Chris Hadfield's Guide To Ireland Is Everything You Love About The Ex-Astronaut

March 27, 2014, 5:46 am

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(Relaxnews) - Tourism Ireland has tapped retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield to promote the 'Emerald Isle' in a series of promotional online videos which launched this week.

It sounds like an odd choice for appointments, but Hadfield became the darling of Ireland last year when he tweeted photos of the country on St. Patrick’s Day during his final mission in space.

Hadfield also became a household name last year after his YouTube performance of David Bowie’s "Space Oddity" aboard the International Space Station went viral.

The Irish tourism office is hoping the spaceman’s continued global popularity -- he has 1.08 million Twitter followers and is an active twitter user -- will help to bring increased exposure and make the country top of mind.

The four videos were shot last year when Hadfield made a visit to the country and will be promoted around the world.

"An Astronaut’s Guide to the Island of Ireland" features the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world’s longest coastal drives that stretches for 2,500 km (1,500 miles) and also follows Hadfield as he tours attractions like the Titanic Belfast and Guinness Storehouse.

Hadfield is no stranger to Ireland, having made several visits before. His daughter is studying at Dublin’s Trinity College.

"Chris Hadfield is one of the few people on earth who has seen Ireland from space, and on the ground," said Leo Varadkar, minister for transport, tourism and sport.

"These are four great films which I’m certain will persuade people from around the world to pay their own visit to Ireland. We’re delighted that Chris had such a good time during his stay and hopefully he’ll be back for another visit in the near future."

Meanwhile, National Geographic Channel is also offering web users an astronaut's view of Earth through its "Live From Space" which is connected to the International Space Station and follows the satellite's trip around the planet every 90 minutes, revealing popular viral videos, music and news stories from whichever country the satellite is above at the time.

Watch the first of four Discover Ireland Astronaut's Guide videos at http://bit.ly/1gxvTue.

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British Airways' Indian Ocean Ad Couldn't Have Come At A Worse Time (PHOTO)

March 27, 2014, 10:04 am

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British Airways is drawing criticism from travellers over the poor timing of one of its ads.

The image in question features clear blue waters with text asking travellers to "escape the commute and discover the Indian Ocean".



Users on Reddit were quick to upload images the ad, suggesting the ad's run time was too soon given the recent developments over missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. On Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced satellite data pointed to the missing plane crashing into a remote corner of the Indian Ocean.

British Airways has verified the ad is real and says the campaign behind it was planned long before the event of the missing airliner.

"We are very sorry for any offence caused, and the advertising is being withdrawn. This campaign was planned some months ago and we recognize that its appearance at this time is inappropriate," a BA spokesperson told the Huffington Post Canada.

Commuters on the London Underground say they've seen the ad running at Euston Station, according to the Independent but the ad has since spread worldwide via Twitter just hours later.

Probably too soon, British Airways. (h/t: @bendoessel and @craigcaruso) pic.twitter.com/eozA65HGIg

— Peter Shankman (@petershankman) March 27, 2014

The airline, in return, has since apologized on the social media website.

Our Indian Ocean advert contained pre-scheduled content that we recognise is inappropriate at this time. We're sorry for any offence caused.

— British Airways (@British_Airways) March 27, 2014

Vancouver Airport Makes Top 10 List Of World's Best

March 27, 2014, 12:19 pm

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The Vancouver International Airport is the only North American hub to crack the top 10 global list of best airports, beating even London Heathrow.

For the second year in a row, Singapore's Changi Airport was voted the best airport in the world by air travellers, announced the World Airport Awards compiled by Skytrax on Thursday. That airport boasts a butterfly garden, Jacuzzi and napping areas at a rainforest lounge.

Vancouver came in ninth among international airports, and was also chosen as the best airport in North America for the fifth year in a row.

About 18 million passengers a year travel through YVR, which boasts an impressive collection of Pacific Northwest native art. The airport recently underwent a $1.4 billion expansion.

In individual categories, the Hong Kong International Airport topped the voting for best airport dining and best baggage delivery, while Heathrow won accolades for best airport shopping.

The World Airport Awards are based on 12.9 million customer nominations across 110 nationalities of air travellers, and included 410 airports worldwide. The survey evaluates customer satisfaction across 39 categories for airport service and amenities, including check-in, security, transfers, and immigration.

Changi Airport Voted Best Airport In The World For The Second Year In A Row

March 27, 2014, 12:26 pm

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(Relaxnews) - For the second year in a row, Singapore’s Changi Airport has been named the best airport in the world by millions of international flyers for features like tropical rooftop gardens, movie theatres, Jacuzzi and free foot massages.

The Singapore airport beat 410 hubs around the world to take the top spot at the World Airport Awards. This year, the awards were based on 12.85 million customer nominations across 110 nationalities who evaluated the airports across 39 categories including check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, immigration and departure.

Last summer, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien announced plans to build a new terminal that will double Changi’s capacity in a bid to retain its edge as a regional aviation hub.

Currently, the airport has three terminals with a total capacity of 66 million passengers a year.

It’s not hard to see why the Singapore airport snagged the top spot and seduced flyers around the world.

