halloween

Halloween and Markets on the Island

November 5, 2017 — 2 Comments

 

 

 

Halloween on the island is a pretty big thing. There are so many events you can take in during the few weeks before Halloween.  The markets had halloween costume contests, pumpkins and decorations. On Halloween night everyone celebrates with bonfires and fireworks!  I of course decorated the window of my suite with a few decorations which I smuggled in my suitcase to the coast (sorry Jim!). My decor was not up to my usual standards but that’s okay. We didn’t have a single trick or treater which is well down from the 150 or more I was used to getting! We had a nice night anyway Jim bought me a cheesecake coffin (so sweet) which we took over to our new neighbour friends (Christal and Bob) to share and have a few laughs. We had an excellent time!

 

 

Goats on the roof market. The last time we drove by here (years ago) to was a very small store. It’s now a mall! It a nice place to shop with lots of artistic products and local food to purchase. It was raining and the tourist season is winding down so there weren’t too many people around and some of the shops where closed for the season. It was a nice stop but unfortunately no goats could be seen on the the grassy roof. I guess it was too rainy for them.

 

 

Oct 27, 2017

We attended a book launch at the Vancouver Island University. The author was Shanon Sinn and he discussed his book  The Haunting of Vancouver Island and read excerpts from it. The room was filled with about 100 people and was decorated in a halloween theme. Pizza, drinks and of course Halloween candy was there for all. I had been hearing about this writer since I came to the island and have been trying to find his book so when I heard he was having a book launch at VIU I wanted to go. I also contacted Jim’s cousin Linda and she came with us to the launch. We ended the night going out for a curry in Nanaimo. It was an great night! Thanks for sharing this with us Linda!

A ghost on Vancouver Island.

Even ghosts have to contend with the rain here!

Chemainus – Check it out! (Part two)

August 22, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

There is something for everyone in Chemainus, from a Professional Theatre to an amazingly over the top Candy and Ice Cream shop and so much more between!  In this series of postings we’ll show you just a few of the many interesting places for tourists to check out.

Tourism Chemainus has created a webpage “Enjoy Chemainus” filled with information on where to go and what to do in Chemainus and area. Many of the links in this posting will take you to this page.

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Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Company

A tiny little store on Willow avenue, you can’t miss it because of it’s storybook appearance and the candy cane decoration around the store windows. Jim and I always stop by this store when we are in town as Jim loves the Double Salt liquorice and it’s here he finds a pretty good selection (this liquorice it’s an acquired taste which I have yet to acquire). I however, enjoy the friendly staff, the amazing decor and how most of their candy is pre-packaged and ready for gift giving. One of the best selling products in the store is a fruit flavoured chewy candy which we always buy for gifts to take back to the family (these candies are so good they sometimes don’t make it to the intended receiver!). The staff indicated that we are not alone in our love of this candy, the store literally sells tons during a single year!

The Hansel and Gretel Candy Co. is a locally run family business, the owners are so very friendly and easy to get to know. They live and work in the community and exemplify local business at it’s finest! The family also runs a Bed and Breakfast in town along with owning two additional shops in the downtown area, all three are a delight to shop in!

 

 

 

“Beautiful Victoria” – Haunted Walk

July 26, 2016 — Leave a comment

2

Posted by Wanda

They say that Victoria is the most “haunted” city in British Columbia!  Ghostly Walks have become one of the most popular evening activities in Victoria and has been offered to tourists year around for about fifteen years now. During the summer there is a Ghostly tour offered every evening and each night of the week offers a different tour. They also offer private tours and tours in French. No reservations are necessary, just meet outside the Visitor Information Centre on Government and Wharf Street at 7:30 PM, in the summer months there is also an extra tour at 9:30 PM. Tours on Halloween night are very popular so reservations are required. If you love storytelling and a bit of horror you’ll love the Ghostly Tours in Victoria!  They have since added other historical tours to the ticket which we haven’t yet checked out.

 

We took in the walk a few years back and it was not too scary but enjoyable (a little humour is always thrown in amongst the story telling). A great way to explore the city after dark while learning about some of the its more sordid historical events.

No reservations are needed for Ghostly Walks. Except for the tours around Halloween, all Ghostly Walks start outside the Visitor Information Centre, corner of Government and Wharf Street. Adults $14, students and seniors $12. Private tours by request.

https://discoverthepast.com

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Boo!