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

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Fortunately my airline has some pretty good procedures in place for getting medical attention for ill crewmembers.  Once I realized that my situation was serious, I was able to get help from a co-worker who helped get me to a hospital for emergency intervention.  I was treated and released later that same day to return home. 

The situation was unpleasant, but I had help, and there was a happy ending to the story.

But I’ve never gotten the helpless feeling that the situation evoked in me.  The feeling that I remember most distinctly is the terrible feeling of being alone, and unable to really make any decisions or take care of myself.

Thankfully, most of the time getting sick on the road does not require a visit to the emergency room.  It still can be a helpless feeling, however, as you attempt to navigate the front desk or concierge service to try to find a doctor or a nearby clinic.

If you’re traveling in Manhattan, Sickday can help you out, by making a house call to your hotel room, allowing you to get prompt medical attention while bypassing the need to spend hours in an emergency room.  It’s medical care for the busy traveler.

Founded in 2001, Sickday provides medical treatment for acute, episodic conditions at locations in Manhattan (home, office or hotel), seven days a week, 6 am – 7 pm.  They can perform diagnostic exams, prescribe medication, renew prescriptions, order tests, and make referrals when necessary.  They are affiliated with major New York hospitals. 

Following each visit, Sickday follows up by phone, just to make sure that you are up and around and feeling better.

Sickday currently charges $275/visit; that fee is reimbursable by many major health insurance providers.

The best course of action is, of course, just not to get sick at all.  When that doesn’t work, Sickday may be a real lifesaver.

Photo credit:  PenelopeB

UPDATE:  The hours for Sickday are 6 am-11 pm, seven days a week, and the cost is $250.  I hope you don’t ever have to use them, but still, you may want to keep the information handy.

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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

The arch stands 67 feet high, and is proudly rooted, one side in American soil, the other in Canadian.  Straddling the longest undefended boundary in the world, the Peace Arch was dedicated in 1921, and was the first Monument built and dedicated to world peace.

The American side of the arch is inscribed:  “Children of a Common Mother.”  The Canadian side is inscribed:  “Dwelling Together in Unity.”  Spanning both sides of the border is the inscription:  “May These Gates Never be Closed.”

Although most visitors to the Peace Arch are crossing the border, you can visit the park without doing so.  You can walk around and enjoy one side of the park or the other, but are not permitted to walk outside the park boundaries or the other country’s side without clearing Customs.  Customs personnel from both countries monitor Peace Arch Park.

The park covers 40 acres, with beautiful gardens that host events both organized and spontaneous:  family gatherings, picnics, wedding and civic events.  It boasts over half a million yearly visitors.

I grew up in a small town about an hour’s drive south of the border, so the Peace Arch was a part of my childhood.  While I was too young to understand the political and social significance of it, I always enjoyed playing in the park, driving by it, and the excitement of passing through Customs and Immigrations and entering “another country.” 

With summer looming, Peace Arch Park is an easy visit for those within driving distance of the border.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

From the minute I walked in the door, I was mesmerized with its display of yummy smelling, hand-made bath products.  From sweet smelling soaps to spicy bath bars, it was all so overwhelming.  The products are all natural, and there is no animal testing.  This is truly a business with a social conscious.

On my first visit I purchased a few items.  When I used them at home, I was hooked.  I loved the products so much that I picked up trips with Vancouver layovers specifically so that I could go shopping at Lush.  I would stock up on products to last several months, and when they ran out, I’d find another Vancouver layover to stock up once again.

Since that time, fortunately, Lush has opened stores in the United States, including one more geographically suited to regular visits.  Products can also be purchased online.

I continued to enjoy the products, especially the bath bombs, butter creams, bubble bars, and bath melts. These items would all make a great gift, alone, or in a nice gift basket. 

In fact, here are some personal recommendations:

Bath Bombs:  butterball, Karma, or honeybee.
Butter Creams:  heavenly bodies, almond dip.
Bubble Bars:  creamy candy, Karma, French kiss.
Bath melts:  creamy candy, you’ve been mangoed, melting marshmallow moments

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I’m leaving this afternoon for San Francisco, and then tomorrow afternoon will board Princess Cruise Line’s Dawn Princess for a mini-vacation.  It’s a 3-night cruise, with one port of call in Victoria, BC, and then ending up in Vancouver, BC. 

I don’t know what internet access will be like while at sea.  If I have access, I’ll write about my day onboard the ship.  If not, I’ll post the details next week.

Photo credit:  Princess Cruise Lines

Post from: Fly Away Cafe