At the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, winged residents get lots more than a mere cracker.

This non-profit, educational facility operated by FLOPRS (”For the Love of Parrots Refuge Society”) provides a “Home for Life” for previously owned pet parrots.  Parrots have a very long life span, so it is very likely that they will have a need for more than one owner over their lifetime.  Many parrot owners fail to foresee or plan for this, making it increasingly common to have parrots turn up in shelters.  The Refuge is a home for life for these parrots, and it does not adopt out.

The estimated cost to care for a parrot in a good quality sanctuary is approximately $10/week.  This amount covers a healthy diet, shelter, warmth, light, safety, free-flight enclosures, and skilled veterinary care.  That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but with current residency at over 500 parrots, which, unfortunately, seems to increase daily, it is easy to see how the World Parrot Refuge has its work cut out for it. 

The Refuge is open to the public every day, from 10 am ““ 4 pm, and visitors have the opportunity to meet and learn about these amazing birds.  The Refuge is located at 2116 Alberni Highway in Coombs, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 

Visitors to the Refuge are occasionally treated to up close and personal meetings with the avian residents, and many birds enjoy being cuddled and fussed over.  If you can’t visit in person, you can meet the residents online via the Parrot Gallery.  Parrot lovers can also support the work of the World Parrot Refuge through its Adopt a Parrot program.

Photo credit:  SXC

_________________________________________________________________

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Beginning January 23rd, 2007, all persons traveling will be required to present a valid passport.  This means both children and adults must have passports.  Alternate acceptable identification includes the Air NEXUS card, a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card Form I-551.

The new regulation does not apply to travel to and from U.S. Territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently only applies to people traveling by air.  Passports will be required for travelers by land and sea in January 2008.  You can get a full run down of the details about the new regulation here.

If you don’t have a passport, check out my previous post for information about how to go about it.  Current new passport fees are $97 for adults and $82 for children.

Photo credit:  Stephen J. Sullivan

___________________________________________________________

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Details:  The Calgary Tower in Calgary, Alberta.  (I had a chance to visit Calgary last week, my first time there.)

Photo credit:  flickr

______________________________________________________________________

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Located in downtown Victoria, at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets, the museum is near both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel.

The Royal BC Museum is one of my favorite museums because of its unique presentation of exhibits.  The permanent galleries showcase the history of BC in highly realistic and inviting displays.  They are not only visually appealing, but are presented in such a way as to appeal to all of your senses.

From the Natural History Gallery:  As you enter the Ice Age exhibit, the temperature dramatically drops, and you’ll feel a chill as you look at the Wooly Mammoth and the ice wall.  I swear!  You’ll feel like there is a storm brewing.

From the Modern History Gallery:  You’ll hear cries of gulls, and smell the creosote, while looking at a replica of the stern section of Captain George Vancouver’s ship, the HMS Discovery.

From the First People’s Gallery:  Beating drums and music are heard while viewing the Kwakwaka’wakw ceremonial masks along with other First People’s exhibits.

The Royal BC Museum just opened a temporary exhibit titled Fatal Attraction (ends January 7, 2007) that was created by natural history museums in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.  Making only its second-ever stop in North America, this interactive exhibit reveals the sometimes sensual, often flashy ““ occasionally dangerous ““ courtship rituals of the animal kingdom. 

The British Columbia Archives, the records of the provincial government, are also housed in the Museum, and are accessible for public research.  The Museum also has an IMAX Theater and the requisite gift shop.

The Royal BC Museum is open daily, 9 am-5 pm, and during the summer season is open until 10pm on most Friday and Saturdays.  The IMAX Theater is open 10 am-8 pm daily.

Admission, through March 2007, is:  $14, adults; $9.50, seniors (65+), youth (6-18) and students; $48 family; FREE for children 5 and under.  There are additional charges for the IMAX Theater.  Rates increase during the spring and summer seasons, the high tourist seasons.  If you plan to visit more than twice a year, an annual pass presents good savings.

Photo credit:  flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Turns out that over 29 million dogs travel with their owners each year, and hotels have started to roll out the welcome mat to both two legged and four legged guests.

This month’s, Fido Friendly Magazine, The Travel Magazine for Dog, reports on the top 10 exclusive resorts that cater to pets and their owners.  When your dog is getting fresh gourmet dog biscuits, being walked by the bellman, and getting its own CD of music, you know that both of you are on vacation.

