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BC’s Britannia Beach
Just a forty-five minute drive up north of Vancouver is a place where you can totally unwind and enjoy year-round outdoor activities and visit various cultural, geological and historical landmarks. This is Britannia Beach, a small unincorporated community in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and lies on the Sea-to-Sky Highway on Howe Sound.
The town’s population is about 300. The village’s appeal lies not only in the stunning scenery of mountains and fjords but also in the sense of history and the different and unique arts and crafts of the area.This scenic town began as a mining community and remained so for almost seventy years. In the late 1890s, mining engineer George Robinson convinced several finance moguls that the areas was a good investment. The Britannia Mining and Smelting Company was then formed and mined that area for copper ores for almost seventy years.
In the 1920s and early 1930s, the mine was a huge success. It has become the largest producer of copper in the British Commonwealth. But by the 1940s the Britannia mines were unionized. They suffered a first union strike in 1949. Then in the next ten years, the mines entered a slump. Due to the low copper prices, the Britannia Mine Company was reduced to seven employees and in 1959 the company went into liquidation.
The Anaconda Mining Company took over in 1963. It continued operation for another eleven years until the mines were finally closed down on November 1, 1974 due to high operating costs and taxes.
A year later, the BC Museum of Mining opened in Britannia Beach. The site was named a National Historic Site in 1988 and was designated as a British Columbia Historic Landmark a year later.
Today, daily public tours and pre-scheduled group trips allow people to see and appreciate the fascinating mining history of British Columbia. Visitors can tour the old mine site where they can see a variety of displays and exhibits. There’s also an Underground Train which brings passengers into the real hard rock mine.
Being on the eastern shoreline of Howe Sound and between Lions Bay and Squamish is quite a great advantage to the tourism industry of Britannia Beach. Their location allow them to provide different outdoor activities that appeal to tourists.
For example, they can go to the Shannon Falls Provincial Park which is a very popular picnic spot. About three miles south of Britannia Beach is Porteau Cove Provincial Park which gives scuba divers a whole lot to see. There are about 100 marine species in the cove.
Meanwhile, Murrin Provincial Park is just about 2 miles north of Britannia Beach. The park is on the west side of Highway 99. Also, hiking is a popular outdoor activity with The Deeks Lake Trail waiting for willing explorers. The trail is an 8 mile/13 km return which can be accomplished 3-4 hours each way.
Britannia Beach is a unique industrial heritage site, offers a wonderful world class mining museum, and now is a major tourist attraction in British Columbia.
Posted in Travel
October 15th, 2007 / No Comments
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Vancouver’s Diverse Cultures
Vancouver is proud of its diversity, with richly woven textures and traditions of different cultures, lifestyles, and experiences. Several locations in the city would leave you a lasting impression and get to learn more about these cultures.
For starters, visitors in Vancouver could explore the award-winning Museum of Anthropology, where thousands of artifacts and objects linking to British Columbia’s First Nations are displayed. Checking out its exhibits on the province’s native cultures are both educational and entertaining.
From there, take a stroll along the colorful streets of Chinatown, one of the largest (and cleanest) of its kind in North America. Vancouver’s vibrant Chinese community started settling in the city since the mid-19th Century. Today, it is a haven for exotic shopping while admiring the center’s unique architecture and culinary aromas.Asian culture is also evident in Richmond, a city near Vancouver where you can find a deeply-rooted Asian community, in particular its Golden Village. It also has a great shopping area where one can see a showcase of Asian entrepreneurship. You would not miss its various shopping centers like the Aberdeen Centre, Parker Place Shopping Centre, President Plaza, and Union Square Mall, where you can expect jostling, noisy crowd all looking for the best bargain. After a round of shopping, one can also visit the Buddhist Temple for some moments of serenity, peace, and tranquility.
Vancouver also benefits from a sizable population of East Indian immigrants, majority of them living in Little India. Its vibrant shopping district, Punjabi Market, is worth a visit. This area bears a striking resemblance to its exotic homeland, with its rows of fine silk fabrics, aromatic spices, authentic food and a high concentration of jewelers who are always open for bargaining.
Vancouver is also home of Little Italy, located at Commercial Drive. One can find plenty of hip restaurants and shops doing brisk business next to traditional sidewalk cafes and trattorias. Stop by and enjoy listening to some entertaining street performers, pick up fresh produce and artisan foods, and sip a latte at a sidewalk cafe and watch other people passing by.
Whatever cultural experience you wanted to take, you’ll be glad that you visit Vancouver.
Posted in Travel
June 25th, 2007 / No Comments
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White Rock: Relaxing by the Oceanside
White Rock is an oceanside community located on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, a 45-minute drive south from Vancouver and several minutes away from the Douglas US Border Crossing. This quaint town is known for its mild climate all year round, relaxed atmosphere, sizable sandy beaches and a promenade from which we can view the magnificent Semiahmoo Bay. White Rock is named after the 486-ton rock that rests on the shores of the beach, apparently left when glaciers receded thousands of years ago. Large quantities of bird guano covered the rock, making it look white. Today, regular coats of white paint cover the rock. Visitors can reach White Rock through Highway 99, which links Vancouver and Seattle in the US.
