For travel medical emergency or any other travel insurance, my advice is, if you travel from the USA or Canada, try not to buy insurance in North America – be it via a travel agency or some local banks or insurance companies, or online. Unless – for medical or other safety reasons – insurance must be bought starting from the home location to the destination country. My experience has taught me, to get far better deals buying the insurance either in Europe or wherever you travel to, in that country. Example: In 2010 I travelled to Germany and spent over 4 months there in Berlin. I had taken out a medical insurance on a broker’s internet site. The insurance had their seat in Toronto, Canada. I had a claim, tried to call the insurance from Germany, on my cell phone, told them I need a claim number. They put me on hold while some old guy in the background walked away from his desk ? In conclusion, I cancelled this insurance requesting a refund on my credit card. Immediately one day after I bought a travel medical insurance in Germany (including every coverage possible) at a fraction of the cost that the one in Canada had cost me. The insurance in Canada eventually processed the refund, but not my lost telephone costs.
Cost comparison: Canada/USA = $2,000; Germany = €130 same length of trip. Next example: Previously I had bought several package travels with a German agency (also online) including for each a good travel medical emergency insurance. Low cost again (for one month travel = €100). You can trust these agencies there, they will deliver. And most importantly, they are reachable. I find it more disturbing if an insurance carrier cannot be reached in the event of an emergency (even taking into consideration the time difference) than the higher cost. Reason for the high cost of insurances headquartered in North America is more likely than not the enormous cost for law suits and third party liability suits.
Category: TRAVELS
MAPLE LEAF ADVENTURE
on their beautiful schooner sailing vessel The Maple Leaf, truly a gem among sail boats [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_%28schooner%29 ].
In a south direction through the Johnston Strait. The entire north eastern area with its many little islands is within the Broughton Archipelago [ http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/broughton/ ], a rich fishing marine park visited by many large whales, such as the Humpback Whale, and the Orca (or Killer whale), as well as dolphins, sea lions, and of course there are also the bears, waiting for the salmon runs. And many species of sea birds, mostly Bonaparte Gulls . (Broughton Archipelago Park, B.C.’s largest marine park, consists of a collection of dozens of undeveloped islands and islets situated at the mouth of Knight Inlet on the west side of Queen Charlotte Strait near the north end of Vancouver Island).
October is usually the time of year when it does get cooler and there is more rain, especially up north on Vancouver Island [ http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver-island/popular-areas/north-island.aspx ]. Our adventure cruise started at Port McNeill, a small northern fishing community on Vancouver Island’s north eastern shore, Queen Charlotte Strait. [ http://portmcneillbc.com/ ] . Two ways to get there without driving: using the Greyhound Bus Service from Victoria, which makes multiple stop on the way and may take up to 12 hours to Port McNeill. Flying up there is the answer. Couple of hours (for me Victoria to Vancouver, Vancouver to Port Hardy). I was lucky meeting a lady whose sister lives in Port McNeill, offering me a ride to there. October 11th, 2 PM embarking from the Port McNeill Marina. Most of the time around that time of year lots of rain. Teaches me to bring 100% water proof clothing next time. October 12 our Marine Biologist Jackie Hildering [ http://themarinedetective.com/ ] joined us on board (from Telegraph Cove) enlightening us with many educational presentations, mainly around the impressive comeback of the Humpback Whale, and the importance of respecting all species in this precious marine environment. Large boats and small kayaks are not conducive to offering the respect that these animals deserve.
Telegraph Cove has an impressive little museum with large exhibits of skeletons of sea mammals and one huge skeleton of a fin whale, the second-largest species of whale, with a maximum length of about 75 feet. All these are baleen whales who collect food – for the most part tiny krill and fish – through their huge baleen plates inside their mouths, hard plastic instead of teeth, through which food is filtered. Whereas toothed whales use their teeth for feeding, this would include the killer whale (orca), also the dolphin, among the 65 species of toothed whales.
This tour has been very educational, but also with commercial undertones. In fact the entire commercial side of what is known as adventure cruises, whale watching tours in boats, kayaks or specially outfitted zodiacs is overrated, often destructive to the precious marine life. The Pacific Whale Watch Association specifies a required distance of 100 yards (not closer, standing still) near an animal – this is too close. [ http://pacificwhalewatchassociation.org/guidelines ]; US is 200 yards.
