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If ever you’ve made the trip to the west coast by car, you’ve passed by Kennedy Lake. After all, it’s hard to miss the largest lake on Vancouver Island.

Photo: Shayne Kaye on Flickr

Located 16 kilometres east of the town of Ucluelet, Kennedy Lake hugs part of the Island’s mountain range in a distinct horseshoe shape. Fed by the Clayoquot River and the Kennedy River, it has become a popular stop for those trekking Highway 4.

Map © Google Maps

Photo: Unknown Photographer – Wikipedia

The area surrounding Kennedy Lake has been settled by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation for thousands of years and forms part of the ancestral lands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Following European settlement of Vancouver Island, the lake was named for a former governor of Vancouver Island, Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy. Despite popular misconception, Kennedy Lake does not form part of Pacific Rim National Park. Instead it is adjacent to it, being Kennedy Lake Provincial Park and falling under BC’s umbrella. [source]

Also adjacent to Kennedy Lake are Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park, Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park and Kennedy River Bog Provincial Park.

Photo: Myles Green on Flickr

The Kennedy Lake area was largely settled and populated based on the very active logging opportunities presented by the surrounding forest. Today it’s a popular stop-off for tourists and recreational enthusiasts.

Photo: Scott Hadfield on Flickr

Photo: Chris Morisawa on Flickr

While Kennedy Lake doesn’t provide designated camping spots, it’s not uncommon to see tents dotted at various points around the lake. It’s also a haven for freshwater fishing, canoeing, picnicking and swimming. Budding photographers will find unending inspiration in the panoramas across the lake.

Photo: Matthew Parkes on Flickr

Photos: Magalie L’Abbé on Flickr

As with most parts of Vancouver Island, Kennedy Lake is also home to its fair share of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot eagles, deer, bears, wolves or cougars. Always exercise caution when in these animals’ backyard: leave pets at home and keep children close by.

Photo: Jo Salkey on Flickr

Kennedy Lake is as rustic as they come. Potable water is not available on site so bring your own and be sure to take any garbage with you when you leave.

Kennedy Lake and its respective provincial parks are located on Highway 4, about eight kilometres east of the Tofino/Ucluelet junction. Day-use areas include picnic facilities, pit toilets, a boat launch and wheelchair access. For more information about visiting Kennedy Lake, please visit BC Parks online.

There are some things that no summer of mine would be complete without: flip flops, camping trips, BBQs and the Filberg Festival. It’s become an essential part of the hot months since I was a small child.

This year I was fortunate enough to bring my niece with me, though with her abundant energy and non-existent attention span, our time there was limited. After a cuddly visit to the Hands-On Farm, a pink balloon painted on her cheek and a roam of the grounds, she was ready to go.

My mom and I returned the next day, ready for savoury treats and a little bit of spending. My first stop has always been Lemon Heaven. Fresh-squeezed fruit and a little bit of sunshine (I swear) goes into every cup. I’m partial to the cherry lemonade.

Embracing social media, Lemon Heaven is now on Twitter and on Facebook!

Choosing what to eat can always be the most difficult part of visiting the Filberg Festival. Offering up everything from decadent ice cream and sizzling burgers to pad Thai noodles and perogies, my mom and I settled on Greek goodness. My hope for next year is that a vendor will add authentic Mexican food to the mix!

While the Filberg Festival is no doubt the highlight of each year at Filberg Lodge and Park, it’s impossible to ignore what makes this place so special. Shady trees, bushes and shrubs, brightly-blooming flowers and trickling streams are everywhere you turn.

With full tummies and excited anticipation, we spent the remainder of our afternoon wandering from booth to booth. This is is not your grandmother’s craft fair. The Filberg Festival highlights vibrant painters, knitters, jewelers, sculptors, woodworkers and glass-blowers among others. Textile arts have also seen a resurgence in recent years.

While some people visit the Filberg Festival for art and food, others visit it for the non-stop entertainment and music. With two stages and a children’s performance area, there’s no shortage of mega-watt talent. I managed to catch the end of Comox Valley-native Sue Medley‘s acoustic set before making time to rock out with the Russell Jackson Band.

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Wichita, Kansas, rhythm and blues are in Russell Jackson’s blood. His knee-clapping, foot-stomping, funked-out set had the audience captivated!

Another exhibitor well worth stopping for is West Coast artist Monk. Her mythical, paint-swept landscapes are earning her international acclaim. Each year at the Filberg Festival, a piece of hers is contributed while attendees can add to it, making it a unique group effort.

Last year‘s Filberg Festival painting was created in memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the fallen Georgian luger who tragically lost his life at the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Earlier this summer, Monk traveled to Kumaritashvili’s hometown to present the painting to his family. You can learn more about the painting known as “Nodar’s Spirit” here.

As we continued to make our way through the exhibits, I no doubt had to stop at Saltspring Soapworks. For years this homegrown company has been creating delicious, natural products for the body, hair, skin and even pets!

Lured by the tempting scents of their body gelato scrubs, I indulged in the Rose Provencal and hand therapy lotion (for those long days at the office). Thanks to the body gelato, if my skin could purr, it certainly would.

Reflecting on my photos and remembering the sights and sounds of this year’s Filberg Festival already incites nostalgia. 365 days seems like a long time, but as they say, good lemonade comes to those who wait…

You can see the rest of my photos on my Flickr set.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/6 (I was not paid to write this post but did receive my weekend passes compliments of the Filberg Festival.)

On my recent trip to Ancient Cedars Spa in Tofino, I spent some time perusing the products for sale. On the top shelf, I noticed a photo of a widely-smiling lady in knee-high rubber boots hauling seaweed along the beach. I asked my spa therapist about the products collected around the photo and was told that the line was called Seaflora. And the lady? That’s Diane Bernard – the woman who developed Seaflora based on her passion for and roots in the local coastline.

What piqued my interest was learning that not only is Seaflora developed from certified organic wild seaweed, but that it’s harvested and produced in the seaside community of Sooke on Vancouver Island! That in itself was enough to convince me that it was well worth a shot, so I made sure that their facial skin care line was on its way to my mailbox.

Photo: Sea Flora

Let me preface this by saying that my skin is far from perfect. The tone is uneven with red blotches here and there and I am certainly not exempt from adult acne and a shiny t-zone. I’m always skeptical when I try new product lines, but Sea Flora promises gentle cleansing while naturally creating a balance.

I started the routine with Sea Foam Cleansing Concentrate, used the Sea Spray Splash Toner to unclog my stubborn pores and followed up with some Rich Laminaria Facial Moisturizer. What’s great about each of these products is that because they use such natural ingredients that they’re well-suited for almost any skin type. The key organic seaweed component is chalked full of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K while also boosting my skin with compounds of laminarin, alginate and fucoidan, antioxidants and essential amino acids.

The absence of unpronounceable chemicals means that Seaflora is scented more like the ocean from which is comes, and there’s no “tingle” that hits you after washing, but slathering a safer product on your skin is far more invaluable in the long run. I appreciate that Seaflora is simple to use and multi-functional. The cleanser also removes eye make-up and the toner can be used as a men’s aftershave.

After several weeks’ use, is my skin suddenly perfect? Definitely not, but I can’t deny the difference I’ve noticed. My breakouts have since dwindled a bit and the overall tone of my skin has been nothing short of remarkable.

Beyond basic skin care, Seaflora also produces deep cleansing masques, exfoliants and yummy bath soaks. Here’s a quick breakdown of some extra benefits of the extensive Seaflora line:

• Pacific Sea Salts to provide nutrients and balance and regulate electrolytes
• Certified organic Ulva lactuca to refine pores
• Certified organic Nereocystis to deliver amino acids to skin for building protein and assist in cellular regeneration
• Certified organic Iridaea to nourish skin with beta- carotene and alginate to slow skin’s aging, firm and tone skin
• Certified organic Macrocystis to detoxify and stimulate circulation
• Ocean Mud to cleanse skin and remove impurities and toxins
• Certified Organic sunflower, pumpkin and flax seed oils to hydrate skin

You can learn more about Seaflora on their website or shop the extensive Seaflora line in their online shop. You can also “like” Seaflora on Facebook or follow Diane Bernard – The Seaweed Lady – on Twitter.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2

Between the wind, rain and gray skies that have plagued coastal BC in recent days, my mind has been wandering to sunshine, water that’s as blue as the sky above and toasty warm sand. Though Vancouver Island is essentially surrounded by one big beach, there’s only one place to find that tropical feeling.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park – found on the southeast corner of Hornby Island – will dazzle you with its lush green forests, powdery white sand and aquamarine water. In fact, its main beach has long been lovingly nicknamed “Little Hawaii”.

Map: Google Maps

Almost every summer of my childhood was spent paddling in the translucent water and building enchanting castles in the sand of Big Tribune Bay beach. Bathers who are happy to leave their swimsuits at home might prefer the adjacent Little Tribune Bay beach as it’s designated as being clothing-optional.

Photo: Calypso Orchid on Flickr

Photo: Tyler Ingram on Flickr

More than just luxe sunbathing, Tribune Bay Provincial Park offers a large number of recreational opportunities. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the rock formations that run alongside the western shore of the bay with tidal pools to explore and views that will take your breath away.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

The park also features boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking on designated trails and picnicking. A nearby privately-run campground is available for those wanting to make a week of it.

As a former student of Comox’s Brooklyn Elementary, I was fortunate enough to visit the park’s outdoor educational facility with my schoolmates. We enjoyed running through meadows and falling asleep to the sound of the gentle waves.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

Photo: ecstaticist on Flickr

For a province known for its parks with old growth forests and towering mountains, it’s surprising to find such a gem so far north of the Equator. As BC celebrates 100 years of parks, highlighting the diversity of park landscape in our province is an important part of that celebration. While it’s certainly impossible to chose the most beautiful, it’s not difficult to pinpoint Tribune Bay Provincial Park as one of the most unique – and one of my most favourite.

Photo: Proggie on Flickr

Hornby Island is accessible by ferry via Buckley Bay to Denman Island and on to Hornby Island. Tribune Bay Provincial Park is a day-use only park and campfires are not permitted in the park at any time. There is no drinking water available at the park and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times (though they are not allowed on the beach). There are no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at your own risk. Please remember to take all garbage with you. For more information on Tribune Bay Provincial Park, please visit BC Parks online.

Weeks ago as I researched unique and interesting things to do in Ucluelet, I came across stories of a supposed blowhole on one of Ukee’s isolated stretches of shoreline.

Always looking for adventure, we zipped up our rain jackets, pulled on sturdy boots and set foot through the forest. Before long, we found ourselves on gritty sand and jagged rocks.

As we cut through the trees and could see ocean in the distance, a deep, eerie sound filled the air and shook from under the ground and through our feet. Not unlike the vibrating thuds Tyrannosaurus rex made in Jurrasic Park as he was nearing, we were suddenly excited at the sound, knowing that the blowhole was near. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw!

Created by a vertical rock crevass that forms from sea caves, the Ucluelet blowhole is a phenomenal and rare sight in nature. When wind and water are sucked into the crevasse, the force of the pressure sends water and air thrusting upwards. [source]

Those lucky enough to visit the blowhole on a stormy day – and preferably when the tide is low – will experience something that is nothing short of the most incredible thing I have ever seen occur in nature. It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing a simple force of nature can be, but it’s well worth the trek and you’ll encounter more than just water sprays. Tidal pools are always fascinating to explore and we were even lucky enough to spot a mother eagle protecting her mammoth-sized nest.

Want to see the Ucluelet blowhole for yourself? Traveling south from the junction into Ucluelet, park at the side of the road a few metres south of Lee Street. The path entrance is marked by a concrete divider, opposite Hardy Road, though Hardy Road is unmarked. [map] The path is a bit more than a kilometre to the beach and when it forks, head to the right. Once you reach Fletcher’s Beach, veer left and look for a hard-to-find path cutting into the headland. The path entrance is illustrated below and once you’re on it, it’s marked with little orange flags. Listen for the blowhole and you’ll find it in no time. It’s about a 60-minute round trip.

Things To Remember: If you visit the blowhole, bear in mind that it’s on a fairly deserted beach and it’s important to let someone know your plans before heading out. There are no safety fences between you and the ocean and Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate, so consider leaving your pets and small kids at home. The Ukee blowhole is a protected favourite spot for locals, so please show the land respect – take any garbage with you and leave the beach exactly as you found it.

Though words such as restful, tranquil and relaxing are sentiments that may come to mind in describing the average spa experience, none of them seem to suffice when regarding the Ancient Cedars Spa. Located at the bottom of a winding staircase within Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn, this seaside spa is in a calibre all its own.

Featuring treatments inspired by the transforming sensation of the Pacific Ocean, Ancient Cedars Spa utilizes an extensive range of wonderfully holistic spa, beauty and make-up products. Last week I was fortunate enough to visit the spa for one of their signature treatments.

As I entered the inviting and quiet entrance, I was given a glass of a fresh lemon water and whisked into the ladies’ lounge. A locker with my name on it awaited me, containing cushy slippers and a plush robe. Though I had the option of visiting the steam room prior to my treatment, I instead opted for a warm and soothing shower. A number of Aveda, Comfort Zone and Sea Flora products were at my disposal for cleansing, refreshing and moisturizing.

“Everything is one – all is interconnected” is the meaning behind the Hishuk Ish Tsawalk Awakening Treatment. Developed directly with Tofino’s Nuu chah nulth First Nation, this treatment brings together the elements of fire, wind, water and air. This four-part harmony is designed to cleanse, invigorate, restore and finally balance.

My spa therapist, Panagiota, gently walked me through the stages of the treatment, beginning with the burning of sage as it drifted over my body with a sweeping eagle feather. Following that, I received a full body exfoliation using Sea Flora organic skincare products harvested and developed in Sooke. The scrub was rinsed away in an alternating hot and cold shower before the final step of a head-to-toe massage. Using silky and fragrant essential oils, Panagiota worked over my muscles using smooth, hot rocks she had gathered from one of the rivers that feed Tofino.

A week later, as I reflect on the Hishuk Ish Tsawalk Awakening Treatment and my entire experience at Ancient Cedars Spa, I still feel to be a bit in awe. The perfect blend between luxurious and grounded, it was undoubtedly an unforgettable encounter. A number of both contemporary and traditional spa treatments are available at Ancient Cedars Spa, but don’t take my word for it – visit and feel for yourself.

Ancient Cedars Spa at the Wickaninnish Inn is located at 500 Osprey Lane in Tofino, BC. You can visit the spa and inn online, become a fan on Facebook or follow the Wick’s updates on Twitter.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2

While many may head north when greeted by the Highway 4 junction, turning the wheels south instead will find you at one of Vancouver Island’s most elegant and breathtaking resorts on the West Coast. The views aren’t too shabby either.

My partner in crime and I made our way into Ucluelet just a few hours before sunset and found ourselves at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort. Aptly named for the jagged shore it’s perched on, visitors to Black Rock are instantly greeted by a sky-high lobby and warm smiles.

No guest suite at Black Rock is without the natural beauty that creates the uniqueness that surrounds Ucluelet. Featuring either ocean or forest views, each room is flooded with natural light.

At over 700 square feet, our one-bedroom suite included a comfortable living room with big screen TV, dining area and a fully-stocked kitchen with more than just coffee and wine. Including dishes, cooking utensils, a dishwasher, fridge and oven, preparing a feast-pour-deux was a task made simple.

Luxury in our bathroom was not at all overlooked. We were treated to a rain shower, heated tile flooring and an enormous soaker tub that I couldn’t resist test-driving at least once.

Accommodation away from home is really about one thing: sleep. The king-sized platform bed with lavish sheets certainly lent to blissful slumbering for us both, enhanced only by the lullaby of crashing waves right outside our window.

However, the undisputed gem in the crown of our room was the sweeping terrace with an unending view of the horizon. Quite possibly larger than my apartment, it was the perfect place to take in the first sunset I’d seen in Ucluelet in more than a decade with a glass of red wine and a few cuddles.

With some sunlight to spare, we had time to explore the property around Black Rock on our first day there. Conveniently situated on the Wild Pacific Trail, guests of the Black Rock are steps away from world famous panoramas and a seascape that will take your breath away.

The rays of a West Coast sunset are nothing short of inspiring.

Quickly apparent to me was the fact that one could spend their entire retreat at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort without the need to leave the property at all. Fetch is the resort’s acclaimed restaurant with its impressive wine selection, locally sourced seafood and sustainable dishes. Serving up incredible creations from Executive Chef Andrew Springett and his team, Fetch is simply a culinary delight and filled my tummy with one of the best eggs Benny breakfasts I’ve had in a long while.

With its wave-inspired bar, Float – the adjacent lounge – was where we found ourselves each evening. Shaking up tasty cocktails, brewing unbelievable coffee and dishing out delicious desserts and appetizers, Float was the perfect way to end each day. Our server, Julie, was attentive and full of fun.

While most of our time in Ucluelet was spent beachcombing, relaxing and getting drenched in liquid sunshine, Black Rock also offers up indoor facilities for its guests. With a complete fitness centre, luxe spa facilities at Drift (I hear their massages are to die for!) and a toasty hot tub, it’s impossible to escape the paradise that Black Rock creates.

Part of staying grounded in the everyday is taking time to recharge. With hectic work schedules and a lot on the go all the time, Black Rock provided the most incredible getaway for both of us. With storm season at its peak, now would be the ideal time to experience it for yourself.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is located at 596 Marine Drive in Ucleluet. You can contact the resort at 1-877-762-5011 or by e-mail. You can also find Black Rock Oceanfront Resort on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2

There are some communities on Vancouver Island that, despite growth and development, seem to remain untouched after countless decades. Charming architecture, tiny shops and well-treaded sidewalks are all characteristics of the town of Ladysmith.

Photo: John Samuel

Marking the half-way point between Nanaimo and Duncan, this self-proclaimed “Heritage by the Sea” town keeps watch over Thetis Island as it’s supported by the Island’s spinal mountain range. With a population of less than 10,000, it’s easy to see how Ladysmith maintains the quaint nature it has become known for.

Source: Google Maps

Photo: Active Steve on Flickr

Photo: Read Me on Flickr

Industry has never much been centralized on Ladysmith. Originally known as Oyster Harbour, the town was founded in the very late 1800s by James Dunsmuir. Requiring an area in which to house the families who ran and worked in his adjacent coal mines, Dunsmuir began settling the area and an abundance of homes sprung up within Ladysmith.

Photo: Beana Cheese on Flickr

Photo: Make It Old on Flickr

The town grew rapidly being that it was a through-point between major coal ports on the Island and was easily accessible by rail. In fact, by 1911, the population of Ladysmith had already swollen to about 3,300. While much of the influx of residents came from Britain, there were also sizable communities of those of Belgian, Chinese, Croatian, and Finnish decent. [source]

Photo: 1st View

Photo: Jordan Oram on Flickr

Photo: dallam on Flickr

Ladysmith continues to thrive in the 21st century, relying partially on the Island’s timber resources and predominantly on tourism. The town is also actively working with the Chemainus First Nation and the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group (a coalition of six First Nations tribes) to preserve the First Nations history of the area.

Photo: Len not Lenny on Flickr

Photo: Tracy O on Flickr

Photo: Len not Lenny on Flickr

They say good things come in small packages and the same could not be more true of Ladysmith. In fact, they’ve even developed a Top 10 list of must-see attractions to do in the area. With its proximity to the ocean, the Island’s wine country, hiking trails, golfing and designated cultural spots, it’s easy to lose yourself in the 49th parallel. Ladysmith is made even easier to see with their free trolley bus service – schedules and information can be found online.

Photo: Len not Lenny on Flickr

Photo: indistinct on Flickr

Photo: Kurt V. on Flickr

Make a point of stopping at Transfer Beach, featuring breathtaking views and family-friendly amenities. This diverse community with its proud heritage is most definitely an essential part of Vancouver Island’s history. Whether you’re there for an hour, a day or a week, it’s well worth your time.

Photo: Tracy O on Flickr

Photo: PaleyFarm on Flickr

Located just 26 kilometres south of Nanaimo, Ladysmith can be found on Highway 1. For more information on the region, you can visit the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce online or stop by the Visitor Information Centre at 411 B 1st Avenue [map]. Tourism Ladysmith is also a good jumping-off point to plan your adventure.

In 1873, a cemetery was created off the shores of what is now the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria. Since that time, it has become one of the most fascinating cemeteries in all of British Columbia, being that it’s the final resting place of some prolific Canadians that helped shape our Province and country.

