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Ocean Island Backpackers, downtown, Victoria BC

"Ocean Island Backpacker's Inn and Suites is close to Chinatown, clubs, theatres, museums, restaurants, the inner harbour and so much more! We have lots of affordable daily, weekly and monthly accommodations in all shapes and sizes to suit any budget, from 6 bed dorms and mini-private rooms to spacious hotel-style rooms with private bathrooms. Nightly prices range from $19 - $28 for dorm rooms; $28 - $85 for private room.

Our inhouse licensed Cafe Lounge is open daily serving Thai and Indian curries, as well as burgers, paninis and fresh salads at ridiculously cheap prices. We also offer free wireless and cheap internet access, 24 hour staffing, large communal kitchen and dining area, parking and bike and bag storage.

Recently our 1891 heritage building has undergone a facelift and we're in the process of upgrading our communal kitchen and bathrooms making us fresher and better than ever! If you're in Victoria be sure to check us out!"

Hostel of the Week, November 30th to December 6th 2009
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Ocean Island Backpackers

Ocean Island is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia and provides a wide variety of accommodation to travelers with a variety of needs and budgets at our two heritage properties. Our Backpackers Inn (built in 1893) is located in the downtown core and offers everything from budget dorm rooms and mini-private rooms to hotel-style rooms. Our second location, Ocean Island Suites (built in 1907) in quiet nearby James Bay offers deluxe apartment suites and vacation rentals. Both properties are within walking distance to restaurants, Chinatown, clubs, theaters, museums and the inner harbour.

Our colourful historic buildings are clean, comfortable, secure and offer modern facilities including a licensed cafe & lounge/live music venue, extensive free/cheap internet and tech services, modern fully equipped kitchen, comfortable lounge and dining rooms, inexpensive laundry facilities, parking and secure bike and baggage storage. We also offer sign up for Day Trips to beautiful nature spots and great travel info on our website and from our 24 hour Front Desk staff.

For Reservations call 1-888-888-4180 or book online.

Hostel of the week, August 25th to August 31st
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Ocean Explorations, Victoria BC

"Ocean Explorations sets high standards for Safe, Professional and Quality tours. Departing from Victoria's Inner Harbour, our expeditions explore coastal waters in search of killer whales and other marine wildlife. Ocean Explorations tours focus on the territory of the southern resident community - three pods of killer whales, ranging from 20 to 60 members each. Sightings and close encounters with these magnificent ocean predators are common from April through October as migrating salmon return from the open sea.

A short distance from Victoria's Inner Harbour lie the protected island strewn waters of Juan de Fuca Strait, Haro Strait, Georgia Strait, the Greater Puget Sound and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the world. A typical trip may cover 50 to 100 km and journey north through the beautiful San Juan Islands or west around the rugged tip of Vancouver Island. The final decision to where we travel depends on recent weather and whale information gathered by our search network. Expeditions are led by an experienced guide/naturalist, knowledgeable with regard to our marine environment and its inhabitants. Many opportunities will exist to take photos and ask questions when the boat slows or stops to observe wildlife and points of interest during the tour.

In addition to Killer whales, this cool clear nutrient-rich sea supports an astonishing animal ecosystem. Here you will also find Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and Harbour Seals, Elephant Seals, Sea lions, Eagles, sea birds and many other fascinating aquatic creatures. Click to see more pictures

Our Whale Search Network:

Ocean Explorations does not rely on luck alone to find whales. We have developed a highly successful whale search network that gathers whale information from all over our local waters. You can typically find our whale spotter perched high on a mountain top peering through a set of huge binoculars. With our high-tech equipment and a clear view of the straits, we can find whales amazing distances away in the remotest locations. We find this to be a valuable technique; our whale sighting percentages are the some of the highest in the industry. Communication is very important; every member of Ocean Explorations is in radio contact with each other at all times. Our boats respond to accurate sighting information and are kept up to date with current weather and sea conditions.