What is 200 or 100 yards in the presence of humans, noise, taking photos, disturbing mothers and baby animals likewise. There is too much pressure on those whales. Yet, it seems that the Humpback has made an encouraging comeback.
Altogether there were six days, five nights of sailing south from our starting point. Sailing south along the Johnston Strait, more rain, more wind, gale winds even. Around many small islands, making stops on some with our zodiacs. Fantastic large number of dolphins that followed out sail boat for hours. Several Orca in the distance, and the usual sea lion colonies on the rocks. Interesting outings onto surrounding islands to observe the salmon runs. There are many species of salmon. Also, disturbing sightings of many commercial fish farms, managed by Norwegians, and the pollution to our wild salmon populations as a result. No bears. (NOTE. Viewing bears better further up north.)
Disembarking at the Cameron Island Marina, Nanaimo, Eastern Vancouver Island. From there I took the Greyhound Bus back to Victoria.
Interesting eye opener this entire adventure in terms of what I learned about animals and people. My primary objective has been to learn more of the marine wild life and – if lucky enough – to actually get a glimpse. Couple of video’s follow.
My recent visit to this year’s Greek Fest 2014 Victoria BC, Vancouver Island. There is an estimated 100 Greek families in Greater Victoria who keep the Greek culture and traditions alive. Of which, best of course, are their traditional dances and the wonderful food – authentic succulent roasted lamb (with rice and salad), souvlakis and the great many delicious Greek pastries like Baklava, Koulouria and more. Not to forget the original Greek Coffee brewed to old tradition like Turkish Coffee, using the brass briki (the pot) Greek coffee is a strong brew, served with foam on top and the grounds in the bottom of the cup. Although it can be made in a different pot, the traditional small pot is best because it allows the proper amount of foam , very tasty.
The day was hot and special attractions included the many Greek dance groups from Canada and Athens, Greece. I love the Greek music. Of interest were also all the old and original artifacts still in the possession of the Greek families, exhibited in the adjacent Heritage Centre.
Very enjoyable weekend and lots of sunshine. [I didn’t stay to the end because I was there by bicycle, around 12km ride one way and then back again to Victoria City.] My video clips show various popular and also widely travelled dance groups, including the ELKELAM Dance Group from Athens Greece, the Dionysos Greek Dancers from Edmonton and from Calgary, both Alberta, Canada, and Diaspora Greek Dancers from Vancouver.
Visiting Salt Spring Island Saturday Market. [ http://www.saltspringisland.org/ ].These are the biggest market days with lots of entertainment, happening on the largest of the Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland British Columbia. From Victoria BC Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (see also my last post on BC Ferries – [ https://renataveritashistory.com/2014/08/16/bc-ferries-vancouver-island/ ]) take the smaller ferry (vehicles and foot passengers) to Salt Spring. As this is a weekend and despite the market day is big and promises lots of visitors to the island, the ferry was 30 minutes late to leave the dock. Resulting in – on the island side – missing the local bus from Fulford Harbour to Ganges (about 20 km) [ http://www.saltspringisland.org/fulford_harbour/fulford_harbour.htm ]. That is where the market unfolds. I was lucky in meeting a couple of nice ladies on the ferry who gave me a ride in their car from Fulford to Ganges. No parking there. Met them later again, they told me they did not find parking for almost one hour. So when you drive, it is quite expensive for ferry services (vehicle plus driver almost C$50), vs. walking onto Ferry (C$12). Secondly difficult to find parking anywhere near Ganges. The Market Days are always very busy. I decided early afternoon to take the bus from Ganges back to the Harbour for one of the ferries – that one also came in 30 minutes late. Lucky I had left my own car on the other side Swartz Bay Terminal (24 hr rate is C$12). To drive home to Victoria.
Living on Vancouver Island [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Island] , there is no other way to get off the island other than by ferry. BC Ferries [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BC_Ferries ] is one of the largest of such ferry operation in the world. The vessels are massive by any standard (I have seen other ferry operations in Europe, to compare). BC Ferries has a large fleet of different sizes vessels [ http://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/ ].
