TRAVEL | THINGS TO DO | Tower of London / December 6, 2017 by Jenn Chan

In the game of thrones, read Medieval English isle, if you control the Tower of London you control the South. William the Conqueror started construction in 1066 and the signature White Tower was added in 1078. William was the son of a bachelor in Robert I, the King of Normandy. Jon Snow, of the hit, no, smash hit, tv show Game of Thrones, was also of unmarried parents. In my pragmatic, narrow, Canadian mind I will now, and forever, equate the Tower of London with Jon Snow. As an aside I had occasion today to visit the Guildford Castle in my newly adopted hometown. Love what you did with the garden Jon Snow! Intuition tells me William probably much preferred his monicker 'the Conqueror' over 'the Bastard' despite my admittedly perfunctory knowledge of the actual, boots-on-the-ground connotations of the label a millennium ago. An even further aside, my home country just turned 150 years old this year; happy birthday Canada!!

As we parked we could see the majestic Tower Bridge in the distance and the signature four towers of the Tower of London in the foreground as we unwittingly made the march many a headless man made from the execution grounds on Tower Hill to the gated fortress. Ushered into an ancient house and presented with media passes we bypassed the lines and, as luck would have it, merged seamlessly with a tour group being led by an enthusiastic Yeoman Warder. To be a warder, an educated and chivalrous tour guide and ambassador to the grounds, you must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces and have demonstrated exemplary conduct. They live in the gated castle with their families and undertake these hourly tours for which their enthusiasm and knowledge should be exulted!

Views across the mysterious and harrowing River Thames, ancients swords, suits of armour, reproductions of royal bedrooms, torture chambers and some delicious food and drink in the café. It sounds like a good day to me! You?

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

TRAVEL | THINGS TO DO | Madame Tussauds London / November 30, 2017 by Jenn Chan

What an honour it must be to be asked to model for a wax likeness to be showcased at Madame Tussaud's! Athletes, scholars, celebrities, politicians and royalty all mingle in the vibrant surroundings at the famous wax museum. Being my first visit I will admit I pictured a large, neon-lit room with various figures to take selfies with. We entered a large room, with lovey lighting I might add, and there were wax statues of celebrities encircling the perimeter and dotted throughout the centre of a large showroom.

I thoroughly enjoyed checking them out and people watching as selfie after selfie was taken. We might just exit the building now I thought as we, in a sheep like manner, followed a group of people as they meandered up a ramp at the back of the room. The show isn't over folks! Themed room after themed room with 007, King Kong, Star Wars and the British royal family and the pièce de résistance the awesome theme ride park-style taxi ride through the history of London! My first time, but not my last as I'll be sure to pop in at every chance in my travels!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Netherlands kicks off 2016 Honda Celebration of Light / July 25, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The Honda Celebration of Light is happening in Vancouver, and Team Netherlands has kicked off this year's celebration with a bang! Here are some of the highlights from the light-show this past Saturday.

Honda Celebration of Light - Netherlands

Heart-shaped fireworks took the sky as the Beatles song was on

There are 2 more Firework shows this summer - Australia is set to take the stage this upcoming Wednesday, and the much-anticipated USA show on Saturday, put on by Disney!

Words & Photos: Jenn Chan

Whistler in the Spring / April 3, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America and it isn't even close. Nearly 50% larger than their nearest competition with 39 different lifts and gondolas; 39! It's no wonder US Presidents, Canadian Prime Ministers, countless celebrities and even British Royalty have all been seen carving its massive terrain. Their lifts are capable of bringing up over 65,000 skiers and snowboarders every hour and they average 2,000,000 visitors per year yet it never seems overcrowded!

Originally 2 separate resorts their fierce competition during the 80's and 90's fuelled innovations and upgrades so by the time Whistler and Blackcomb resorts became Whistler Blackcomb in 2003 the result was a behemoth and mecca for powder hounds the world around.

Our spring visit started on a glaringly sunny morning. The line for the gondola was short and we were whisked up the mountain with a car all to ourselves. The snow was still deep and soft, even in April, and families, kids, seniors and pros alike were all enjoying the bounty of the final months of the season. Nearly all of the 200+ runs were still open and you could turn a corner and have an entire run to yourself. The runs were all well groomed, the parks still built for pro competition level and the terrain still as varied as in the middle of winter during a blizzard.

Looking down the Mountain from the Chairlift

Your adventure with Superfly begins in the heart of the picturesque Whistler Village, a stone's throw to the main gondola up the mountain. A beaming Superfly staffer whisks you off to an awaiting shuttle for a quick, 12-minute ride to beautiful Cougar Mountain.

Almost as enthralling as the 4 high-speed, high-adrenaline zip lines was the slow wind up the mountain to the first line in a tank tracked, customized 6-seater Polaris Ranger. As soon as you strap into Z1, the first zip line, 1 kilometre long and 500 feet off the valley floor you know you are in for a thrilling ride. Riding tandem, a mere 10 feet separating you and your zip line partner, you hit speeds of more than 100 kilometres an hour as you wiz past lush, green trees and and a meandering creek.

By the fourth zip line you feel as giddy as a second grader and the final line is only 5 feet apart so, with the help of the skilled guides, you can choose to hold hands as you descend; the perfect ending to a perfect day. Definitely the kind of adventure you would do again!

On our way up on the Polaris Ranger to the top with Superfly Zipline

Beautiful Milky Way seen over Nita Lake, Whistler

Thank you for having us Whistler & Superfly Zipline!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos & Videos: Jenn Chan

Wild Canyon Adventures, Los Cabos / March 24, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Only 20 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas lies a small, adventure-filled oasis in the middle of the Mexican desert. While the competition must truck their clients an hour each way outside of Cabo, and chooses to never breathe a word of these logistical challenges before their clients sign on, Wild Canyon chooses not to tout their clear locational advantage. That humility and goodwill resonate throughout the grounds.

Their incredibly friendly staff greet you curb side at your resort and your adventure begins. It's a short ride to their 100 acre park along the pristine coastline most of the way and then inland past large, multi-pronged cacti, roadrunners and coyotes.

Upon arrival at the Wild Canyon welcome desk you are met with a plethora of adventure options: ATV tours, zip-line adventures, animal sanctuary, bungee jumping, camel rides and a 200 foot tandem swing suspending 400 feet in the air. For a full day fee you can partake in all the activities and save hundreds of dollars!

The full day's activities start out with a majestic camel ride through a dried out river bed. The journey winds through a sun-parched desert passage atop a mythical beast few get a chance to touch let alone ride. Keen eyes are kept sharply on the look out for roadrunners and wily coyotes. After the ride, a friendly visit with the camels is next. There are pets and kisses and feedings and bonds are made.

Next on the agenda is a walk through the animal sanctuary. First stop is a walk through the lovebird cage where, with a handful of bird seed, you are descended upon by dozens of brightly coloured birds who gently pull the seeds from your palms. From there it is an interaction with almost 100 Iguanas, pregnant mothers and dozens of babies scamper about their habitat. After that a visit with their reptile cousins the crocodile and alligator beacon from an adjacent pool. Best friends, companions and lovers with hybrid crocogator offspring swim peacefully in a still pool. The small foot bridge places you in the center of the action, close enough to make eye contact with the prehistoric beasts.

There are ATV tours and then there are Wild Canyon ATV tours. Zig zagging through sand dunes and along hillside paths it is easy to get lost in time. After hauling along several straight aways and meandering through winding, custom made ATV trails you find yourself... At the ocean! Careening along the beautiful, white sand beach and past the crystal blue water you stop on a small cliff for a well deserved water break. After a short while, and with your adrenaline starting to come back to Earth, you jump back on the powerful Honda machines and it's back into a gated-off, custom ATV course. Unlike other Cabo ATV tours Wild Canyon's take place completely on private property ensuring you won't run into 2-3 other large groups as is the case with their competition. This makes the journey safer and more exclusive. The end of the adventure is absolutely breathtaking! You finish the excursion by traversing a 500 foot long, 400 foot high suspension bridge. Don't look down!

ATV Riding Across Los Cabos Canyon Bridge

Wild Canyon boasts the best cable-based adventure options in Los Cabos. Justin Beiber can attest to the quality and quantity of the attractions having been one of many celebrity guests! You start with 8 high speed zip lines zooming past vultures circling in anticipation of your high altitude demise. Beer and water stations are scattered throughout the scenic course.

Last, but not least, is the jewel of the Wild Canyon experience! After a few cervezas at the famous Lion's Den restaurant to build up your courage you are ushered to a small, open-air gondola which transports you to the large, cable-suspended, glass bottom gondola. There are 2 options from there to further invigorate your spirit: a 200 foot long, tandem swing suspended 400 feet in the air and an intense bungee jump straight towards the white marble valley floor.

Gondola transported us to the suspended Glass-bottom Gondola

Free-falling on the Sling Swinger - never been more scared in my life!

The moment before jumping off - Bungee Bomber

Thank you Wild Canyon Adventures for your hospitality and showing us an incredibly fun & thrilling day!

Words By: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Winter in BC 2015/16 - Mt Seymour / February 7, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The sun was shining as we wound our way up the Seymour Mountain Parkway. The snow seemed to double with each switchback up the mountainside and my excitement grew in turn.

I pulled up to children laughing and a bustle of activity; a small swarm of pre-teens swirled by nipping at the heels of their ski instructor and a group of seniors cheerfully chatting and tucking their skis away into their station wagon after an early day on the mountain.

A boarder enjoying the view before heading down

Even after the sun went down the enthusiasm amongst the Seymour faithful did not die down noticeably. To say Seymour is family friendly would be an understatement! There was ample terrain for the novice through expert riders and enough surprises to make the day fun for the Olympian or armchair quarterback.

Thank you for having us up Mount Seymour! Happy Family Day weekend everyone!

photos: Jenn Chan Photography
words: Scott Allan