Third party airline cheap fares

A friend of mine got caught using one of these sites a few years ago.  Her ticket was not valid and they would not answer the phone!  I keep seeing advertisements on social media regarding cheaper air fares.  Beware, this is what I found:

Reviews for the third-party flight booking website Compare Your Fare (compareyourfare.com) are overwhelmingly negative. According to warnings from the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker and consumer reports, the site is frequently flagged for a bait-and-switch scam. [1]

The typical pattern involves the site advertising artificially low flight prices. After a customer enters their payment information, an agent contacts them—often aggressively or via intimidation—claiming that the original price is no longer valid or that hidden fees are required to secure the seat, sometimes demanding hundreds of dollars more. 

Because of these predatory practices, consumers and travel experts widely recommend booking directly with established airlines or through vetted, IATA-accredited aggregators to avoid losing money. 

Third party hotel sites are also not what they say they are.  I was told by someone in the business, go to the hotel website, join their points program.  They will give you the best rate and possibly upgrade you when you check in.  One hotel told me they save the "worse rooms" for third party bookings.  She gave both of us a complimentary bottle of water and an upgrade!

The Unreliability of Social Media: Why We Need to Slow Down and Look Closer

Social media has become the world’s fastest rumour mill.  A single post — sometimes thoughtful, sometimes careless, sometimes deliberately misleading — can travel farther in five minutes than a well‑researched news story might in a week.  And because these platforms are woven into our daily routines, it’s easy to forget that speed and accuracy rarely travel together.

The problem isn’t that social media is all bad. It’s that it’s unreliable, and we often treat it as if it’s not.

Emotion spreads faster than truth

Platforms are designed to amplify whatever gets the strongest reaction.  Outrage, fear, shock, and moral judgment outperform calm, verified information every time.  A dramatic claim — even one with no evidence — can rack up thousands of shares before anyone stops to ask, “Is this actually true?”

By the time corrections appear, the emotional damage is already done.

Algorithms don’t care about accuracy

Social media feeds aren’t curated by librarians or editors.  They’re shaped by algorithms that reward engagement, not truth. If a misleading post keeps people clicking, commenting, or arguing, the system pushes it harder.

This means:

• Falsehoods can trend.

• Conspiracies can flourish.

• Harmful narratives can look “popular” even when they’re not.

And because each of us sees a personalized feed, we can end up believing that “everyone” thinks a certain way — when in reality, it’s just what the algorithm decided to show us.

Photos and videos aren’t proof anymore

We’ve reached a point where images and videos can be edited, staged, or AI‑generated so convincingly that even trained eyes struggle to tell the difference.  A picture used to be evidence. Now it’s just content — and content can be manipulated.

When a video goes viral, people often react instantly, without context, without verification, and without knowing whether the clip is old, edited, or missing crucial details.

Is Mitch McConnell alive?  Who knows?  This picture showed online.  When you put a recent picture of Mitch this one is about two years old at least.  

A clever photoshop that is pretty funny:

Then Jimmy Kimmel on vacation had to post this.

The photoshop comics are having a lot of fun!

People share before they check

Most misinformation doesn’t spread because someone is trying to deceive.  It spreads because someone is trying to help.

A friend sees a warning, a dramatic story, or a heartbreaking claim and shares it “just in case.”  But good intentions don’t guarantee good information.  In fact, well‑meaning sharing is one of the biggest accelerators of false narratives.

The cost of believing too quickly

When unreliable information spreads, real harm follows:

• reputations damaged

• communities divided

• fear amplified

• vulnerable people targeted

• public trust eroded

And once trust is broken, rebuilding it is slow, difficult work.

So what can we do? Slow down. Verify. Ask questions.

Before sharing anything, it helps to pause and ask:

• Who posted this, and why?

• Is the source credible?

• Does this claim appear anywhere reputable?

• Is the language emotional or manipulative?

• Does it feel designed to provoke a reaction?

A few seconds of checking can prevent hours, days, or even years of unnecessary harm.

Social media is powerful — but it’s not dependable

It’s a tool, not a truth machine.  It can connect us, inform us, and entertain us.  But it can also mislead us, divide us, and overwhelm us if we treat every post as fact.

The healthiest approach is simple: use social media, but don’t trust it blindly.  Slow down, look closer, and remember that truth rarely arrives in a viral package.

Oolichans

I remember as a child, every year we would have Oolichans.  I wondered why I never see them anymore.  I found this article and thought I would share it for everyone who grew up eating oolichans every late February and early March.  I understand the Fraser River run has declined.  I don't remember if my dad caught them or bought them.

Only about 15 rivers in BC still carry oolichan, including:

• Skeena River
• Bella Coola River
• Kemano River
• Nass River
• Fraser River (hisorically, though runs have declined)

First Nations on the coast mark winter’s end with the return of a small silver fish – now rebounding in abundance in some areas under Nations-led stewardship.

As oolichan return to spawn, First Nations on the coast mark the transition from winter to spring with celebrations such as Hoobiyee and the spring equinox.

For millennia, First Nations on the coast of British Columbia have sustainably harvested oolichan, a finger-sized oily fish that is a member of the smelt family. Oolichan (also spelled eulachon, ooligan, and hooligan, depending on where you are) are sometimes called candlefish because, when dried, they hold enough oil to burn like candles.

Oolichan fish are collected in a white bucket. 

Every spring, Haisla family groups travel to Kemano River to harvest oolichan. Haisla boil aged oolichan to create a white grease to use for medicine and trade with neighbouring villages. 

Oolichan are of great significance to First Nations on the coast, offering substantial sustenance at the end of winter. They have been used for thousands of years for food, medicine, ceremonies, and trade. First Nations people process the grease from aged oolichan and transport it through the mountains to trade with coastal and interior communities. These trade routes, also known as GREASE TRAILS, have lasted  THOUSANDS of years and can still be walked to this day.

Like salmon, oolichan spend the majority of their lives in ocean waters and return to their spawning grounds in rivers and streams to complete their life cycle. But, since the early 90s, oolichan populations have DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY, likely due to habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and climate change. According to Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance records, there are just 15 RIVERS IN BC CARRYING OOLICHAN.

Nuxalk scientist Ts’xwiixw Megan Moody, has STUDIED oolichan populations and impacts of climate change to oolichan. Her research and previous work in the field as fisheries manager and, later, stewardship director for Nuxalk Nation, combines Traditional Knowledge and Western scientific methods.

In 2024, Nuxalk Nation led stewardship efforts that saw the biggest RETURN OF OOLICHAN to their territory, the Bella Coola River, in decades.

“Although this run was no where near historical run sizes,” says Megan. “The schools of fish, for a short period of time, were a welcome sight.”

Sputc (the Nuxalk word for oolichan) continue to be extensively researched by Nuxalk experts and the Nuxalk Stewardship Office. Since 2001, the Nuxalk Fish and Wildlife Department have conducted an annual Nuxalk Ooligan Study monitoring the Bella Coola River population.

“The study has generated over 25 years of high quality data and understanding of local oolichan science and status,” says Megan.

A person holds a single oolichan fish in their hand. The fish is very small and fits in the palm of their hand.  Ooolichan play an important role in the physical health and cultural well-being of many coastal First Nations. 

“A book called Alhqulh ti Sputc The Sputc Book was created and based on extensive community-engaged research that was conducted between 2014 to 2017.” Alhqulh ti Sputc brings together ancestral (traditional) and contemporary Nuxalk knowledge about oolichan in all its forms,” shares Megan.

Distributed to all community members, and officially approved by Hereditary leaders, this book has become a household staple used in the school curriculum and as an example for other similar projects. It includes detailed knowledge about Nuxalk stewardship values and practices.

Megan, who is also a Coast Funds board director, is working with her community on a Nuxalk stewardship plan for sputc.

“This plan aims to build on place-based ancestral and contemporary Nuxalk eulachon knowledge, governance, and science,” she says. “It is situated within and connected to the larger context of eulachon and anadromous fisheries management and Indigenous governance along the coast.”

First Fish, First Crescent Moon

Further north, Nisga’a construct camps along the banks of Ḵ’alii Aksim Lisims Nass River to harvest and process oolichan, a tradition they’ve been practicing since before recorded time.

Historically, Nisga’a would spend months in Lax– Da’oots’ip as they caught the first fish of the year. In a 2018 STORY published by Coast Funds, Nicole Morven, Harvest Monitoring Coordinator with Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department, recalled hearing from Elders that camps would operate for up to three months. “The women would be there too,” she said. “Helping to get wood and clean up, getting the poles and gear ready for the whole season.”

Although oolichan have always played a major role in the trading economies and culture of many First Nations, in Nisga’a territory the fish was never extensively exploited through Western commercial economies.

In her thesis research, Megan Moody, summarized that a small commercial fishery for Ḵ’alii Aksim Lisims oolichan existed in the first half of the 1900s until the Nisga’a Tribal Council Convention declared in 1955 that “no Nass River caught oolichans be sold commercially.” Because of this, oolichan return to Ḵ’alii Aksim Lisims in abundance every year.

Today, most of the oolichan caught and processed on the Nass River are distributed among community members or traded with neighbouring First Nations. Oolichan continues to play a significant role in the economies of coastal communities as Nisga’a citizens trade their resource for shellfish, herring, seaweed, and halibut.

Oolichan, called saak by Nisg̱a’a people, hang to dry at a camp along the Nass River. 

Chief Harry Nyce Sr says the fish continues to be a mainstay of Nisga’a culture. “For us, it is a life-saving fish,” he says. “It’s the first fish that comes in the New Year arriving as winter supplies are dwindling.” HOOBIYEE, the Nisga’a new year, starts during spring equinox with the migration of oolichan into Ḵ’alii Aksim Lisims.

Lasting about a week, Hoobiyee celebrates the waxing crescent moon. The unique positioning of the moon and stars is said to PREDICT the spring harvest of oolichan, salmon, and other food sources, preparing Nisga’a for the year ahead. Today, the celebration, which is deeply rooted in thousand-year-old Nisga’a traditions, has been adopted by other Indigenous Nations.

This year, Nisga’a celebrated Hoobiyee at an event in GITWINKSIHLKW between February 20 to 21, 2026.

People wearing regalia hold up a lit-up crescent moon. 

Hoobiyee, the Nisg̱a’a new year, is celebrated in the Village of Gitwinksihlkw. Each year, the arrival of spawning oolichan signals the beginning of the Nisga’a new year.   

Vancouver’s Granville Street Shines Again: A Transformation Worth Celebrating

 

When Vancouver first announced it would be a FIFA host city, plenty of people were sceptical. We’ve all seen big promises come and go, and for many of us, Granville Street had become a place we simply avoided. Crime, open drug use, and the heartbreaking reality of homelessness kept locals away. I hadn’t walked down Granville in years — and I wasn’t alone.

But something remarkable happened.

In preparation for welcoming the world, the City of Vancouver rolled up its sleeves and took action. Granville Street was cleaned up, reimagined, and brought back to life. And the result is nothing short of astonishing.

Walking down Granville now feels like stepping into a different city. The street is closed to traffic, opening it up to people instead — families, visitors, locals, all wandering freely. Street bars spill out with energy, music drifts through the air, and there’s a sense of celebration that feels contagious.

And yes, the police presence is noticeable — but in the best possible way. It feels safe. It feels cared for. It feels like a place you want to be.

For the first time in years, Granville Street feels vibrant, welcoming, and alive.

No wonder visitors from around the world were impressed. Vancouver showed what can happen when a city commits to reclaiming its public spaces and making them shine again. FIFA may have been the catalyst, but the transformation is something every Vancouverite can appreciate.

So here’s a genuine thank you to the City of Vancouver. You did an incredible job — and you reminded us of what Granville Street can be.

We took the Canada Line downtown and got off at Yaletown-Roadhouse. We walked up Davie Street to Granville Street.

There were a few of these on Granville Street and everyone was in use

The England-Norway game just started when we were there.  Many of the outside bars had TV's and lots of people were watching.  We got home in the extra time and loved the end of the game.

Corruption at it's finest

Every so often, a news story pops up that feels strangely inconsistent depending on where you hear it. That’s exactly what happened this week with reports about a piece of property the City of Surrey recently purchased. After hearing one version on TV and reading a very different take in print, I decided to look into it myself.

The City of Surrey purchased a parcel of land for $6.8 million. That number alone raised eyebrows — not because cities don’t buy land, but because of what came next. A former owner publicly stated that the property was worth less than $3 million.

That’s a striking gap.

When two sources differ by more than half the value, it’s worth pausing and asking a few basic questions:

• Why does the City’s purchase price sit so much higher?

• Was the land appraised differently for municipal purposes?

• Are there zoning changes, future plans, or strategic reasons that would justify paying more?

• Or is this simply a case where the public deserves clearer communication?

In a city as large and fast‑growing as Surrey, land transactions can be complicated. But transparency shouldn’t be. When numbers diverge this dramatically, residents naturally want to understand what’s behind the decision. The land is being used to increase the Surrey Lake Park, so no development or zoning changes are required.

So I went looking — not for drama, but for clarity. And sometimes, clarity begins with simply noticing when the stories don’t line up.

I read this spreadsheet from the City of Surrey and the land that's in question is the last one on this acquisition sheet:

I apologize as this is the best copy I could get.  It's on the City of Surrey website if you want to see the original.  

https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/news/city-of-surrey-responds-inaccurate-claims-about-property-acquisitions

Then I went onto the BC Assessment website.  The appraised prices are shown:

This is an election year!   The City of Surrey Appraisal is 7.8 million.  The Province of BC Assessment was 2.933 million!

