants. This cultural diversity is symbolically represented by the presence of five Chinatowns, little Italy, a Greek community, Little Portugal, and India Bazaar in Toronto.

Within Ontario, there are several interesting landmarks that demonstrate the history and culture of Toronto. Ontario Place was created to enhance the potential of Toronto’s waterfront through Lake Ontario. Spanning three man-made islands, Ontario Place exists as cultural, leisure, and entertainment park within a five pod pavilion complex. It houses an IMAX theater, amphitheatre, water park, look-out areas, amusement rides, and many other attractions. Ontario Place is symbolic of the revitalization efforts made by the government and people of Toronto to ensure that the waterfront would turn away from industrial pollution and instead focus on promoting a lake-culture.

Over 52 million people annually visit Downtown Yonge, which brims with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and businesses. As the longest street in the world, Yonge connects Toronto with the surrounding suburbs. Surveyed in 1793, Yonge Street has been host to countless cultural and historical events surrounding Toronto. As a prominent landmark of Yonge Street, the Maple Leaf Gardens housed the NHL team, which was sold out for every single game between 1946 through the final game in 1999. Old City Hall, the Mackenzie House, and the Church of the Holy Trinity are all historical landmarks of Yonge Street that represent its mighty origins and development.

Vancouver

In 1824, Hudson’s Bay Company developed fur-trading posts along the Pacific slope, and James McMillan led a scouting party throughout the area to find proper locations. In 1827, McMillan and a crew of 25 returned back to the area, marked by a prominent tree north of the interior of Fraser River, to create a trading outpost. Thus, this marked the birth of Greater Vancouver. Subsequent trading posts, farms, and mills sprang up around this area as families migrated to the area seeking a better, more prosperous life.

Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver, was established in the same year that Canada officially became a country. In 1867, John Deighton, also known as “Gassy” Jack for his conversational skills, opened a saloon catering to the workers of Hasting Mill, which was written by W. Kaye Lamb as “the nucleus around which the city of Vancouver grew up in the 1880s.” From that first saloon, Gastown grew into the third largest city of Canada, as well as developed into the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. Despite all of the changes of modernity, Gastown still retains its historical charm and unique spirit.

The popularity of immigration to Vancouver has made the city one of the most multi-ethnic in Canada. A study by Statistics Canada reveals that Vancouver holds the highest percentage of visible minority communities of all of the provinces in Canada. According to the study, by 2017, one out of every three people living in British Columbia will be of a visible minority descent. Vancouver certainly retains the reputation as being one of the most culturally integrated cities in the world. With more interracial couples and lower levels of culturally defined residential segregation, Vancouver is certainly Canada’s most diverse and integrated city.

There is a strong Asian influence in Vancouver. Chinese-Canadians comprise 16% of the total population of Vancouver, which is the highest percentage of residents of Chinese descent in all North American cities. Between the years 1991 to 2001, Chinese residents in Vancouver grew by 86%, according to the census. The prevalence of the Chinese culture is evidenced through the large spectrum of regional, authentic Chinese restaurants in the city. Many families choose to immigrate to Vancouver because of the city’s significant Asian influence. Other prominent Asian ethnic groups include the Filipino, Cambodians, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia sports the Sunshine Coast, which is renowned for excellent fishing and great weather. This region is surrounded by the Coastal Mountains, with a protected coastline spanning 175 kilometers from Howe to Desolation Sound on the Strait of Georgia.

For sport fishing, the Georgia Strait is an ideal location, as Vancouver Island protects the waters from any tumultuousness of the open sea. Additionally, with the number of islands surrounding the areas, the Georgia Strait is sheltered and free from the swells and fogs of the Pacific Ocean. The prevalence of bottom fish fishery makes the Sunshine Coast popular as well. Red snappers, ling cod, rock cod, tommy cod, and flounder are mostly available for fishing year-round. The fishing for bottom fish is plentiful in many areas of the Sunshine Coast, including Halfmoon Bay, Seal Reef, Bucaneer Bay, Secret Cove, Lasqueti Island, Bejji Shoals, Bargain Harbour, and Texada Island.

