Travel on the Fly: Nature’s Ninjas at Vancouver Aquarium, Amtrak’s PNW news + more

What’s new in the world of West Coast travel? Here’s a brief look at some of the latest news!

Charging travel

Travellers heading to Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim region – home to Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park – have one more option to charge their electric vehicle for local travels, or to prepare for the trip home.

BC Hydro had installed a 50-kilowatt fast-charging unit at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre, at the Tofino-Ucluelet junction location, in 2018 and doubled down to add a new unit in December.

Each fast-charging unit can add roughly 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes, BC Hydro says. The utility’s fast charging network currently boasts a roster of 133 charging units at 81 sites throughout the province and the units are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.

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Amtrak is on track for the PNW

The Amtrak Cascades service connecting the three Pacific Northwest cities of Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Wash. and Portland, Ore. will be fully operational by March.

While limited service between Seattle and Vancouver resumed last September (the daily trip departs Seattle at 7:45 a.m., and arrives at Pacific Central Station at 11:45 a.m.), beginning on March 7, a second round-trip service from Portland to Vancouver will be re-introduced, meaning the service will now run at pre-pandemic schedules, Destination Vancouver announced last week.

The train is set to leave Portland at 3 p.m. and arrive in Vancouver at 11 p.m. Passengers will be able to book the second daily train at the end of February when Amtrak’s schedules are finalized.

The Amtrak Cascade service boasts spectacular views of forests and ocean, along with a bar car, hot food and free onboard wifi.

Learn more at amtrakcascades.com

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California oldest operating theatre marks 150 years

The oldest operating theatre in California marks its 150th anniversary this month.

Located in the beautiful coastal city of Santa Barbara, The Lobero Theatre was founded in 1873 and rebuilt in 1924. Among the many greats who’ve commanded its stage over the years are Lionel Barrymore, Tallulah Bankhead,and Bela Lugosi, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Clark Gable, Basil Rathbone, Ingrid Bergman, Igor Stravinsky, Dizzy Gillespie, John Cleese, Kathy Bates, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Carol Burnett.

This year, the Lobero celebrates its historic milestone with a full line-up of performances, including the Graham Nash, John Oates, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Derek Douget Band, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and many more. Learn more at lobero.org

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The Vancouver Aquarium has launched a new interactive exhibit, Nature’s Ninjas: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom, featuring 17 animal habitats that highlight the defensive mechanisms of these animals.

Come face to face with animals like the spiky four-toed hedgehog and the armoured three-banded armadillo as you to learn all about their self-defense techniques with larger-than-life interactive displays showcasing the creatures’ sneaky strategies.

Until Sept. 4, guests can get up close with some of the animals in this exhibit, with small group presentations also be available to learn more in-depth information about the 17 animal habitats in this exhibit.

“Nature’s Ninjas is an opportunity to learn about new and exciting animals. The more we understand about these animals, the more we can help conserve their environment,” says Vancouver Aquarium Animal Care Director Mackenzie Neale.

Book your tickets in advance at vanaqua.org/tickets.

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