Category Archives: ActivityList

Photo Assignments

This series of photo assignments was prepared for adult ESL students looking for direction during their initial forays into photography. For the most part technical skills are de-emphasized and geek-speak is kept to a minimum in this series of tutorials. For many beginners, a preoccupation with ƒ-stops and shutter speeds and focal lengths can be a deadening turn off. For that reason, other, equally important abilities, such as observational skills, composition and lateral thinking are emphasized.

Appendix

Transit

The folks at TransLink have created an excellent online schedule but those unfamiliar with local bus numbers or names will be lost at the Translink Website. Or contact Translink the old fashioned way at (604) 953-3333 for start to finish directions from a real human being. While stuck in the interminable messaging queue think of it as practice for the real thing: waiting for buses that may never come.
During Peak Hours the Translink Zone System is in effect, meaning the fare increases depending on the number of zones crossed during the voyage. Translink defines Peak Hours as weekdays before 6:30 PM. After rush hour and all day during weekends and holidays the regular single zone fare ($3.20 ) applies throughout the Translink system in the Lower Mainland. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes in any direction, on any route. From downtown Vancouver, North and West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island, New Westminster and Richmond are all two zones ($4.65) while Delta, Tsawwassen and Surrey fall into the three zone category ($6.35.) Discounted “concession” fares are available for kids, seniors, the handicapped and Compass Card users.

A DayPass, valid for unlimited travel for a full day costs $11.50.

Ferries

The schedules in this appendix were up-to-date for a millisecond just prior to publication. The BC Ferry Corporation, however, maintains a cadre of full-time schedule tinkerers who no doubt rendered everything obsolete moments later. Log in to the fleet’s website, for the latest tweaks. At this award-winning site you’ll find detailed information on ferry traffic patterns, delays, even parking lot capacity and usage in addition to more mundane information like when your ship was actually supposed to have come in and how much it would have cost if you could have gotten on. Walk on, it’s cheaper and certainly more certain.

Inter-City Buses

A variety of different transportation companies provides service between Vancouver and outlying areas. Each trip description will provide specific details where appropriate.

Canoeing

There’s only one canoeing trip included in BC Car-Free but what a trip it is! Spend a weekend, a week or even longer exploring the ring of lakes and portages collectively known as the Powell Forest Canoe Route. Best of all: reach this paddling paradise using existing transportation infrastructure.

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking by bus? What a concept! All of these wilderness paddle routes are accessible using existing public transportation infrastructure. What better way to enjoy the wilderness than to reduce your impact on it? The whole gamut of trips is included: from simple one day excursions to week-long – or longer – expeditions.