More than just a place of transit, the airport has been designed to take the stress out of flying with features that include five themed gardens, including a butterfly garden, bamboo, orchid and fern-themed gardens, as well as a rooftop oasis with cactus and sunflowers.

For families with young children or restless adolescents, the airport likewise offers an Entertainment Deck where kids and adults alike can play Xbox Kinect, Xbox 360 and PlayStation games, watch a movie, visit the aviation gallery, or release any pent-up energy at the playground.

For a small fee, passengers can use the airport’s Balinese-themed swimming pool and Jacuzzi, while napping areas at a rainforest lounge and individual cubicles or budget rooms can be rented out for up to six-hour blocks.

Passengers with a layover of at least five hours can also take advantage of free two-hour sightseeing tours organized by the airport, which take visitors past major landmarks and areas of the city including the Marina Bay Sands, the world’s largest Ferris wheel -- the Singapore Flyer -- and the Gardens of the Bay.

And passengers with tired, swollen feet from pressurized cabins and running through the terminals can also get free foot massages.

Rounding out the top five list is Incheon International Airport in Seoul; Munich Airport; Hong Kong International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Bella Bella Library Reborn After Devastating Fire

March 27, 2014, 3:20 pm

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After a devastating fire left Bella Bella, B.C. without a library, post office, and grocery store, a new space for the community's stories has risen from the ashes.

The small coastal village on Campbell Island was rocked to the core on July 12, 2013 when a fire destroyed one of the community's most important buildings, according to a donation page that was set up by the Heiltsuk Tribal Council to help rebuild what was lost.

Three girls, aged 13, 15, and 16, were arrested in relation to the fire, The Vancouver Sun reported. In the initial aftermath, Marilyn Slett, chief councillor for the Heiltsuk First Nation, which owns the building, told the paper that the girls did not set out to start the fire but "things got out of hand."

Thanks to the hard work and donations of many people both in and outside of Bella Bella, the Thistalalh Memorial Library was officially re-opened on Wednesday. B.C. Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon joined members of the RCMP and artist Ian Reid to celebrate the new space.

Story continues after slideshow:


"We are incredibly moved by the upwelling of support from strangers and book-lovers who want to help us get back on our feet and put books back in the hands of our community members," reads a statement on the library's website.

When he heard about the fire back in July, Whistler resident Bob Adams started a book drive to help replace more than 3,500 ruined library books, Pique reported.

The people of Kitimat collected 125 boxes of books to donate to the library as well, Global News reported.

The trailer that now houses the library was renovated and shipped to Bella Bella, complete with shelving and computers thanks to Government House, Britco, Rotary Club, London Drugs, and friends, said the library's website.

The new space holds about 4,000 books that sit on shelves made of Heiltsuk territory cedar, milled by local Heiltsuk people, The Tyee reported.

The original library was built in 2007 by Qqs Projects Society, a Heiltsuk First Nation nonprofit organization.

Thistalalh Memorial Library is "a gathering space around stories," Jessie Housty, the library's curator, told The Tyee. "Stories are sacred things. As Heiltsuk people, we really are nothing more than the sum of the stories we have lived in."

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Vancouver's Shangri-La Adds Art To Afternoon Tea

March 27, 2014, 6:18 pm

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If you enjoy spending an afternoon sipping on the finest loose leaf teas and nibbling on delicious baked delights, you must visit the Vancouver Shangri-La. And now is actually the perfect time to indulge as the award-winning hotel has added an artistic element to their traditional high tea.

Until April 15, the Artist in Residence Afternoon Tea allows guests to delight in Canadian-inspired tea treats --baked blueberry yogurt; glazed pecan butter tarts; cinnamon dusted doughnuts with maple cream; and the legendary Vancouver Island staple, the Nanaimo bar, to name only a few.

At the same time, you can explore and celebrate the diversity of Canadian landscapes, captured by master photographer Ron Smid in his latest collection, Canada: The Light on Our Land.

A photographic genius, Smid chronicled the geographic diversity of our beautiful Canada over two decades, travelling an astonishing 250,000 km in search of the quintessential Canadian landscape. Working with his beloved 1936 Deadorff Woodfield camera and traditional transparency film, Smid was able to capture amazing, high quality sheet film images with a truly unique look, which were then meticulously printed by hand onto Cibachrome classic paper, offering the maximum in depth, colour purity and organic beauty unlike any other printing process.

From a fiery Pacific sunrise on Vancouver Island to a final twilight crescendo of surf through The Arch in Newfoundland, this exhibit showcases probably the finest collection of Canadian landscape images of our time. Smid's work is found in private and corporate collections around the world, and is sold exclusively through the Ron Smid Collection gallery located in the Upper Village in Whistler, B.C.

The Artist in Residence Afternoon Tea runs until April 15 is available daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for $38 per person. Ron Smid will be in the lounge on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m., to speak about the collection, share tales from his journeys across Canada's wilderness, and answer questions about his unique and rare photography process.

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What I Learned Travelling in My 20s

March 28, 2014, 9:11 am

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My 20s were all about three things: hustling, partying and traveling. Hustling to move forward in my career, partying with my ever-growing network of friends, and traveling as much as my bank account would stretch. The three pillars of my 20s, you could say. Granted my values and motives haven't shifted too much in my 30s, but my approach to travel most certainly has.