Chinook salmon can be fished year-round at many resorts along the Sunshine Coast, such as the Secret Cove, Powell River, and Pender Harbour. In the winter, fisherman can catch feeder Chinooks, while springtime presents the migratory Chinooks. The optimal season for Chinook and Coho salmon fishing is between June and September, while Chum salmon is optimal during September and October. Between mid-September and late October, the spring salmon is plentiful for fishing at the Lang Creek Estuary, which is south of the Powell River and approximately 22 kilometers north of Saltery Bay. The salmon caught in this area during the time period can range between 9 to 23 kilograms.

There are also great locations for fly fishing surface-feeding trout. Hotel Lake, Mixal Lake, Trout Lake, and Garden Bay Lake, are all optimal areas for fly fishing, with March being a great month to catch trout.

Fishing in Ontario

Ontario’s 250,000 inland lakes and shorelines on four of the Great Lakes makes the province an excellent fishing location, with its muskellunge waters and walleye fishery being the most popular aspects for fishers. However, there are 158 species of freshwater fish that live in Ontario waters, with the following being the most prevalent: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Brooke trout, Chinook Salmon, and lake whitefish.

Rice Lake, with its weedy cover and algae production, is renowned for its ample supply of largemouth bass. Two and three pound bass are quite common, and they can even range up to seven pounds. Additionally, Big Rideau Lake, Georgian Bay, Bay of Quinte, Lake Simcoe, Tri-Lakes, Lake St. Francis, Rowan Lake, Weslemkoon Lake, and Lake Scugog are great locations for bass fishing.

The Grand River is considered one of the best places to fly fish for brown and rainbow trout, but the fish is ample throughout the entire province. From the streams of the south to the lakes of the central area and extending to the northern rivers, trout is easily caught throughout the province.

The Chinook salmon is most prevalent in the Great Lakes by the Greater Toronto Area. The walleye are also found in the Great Lakes, but can also be fished in the wild waters of Northern Ontario down to the reservoirs of the southern area of the province.

Fishing in Quebec

Walleye, pickerel, perch, pike, speckled trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon are all prevalent throughout Quebec. With the great forests and thousands of lakes and rivers, Quebec is an excellent province for fishing enthusiasts. Because of the pristine condition of its natural resources, Quebec is often considered “La Belle Province,” which provides one of the best opportunities for sports fishing in Canada. Especially in the rivers and lakes of James Bay in northwestern Quebec, the trout, pike, and walleye are easy catches for fishermen. Between the spring and fall seasons, angling is best in the thousands of lakes and rivers throughout Quebec. The optimal times for walleye are between late July and early August.

Atlantic salmon is best in the eastern region of the province, while fishing in Central Quebec will reap an abundance of speckled trout. Julian and Craven Lakes, the Roggan River, Seal River, and their offshoot rivers are considered the best areas for trout fishing.

Fishing in Labrador

Known as one of the last unspoiled frontiers of Canada, Labrador is an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. With hundreds of public rivers, Labrador is an excellent province for catching trout and salmon.

Awesome Lake provides an ample area for sport fishing, especially for Brook trout. Exploits River, a Class 1 river, is grounds for some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing in all of Canada, with a run of over 30,000 fish. August is the optimal time for fishing in the Exploits River, which flows through Windsor-Grand Falls.

Humber River, which is approximately 16 kilometers north of Corner Brook, is a great location for fishing big salmon between the optimal times of August and October. As a Class 1 river, Humber is home to literally thousands of jumping salmon during the peak season of August and September.

Eagle River is the largest river in all of Labrador, and it is a superb location for ample salmon fishing. Its catch number is three times the amount of other comparable rivers in Canada.

Fishing and Hunting in the Yukon: the Last Frontier

The Yukon, known to be the last frontier, is an excellent province for outdoor enthusiasts. Considered to be an untouched, pristine province, whose seclusion is only matched by Northern Russia, the Yukon has ample fishing and hunting for both rare and popular species. The Artic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout are abundant in the icy lakes and streams of the Yukon. Additionally, the rare inconnu and Arctic char can be fished throughout the rivers that flow throughout the Yukon, which is one of the world’s most remote and untouched locations.

