Explore B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest
Robert Bateman is one of the world’s premier wildlife artists, as well as a naturalist and an environmentalist. From his home on Salt Spring Island, B.C., his work is known the world over — from the Tryon Gallery in London to the Russian State Museum in St. Petersburg.
An Order of Canada recipient and holder of countless honorary doctorates, he is one of Canada’s greatest living treasures. And this year, Bateman is going on a cruise. No, the ships will not have 10 restaurants, theatres or nightclubs … actually, during the evening the silence will be deafening.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) is hosting a trip on adventure cruise company Maple Leaf Adventures to explore the West Coast’s Great Bear Rainforest on B.C.’s northern mainland.
The inaugural nineday trip will operate June 19-27. Bateman is joining the trip as special crew.
According to the Society, guests “will sail on a flotilla of up to three small, Maple Leaf Adventure coastal ships, explore fiords, the rainforest and islands — while bear viewing and whale watching — plus visit whale researchers and local villages to trace the area’s history.”
“So much of the Great Bear Rainforest is pristine, like the world used to be everywhere before modern man changed it. It’s kind of a Garden of Eden,” says Bateman.
Only seven guests will be on each boat for the opportunity to sail with the man who has been a longtime protector of this area.
The trip is being used as a fundraiser for the RCGS and is priced at $9,995 (plus GST); that’s all-inclusive, with local flights. Read more about it at Mapleleafadventures.com/cangeo.
Phil’s Pick of the Week
Fly to Tahiti and, 22 days later, you’re back in Canada having seen a lot of the South Pacific. This is a combo trip, Tahiti to Hawaii and Hawaii to Vancouver. As always, it’s per person, double occupancy and does not include taxes and fees. Check with your travel agent on possible perks. April 11, 2014 Tahiti to Vancouver: 22 days Pacific Princess Ports: You’re in Papeete overnight, then on to Moorea and Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Hilo, Kona, Maui, Kauai and Honolulu, Hawaii. On the second leg, back to Kauai, Kona and Hilo before heading to Vancouver.
Starting price: $1,899 US. See Princess.com. Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-thescenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Phil Reimer may be contacted directly at portsandbows@ gmail.com.