By: Marcia Abramson
For outdoor enthusiasts the temperature was in the 50-degree mark, comparable to Miami morns during the past week. But even when the weather gets chilly, it is the time to see the awesome and unforgettable sight of the largest congregation of bald eagles in the world. Until the end of February, nature lovers and shutterbugs can experience the majestic flight return of these birds of prey to this province's scenic coast during the winter months to feed on the bountiful salmon each year. The "Eagle Safari" is arranged by the Elaho River Adventures. Imagine floating down the Squamish River, framed by the snow-capped mountains, exposed riverbanks and evergreen forests in the warmth and comfort of your very own Mustang Survival Suit (complete with rubber boots). What a wonderful way to spend five hours! Golf aficionados may have found their match in the newly opened Vancouver Island Hotel, Bear Mountain Resort. There is a Nicklaus-designed fairway, where until April 14, 2005 rates for the "Mountain Golf Getaway Package" with a one-night stay in a deluxe room, a round of golf with cart and a hearty breakfast is just 99 Canadian dollars or 84 United States dollars per person. This can be a great swinging start for a winter sojourn combining the links with the slopes of the Rockies. But the month of February in 2005 will designate the Chinese Year of the Rooster, with Feb. 13 set for the grandest observation of the New Year with a Spring Festival celebration and parade. Families will stage reunions and reenact legends that deal with the "chasing away" of a feared monster named Nien that had terrorized villages throughout China. The feasting will be awesome, children will be given red lycee packets and thrilling lion dances and lanterns will be hung all to drive out bad luck and bad spirits. Everyone will receive wishes for luck and good fortune for the coming year. I was an onlooker at the San Francisco Chinese New Year's Parade a few years ago and enjoyed every minute of the glorious event. I saw just about every political figure and celebrity in the city who were aboard the colorful floats. It is an event worthy of a special visit during your vacation in British Columbia. Another must is a "Sea to Sky" Adventure for luxury-minded vacationers. If ski and snowboarding are to be included in your active agenda, this March 2005 will unveil the launching of a mega yacht, combining ocean cruising with heli-skiing in British Columbia's pristine Coast Mountain Range. I am told that this will be the only heli-sky base in the world to offer heli-skiing from a luxury yacht, one of the largest in North America (201 feet). A certified guide accompanies the skiers on the onboard helicopter.It's an expansive heli-skiing terrain on the coast while the yacht introduces the intrepid skiers to a new bay every day. This area is famous for the abundance and quality of the stable snow as well as an untouched landscape with limitless runs, open glades and vast bowls, surrounded by massive glaciers. On the days when skiing is not forthcoming I will be happy to join those cruise guests for an on-board warm stone massage and gourmet cuisine. Of course this luxury mega-yacht has a sky lounge with awesome panoramic views and a beckoning outdoor Jacuzzi on the upper deck. This ultimate sea-to-sky adventure could be the remedy to escape those winter doldrums. Departing delightful Vancouver will be less formidable with many airport check-ins innovations. Delays and long waits can be tolerated by airport dwellers with North America's first pay-per-use luxury airport lounge, where you can sample sushi, sip wine, check E-mail and even take a shower. The three-mini spas at the airport offer the "Layover Pedicure" and the "Happy Landings Warm Stone Massage." And believe it or not there are MetroNap pods for rent for the sleep deprived with the assurance that attendants will wake you bearing mints and warm towelettes with ample time to make your flight back home. For additional information you can contact your local travel professional and visit the Internet at www.elahoaadventures.com, www.vancouverchinesegarden.com, www.seatoskyholidays.com or www.yvr.ca.
Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