Wolf Lake, one of the most secluded lakes in Yukon, is known for its excellent supply of trophy trout. With very low fishing pressure, there is an ample supply of trophy trout that can be caught through fly fishing; with the shallow bottom of the lake, Wolf Lake is certainly a paradise to fly fish trophy trout.

At the Tagish Bridge Site, which is located where the Six Mile River enters into Marsh Lake, there exists ample Lake Trout, Whitefish, Lake Cisco, and Arctic Grayling for the fishing enthusiast. Other great fishing locations for the trout, grayling, and pike can be found in many regions across the Yukon, such as Watson Lake, Daughney Lake, Morley Lake and River, Marsh Lake, Kusawa Lake, Pine Lake, Kloo Lake, Kluane Lake, and Pickhandle Lake.

The environment and dense forests of the Yukon provide hunters with a plentiful supply of game, including caribou, black and grizzly bear, wolf, mountain bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat. In the Yukon Territory, there is an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 grizzly bears. The Alaska-Yukon moose is very popular because it is the largest size out of all the subspecies.

A popular region is the Yukon corridor, which has an abundance of Dall sheep and deer. Another plentiful region is the South Nahanni Outfit with its sheep, goats, caribous, Dall rams, moose, bears, and wolves that all live plentifully in the secluded region. Between July 15th and the middle of August, this is the optimal time for hunting Dall sheep in the Mackenzie mountains.

References

Baglole, Joel. Bisetty, Krisendra. “Cultural Shift Takes Aim at British Columbia.” The Vancouver Sun, March 23, 2005.

British Columbia, Canada. “BC Sport Fishing – Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.” British Columbia Tourism Travel Guide. Available at http://www.britishcolumbia.com/

City of Toronto. “Diversity.” City of Toronto. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chateaufrontenac-quebec-canada-rs.jpg

Davis, Chuck. A Brief History of Greater Vancouver. Greater Vancouver Book. Vancouver: Linkman Press, 1997.

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon.” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/default.html

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon – Locations and Species Found” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/fishare.html

Downtown Yonge B.I.A. “About Downtown Yonge.” Downtown Yonge. Available at http://www.downtownyonge.com/index.asp?navid=2

Etling, Kathy. Hunting Bears: Black, Brown, Grizzly, Polar Bears. New York: Woods N’ Water, Inc., 2003.

Fishing in Quebec. “Fishing in Quebec.” Available at http://www.fishinginquebec.com/

Gastown. “Gastown History.” Available at http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html

Leacock, Stephen. Ulysses Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Toronto: Hunter Publishing, 2006.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. “What Can I Expect to Catch?” Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2003.

Montague, Arthur. “Fishing in Quebec: Trophy Brook and Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike are Routine Catches for Anglers in Northern Quebec.” Pagewise, 2002.

“Quebec: Providing Emotions Since 1534.” Government of Quebec. Available at http://www.bonjourquebec.com/ca-en/qcaujourdhui0.html

Shockey, Jim. “North America’s Best Bargains.” Petersen’s Hunting, 2005.

Smith, Charlie. “Researcher Reveals Asian Diversity.” Straight. August 4, 2005. Available at http://www.straight.com/article/researcher-reveals-asian-diversity

Statistics Canada. “2001 Community Profiles: Community Highlights for Vancouver.” Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE, released June 27, 2002.

The Portal of Quebec. “Tourist Guide of Quebec.” QuebecWeb. Available at http://www.quebecweb.com/TOURISME/quebec/introang.html

Wegman, Wil. “Best Largemouth Bass Destinations.” Outdoor Canada. Available at http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/fish/best_largemouth_bass.shtml

Source by Sigurdur Nordal

05 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Canada – Political Correctness and Deportation

Are protesters advocating that the immigration laws be amended to eliminate deportation as a remedy against prospective immigrants to Canada who violate Canadian laws? Many seem to be advocating removal of deportation as a remedy in Canadian immigration law. Politician Raymond Chan was the latest person calling for Bruce Allen to retract his statements and apologize after he essentially said if one does not want to follow the rules in Canada he/she should go back home.