Calling itself a complete guide to Fido Friendly accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, the magazine adds:

Perhaps “you” can do without our magazine, but for kibbles’ sake, think of your dog! At last, a voice for the traveling canines of the world. Until now, few have taken us mobile pooches seriously. After all, who appreciates warm shelter and a comfy bed more than a dog?

There’s also a Travel Club (”Leave No Dog Behind”), with membership that includes a subscription to the magazine, a one-year membership with The Pet Protector System, and a variety of discounts.

If you travel with your dog, it sounds like this could be a great resource of pet-friendly accommodations and travel information.

Via The Informed Traveler

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Unfortunately, delays are an inevitable part of travel.  Whatever the reason (mechanical, weather, ATC holds, etc.), it means extra time spent at an airport.  Rarely is than fun or relaxing.

Since delays are going to happen, however, it’s always preferable to be at an airport with amenities to help make your wait as pain-free as possible.  Even better, if a bad situation can be made a little bit more enjoyable.

What makes delay time more enjoyable is, of course, a personal decision.  In serious delays (translation:  lengthy), however, people frequently want a place to stretch out and rest, maybe even to sleep.

One a recent layover in Vancouver, I had a chance to check out the MetroNaps Pods.

The space age looking pods are located near Gate 82 on the concourse for U.S. departures.

The pods are sitting out on the concourse, in plain view, but when in use, they are partially enclosed to allow for privacy without inducing claustrophobia.  The enclosure keeps the user visually removed from the public.  Noise canceling headphones keep the user removed from the noise of the airport.  Attendants are available to keep bags secure.

The cost is quite reasonably priced at $15 (Canadian dollars) for up to two hours.

If you’re delayed at the Vancouver airport (YVR), give the pods a try.  They may be your sanctuary in the eye of a storm.

Photo credit:  MetroNaps

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Every experience is different when shared through the eyes of another person.

That was my experience last week in Vancouver, British Columbia.  I was flying with my dear friend, Anita, and her family joined us there to celebrate her father’s birthday. 

Let me explain, first of all, that Big Al is a second father to me, having lost my own father over 18 years ago.  I have come to love him, and his wife Sharimae, as if they were actually family by birth, not just by choice.  Al is Italian through and through, and when people ask where to get the best Italian food in Seattle, I never know how to respond.  Because the very best Italian food around is at their home.

Last week, the birthday boy, 75 years young, his wife, and another family friend drove to Vancouver to spend an afternoon with us.

First stop was the Italian section of Vancouver, where we stocked up on delicacies, including olives, crackers, olive oil, canned goods, and other items found only in specialty markets.   After a delightful time shopping, our group stopped for an afternoon cappuccino the next-door café (in photo above).

Now revived, we headed into Yaletown, on the eastern edge of the downtown area.  I had not visited the Yaletown area for quite sometime, and was surprised to see that this once warehouse area of the city has undergone a dramatic change.  Those warehouses have been turned into galleries, shops, restaurants and bars, salons, studios, and, of course, condos to support this hip, urban, lifestyle.

We stayed in Yaletown for dinner, and had reservations at Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill (1133 Hamilton Street).  It turns out that owner/executive chef Pino Posteraro is a friend of Al’s, and his special attention helped to make the celebratory evening even more special.

The restaurant has received a number of awards from recognized experts in the food and wine industry.  Still, it is not a pretentious atmosphere, but rather one of good friends enjoying a meal.  Which was an accurate description of our party.  (By the way, their Caesar salad was one of the best I’ve ever had.)

It was a great day, good food, good wine, good friends, and good times.  It just doesn’t get much better than that.

Photo credit:  Anita

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

In my zeal to warm up my chilly hotel room, I misjudged the Celsius scale, and turned the room into a (pick one):

Sauna

Inferno

Circle of Hell

My ignorance apparently knows no limit in this regard, and if you were listening really carefully, you would have heard me mutter:  “What’s wrong with Fahrenheit?  Why can’t they just do it the way we do?”

Fortunately, common sense returned to my addled brain, and relying, once again, on the kindness of others, I finally was able to recall the little formula for converting Celsius to Fahrenheit:

Multiply the Celsius temperature by two, and then add 30.  (It’s not exact, but it’s close enough for my purposes.)

So, when my temperature gauge said 30 degrees Celsius, it was really 90 degrees (30 X 2 = 60 + 30 = 90).  No wonder it felt hot!

Realizing the error of my ways, I turned the heater off when I went to dinner, and then was able to re-establish a comfortable temperature of 19 degrees.

Remember this easy conversion formula:

Celsius X 2 + 30 = Fahrenheit

Photo credit:  flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe