Sail
with humpbacks off Newfoundland.
Salty
breeze sweeping your cheeks, your eyes widen with the sight of a
sleek black back skimming the shores. Suddenly, a spectacular spray
shoots up and a 36-tonne (40-ton) majestic beast hurls into the
air, his white belly teasing the sun before crashing into the cold
waters below. This may be the coast of Newfoundland, but it feels
like chapter one of Moby Dick.
Have
a whale of a time on the St. Lawrence River.
Called the "Big Waterway" by the Mohawks, the river that
drains the Great Lakes has a date with you and 13 species of whale.
To the left, a tail darts out of the water. Could it be "Big
Blue," the largest living creature on earth? To your right,
a mammoth white belly rolls and leaps in the air. Must be a minke!
Who knew you could have such a good time whale spotting from the
deck of your boat?
Tail
the orcas of Vancouver Island.
Succulent west coast salmon attracts you and your taste buds to
Vancouver Island. Prepare to share the spoils with the killer whales
(orcas) who rule these waters. Kayaking along the rugged coastline,
you might find yourself sharing a meal and some quality time with
the greatest hunters the sea has ever known.
Navigate
Canada's wild east end.
Hike across sharp ridges and huge cliffs, where deep ocean
crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle lie exposed. Beneath you
stretch the freshwater fjords, coastal bogs, highland tundra, dramatic
ocean inlets and lakes of Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne
National Park. Above you, seabirds sail toward Atlantic fishing
grounds.
Go with
the flow in Yoho.
As a full moon rises over Emerald Lake
in BC's Yoho National Park, you spot a glacier-capped mountain,
known as The President, glowing brightly in the summer moonlight.
To the north, you can hear Takakkaw Falls, Canada's second-highest
waterfall, tumbling more than 300 m (1,000 ft) over the rock face.
To the south, the Kicking Horse River roars over Wapta Falls. Yoho!
said the Cree - their word for awe and wonder.
Reach
the heart of a world biosphere reserve.
You know you're
in a special place as you hike along the 25-m-high (82-ft) dolostone
cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve on the
shores of Ontario's Georgian Bay. Scrambling over rock beaches,
exploring sinkholes, ancient coral reefs and sea caves, you feel
totally in tune with your environment. Ahead stretches 800 km (500
mi) of majestic shoreline lined with hidden coves and sandy beaches,
tiny villages hugging limestone cliffs, quiet wooded trails and
quaint, bustling towns.
Learn
to speak "Moose."
As you penetrate deep into the
heart of La Réserve faunique de Matane in Quebec, your heart
is racing in anticipation. Will you spot her in the next clearing,
tending to her newborn calf? Or will you come upon the whole herd
in its forest sanctuary? You're in the perfect habitat for more
than 6,000 moose - go on and explore the mud flats, moose yards,
lakes and peat bogs that form the natural habitat of one of Canada's
icons.
Canadian
Currency
The Canadian currency system uses dollars ($) and cents (¢)
similar to the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.
Canada now has
one- and two-dollar coins, often called the "loonie" and
the "toonie," in addition to 1¢, 5¢, 10¢
and 25¢ coins. As in the UK paper money comes in different
colors and designs. The most common are $5 bills (blue), $10 bills
(purple), $20 bills (green), $50 bills (red) and $100 bills (brown).
You may still see some old red $2 bills, which remain valid currency.
Exchanging
Currency in Canada
You can change money at any recognized financial institution, bank,
trust company or currency exchange in Canada. Many stores, hotels
and restaurants will also exchange currency, but often offer a lower
rate than a financial institution. Be sure to convert some of your
money prior to leaving home.
Sales
Taxes & GST
The GST, or "goods and services tax," is a 5 percent federal
tax applied to most goods and services provided in Canada.
In all provinces
except Alberta, there is an additional provincial sales tax (PST)
of between 5 percent to 8 percent added to purchases and financial
transactions. The HST or "harmonized sales tax" is a 13
percent tax that replaces the PST and GST in the provinces of Newfoundland
& Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Some hotels and retailers
include the GST or HST in their prices; others add it on separately.
Visitor
Tax Rebates
On March 19, 2007, the Government of Canada confirmed their intention
to eliminate the GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program and announced the
introduction of the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program.
Credit
Cards & Bank Machines
Major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa
are widely accepted in Canada. Your financial institution at home
will automatically make the currency exchange before you receive
your monthly statement. Be sure you contact your credit card company
to let them know you’ll be using the card outside the country.
Using an ABM
(automatic bank machine), also known as an ATM (automated teller
machine), is an easy way to access cash while traveling abroad.
Most international bankcard systems, including Interac, Plus, Cirrus
and Maestro, will work at most ABMs in Canada. You’ll find
them conveniently located at banks, stores, airports and many other
locations. You can also get cash advances on your credit card at
an ABM if you have previously arranged for a PIN or identification
access number.
It’s a
good idea to notify your home bank that you’ll be using your
bank card in Canada to find out whether any special conditions and
withdrawal limits may apply.
Travelers
Checks
Travelers checks can often be used as cash as most Canadian restaurants,
hotels and stores will accept small-denomination Canadian Dollar
travelers checks. You may be asked to produce a passport for identification
when cashing your travelers checks.
Banking
Hours
Standard banking hours are Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until
4:00 p.m. Many banks are open to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Some banks
and specific branches may be open later on weeknights and even on
Saturdays. Trust companies are generally open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.
Tipping
Tipping is a common practice in Canada. Tips or service charges
are not usually added to restaurant bills in Canada, but server
salaries are based on the assumption that staff will receive a good
proportion of income in tips. Some restaurants will also place a
mandatory service charge on a bill for large groups. In general,
you should reward good service by tipping 15-20 percent of the total
amount.
Barbers, hairdressers
and taxi drivers are usually tipped 15 percent. Bellhops, doormen,
porters and other staff at hotels, airports and railway stations
are generally tipped CAD$1-$2 per item carried. Tipping the server
both at the bar and at the table is common in Canadian bars and
nightclubs.
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