Race Rocks Lighthouse

Race Rocks Lighthouse is located on the southernmost point of Vancouver Island. Photo by Sue Frause.

A yummy cookbook, indeed!

That's my friend Sylvia.

She owns Fairholme Manor in Victoria, BC and wrote a cookbook.

That's why she's on the cover and I'm not.

OK, I did edit the cookbook, which is the most appetizing array of yummy recipes for breakfasts and brunches, accompanied by fabulous photos.

A lot of people asked me if editing the cookbook meant I had to make all the recipes.

Nope.

I merely played with the words to make sure it all made sense. I also wrote all the copy for the jacket and the foreword to the book that begins

As a travel writer, I sleep around a lot.

It was a fun gig!

You can order the book from Fairholme Manor's website, or if you're in western Canada it's available in many kitchen shops and bookstores.

On Whidbey Island, stop by Moonraker Books in Langley.

It makes the perfect hostess gift!

Discover Victoria's Chinatown on foot

One of my favorite ways to see a city is by going on a walking tour.

But the tours are only as good as the guides, and John Adams of Discover the Past in Victoria is one of the best.

The historian knows his stuff, but also presents it in an entertaining and engaging way.

His walking tour menu includes ghostly walks, neighbourhood walks and Chinatown.

I went on the 90-minute Chinatown tour and learned a lot about this provincial capital.

Did you know that Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada?

And if you do take the tour, make sure you save time to have lunch at one of the restaurants in Chinatown.

John will steer you in the right direction.

John Adams gives walking tours of Chinatown.
Photo by Sue Frause.

A new stage in town - For eats, not theater

I'd just spent four hours on a bus from Courtenay to Victoria on Vancouver Island, so when my innkeeper friend Sylvia Main picked me up I was ready for a table, chair, food and wine.

We went to a new restaurant in the Fernwood neighborhood of this capital city.

Stage is owned by George and Linda Szasz, the same couple that has Paprika Bistro. Located near The Belfry Theatre, it specializes in small plates and wine.

It tasted mighty fine.

Stage in Victoria. Photo by Sue Frause.

Hastings House on Saltspring Island

Hastings House Country House Hotel is a luxurious, small country resort, spa and restaurant on Salt Spring Island. It's situated on 22 acres of waterfront property overlooking Ganges Harbour in British Columbia's Gulf Islands. Photos by Sue Frause.

Tofino Food and Wine Festival

I love Tofino.

Next month the Vancouver Island community is celebrating the 5th annual Tofino Food & Wine Festival June 1-3, 2007.

Long Beach Lodge has a tasty package that includes two nights in a beach front room, daily continental breakfast, welcome gift of featured wines, tickets to Friday night's reception and tickets and shuttle to Saturday's event. Packages are priced from $388 CAD/$350 USD per person, based on double occupancy, plus taxes.

The food and wine festivities begin on Friday with a reception at Long Beach Lodge from 4-6 PM. Food and wine offerings from Long Beach Lodge Chef Jeffery Young, Hester Creek wine maker Robert Summers and Brent Petkau of Cortes Island (aka The Oyster Man) will be featured.

On Saturday afternoon, guests at Long Beach Lodge will be shuttled to the main festival event at Tofino Botanical Gardens.

The Tofino Food and Wine Festival is a fundraiser for Tofino's Lighthouse Trail and the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

The festival is dedicated exclusively to BC wines and promotes Vancouver Island food purveyors while showcasing the talents of locally celebrated chefs.

Beach walks are popular at Long Beach Lodge. Sue Frause photo.

Zip a dee doo dah!

That's me, Ziptrekking in Whistler!

In June 2007, ZipWest Eco-Adventure Tours will open in Sooke, 45 minutes west of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

ZipWest is situated on 100 lush acres of ecologically diverse coastal temperate rain forest in the Sooke Hills. The site features two suspension bridges leading to eight zip line cables up to 70 ft. off the ground and up to 1,000 ft. long.

Guides provide narration about plants, wildlife and birds and interpretive signage is located throughout the course.

Each 1.5-hour tour involves hiking and climbing stairs. Minimum age is 12 years. Rates begin at $59.99 CDN/$52.00 US and transportation to the ZipWest site is available from downtown Victoria.

Log onto their website for reservations.