Ocean Exploration's Staff:

Our staff are chosen for their knowledge, experience and most importantly their attitudes. Our guides are exceptional mariners and excellent naturalists. We expect our Guides to be the best on the water and have very high standards for them to live up to. You will undoubtedly find all our crew to be friendly, polite and courteous.

Safety and Comfort:

Your safety and comfort is our top priority. Our boats are purpose built for the demands of whale watching, they are Coast Guard inspected annually and are always maintained in top condition. Passengers are supplied with Coast Guard approved stay-warm flotation suits to protect against cool airand ocean spray. Ocean Explorations staff are correctly trained to make your experience safe and enjoyable.

Our commitment to responsible wildlife viewing:

Ocean Explorations is a member of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, we strictly follow guidelines and regulations set forth to protect the marine environment. Our objective is to observe whales and marine life while remaining non-intrusive, to look into their lives with out becoming part of their lives. We are fortunate to associate with these animals; they must be respected first and foremost. Ocean Explorations is Proud to practice responsible wildlife viewing."

Feature of the week: October 20th to 27th, 2008
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

So how much do you let the weather impact your travel plans? That's what I asked you in two recent posts (the weather, part 1: how much does it impact your travel plans & part 2: how much do you let it affect your enjoyment of travel?) and in a recent poll on Cool Travel Guide. I gave you a scenario - you were days away from travelling overseas on a big trip - and I asked you what you did about researching the weather. This is what you said: only 11% said you checked several weather websites and changed plans entirely if necessary; 55% said you checked a weather site or two and adapted the itinerary, skipping a destination, or changing direction if necessary; none of you simply watched the weather on TV and threw a coat in the bag; and 33% said you ignored the weather completely, that you'd been planning the trip for a while and nothing was going to stop you, not a little rain, a heatwave, nor even a flood or two. Fascinating stuff. One of the reasons I was motivated to explore the topic (aside from trying to prevent a young traveller from heading to a drenched Northern Queensland during the wet season!) was our own experience on a recent trip along Victoria's southern coast. Heavy fog and grey skies spoiled our experience of the normally stunning Great Ocean Road. This time the Twelve Apostles were uninspiring and the scenery drab. We were working, however, we weren't on holidays. We were updating a book, so it didn't really matter. And Terry and I had been before, over 15 years ago, when the weather was superb, and I'd also been as a child. They're the memories I'm going to hold onto!

Pictured? One of the most horrific thunderstorms I've ever seen roll in (quite literally) during the opera in the Arena at Verona, Italy, last summer. I'll tell you that story another time.

Tonight the sky is glowing an eerie orange. It's only the sunset, but it's a reminder of the tragedy that unfolded yesterday afternoon and continued throughout the night. And sadly for many people it's not over. I've just watched the evening news on television and am stunned at the devastation caused from the fires across Victoria (all 400 of them!), and in the city of Bendigo and neighbourhood of Eaglehawk where we're currently staying at my aunt and uncle's. You can read my post of last night on how it all unfolded for us here yesterday (I'm sorry, but I've been too focused on the events to take photos) or dive straight into the sobering news reports:
* Worst day for 26 years takes its toll and Worse than Ash Wednesday - good overviews of the destruction the state of Victoria has experienced over the last two days, although already those figures have been surpassed - the latest is 65 deaths, and more than 100 homes destroyed. The blazes also destroyed schools.
* A great mix of media - text, audio and video - on the ABC website and The Age site, where you can listen to an extraordinary bushfire rescue live on air and experience what it's like fighting a fire from helmet-cam.
* Up to 50 homes lost in Bendigo - the situation in the town we're staying with my family.
* Bendigo battles wall of flames - this article reports that our neighbourhood of Eaglehawk was evacuated... (oh...)
* Bendigo grandmother had God on her side - heartening - and also heartwrenching - stories.
* Aftermath of Bendigo Fires - a local blogger posts some pics of the smokes she saw from her home and the burnt houses.