Because Vancouver Island is mainly formed from rocks, above and under the water, negotiating large vessels requires good technology and expert handling. In addition, the presence of under water gas lines (see also Vancouver Island Pipeline marine rights of way, http://www.fortisbc.com.
Interesting points: It has happened in the past that a crossing has had its problems, either the vessel not being able to stop in time and hit the dock at the arrival area (example: [ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-ferry-crash-shuts-down-terminal-for-months-1.1001810 ]. Or more serious, when in 2006 the Queen of the North (fifth largest in the fleet) collided with under water rocks and sank, with 101 people on board, mostly saved, two lost – never found. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Queen_of_the_North ].
I always enjoy taking a ferry trip to one of the Gulf Islands, Strait of Georgia, between mainland BC and Vancouver Island. Last weekend my trip to Salt Spring Island. (see also: next post on Salt Spring Island). Left my car at Ferry Terminal parking (cost of car on Ferry is C$35 + C$12 for passenger/driver, quite expensive for 35 minutes crossing). Disadvantage to not crossing with car is to have to rely on public transport at each end. That weekend the ferry was 30 minutes late both ways. Buses must run on schedule, meaning no ready transport from terminal harbour to town sites. Yet, the major ferries between Vancouver Island and the mainland (Vancouver) are usually on schedule.
Trying to find vacation rentals anywhere for one person ? impossible if going over the Internet. My son who lives in Europe cannot find me anything, although he should know people living there actually. I must always try myself, from Canada, over the Internet. Ever attempted to find one single little studio situation for one person to rent for let’s say (extended stay) three months ? Tough luck, I say. Going thru Google, the normal list of links includes millions of vacation rentals for people sharing: Four, six, one dozen or more. Nutcase situation: that people who like to return to their home countries in Europe actually are being forced to share some rentals with total strangers. Just so, that the owners (or in most cases the large Internet companies representing some owners) can ask exorbitant rental fees. There are likewise lots of companies specializing in the rental business, and nothing else. So, you can go thru lists and or pages of Internet data trying to find: Studio for one person (or if nothing else, for max. two). One single room, small kitchen. What’s so difficult about that ! Of course, if I were in Europe, I would call around, get on the phone, look at classifieds in local newspapers. Impossible for some people to think about that. Must always be the NET. “Forget about it”! Web-based businesses ask more money. For the past few years I found some good stuff over the Internet, though: Rental w/small kitchen for $500 a month. Or for Euro500 a month. Sounds OK to me. But this is rare. However, lots of hours spent getting frustrating about “sleeps 12” or some derogatory remark about “single” people. Yet, incredible how many people travel solo nowadays. Trying against all odds to fight against a stereotype system of travelling (double occupancy) or vacation rentals.
[NOTE. Today found an excellent website, secured, on “vacation rentals Barcelona, Spain”. Prices in Can.$; homes – either by room, apartment, shared, or entire house – rented by mostly private owners. Price ranges are doable.]
LIFE's STORIES, ADVENTURES & TRAVELS 
Reality of WWII
[ http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=55/Bombing-of-Hamburg-Dresden-and-Other-Cities-World-War-II-Database ]
My home town – was right close to Berlin, right smack in the path of the major bomb corridor between England and Berlin – destroyed to 90 %. I was two year old when Canada declared war on me (I take this personally). And I was seven years old when the war officially ended, but unofficially continued with bombings still going on in certain areas. Hah ! Now, were those the same people who after all that destruction pretended to have invented all sorts of ‘Anti War’ symbolism ? In their little war mongering minds they may have thought that (He, it is now seventy years ago) we forgot ?
A victim never forgets ! And when I am a hundred years old I will still remember. After all, two year old babies did not start WW2, nor did they march with rifles slung over and shoot (uselessly, I might add) at the flying bomber aircraft in the air.
Of course, the bombings still continue, even seventy, eighty or who knows hundred years after 1945 [ http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/unexploded-wwii-bombs-pose-growing-threat-in-germany-a-859201.html ].
You can read into this whatever you want, published on the Web by historians, not by people who were actually right in the middle of those bombing raids – victims, little children. So, to all those who were inside those aircraft and dropping their loads onto civilians, do not come with stories of MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR.