March 9, 2003

Well, it seems that for this trip, its the right time to go Digital with the camera. Last time we hit the backpacking road (10 years ago exactly) digital photgraphy didn't exist, and so we travelled with a brilliant Canon EOS 1000FN and a small Olympus mju-1. Both of them performed magnificently (and they are both still our everyday cameras). The Canon had a couple of lenses, that allowed us to go from wide angle landscape shots, to a 300mm zoom lens for the kind of shots that allowed us to catch people shots without the subjects becoming aware. It led to some great photograps (one day I'll scan some of the best and post them). This time, weight is going to be critical, because I'm going to be carrying the clothes & stuff for me and both girls), and we want to be able to keep everybody involved with our travels (family, friends and Charlotte's classmates) - web publishing /emailing photo's is going to be a big thing this trip. That means that digital will be best, but with digital cameras changing every five minutes, what do we do?
I was loaned a year old Epson 3.3 megapixel by a journalist (who had it for review and Epson didn't ever ask for it back), but wasn't overwhelmed - the 3.3 mega pixels meant that quality was okay, but not great for enlargements (and let's face it, in a year I'm likely to take a couple of shots worthy of enlargement). It was also heavier than the old Canon, and battery hungry. I don't really want a rucksack loaded with heavy camera, loads of heavy spare AA batteries, heavy battery charger etc etc).
And so, I started to read the magazines. The one I ended up drooling over is the Nikon 5700 - 8x zoom, 5.5 mega pixels, and seemingly well reviewed. And then I found out that a colleague had just bought one - so I'm now road testing that, and so far it meets my wishes - it is very light (about 400 grammes), has a reasonably long batter life, has a great zoom, and the battery charger weighs almost nothing (which seems odd, because most transformers weight a ton). So knowing that this hits almost my requirements, I've started to search for pricing. With a list price of £999(ish), seems that I could buy it on the web in the UK for about £820. But if I waited until Canada (first country to be visited) I could buy it for £700. And then I discovered, if I waited till the US (second country on the list) I could buy it for £600. (But then I'd have no digital photo's of Canada).
Haven't yet decided what to do! If I buy it in the UK I'll get to play, test and be sure it works well, but I'll pay £120 for the privilege!
(Huh, decisions, decisions - have to decide later!)

Started to research what we intend to do, and where we should go in Canada. We'll be flying into Vancouver early August (when the whole place will be heeeeeaaaaaaving with visitors). Although we've found lots of information about travelling around Canada, we've found little that gives hints or good ideas for Canada with children. Anyway, what we have found is....

Gulf Islands - off the coast from Vancouver, there's Victoria Island (big), and lots of other little islands which collectively make up the Gulf Islands. They're served by a network of ferries drifting back and forth, and from some travel writing we've read over time, it seems that they are a great place to relax and get away from urban hustle and bustle. One of the hostels that we like the look of is on Salt Spring Island, called (amazingly not) Salt Spring Island Hostel. In addition to the normal hostel accommodation, there's a couple of tree houses, plus a genuine Tipi (but sadly, not for children under 14).
Although it's closed for the winter, it will re-open shortly for bookings. I think we may well make this the first stop in Canada - perhaps stay for a few days after we arrive, so that there's time to relax and wind down, and the children can adjust to travelling, without too much hassle around them. I guess the last couple of weeks before we leave will be hectic, with all the last minute preparation and packing (how many times can you repack three rucksacks!) plus all the last chance visits with friends and family to get in.

Other hostel sites that look interesting include:
- the SameSun Hostels, who promote the idea of family accommodation (pretty important to not end up in too many hostels full of gap year, late night drinkers - something that we'll use our judgement on, but always useful to have pointers about!)
- Central Station Hostel in Vancouver, which has got rooms that would be ideal for us - C$35 a night for the whole family, and right in the centre of the city. (There's also a link here to lots of other links!)
- this Shaughnessy Village accommodation seemed really curious. Seemingly good value rooms, but reading it makes me think it's attached to a hospital or something similar - now why would I want to stay in a lifeless hostel that smells of disinfectant? Anybody know anything better?

This Vancouver and Whistler website was really useful, with lots of links and handy hints. Run by an individual who is an experienced traveller, it contains the kind of info that will help us make the most of our time (and it's always great to find an unofficial website where you can get a feel for who's opinions are expressed!). Sadly, no specific family section, but hey, travelling the way we will be is a puts us a bit outside the mainstream!