My uncle's house, Eaglehawk (Bendigo) Australia, 1.30am 8/2/09:
My how quickly things can change. This morning I woke at 6.30am, made coffee, then answered emails that had come in overnight from UK editors before getting stuck into writing the book. During a coffee break around 11am, I blogged about my online pottering during coffee breaks. Terry and I wrote all day, sweating profusely. It was 44 degrees and our little fan was struggling. Around midday it started blowing a gale then the sky turned white and cloudy. We thought it was going to storm. Only it was looking like a sandstorm. Perhaps we're too used to living in Dubai as it didn't occur to us it was smoke. A couple of hours later, we were smelling it and the sky was quickly turning yellow. Tam (my aunt) came into our room. The neighbours had called: they had a message to evacuate. Evacuate? It seemed like an over-reaction... I got online and checked the Country Fire Authority reports. There was an alert that a fire nearby on Bracewell Street, Eaglehawk, was spreading...


Alert Message Bracewell Street Fire, Eaglehawk (Bendigo) 8.30pm, 07/02/2009:
People in the area need to remain alert as there may not be a warning should conditions change unexpectedly.
Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.
Be prepared to activate your bushfire survival plan if necessary.
Decide now if you are going to stay or go.
Remember that it is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area. Road use in the area will be extremely hazardous due to low visibility from smoke. Watch out for fallen trees, power lines, abandoned cars, wildlife and emergency services vehicles.
If you plan to stay, remember to seek shelter from radiant heat. Should the fire reach your property, close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Did my aunt even have a 'bushfire survival plan', I wondered. Smoke started to creep into the house and we sprung into action. We turned on the radio to listen to reports. We could see dark balls of smoke in the sky from the fire close by and helicopters whizzed around. My aunt gathered the animals (five cats and a dozen dogs) together in the living room and we locked them in while we got organized. We packed bags with our valuable possessions (not hard for us; we hadn't had time to unpack). We got the laptops and camera gear ready. We put wet towels under the doors, got water bottles out. I slung a small bag holding torches and mobile phones over my shoulder. We began hosing down the long grass and ground around the house and spraying the roof. All the time we were keeping watch to see what the neighbours, and the smoke, were doing. Tam opened the car doors, put the keys in the ignition, and we planned where the animals boxes and luggage would go. It was getting even hazier and our eyes were stinging. Fire engines were speeding past. Cars - so many cars - were heading in the fire's direction. 'Sightseers' the fire chiefs would later complain on the radio. I refreshed the CFA site to check the latest report:

Urgent Threat Message Bracewell Fire (Bendigo) 8.30pm, 07/02/2009:
The Bracewell fire, burning at the edge of the Bendigo suburbs of West Bendigo and Specimen Hill is burning in a northerly and northeasterly direction. A section of the fire is moving towards Eaglehawk and residents in the Upper California Gully Road and Hall Street area are warned that their area is under ember attack.
There are 30 tankers and 135 firefighters working on the fire, with another 40 tankers en route from Ballarat and Swan Hill.
Water bombing aircraft are also at work on the fire, and gas and electricity to the area has been cut off to prevent leaks.
A wind change has moved through the area, slightly reducing the intensity of the fire.
Protect yourself from radiant heat by wearing correct protective clothing consisting of long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.
As the fire front approaches, it will be unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense.
Buildings will offer the best protection during the passage of a fire front. Close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
If you are caught on the road, don't get out and run. Pull to the side, preferably in an area clear of tall trees and long grass. Put your hazard lights on and close the windows and vents. Cover any exposed areas of skin with a woollen blanket and get down as low as possible. Only when the fire has passed do you get out and move to safety.
Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.

