Ferry Times From Pender to Vancouver

The following are ferry times from Pender Island to Vancouver on Sunday 1st June for return journeys:

Ferry times from Pender Island to Vancouver with no changes: 8:05am (arr 10.20am). Second ferry at 7:20pm (arr 9.10pm) with a transfer at Mayne.

Ferry times from Pender Island to Victoria for a ferry change onto Vancouver:

8:45 arr 9:25am
12:35 arr 1:15pm
5:30 arr 6:10pm
6:15 arr 6:55pm
9:15 arr 9:55pm

Then ferry times from Victoria to Vancouver: 7am, 9am, 10am, 11am and every odd hour up to an including 9pm. Journey time is 1 hour and 40 mins.

At the tine of writing all sailings show availability and to save waiting in line (1 and half hours pre-board wait) you can reserve your ferry. This is only required for guests with a car, as foot passengers can wander on.

Please note that ferry reservations are allowed between Victoria and Vancouver, Vancouver and Pender. However, reservations are not allowed between Victoria and Pender.

If you would like to reserve your ferry for your trip to Pender - check out:
https://welcome.bcferries.com/rbi/index.asp?RT=V-SGI

Note - Precise ferry times for Pender cannot be guaranteed due to 'island time delays'.

If you would like further information on ferry arrangements please let us know or check out the full website (hint - Pender is part of the South Gulf Islands): http://www.bcferries.com/

Vancouver Airport Hotels

If you are looking for a hotel near the Vancouver airport. Here are a few that we personally know of:

www.fairmont.com/vancouverairport
This is not the cheapest place but fantastic location - actually attached to the international terminal. It is about 25 metres the international/US terminal and about 100 metres to the domestic terminal. Good bit ~ you can walk down and check in for your flight and then go back to your room for awhile. Great bar area with big fireplaces and sofas etc.

http://www.comfortinnvancouver.com/
Has shuttle and is cheap. Good for a quick turn around.

http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/vancouver/coast_vanairport/overview
Has shuttle and Coast Hotels are pretty consistent.

http://www.richmond-hotel.ca/
A Best Western. Has shuttle. Good location

RSVP Deadline

The time has come - The RSVP deadline of 1st December has now passed. We are still missing a few replies from guests on both sides of the Atlantic. It is essential for us to get a response as we have to submit an accommodation request to Poets Cove.

You know who you are - please send that RSVP back! Thank you.

Any further questions please let us know.

Nancy's Arrival in Oz

Nancy and myself are back together on the same continent as she has arrived down under in Melbourne. With the hottest day, since my arrival in Sept, at 37 degrees - we are both enjoying developing a healthy glow for xmas.

The majority of the wedding planning is now in place and so we can relax/enjoy sunny Melbourne together. Don't forget the 1 Dec for your invitation RSVP!

Wedding Invites

As the RSVPs are starting to roll in, we just wanted to make sure that everyone has received their invitation. If you haven't by now, please let us know and we'll get the information out to you asap.

Please remember that when you respond, please write your names on the RSVP list and remember to check off which accommodation option (or not) you'd like.

We have had an RSVP from the Vancouver region - sent from a post office in the V6B 3A region - which has no name or accommodation information just a 'delighted to accept' marked. If this is you, can you please let us know so we can get your details down correctly.

Only 200 days to go!

Change in GST Tax

As per our previous post - there are three levels of taxation that affect visitors to British Columbia. However, the good news is that the federal goods and services tax (GST) is being reduced to 5% (1% reduction) from January 2008 onwards.

Taxes are not included in prices so they will almost always be extra to the price listed.

RSVP card

We have made a bit of a blunder and forgot to put a place on the RSVP card for you to put your names. Please could you help us out by writing your names at the top of the card so we know who is doing what! Thank you.

IMPORTANT! Poets Cove Accommodation

There is a two-night minimum on stays at Poets Cove. There are three, types of rooms available – Lodge, Villa or Cottage. Please check out the website www.poetscove.com for pictures. A group rate has been agreed and the room rates are below. On Pender Island, taxes on hotel rooms are 6% GST and 8% Hotel Tax.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Lodge Room $179 + tax = $204.46 per night based on 2 sharing.
King bed, fireplace, glass enclosed shower, deep soaking tub, balconies with ocean views. The room can accommodate a small child with two adults.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Villa, 2 bedroom $309 + tax = $352.26 per night based on four sharing.
Fireplace, large open living and dining room space, gourmet kitchen, laundry, DVD home theatre, ocean views, barbeque, 2 en-suite bathrooms.

Villas have one room with King bed and the second room has twin beds. To make the twin a King, there is a one-off $25 +tax conversion fee.

Villas also have a Queen sofa bed, which can be used for an additional cost of $25 + tax per person per night (maximum 2 additional people).
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Cottage, 2 bedroom with hot tub, back row, $309 + tax = $352.26
Cottage, 2 bedroom middle row, $309 + tax = $352.26
Cottage, 2 bedroom with hot tub, middle row $359 + tax = $409.26
All prices above are based on four sharing per night.

Fireplaces, high ceiling living and dining areas, gourmet kitchen, laundry, DVD home theatre, large patios, harbour views, barbeque, some with private hot tub, en-suite off Master bedroom and one additional full bathroom.

Cottages have one room with King bed and the second room has twin beds. To make the twin a King, there is a one-off $25 +tax conversion fee.

Cottages also have a Queen sofa bed, which can be used for an additional cost of $25 + tax per person per night (maximum 2 additional people).
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Postal Strike

This post only applies to the UK wedding guests!

The wedding invitations are ready and are in the post. However, as you are probably aware the Royal Mail has been and may well be again on a postal strike. This may delay you receiving the invitation. Only 228 days left to Wedding Day!

Melbourne Photos

Check it out the photos of my first few weeks in Melbourne.

Melbourne Calling...

Hi everyone.
As per my previous post, Im currently living in Melbourne, Australia and so I thought I would write on the blog about this. With wedding arrangements ongoing and limited information to announce I thought you might like to hear about Melbourne.

Over the past 5 weeks I have visited a number of tourist sites and enjoyed the sites of the Melbourne and the local area. Two of the major highlights would be the Eureka Tower, which is the tallest building in Melboure and has an observation deck on the 88th floor. The views are amazing to say the least! The other highlight being Philip Island and watching penguins parading up the beach at sunset - very cold, but a great attraction to view.

Anyway back to the studying. Keep watching the blog - the wedding is only 232 days away. Im hoping the wedding weather is a good as Melbourne - the pic shows the blue skies above.

Zoom Seat Sale

Zoom announced their summer 2008 seat sale today. Some good deals...www.flyzoom.com

Ive Arrived in Melbourne, Australia

Just a quick blog post to let you know I have arrived safe and sound in Melbourne, Australia. I will be living "Down Under" for 14 weeks, until the 10 December as Im completing my MBA Masters qualification at Melbourne Business School.

Even though Nancy and I are both out of the UK we will continue to post articles related to the wedding, the venue or for general information.

We have moved...

Just so everyone is aware, Scott and I moved out of the Manchester flat on Friday. Scott has spent the weekend in Dubai looking at sand dunes, jet skiing, buying electrical goods and suffering from sunburn and a cold! Today, he arrives in Melbourne for his new adventure...

I'm still in Manchester until the 8th (staying with a friend), when I go off to Vancouver/Victoria for two weeks. On the 22nd I will be flying out to Delhi for 6 months...more on that another day...if you need to get in touch with either of us, please email my hotmail account.

Ferry schedules are out

Just to let you know that the BC Ferries has released the ferry schedules up to June 24, 2008. Visit www.bcferries.ca and go to schedules. Once you've picked the right schedule go to the second drop down menu and you will be able to select which schedule you want to look at. If you need any help finding information just let us know.

World's Most Hi-Tec Urinal - Tourist Attraction?

This blog entry is not particular wedding relevant, but it is funny. Especially as Nancy is from Victoria and she will be appalled that I have put this onto our wedding blog. Personally I think this is a top idea and some guests may see it as a tourist attraction - even if it is just for the novelty factor.

In an effort to handle its night time public urination problem, Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is considering installing urinals that disappear below street level during the day. The Urilift system is a two-meter high stainless steel cylinder with three alcoves, each with a urinal, and no doors.
By day, the Urilift is lowered below street level for a nice clean look. Then at night, an operator comes by with a remote and the Urilift hydraulically lifts to sidewalk level in about two minutes. Then the unit is ready to serve all the night time party animals who don’t mind peeing in a very exposed public urinal.

Click here for the Full Article here: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=0b2ee1c9-477f-4989-b341-b7c860a1e375&k=89577

Or check out the VIDEO ADVERT.

Information on Banff

For those of you who are asking for information on Banff, here are some tourism links for you. I'm afraid I don't know too much about this area so I can't be of much help - hopefully these sites will be!

www.banfflakelouise.com/
www.discoverbanff.com/
www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Banff_National_Park/

Downtown Victoria to Downtown Vancouver by BUS (or reversed route)

Option 1: City Bus

Step 1. Victoria #70 City Bus to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
Fare: $2.75 (exact change required)
Estimated travel time: 1 hour and fifteen minutes. You can catch this bus on Douglas Street at Pandora Avenue.

Step 2. Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen by BC Ferries.

Fare:
Walk-on adults: approx. $10 - $12,
Passenger vehicles $33 - $36 (not including driver or passengers)
Note: Ferry takes cash, Visa and Mastercard but NOT debit cards.

To take your bike it will cost you an extra $2.50.
Estimated crossing time: 1 hour and 35 minutes.

When to be at the terminal: Walk-on passengers should get their tickets at least 10 minutes before sailing time, 30 min utes before sailing if you’re driving, and even earlier during peak summer months & busy periods. If in doubt, give yourself time!

Car reservations can be made via 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) or by website https://welcome.bcferries.com/ Non-refundable, one-way is $15 - $17.50.

Step 3. Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to Downtown Vancouver
Catch the #620 city bus to the Ladner Exchange, change buses to the #601 or #098 to Vancouver (Northbound). Fare: $2.75 - $4.75. Estimated travel time: From ferry terminal to Granville Street is about an hour and a half.

Option 2: The Pacific Coach Lines:
($37 - $40, 3 hrs 40 min)

Fares: One way $37 - $39.50 (includes ferry fare), Roundtrip $76 - $77
Departs: Victoria Bus Depot (700 Douglas Street)

Schedule: http://www.pacificcoach.com
Arrives: Various locations en-route to the final destination, Pacific Central Station (1150 Station Street) located next to the Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station

Info: Toll-free 1-800-661-1725,
Fax (604) 681-4634 / info@pacificcoach.com / http://www.pacificcoach.com/

WARNING! Event in Victoria

The weekend before wedding, (24th and 25th May) a sailboat race is on in Victoria. As a result, Victoria is very busy and hotels are in demand therefore we suggest if you are planning to be in Victoria over this weekend booking hotels well in advance (6 to 9 months) is highly advised to avoid disappointment.

http://www.swiftsure.org/

Fancy a Fanny Facial?

This post will be probably more appropriate to the UK wedding guests in terms of humour.

How do you fancy a "fanny facial"?

Fanny facials are the latest rage in Hollywood,(No pun intended) and it is the hot new thing at Poets Cove Resort & Spa. Something to check out when visiting .......

http://www.poetscove.com/documents/FannyFacials.pdf

Travelling to Victoria from Vancouver or Seattle

From Vancouver to Victoria:

From the BC Ferry Terminal at Tsawwassen (20 minutes north of the American border just off Hwy 99 and 3 hour drive north of Seattle on I5) you will take the ferry traveling to Swartz Bay. This is a car and passenger ferry, it leaves frequently and can be busy during the summer months so make reservations by phone or on line. http://www.bcferries.com/

From the Vancouver Airport, you can book an Air Canada commuter flight to Victoria's airport (a 35 minute flight). http://http://www.aircanada.ca/


Additionally, you can take a Pacific Coach Line bus that takes you on to the Tsawwassen / Swartz Bay ferry and then to downtown Victoria (3.5 hour very scenic trip). This bus service will take you from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport to the ferry and ultimately downtown Victoria. You can choose to only take part of the trip with them. http://www.pacificcoach.com/


Another option is to fly from downtown Vancouver to Victoria's harbour downtown by float plane.
WestCoast Air http://www.westcoastair.com/
Harbour Air http://www.harbourair.com/
Helijet helicopter http://www.helijet.com/



From Seattle to Victoria:

The Clipper Navigation (1-800-888-2535) Passenger Ferry downtown to downtown
http://www.clippervacations.com/

Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air (1-800-547-9308) SEA airport to YYJ (Victoria) airport
http://www.alaskaair.com/

Kenmore Air (1-800-543-9595) downtown to downtown
http://www.kenmoreair.com/

From Port Angeles, WA to Victoria (see map below):

Black Ball Transport (1-206-457-4491) Coho Car Ferry to downtown
http://www.cohoferry.com/

Victoria Express (1-800-633-1589) passenger ferry to inner harbour
http://www.victoriaexpress.com/



















From Anacortes, WA to Sidney:

From this port, a 2 hour drive north of Seattle, this ferry leaves infrequently, but you can make reservations. Washington State Ferries Car Ferry to Sidney
www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Sidney, BC is a 10 minute drive to Swartz Bay (Victoria Ferry Terminal) for main ferry route to Vancouver. Sidney is about a 25 minute drive to downtown Victoria. Sidney is a quaint seaside town worth stopping for lunch or having breakfast at.
This is also the town from which the water taxi goes to Poets Cove.
http://www.sidney.ca/

How to Get to Poets Cove/Pender Island

Poets Cove Resort & Spa is located at Bedwell Harbour on the southwest side of South Pender Island. It is a 40-minute ferry ride from Victoria, and ferry service is also available from Tsawwassen, just south of Vancouver.

It is also accessible by scheduled and charter float plane service from Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle. The 20 minute flight from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver's South Terminal Airport is a spectacular trip over the Gulf Islands!

Another option from Victoria is "Poets Cruise" water taxi from Port Sidney Marina, which is just a 5 minute taxi from the Victoria International Airport. A 30 minute cruise through the islands brings you to Poets Cove Marina.

See below for specific details...

By ferry (car or passenger) from Vancouver or Victoria-
Travel to Poets Cove via BC Ferries from Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal) or Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay Terminal) to Otter Bay terminal on North Pender Island. Reservations in summer and holidays are recommended although they are not available on all routes so please check the website. Check the BC Ferries website for times and fares at http://www.bcferries.com/.

If you don't have a car, the Resort may pick you up from the ferry terminal. This needs to be arranged well in advance. Alternatively, Pender Island Cab http://www.penderislandcab.com/ can take you to the resort. Again, pre-booking is required. Phone number is 250-629-2222 and 2007 costs to the resort are currently $34.75.

If you have a car, check out the driving directions on the right-hand menu which start from the Otter Bay ferry terminal.

Seaplane from Vancouver or Seattle-
Looking for a faster way? Take a spectacular scheduled or chartered seaplane flight from Vancouver Airport (south terminal) or Downtown Vancouver with http://www.harbourair.com/ or Seattle/Lake Union, Washington with http://www.kenmoreair.com/, direct to the dock at Poets Cove in Bedwell Harbour.

Charter service is available from Victoria & Vancouver International Airports and downtown Victoria with Pat Bay Air Limited http://www.patbayair.com/

The seaplane lands directly at the resort so it's only a 100m walk to your first pint with this option! Please note seaplanes are small but are completely worth it for saving time and for the amazing view of flying over the islands. Perhaps one of those once in a lifetime experiences...

Passenger only water taxi from Sidney/Victoria-
Water taxi service is available from Port Sidney Marina direct to our Poet's Cove Marina (approx. 25 minutes each way). The 12 passenger covered boat offers a beautiful cruise through the Gulf Islands from Sidney to Poets Cove. For reservations or more info, call Dan at 250-360-6219 or 250-629-2116. Fares can be found on the resort website under calendar of events. For 2007, it was $20 one-way per adult. Advanced booking required.

This is a good option for those who prefer not to stay overnight on the island on the day of the wedding.

The All Important Question!

I know the ladies out there attending the wedding have only one question on their mind and that is ......

Will the rooms at Poets Cove have a hairdryer???

We can exclusively reveal that all rooms have a hairdryer installed at the Poets Cove Resort! No need to worry. (Phew...)

What are the Taxes in Canada?

There are three levels of taxation that affect visitors to British Columbia. There's a 10% tax charged on accommodation (can vary by city) and liquor. For most other goods and services, there is a 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 6% federal goods and services tax (GST.)

Taxes are not included in prices so they will almost always be extra to the price listed.

Check out the following link for more interesting local information for Canada:
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/Canada_tips.htm

Accommodation Information

More than one-night stay on Pender Island
If you’d like to stay directly at the resort, we have negotiated group room rates and a block of rooms, villas and cottages are being held for the party. You cannot book your room directly with the hotel as a group booking process is in place. Instead, when you receive your invite, you will need to indicate which type of accommodation you’d like to stay in, number of nights, occupants, if you are sharing with anyone and send back as part of your RSVP. Once we’ve had responses from everyone, we will submit our group request to the Resort. Early February, a reservation confirmation will be sent to you from us and you will be required to contact the Resort directly to finalize details of your booking and this will result in a reservation number. Please do not contact the Resort directly until we give you your reservation in February.

Please note that check in is 4pm and check out is 11am.

Room types and costs will be uploaded onto the blog and found on the menu on the right.

One-night stay on Pender Island
Poets Cove resort only permits a minimum two-night stay at the resort this time of year. If you only want to stay on Pender Island for one night, the inns and bed and breakfasts are recommended below. Due to the popularity of the island, please ensure you book early to avoid disappointment. It is important to ask if there is a supplement for a one-night stay. Also, for safety, please ensure you use a taxi if you plan to have a drink. There is only one cab company on the island – www.penderislandcab.com - and reservations are recommended. Pre-booking is required for any travel after 1am.

http://www.innonpender.com/
http://www.penderislands.com/
http://www.loganshideaway.com

Day-trip to Poets Cove, Pender Island
For those who want to take a day-trip to Poets Cove on the day of the Wedding, the Poets Cove water taxi is the easiest option. The taxi leaves from Poets Cove and Sidney Port Marina daily at various times. Schedules for May 2008 have yet to be determined; however, in 2007 they ran four times a day from each side starting at 7am to Poets Cove from Sidney with last boat back to Poets Cove from Sidney at 11pm. If there is demand, Nancy will negotiate a taxi boat back at a more suitable (but not too late!) time (11pm to 12pm) for wedding guests, if necessary.
2007 prices were $20 each way for an adult and $15 each way for student, concession, over 55.

Please let Nancy know via the RSVP contained in the invite (coming in September) if you’d like to take this option.

Our differences...

Well, wedding planning has already proven a bit of a strain on our evenings with numerous debates taking place. Some mundane - Scott's dislike of anything pink and the cost of flowers - to the serious - budgetting and the guest list. I came across this quote whilst I was back in Victoria wedding planning and I thought it was perfect as Scott had said something similar to me prior to my trip. It accurately describes our different approaches to wedding planning!

'I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance; a church filled with flowers and friends. I asked him what kind of wedding he wished for; he said one that would make me his wife.' ~ Unknown

Save the Date email

Please save the date of Saturday 31st May 2008 for our wedding at Poets Cove Resort and Spa, Pender Island, Canada.

For further information regarding the wedding, location, transport, accommodation and things to do and much, much more...........

http://codenamewfns.blogspot.com (don't forget to bookmark the site)

This site will be updated frequently with all you need to know about our wedding. Any questions or feedback please put them on the site under comments or email Nancy.

The BIG DAY.....

The date has been set and location chosen.

31st May, 2008

Poets Cove Resort

Pender Island

British Columbia, Canada

http://www.poetscove.com/

Where is Pender Island exactly?

Well to start with the basics:

Pender Island is on the West Coast of Canada on an island between Vancouver and Vancouver Island (Victoria) and is part of the Gulf Island chain.

Map of Canada.

Map showing Vic/Van

Pender Island is made up of two islands - North and South. The resort is on the South Island which is joined to the North Island via a one-lane bridge. Ferry travel to both islands is through the Otter Bay ferry terminal.

Map of North & South Islands

The Ring....

I will leave Nancy to tell you all about the engagement story (she is much better at describing it than me), however, in response to the numerous questions I have had on the ring and what it looks like I thought I would post a pic. A picture is worth a thousand words......

The First Blog Entry

As you may have heard Nancy and I are engaged to be married!

We thought we would embrace new technology and create a blog in order to give you all latest info on wedding planning and the various arrangements. Also the site will provide a one-stop-shop to all your queries and questions.

Feel free to leave comments or ask questions on the site! Here goes....