Traveling was a much different experience in my 20s. Some of these things were, of course, influenced by budgetary restraints, but I wouldn't trade them for the world. Buying a one-way ticket, traveling for months on end, having zero itinerary and landing where ever the wind blows you are luxuries that are unattainable with a mere four weeks of holiday per year. Lack of time off aside, there are so many experiences I would have missed out on had I not hit the road during my more impressionable years.

I couldn't see myself partying through the night until noon at a full moon party on Koh Phangan like I did when I was 22. Not because I'm incapable of pulling an all-nighter at this age, but because no one wants to see a 30-something staggering down the beach, donning glow sticks in a drug-induced haze.

I probably wouldn't travel across Cambodia again on the back of a motorcycle with a guy I met moments before while crossing the border on foot. I doubt I'd hitchhike across Cape Tribulation again when I could just rent a car. And I definitely wouldn't dream of spending the night in the Geneva train station with a couple of guys from Boston I met at a bar an hour earlier, because all the hostels and hotels were booked solid. None of these things, which all translated into great adventures, would happen now that I'm in my 30s.

On the flip side, there are little luxuries that I deeply appreciate when I travel now. Like the fact that I don't have to stay in hostels anymore, although I still do from time to time because it's a great way to meet other travellers.

I don't have to deal with being awoken by someone having a shag on the bunk above me or dirty communal bathrooms. If I run into trouble (read, run out of funds) I don't have to call mom and dad to PLEASE SEND MONEY. I can just throw some cash at the problem and go. In addition to all the great sights and sounds of each place I explore, I can also experience the dining and nightlife to the greatest extent. Something I would have considered frivolous in my 20s. Why waste money going to nice restaurants, when those funds could translate to an extra week on the beaches of Bocas Del Toro, for example.

Having the means to travel comfortably is something I'm grateful for, but the experiences I had traveling in my 20s are priceless. They shaped and influenced my ability to adapt and fueled my curiosity for new people and places. And while I've traded my backpack in for sleek carry-on luggage, my voracious appetite for adventure is alive and well.

Are there any adventures you wish you had embarked on in your 20s? Anything about traveling on a shoestring budget that you don't miss?

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Best Ottawa Restaurants: Where To Eat In The Capital City

March 28, 2014, 10:24 am

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Looking for a delicious meal in Ottawa? Finding the best restaurants in our nation's capital is now almost as simple as taking a stroll along Murray Street, but that was not always the case.

"Fifteen year ago when I started doing this, if you wanted to eat well in Ottawa, you either went to Montreal or went across the river to Gatineau," says food journalist Ron Eade, the former food editor of the Ottawa Citizen and a veritable encyclopedia when it comes to the city's food scene and chefs.

Eade explains that private clubs, like the Rideau Club or Chelsea Club, was where you went to eat anything other than chain food, but many have now closed "because the competition is so intense."

"The guy who really changed things was Steve Beckta," says Eade. "He opened Beckta in '03 and he really really set the bar." These days Beckta is the owner of Play Food & Wine and Gezellig, as well as Beckta's.

Chef John Taylor at Domus Cafe was another innovator, the first to forge alliances with growers, using local and organic wherever possible, notes Eade.

But more than anything, the restaurants that are doing it right are the ones that are focused and clear in their choices. "You know you’re in trouble if you go into a restaurant and see pages and pages of menu," says Eade with a laugh.

Here are 20 of Eade's (and others) approved choices for the top restaurants in Ottawa:



Black Cat Bistro
Where: 428 Preston St.
Type of food: Modern French bistro
Words of praise: "The flavours and textures were already expertly layered, without my having to do the work of dabbing and assembling all sorts of dips, foams, and frills." - Ottawa magazine

Navarra by Rene Rodriguez
Where: 93 Murray St.
Type of food: Spanish and Mexican
Words of praise: "[How] could your meal be as good as the extravaganza of dinner at Navarra? Indeed, you could pose the same question to all of Rodriguez’s competition." - Ottawa Citizen
Bonus reason: Rodriguez is competing on season four of Top Chef Canada.

Town
Where: 296 Elgin St.
Type of food: Modern Italian
Words of praise: "Every so often a restaurant surfaces that, right from the get-go, seems exactly in the swing of its time and place. Such is Town." - Capital Dining

Oz Kafe
Where: 361 Elgin St.
Type of food: Asian shared plates with a twist of Mexican
Words of praise: "But the real magic of Oz is that its tiny closet of a kitchen has the best karma in town." - Ottawa magazine

Fraser Cafe
Where: 7 Springfield Rd.
Type of food: Seasonal and local
Words of praise: "[We] want a restaurant with thoughtful, fresh, delicious food that doesn’t require an enormous splurge. Fraser Café is all that." - Ottawa Magazine

Restaurant 18
Where: 18 York St.
Type of food: 'Cutting edge' French-based cuisine
Words of praise: "When you are rating a restaurant you want to be sure that you do not become too generous in your praise lest no one believes you. But 18 is one of those that requires an alltogether [sic] different scale." - OpenTable

The Whalesbone and The Elmsdale Oyster House & Tavern
Where: 430 Bank St., and 1084 Wellington St. W.
Type of food: Seafood, of course, that is sustainably sourced
Words of praise: "I love a place with a raunchy vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Is The Whalesbone Oyster House menu pricey? Yes it is, but my friends, that’s the price you pay for sustainable seafood, line-caught, farmed in sound conditions and approved by the watchers of the sea at Ocean Wise." - Food Gypsy

Murray Street
Where: 110 Murray St.
Type of food: A carnivore's dream
Words of praise: "They take ordinary things and they do an extraordinary way of preparing them." - Food Network Canada

Sidedoor
Where: 18b York St.
Type of food: Thai-influenced tacos
Words of praise: "Refreshingly unlike anything else in Ottawa, Sidedoor is about small, Mexican and Asian-inspired, produce-driven sharing plates." - Capital Dining.
Bonus reason: He was the second runner-up for Top Chef Canada's season three.

El Camino
Where: 380 Elgin St.
Type of food: "Tacos. Tequila. Raw bar."
Words of praise: "We didn’t recall a place having such high energy on a Wednesday night on Elgin street in quite a while.
There was a good reason. The place was fantastic and didn’t affect our pocket books too much." - Apartment 613

Supply and Demand
Where: 1335 Wellington St. W.
Type of food: Heavy on the seafood, with pasta thrown in
Words of praise: "All in all one of the best meals I've had in Ottawa, even though I'm not much of a shellfish person. My boyfriend and I have already made plans to go back." - Ottawa Foodies

Next
Where: 6400 Hazeldean Rd.
Type of food: Asian-influenced cuisine
Words of praise: "[The] food presented an exceptional balance of textures crisp, crunch, soft and supple, embellishments salty and sweet, rich yet refreshing, often on the same plate." - Ron Eade

Gezellig
Where: 337 Richmond Rd.
Type of food: Global cuisine
Words of praise: "The Lake Erie Pickerel was seasoned to perfection, laid on a bed of salted fingerling potatoes and chard. If you are looking for light but filling, this dish was perfect." - Food Search Ottawa

Allium
Where: 87 Holland Ave.
Type of food: Fresh and local, with a constantly changing menu
Words of praise: "Allium is our favourite spot in Ottawa. Delicious food, complex enough to be special but still accessible." - TripAdvisor

Atelier
Where: 540 Rochester St.
Type of food: (Stunning) molecular gastronomy
Words of praise: "[Chef Marc Lapine] masters the unique modernist techniques and weaves them into the local and seasonally inspired ingredients, while having fun with his menu descriptions." -Vacay.ca

Union 613
Where: 315 Somerset St. W.
Type of food: "The Canadian take on Southern hospitality," so lots of comfort food
Words of praise: "With its communal seating, ear-busting playlist, and late-into-the-night hours, Union is ushering Ottawa into a new dining dimension, already adored by restaurant-industry insiders and those who think everything’s better when smothered in Thousand Island dressing." - Ottawa magazine

Absinthe
Where: 1208 Wellington St. W.
Type of food: Contemporary comfort food (and fondue Mondays!)
Words of praise: "This joint is one of the most reliable in the city, IMO. Relaxed but professional servers, good wine list and good variety of delicious dishes make this a solid stand by." - Ottawa Foodies

Zen Kitchen
Where: 634 Somerset St. W.
Type of food: Vegan healthy, whole foods prepared in an environmentally friendly manner
Words of praise: "The food is so satisfying, so balanced, and so incredibly varied -- nothing like the old-fashioned stereotypic if not cafeteria-like vegetarian eateries where you pile greens and sprouts on a tray to weigh at the cash register." - Ron Eade

Domus Cafe
Where: 87 Murray St.
Type of food: Canadian, with a focus on local ingredients
Words of praise: "Domus never fails to satisfy me. We go there at least once a year on special occasions. Last time was my 10 year anniversary." - Ottawa Foodies

Brothers Beer Bistro
Where: 366 Dalhousie St.
Type of food: Made with beer!
Words of praise: "There’s an excellent burger and fries, to be sure, but the menu otherwise travels as far as possible from traditional pub fare. Forget baskets of greasy nachos and wings — Flowers opts to make a delicate tuna crudo and plates it beautifully." - Ottawa magazine

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10 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival Photos That'll Leave You Insanely Jealous

March 28, 2014, 11:08 am

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Between the lacklustre spring weather Canada has had of late, the snow storms out East and news of winter weather sticking around for another two weeks, we're just about ready to skip right on over to summer.

But that would mean we'd be missing out on a few of our favourite spring activities, like Hanami.

Visitors admire cherry blossoms which begin blooming at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

A man admires cherry blossoms lit up at night in a park in Kawasaki, near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Hanami translates to "flower viewing" in Japanese, but it has come to mean "cherry blossom festival", even though "sakura" is the actual word for the flowers, which bloom every spring in Japan.

Cars go through a tunnel of blooming cherry blossoms in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Visitors look at cherry blossoms which begin blooming at Ueno Park in Tokyo. Tens of thousands of admirers will be expected to show up at the park to enjoy the white pink blossoms. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The festivals typically spring up at the end of March and run until May and can be found in some of Japan's tourist-friendly cities like Nagano, Tokyo and Kyoto.

Foreign tourists take a photo in front of the blooming cherry blossoms near the Chidorigafuchi Imperial Palace moat in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

People enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

As much as the festivals are a symbol of winter's end, it's also a time for everyone in Japan to get outside and enjoy the company of friends and family.

People on a boat enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms along the Chidorigafuchi Imperial Palace moat in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

A man wearing a beer mug mask waits for the start of his cherry blossoms viewing party at Ueno Park in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

So if you're on the verge of forgetting what your friends, family and spring weather actually look like, head far East. And if you can't make it out that far, Washington D.C. and Vancouver are both prime spots for cherry blossom viewing, albeit with substantially cooler temperatures.

Visitors look at cherry blossoms which begin blooming at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

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The Best Tippers In Canada Are In Ottawa

March 28, 2014, 11:53 am

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Perhaps it's the gorgeous view of Parliament Hill, or the appetite they work up on all those amazing hiking trails. And we're not even going to mention the possibility of expense accounts, because ... you know. But as it turns out, the best tippers in Canada hail from Ottawa.

According to a survey from mobile payment company Square, when it comes to adding service to the end of the bill, Ottawans are paying as much as two per cent more than their fellow Canadians.

The survey looked at Canada's five largest cities, comparing how often people tipped using the company's payment device, as well as the average amount doled out. Ottawans tipped 76.7 per cent of the time, with an average tip of 15.6 per cent, while Montreal came in second place, tipping 70. 4 per cent of the time at 14.4 per cent.

Torontonians, who in recent years have seen high-end restaurants offering sole options of 18, 20 and even 30 per cent tips, according to Toronto Life, tip 65.5 per cent of the time, at 14.5 per cent. Vancouverites are tipping 62 per cent of the time at 13.4 per cent, while Calgarians come in last, only tipping 59.4 per cent of time, with 13.3 per cent left behind.

This might sound low for those who automatically apply a 15 per cent tip to their bills, but at least our servers aren't working in the U.S. A comparable survey from Square found that of all the states, Illinois tipped most often at 61.1 per cent, while those living in Delaware only tipped 38 per cent of the time, reports The Atlantic.

Of course, there's no shortage of amazing restaurants in our Canadian cities in which to spend your hard-earned money, including our newly published list of the top spots to visit in Ottawa to leave your very high tips.

More Signs You Grew Up In Vancouver In The '80s

March 28, 2014, 1:22 pm

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We took a trip down memory lane with Signs You Grew Up In Vancouver In The '80s, but many of you let us know that we missed many other markers of your youth.

We hear ya.

We overlooked some obvious newsmakers like Terry Fox, and some not-so-obvious but still memorable events like the bathtub races.

So we hope you enjoy, "More Signs You Grew Up In Vancouver In The '80s":

When Is Earth Hour? Which Landmarks Are Going Dark?

March 28, 2014, 5:46 pm

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Earth Hour takes place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday (March 29).

The occasion sees people all over the world dim the lights for a single hour to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Previous years have seen world landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Burj Khalifa and London's Big Ben go dark.

We compiled a list of major landmarks throughout North America that will turn down their lights for 60 minutes.

And tell us: how do you plan to celebrate Earth Hour?

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20 Earth Hour Photos That Capture Iconic World Landmarks

March 29, 2014, 7:17 am

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You've seen them in the daylight, on pictures, and even lit up at night, but how do the world's iconic landmarks look in the dark?

Well, come this Saturday, you can find out for yourself. March 29 marks Earth Hour, the annual global event that promotes us working towards a more sustainable future. Across 7,000 cities around the world, millions of people will turn off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and cut back on their overall electricity usage, according to CTV.

But it won't just be homes and businesses participating. From Albania to Vietnam, each nation's famous landmarks will also go dark for one hour. In total, 150 countries are expected to participate, a significant jump from Australia — the only country to take part in 2007.

And while these landmarks may go dark, fret not. Your photos can still turn out awesome, as evident by these pictures from past Earth Hours. Check them out below:



How will you be spending Earth Hour this year? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @HPCaTravel.

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Lions Gate Bridge Statues Intact, But Stanley Park Lions Vandalized

March 29, 2014, 4:40 pm

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Police are investigating major overnight damage to two concrete lion statues in Vancouver's Stanley Park, located near the Lions Gate Bridge.

A "concerned citizen" reported the vandalism to city staff on Saturday morning, said Vancouver police Sgt. Randy Fincham in a news release.

The damaged sculptures are among four small lions that guard the overpass above the causeway, said Fincham. They are smaller versions of the iconic lions at south end of the Lions Gate Bridge.

Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert also tweeted a photo of some of the damage:

@CityofVancouver two lions above the causeway have been vandalized. Not the lions by the bridge. pic.twitter.com/0GsJI6RhQf

— S Chandra Herbert (@SChandraHerbert) March 29, 2014

One lion's face was totally smashed, and the second lion's face and paws were removed, reported CBC News.

"Investigators will be working with the Vancouver Park Board to ensure those responsible are held accountable for taking the roar out of these two lions," Fincham said in the statement.

The two lions guarding the bridge’s south end were designed by Canadian sculptor Charles Marega, who taught at the Vancouver School of Art, reported The Province. The landmark bridge opened in 1938.

Bears Are My Neighbours, And You Wouldn't Slaughter Your Neighbours

March 29, 2014, 10:19 pm

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People ask me a lot why I stepped into the fight against bear trophy hunting (that is, killing bears for pleasure, then taking the head or paws as a "trophy").

There is a stereotype about the sort of people who care about bears. They are made out to be sensitive city folk who can't stomach the realities of life in the rest of B.C. "We must save those poor bears!" the Vancouverite exclaims over his $5 soy latte, having never seen a bear in his life, having no comprehension that small town B.C. is simply crawling with bears in need of firm government control.

That's the stereotype anyway.

My story is not that simple. I live in Vancouver today, only a stones-throw from the urban thoroughfare of Granville Street, but I grew up outside a town of only 200 people, and spent large swaths of my childhood in the remote wilderness.

I've seen many hundreds of bears in my life. Grizzly bears grazing in the grassy foothills of the Rocky Mountains, mysterious white spirit bears slipping through the lush mossy trees of the Great Bear Rainforest, and curious black bears wandering across our lawn or climbing trees when spooked by our family's Jack Russell terrier.

Bears to me are neighbours. They are not to be pitied and cooed over, not to be feared and warped into the hunter's bogeyman. They are simply forces of nature. To see a grizzly bear in close proximity is to witness something so beautiful, so much a part of the landscape, that you can't help but think, "This animal belongs here." They are like the soul of the Earth made animate.

So how did I come to know bears this well?

My parents, Jeff and Sue Turner, are wildlife documentary filmmakers, and one of their life-long passions is filming bears. When I was born, rather then settling down to raise me in a traditional home, they took me along on a two-year filming trip into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Watching a spirit bear at age two with my parents Jeff and Sue Turner on Princess Royal Island. (Photo: Charlie Russell)

I spent my first years of life crawling and toddling on the mossy forest floor beneath old-growth giants, and sleeping at night in a soft canvas wall tent. (My parents say I was stunned, upon returning to civilization, by such things as walls that didn't move, and flushing toilets.) It's hard to say how many black bears and spirit bears I would have seen during our time in the rainforest, but it was probably close to 100.

From that trip onwards, I traveled with my parents everywhere they went filming, and so did my brother when he was born three years later. Wolves, caribou, bison, cougars, wolverines, muskoxen -- of all the amazing creatures we saw and filmed, bears where always my favourite.

Now, I am 22 years old, and work with my parents (in a more formal capacity) to produce nature films for the CBC. I will be returning again to the central coast of B.C. this spring in search of bears to film.

How can I spend time in the company of these animals, get to know them as individuals, and allow them to become at ease in my presence... knowing that the very next day trophy hunters could arrive and kill them? How can I look into the eyes of a bear and witness the intelligence and personality looking back at me, and then abandon that creature to fate? That's when I decided to join in the fight.

It sickens me that the discussion about bear trophy-hunting in B.C. becomes reduced to such threadbare rhetoric. Ministers stick to a handful of worn-out talking points that strain for credibility. The hunt is managed using the "best available science", Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Steve Thomson says, refusing to look at the peer-reviewed articles by some of B.C.'s most eminent scientists that state otherwise. (The study Confronting Uncertainty in Wildlife Management, published by the Public Library of Science, is one recent example.)

Hunt regulations are both "strict and cautious," B.C. MLA Michelle Stilwell writes to a concerned constituent, apparently unaware that over the last decade, grizzlies have been overkilled by hunters in every single region of the province.

Filming a grizzly bear in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, age fourteen, alongside my mother Sue Turner. (Photo: Charlie Russell)

To myself, and many others, there is more than enough evidence to say that the trophy hunt is not well managed in B.C., nor is it managed based on the minister's choice phrase -- "the best available science."

But even if it were... Even if rigorous on-the-ground population studies were finally undertaken, even if there was a new task force of fish and wildlife officers to enforce hunting regulations and prevent poaching, for me, it would be a small consolation to know that a bear's life was taken just because it was deemed biologically expendable by a government scientist.

Is a bear's life really just a number in the ledger? A dot on the chart?

What we are talking about here is death, violent death, for the sake of slaking a human being's bloodlust. The desire to slaughter a large, sentient creature for no purpose other than pleasure.

If you've ever watched a video of a bear being shot, you will know how horrific an act it is. The bear's eyes widen and the head rears back in what can only be described as complete shock, as the first bullet rips through its thigh or shoulder. It tries to run, then another bullet hits. The terror of imminent death sets in.

Sometimes the bear spins and jerks wildly, almost dancing, in a delirium of fear and agony. Then another bullet. And another. Til at last the body crumples and stills, the torture abates. But the crime is not yet over. The hunter now claims his or her prize.

First, there is the victory photo, usually posed with a foot on the bear, holding the high-power, long-range rifle they used to so bravely slaughter it. Then, the knife comes out and the still-warm head and paws are sliced off and dropped into plastic bags as heavy, bloody souvenirs.

I used to consider science, economics and public opinion polls to be my friends in the fight against bear trophy hunting. I saw the peer-reviewed journals, the economic studies, and the well-respected surveys showing that 88 per cent of British Columbians were against trophy hunting, and I became bright-eyed with hope.

"Wow!" I thought, "With all this evidence, all this expert opinion and public support, the government can't possibly ignore us."

But ignore us they continue to do. So I say, screw the numbers. Let's put the blood back in this fight. Because once you've actually seen a bear killed, you don't care as much about the statistics, the studies.

Once you've seen a beautiful, intelligent, expressive animal riddled with bullets and butchered for the macho hedonism of an American or European death-tourist, you don't need to see anything else to know that it's wrong.

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World's Best Eco-Friendly Spas: Where To Feel Good While Feeling Good (PHOTOS)

March 30, 2014, 7:07 am

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(Relaxnews) - Who doesn't enjoy getting all kinds of pampered? Spas are wonderful, and generally even better when of the eco-friendly variety. Let's look at a few of the world's best eco-friendly spas and what makes them special.

Tabacon Grand Spa, Costa Rica

Nestled at the foot of the Arenal Volcano in a stunning rainforest setting, the Tabacon Grand Spa features a natural thermal river that makes its way through the grounds, forming beautiful waterfalls and 12 hot springs heated by -- that's right -- the volcano! Enjoy assorted hydrotherapies, including those in open-air bungalows that feature private Jacuzzis. Guided yoga sessions, nutritionist advice and ancient-style sweat lodges are also available.

Unu Spa, Inkaterra, Peru

The Unu Spa at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru uses products made with 100% local plant extracts, including mint, eucalyptus, mountain lemon and orchid. Treatments are performed in stone-heated eucalyptus huts, which happen to be located next to a natural spring. Foot therapy, hot stone massage and reiki are merely some of the services performed, with others including "Inka Purification," a lymphatic drainage and body wrap treatment.

Karkloof Safari Spa, South Africa

Interested in going on a "spa-fari"? The Karkloof Spa in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is situated within a game reserve featuring some of the continent's famed wildlife, including leopards, black and white rhinos, hippos, 300 bird species and more. With one of the largest spas in Africa, the five-star property offers stunning views of the Albert Falls Dam and assorted picturesque cliffs from the 16 villas. The spa tailors each guest experience. Treatments include a variety of facials, such as the Melon and Honey Facial and the Green Tea Detoxifying Facial, as well as body treatments, such as the Maldivian Black Pepper Scrub.

Rogner Bad Blumau Spa, Austria

This spa is found at an incredible site! The hotel and spa designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser is celebrated as the world's largest liveable work of art. Located near the quaint village of Bad Blumau, this spa is known for its "brass bowl massages" where therapists place brass bowls on the body and hit them to create "deep, relaxing vibrations." It also offers highly-mineralized outdoor baths.

The World's Best Golf Courses: Destinations That'll Have You Green With Envy

March 31, 2014, 4:19 am

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(Relaxnews) - Love hitting the golf course on a regular basis? Love to travel? Then you might want to combine the two and visit one or five of the world's best golf courses.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club

This course is found in Lihue, Hawaii and boasts the longest stretch of continuous ocean holes on the islands, making it a must-see for golf-loving beach-goers. Enjoy mountain and blue, blue ocean views as you tee off on this 18-hole course. You'll start in mango and guava tree forests before making your way down to the water's edge.

St. Andrews Golf Club

If you've ever dreamed of playing golf with Sean Connery in Scotland, St. Andrews is for you. While you may not get to play with the original Bond, there's still much to enjoy on this historic course located outside of Edinburgh. Pick from several magnificent course options, including the award-winning Castle Course, which features plenty of rolling hills. Golfers have been using this area, considered "the home of golf," for some 600 years.

Pine Valley Golf Club

Found in Pine Valley, New Jersey, this course ranked #1 in 2011 and 2013 in a "world's best courses" survey by Golf.com. Featuring numerous islands that serve as isolated greens and hailed as one of the most challenging courses on Earth, Pine Valley is a difficult mistress for even the most seasoned golfers. Nestled in the famous Jersey Pine Barrens and featuring an old L-shaped pebbledash structure clubhouse, it remains a favorite for pro and amateur golfers alike.

Fuji Classic

This course in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Offering gorgeous views in addition to a challenging course, the Fuji Classic is a must for anyone traveling in the area, whether or not you're a golf fan.

Kingston Heath

Kingston Heath, found in Victoria, is one of Australia's best golf courses and features "superb conditioning all year long." Its bunkers have been described as "long, sinewy, shaggy, gnarly and windswept," making this beautiful course both challenging and fun for any player.

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Top Tips For Budget-Friendly Solo Travel

March 31, 2014, 5:55 am

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I recently read an article that stated the best thing that young people can do for themselves before they start their adult life is to travel the world. In this case, the article profiled a young backpacker making their way around Europe.

I absolutely agree that travel is the best way to learn more about neighbours in other parts of the world and also about ourselves. But where I am bit discouraged is why so much emphasis is placed on traveling for youth and not adults. Sure, there are cruises and package vacations but where in all of the travel media do you come across an article profiling a person in their 40's happily traveling on their own?

If you have read my previous blogs, I feel the most alive when I am traveling. If it is around the corner or on the other side of the world. This year I hope to travel to Israel, Iceland and possibly South East Asia (I know these places may seem a bit random, but they will make more sense when you read my future blogs).

Of course, traveling solo can be a bit pricey and even though I am content to travel on my own, it is nice every now and then, to meet others and try a local tour. I recently spoke with Ian Maw, Director of Sales and Marketing at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa and he revealed some of his top tips for on how to save on solo travel, room upgrades (my favourite!) and tips for trying local activities. Ian has worked at some of the finest hotels in the world and has fantastic knowledge about the hotel industry.

Ian shared some of his tips for saving on solo travel, "Higher demand equals higher room rates. Depending on the hotel and location -- for instance, city centre hotels are busier midweek because they rely on the business traveler and the hotel is busier over that period. Resorts (like Harrison or Whistler) are busier on weekends because that is when people can (for the most part) get away."

The best way to save money is do your research before traveling -- go online and check the pricing on all the Online Travel Agents (OTA) such as expedia, booking.com, and also check the hotels directly. If you like staying with the larger branded chains, it is less likely that someone in a 'call centre' can assist you -- a smaller independent property where they take reservations onsite can probably help more. But the best is do your research online - check out a destinations seasonality, shoulder seasons can be a compromise, better vs best weather and moderate vs. big crowds.

There is nothing better than having a huge bed, fantastic view and complimentary wifi. Room upgrades are one of the delights in life. Ian revealed some of his tips for landing a bigger suite or top floor room: "It is best to inquire politely about an upgrade at check in, engage the Front Desk person in conversation and if you have done some research on the hotel -- ask if there is a park view or waterview room available. If the hotel is not busy, there may be a chance that you can get a 'better' room. If the hotel is busy -- there is very little they can do about it -- another advantage to traveling over non-peak periods."

How to find fun activities for a solo traveler? Ian suggests to research ahead of time, what do you like to do? Go online or if you are staying in a hotel that has a concierge, call them for suggestions before you get there. If you are staying in a hotel that does not have a concierge, call one that does, but be prepared and keep it brief. Call/email the tourism bureau in the destination -- this is what they do.

Lastly, even though I am on vacation I try to continue to eat healthy and (mostly) vegan. Some tips I use to keep up my healthy eating on the road:

Bring snacks that are non-perishable. I throw in my bag Vega protein bars, daily shake mix and tote around a bottle of water everywhere I go.

If I am going away for a longer trip, I will ask the hotel that I am staying at if it is possible to speak with the restaurant chef and could I email over a few recipes for my meals. I email the chef some basic healthy recipes that I can eat for lunch and dinner and then have them as room service or in the hotel's restaurant. Of course I still treat myself to the local cuisine, but it is nice to have some of my meals healthy, so there is a balance with my eating while I am away.

Keep watching my blog as a I continue to go out and see more of the world, I will share tips how to save money traveling and have the best time of your life.

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Rescue Dogs Play Vital Role In Washington Mudslide Search

March 31, 2014, 7:49 am

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Rescue crews in Snohomish County said Sunday that many of the dogs that have been essential in the search for mudslide victims will take a two-day break.

Days of sniffing through cold, soupy mud and nearly nonstop rain have taken their toll on the animals, and officials say dogs can lose their sensing ability if they work too long.

Crews are still working to recover more victims from the soggy pile of mud that buried part of the small mountainside community of Oso in Washington state more than a week ago.

"The conditions on the slide field are difficult, so this is just a time to take care of the dogs," said Kris Rietmann, lead spokeswoman for the team working on the eastern portion of the slide.

Dogs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, more recent arrivals on the scene, will continue working, said Heidi Amrine, another spokeswoman for the operation.

Story continues after slideshow:


Engineers were watching for any material sloughing off the landslide area, making sure that a weekend of torrential rainfall doesn't displace more land.

Searchers have had to contend with treacherous conditions, including septic tanks, gasoline and propane containers.

When rescuers and search dogs leave, they're hosed off by hazardous materials crews stationed at the edges of the debris field.

Authorities have said they have recovered more than two dozen bodies, but they won't be added to the official tally, which stood at 18 on Sunday, until formal identifications are made.

Underscoring the difficulty of identifying those killed in one of the deadliest landslides in U.S. history, officials said the search dogs are not always discovering complete remains.

Rude Hand Gestures: A Handy Guide To NOT Pissing People Off While Travelling

March 31, 2014, 10:08 am

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As a traveller, you can expect to use your hands to greet other people, to eat certain foods or to get a feel for every new surrounding. But did you know your hands can also tell someone that their mother's a strumpet?

Yes, like the wave or the handshake, hands are a powerful tool for communication — so long as you understand the context — while you're abroad. Now, it's universally accepted that sticking up your middle finger means "f**k you" all around the world, but these gestures that once seemed fairly harmless at home could have a whole new world of meanings when travelling.

So brush up on your hand signs with this handy (pun totally intended) from the folks at Just The Flight because you never know when the gestures for "a-ok" suddenly translates to"you're an a** hole".

Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.