It's time for an independent police force to investigate this!  

Another wonderful Red Hat Lunch & The World

We didn't go downtown when FIFA was on in Vancouver because of the crowds.  Yesterday, Pat arranged our Red Hat lunch.  It was at the Tap and Barrel Shipyards in North Vancouver.  It's a nice trip across on the Sea Bus.  We didn't have a lot of sisters as many are travelling.  Pat's sister Kathleen is visiting from the UK and her daughter Sandra also joined us.

FIFA was showing the France - Morroco game on the big screen.  Lots of people at the pub watching the game:

We walked over to the Shipyards Fan Zone

The World Cruise Ship

It was docked at Canada Place yesterday.  It's been sailing around British Columbia.  It's also sailing to Victoria, Salt Spring Island, Port Alberni, Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert.  

It's the planet's largest private residential yacht at 644 feet/196 meters - the only ship of its kind currently in operation sailing a continuous itineray across every ocean and continent.  Aboard this truly luxury ship are amenities that exceed even the highest standards of luxury travel.

Here is the itinerary for this year:

A New Year in the Southern Hemisphere

The adventure begins where summer is in full bloom: Australia and New Zealand. These lands feel like nature’s open‑air museum — kangaroos bounding across sun‑washed plains, fjords carved by ancient glaciers, and cities that hum with coastal energy. It’s a gentle, generous start to a year that will soon turn wild.

A Rare Antarctic Semi‑Circumnavigation

Few travelers ever see Antarctica. Fewer still experience a semi‑circumnavigation — a sweeping, once‑in‑a‑lifetime arc along the White Continent’s remote edges. Here, silence becomes a landscape of its own. Icebergs glow blue from within, penguin colonies chatter like tiny communities, and the horizon stretches so far it feels like the edge of the world. This portion alone could define a lifetime of travel, yet on this voyage, it’s only the beginning.

South America and the Far Pacific

From Antarctica’s stark beauty, the ship rises into the color and rhythm of South America. Think tango in Buenos Aires, the roar of Iguazu Falls, and markets overflowing with tropical fruit and handmade textiles. Then comes the remote Pacific — islands that seem to float in time. French Polynesia’s lagoons shimmer like liquid turquoise, while Hawaii offers volcanic drama and the warm embrace of aloha.

The U.S. West Coast adds a familiar touch: rugged cliffs, redwood forests, and cities that have shaped modern culture.

Summer in British Columbia and Alaska

By mid‑year, the ship reaches the Pacific Northwest, where summer reveals a different kind of majesty. British Columbia’s coastline is a tapestry of islands, inlets, and wildlife — orcas slicing through calm water, eagles perched like sentinels in cedar trees. Alaska follows with its glaciers, gold‑rush towns, and endless twilight skies. It’s a season of wild beauty, the kind that reminds you how vast and alive the world still is.

An Immersive Passage Through East Asia

As autumn approaches, the voyage turns toward Asia. Japan’s temples and neon avenues, South Korea’s dynamic cities, China’s deep historical roots, and the Philippines’ warm, welcoming islands create a mosaic of culture and tradition. Each stop feels like opening a new chapter — different languages, different flavors, different ways of seeing the world.

Southeast Asia and a Festive Finale

The final stretch brings the ship into Southeast Asia, where history and spirituality meet in vibrant daily life. From the lantern‑lit streets of Vietnam to the golden temples of Thailand, every port offers something unforgettable. And then, as the year draws to a close, the journey culminates in Singapore — a city that celebrates innovation, diversity, and the joy of gathering. Ringing in the New Year here feels like stepping into the future.

I know people are going to want to know the cost so if you are curious:

What a Year on The World Really Costs

1. Residence Purchase or Lease

To live aboard The World, you must first secure a residence. Current market ranges:

• Entry-level studio/one‑bedroom: USD $825,000 to $3 million

• Larger multi‑bedroom residences: USD $4 million to $15+ million

• Some sources cite an entry fee as high as USD $8 million for certain long‑term leases.

This is a purchase, not a fare — you’re buying into a private global community.

2. Annual Service & Operating Fees

These are mandatory and cover crew, fuel, dining, maintenance, and global operations:

• USD $60,000 to $300,000 per year (depending on residence size and services)

3. Additional Annual Costs

Typical yearly expenses include:

• Insurance: USD $1,000–$6,000

• Amenities & perks: USD $200–$1,200

• Taxes & port fees: USD $0–$5,000

• Maintenance plans: USD $1,500–$4,000

Fresh Street Market Salmon & Berry Festival