In the early 1900s, a seawall was built along the shores of Ross Bay Cemetery. Erosion from the ocean was damaging the cemetery, and old tales tell of coffins and bones being swept to sea.

I first learned of Ross Bay Cemetery earlier this fall while researching some of Vancouver Island’s supposed haunted spots. When Rebecca and I began planning our girls’ trip to the Island, I brought up the idea of visiting the cemetery – an idea she was quickly on board with.

Before the trip, I was given a copy of Awake and Dreaming by Victoria-based author Kit Pearson. Much of the story takes place in and around Ross Bay Cemetery, so before visiting, I had an idea in my mind of what it would be like.

I think perhaps what surprised me most was how quiet and calm the cemetery was. As Rebecca and I braved the bitter cold, we found ourselves weaving up and down the pathways, reading headstones, fixing flower pots that had fallen over and considering those that had gone long before us. Before we realized it, nearly two hours had passed.

Rather than the uncomfortable experience I was expecting, spending time at Ross Bay Cemetery was wholly peaceful.

Ross Bay Cemetery has been a full cemetery for several decades, with mothers, fathers, grandparents, those who lost their lives to illness in the late 1800s and those who died fighting for our country in the First and Second World Wars. There are tributes, statues, anchors and even some graves left mostly unmarked.

Home to many famous – and infamous – Canadians, this cemetery is where you’ll find the likes of Sir James Douglas, William “Billy” Barker, James Dunsmuir, John Robson and painter Sophie Pemberton.

Perhaps one of the best-known and most-loved Canadians to be found at Ross Bay Cemetery is none other than Emily Carr. The impact her work has made, and still has today, was clear to see. Visitors often leave pens, sketch pencils or paintbrushes by her grave which is marked with prose written by Emily.

- Emily Carr

Those wishing to visit Ross Bay Cemetery will find it at 1516 Fairfield Road in Victoria. The Old Cemeteries Society regularly offers walking tours of the cemetery for a small fee. If you’d like to go it alone, you can also download the self-guided tour map. Please also take a moment to visit Miss604 for more in-depth information about famous Vancouverites buried at Ross Bay Cemetery.

Whether we intended it or not, tea was certainly a theme of our girls’ getaway to Nanaimo and Victoria, so it seemed only fitting that Rebecca and I take some time to visit Silk Road in Victoria’s downtown core. A fixture of the local culinary scene for almost two decades, Silk Road has grown into something of a local phenomenon.

Since my last visit to Silk Road, the shop has grown into the breathtaking space next door, complete with a workshop bar, expansive wall space for all of the teas, trinkets and teapots as well as ample room for their nurturing spa products created entirely on site.

Created by two women who are both Chinese Tea Masters and Herbalists, Silk Road honours the centuries-old tradition of tea preparation and drinking. Each and every blend that lines the walls of this Chinatown treasure is unique to Silk Road with organic ingredients being especially chosen from all over Asia before being hand-blended in Victoria.

In addition to tea blends, Silk Road has also become increasingly famous for their aromatherapy and spa products. Using essential oils and only the purest of ingredients, the shop offers a complete line of body and skin care. These products are used extensively throughout Silk Road’s spa.

Being that we visited Silk Road on a Saturday afternoon, Rebecca and I were fortunate enough to partake in one of their popular tea tasting workshops. Think of it as a wine tasting but for tea buffs. Not only were we able to sample a number of the shop’s best selling teas, we – along with the 10 other participants – learned how to festively blend teas with hot chocolate. Mixing the Westcoast Peppermint with milk cocoa was undoubtedly my favourite.

Further, the workshop also proved to be interesting and informative. We were explained the differences between white, green, black and herbals teas, some of the health benefits of each and even the importance of varied steeping times. Brewing an exceptional pot of tea is truly a time-honoured art and a tradition to be respected.

Silk Road’s tea tasting workshops at the Tea Tasting Bar are held each Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. from now until the end of June. For more photos and fun from our Silk Road visit, please head over to Miss604.com and read Rebecca’s post.

Silk Road is located at 1624 Government Street (between Fisgard and Pandora Streets) in downtown Victoria. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. During the holidays, Silk Road is open for extended shopping hours, so please phone ahead at (250) 704-2688 (press 2) or visit their website to find more information. You can also find Silk Road on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.