On the surface it seems to be a very politically incorrect thing to say if Mr. Allen meant that immigration should not be encouraged in Canada. However, many argue his statements merely mean that if a prospective immigrant to Canada breaks Canadian laws, deportation is a remedy under current immigration laws which should be used. Many recent examples exist to show that deportation is a valid and proper remedy in certain immigration cases.

Recently an Indian ‘immigrant’, Mr. Saini, received his law degree from Windsor University in Ontario and is on his way to become a lawyer in Canada. In 1984 however, he was the leader of a terrorist group which hijacked a plane in India. He came to Canada using a false name and then claimed refugee status. He was ordered deported shortly thereafter. Nearly 25 years later, Mr. Saini, is still in Canada fighting his deportation and earning his law degree. Is Mr. Allen wrong in saying that a non-rule follower such as Mr. Saini should be deported and go back home?

There are other examples. A gangster from China is currently living in a luxury condo in Burnaby’s Crystall Mall towers. Like Saini he didn’t follow the Canadian rules and was ordered deported and is now fighting his deportation. Is Mr. Allen wrong in saying that such a non-rule follower should be deported back home? Vancouver residents are also well aware of the street racing incident in the North Shore involving an immigrant from India who was drag racing and killed an innocent pedestrian. As a result of his conviction he was ordered deported and is fighting his deportation. Is Mr. Allen wrong in saying that a non-rule follower should be deported back home?

If Mr. Allen is wrong in saying non-rule followers should be deported, this means that politicians such as Mr. Chan and others are essentially calling for an abolition of the remedy of deportation in Canadian immigration law. If we structure our laws such that we cannot deport ‘non-rule’ followers, then aren’t we just harbouring terrorist and criminals in Canada? There is no doubt in many people’s mind that Bruce Allen will eventually be booted off the Olympic committee because what he said is not politically correct.

Source by Bill Gould

04 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

5 Must See Destinations In Toronto, Canada

The expansion of learning English language in Canada is obvious, likewise the rise of student-travelers who seek to learn a number of English programs in the country. The good news is, Canada is an ideal location with many attractions for either scholar or tourist or the two.

Without further ado, listed below are the 5 must see vacation spots that are strongly suggested for college student travelers who would like to learn more concerning the country’s sceneries, tradition, history, and many more.

Works of art in Canadian galleries and museums.

Museums and galleries in Canada are everywhere, each area has one and not just a simple museum but a grand museum filled with innovative thinkers and painters. Art gallery in Toronto is a popular option particularly for those who desire to get a work of genius just like paintings for sale vancouver

.

Some tips on artwork purchasing: (a) Be 101 percent sure that you like the art and not simply because a third party mentioned so. (b) Purchase a piece of art having an obvious or noticeable worth.

Hop on a bike and take a look at Toronto islands.

People living and studying in Toronto will certainly experience and find themselves island hopping the place. For instance, visitors can ride a ferry boat on their way to Lake Ontario. An instant escape option not even close to the busy city roads. Stroll the islands at your very own rate, better if by riding a bike.

Food journey on Bloor street and its Japanese cuisines.

This recommendation is weird as it appears – to be advised to enjoy a Japanese food when you are not in Japan but in Canada. The key reason for this suggestion is the multicultural setting of Toronto. Eating an ethnical cuisine such as Japanese food would be hard to avoid.

Proceed to the CN Tower and its view from the top.

Language traveler college students need to save up for this well known tourist spot – CN Tower. It is value for money and so more than worth it. In 1976, CN Tower was regarded as the highest free standing construction and the tallest tower in the world. Nearly all of its visitors declare that the view from the top rocks !!

Tour around the good place of Kensington market.

This dynamic section of Toronto draws in guests from diverse areas of life due to its tactical position, organic feel, butcher stores, and variety of vintage outlets with paintings for sale Toronto. The place is legendary for its vivid image. If you’re a type of person who is societal and loves to be in busy roadways with transportation access that can bring you in different interesting destinations, then this marketplace is your gem.

Source by Sarah Jean

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