By now it was dark. Gradually the smoke started to subside and the sky began to clear. A vehicle with flashing lights appeared. Emergency workers had come to close our street to stop the 'rubber-neckers' going to look. The Bracewell fire was being contained. Tens of thousands of houses in Bendigo were without power and the gas would soon go off, the guys told us, to prevent explosions. We better make dinner then, Terry said. We listened to the radio as we cooked. The damage it seems is horrific. My aunt took the animals out. Close to midnight the Premiere got on the radio, speaking from Bendigo. There are fires raging all over the state (take a look at this map). It seems it is worse than Ash Wednesday, 14 people confirmed dead, but they expect the numbers to be much higher. I went to check the online report again.

Urgent Threat Message Bracewell Fire (Bendigo) 11.30pm, 07/02/2009
The Bracewell fire, burning at the edge of Bendigo has damaged a number of houses in the Long Gully and Sparrowhawk Estate area.
The progress of the firefront has been largely contained within a perimeter along Marong Road, Eaglehawk Road, Bracewell Street and Upper California Gully Road. The fire is still burning inside that perimeter. Some homes to the north of Eaglehawk Road are still subject to ember attack.
Residents in this area may experience smoke and burning embers reaching their properties, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing.

It's 2am now, and Terry and Tam are asleep. I'm going to head outside now and look for embers...

Pictured? The smoke haze that today enveloped our neighbourhood of Eaglehawk.

Perhaps the issue of how weather impacts your travel experience, providing it's not of disastrous proportions (epic heatwaves and heavy floods aside) is more a question of attitude than planning? We were at a restaurant the other night at Apollo Bay on the southern coast of Victoria where we met a keen young traveller who'd been waitressing for a couple of months to save money to do the big drive north with her boyfriend in a Wicked Camper. When we warned her not to travel to Northern Queensland before April, when the Wet season ends, she said they were in fact leaving Australia in April, so they'd intended to set out soon to ensure they covered the vast distance before then. I imagined the poor things huddled in the back of their Wicked Camper in a caravan park, the relentless rain pelting down around them. And because Australia's geography is the way it is, they'd have little choice but to head back south again, or take an expensive flight to another (drier) part of the country. I wondered if they'd persist with their original travel plans and if they did strike weeks of neverending rain, whether they'd see it as a disaster, a terrible end to what had otherwise been a good trip so far. Or whether they'd still enjoy it and think of it as an adventure, snapping pics of the flood waters rising around them, determined to make the most of it. I'm keen to know how you react to the onset of bad weather that puts a damper on your travel plans. Are you the type of traveller who endeavours to ensure you're not caught in snow storm in the first place? But if you are and the circumstances are beyond your control, do you make the most of it? I'm keen to learn more about how you travel and I'd also love you to complete my poll (top right), please.

Do you check weather reports before you travel? And if you do and it's turned especially bad before you're due to travel, do you change your trip plans? I'm talking really nasty weather. Consistently dreadful, such as the snowfalls in the UK, the heaviest in 18 years, which have severely disrupted flights. Or the heatwave south-eastern Australia has endured over the last weeks which has caused power blackouts, transport disruptions, cancellation of outdoor events, and even deaths. Or the floods in Northern Queensland which in some areas have caused horrendous damage and led to the closure for several weeks of the Barkly Highway, the main route connecting Queensland to the Northern Territory. Do you adapt your plans at the last minute and change the destination or direction if you can? Or do you continue on and risk disruption to your itinerary, and possible disappointment? I've posted about this before on Best time to visit Australia? It may be summer, but don't head Down Under but it's something that continues to intrigue me. From what we've been observing on our travels in Australia, many people simply don't check weather reports in advance and continue with their original plans despite a change in weather. Some appear to be happy to go through the motions of being tourists, despite the miserable conditions, taking photos, doing tours, and, like the couple pictured in the distance of this photo, embarking on a long distance walk that would be far more enjoyable in better weather. What do you think? And how do you react to the onset of weather so terrible that it disrupts your travel plans? Or are you the type of traveller who tries to ensure you're not in that position in the first place? I'd love to know what you think and how you travel. And I'd love you to complete my poll (top right). Thanks.