Its moderate climate makes White Rock a preferred retirement spot. Summer temperature is averaged at 23°C while winter is averaged at 6°C.White Rock has the largest and one of the popular beaches in Greater Vancouver. Its long sandy beach is ideal for every beachside activity from picnics to throwing frisbees. The tide would sometimes go out, creating tidal pools where you can observe marine life up close. Also, the place is famous for its pier that juts out over 500 meters from the shore where people can take a leisurely stroll.
Marine Drive, the street right across the beach, is filled with different restaurants serving a variety of cuisines as well as street fare like fish and chips.
Because of White Rock’s proximity from the Canada/USA border, it is common for Americans—especially under 21—to visit the town for some drinks at the bar. White Rock has several bars and night clubs, the most popular being Ocean Beach Club and Grill at Marine Drive.
Posted in Attractions, Travel
June 8th, 2007 / No Comments
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Kelowna, the Gateway to Majestic Okanagan Lake
Kelowna is the largest inland city in British Columbia and it is located in the heart of the region’s wine country. It is a mecca of outdoor pursuits and cultural activities. The city is a restful getaway into Okanagan Lake, a 90-kilometer long body of water that has been a haven for boaters, swimmers, and even kite boarders. The lake’s inviting waters shimmer in the sunlight, a wonderful sight as vacationers bask along its beaches.
The city is as beautiful as it is delightful, with blooming surroundings, hanging baskets, and festive banners adorning the tidy streets. Kelowna succeeds in maintaining its image as one of the prettiest cities in BC.Kelowna never runs out of entertaining activities that tourists can enjoy, from championship golf courses to internationally-acclaimed wine tours, from downhill skiing to Shakespeare in the Park. You can browse the Kelowna Art Gallery or inside the city’s Centennial Museum. Visitors can also bask in the tranquility and peace of the Kasugai Japanese Gardens. Enjoy your nights here with free summer entertainment in City Park and Waterfront Park, or can even attend a concert at Skyreach Place. Downtown Kelowna has everything that a family can enjoy.
The Downtown City Park offers a great environment in the summer. One can sun tan, play and have fun. Children can use the playgrounds as well as the water and skate board park. Another place of interest is the Bertram Park at the end of Lakeshore Road, with beautiful beaches and grassy picnic areas. This is one of the most idyllic places in the city, where families can gather around for barbecue.
Gyro Beach is a half-submerged playground by the lake. In the summer you can let yourself slide along the rope into the Okanagan.
The city is also visited during winter time because of their popular ski resorts like the Big White, located 55 kilometers from the city.
Posted in Attractions, Travel
June 1st, 2007 / No Comments
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Vancouver’s Marijuana Cafés
Vancouver is among the few places in the world were recreational use of marijuana is tolerated. Like the progressive social policy used in the Netherlands, the city has a small number of marijuana cafés (as opposed to “coffeeshops” like in Amsterdam) where open smoking of soft drugs like marijuana and hashish is tolerated.
The only difference between the pot cafés of Vancouver and its Holland counterpart is that patrons in Vancouver must bring their own smoke since marijuana is being sold outside the establishment.
Smoking marijuana within city limits is technically considered illegal, but as long as one carries small amounts of pot or hashish for personal recreational use you are off the hook. However, cultivation of cannabis and possession of large amounts of soft drugs are not allowed by law at all and is punishable by stiff fines and (sometimes) jail sentences.Many tourists go visit Vancouver’s soft drug cafés, a majority of them Americans considering the city as a cheaper alternative to Amsterdam. However, do remember to practice etiquette when partaking into the local marijuana scene. Tourists are advised to exercise same common sense, respect, and precautions used when smoking pot. For instance, do not try to smoke a joint while walking down the city streets out of respect for the locals. Also, try not to flaunt or talk in a loud voice about your use of soft drugs in public. Doing so would make you stand out to the locals, not to mention the unwanted attention you may draw yourself from police and criminal elements that exists in some streets. Keep also in mind that Vancouver has strict anti-smoking laws inside of most public buildings including bars and nightclubs, which is why smoking a joint inside a pot café is very much advisable.
Posted in Attractions, Travel
May 22nd, 2007 / No Comments
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Golfing on British Columbia’s Greens
Golfing under the British Columbia skies is an experience all by itself, with courses ranked among the finest of the world. Being a geographically diverse province, golfing in BC has an array of choices. For one, the courses range from gently rolling greens overlooking the ocean to tiered fairways in the mountain country.
Golfing in British Columbia lets you live and breathe the best that the province has to offer. With virtually pure air and comfortable temperatures, it is not unusual to see eagles, ducks, or even mountain goats while you are out hitting the greens.
The BC has golf courses that are so spectacular, even PGA designated the province as an official golf destination, and we believe that you will agree with us as you play a few rounds in any of our 250 courses with challenges that are as various as its terrain.The sport is even played year round on southern Vancouver Island and over at the Vancouver Coast and Mountain Regions, that is if you are willing to play under the rain during the winter season. The region’s rainy winter has even made the province a favorite destination of Canadians themselves, who usually venture south to escape the harsh chilly winter.
When you play golf in British Columbia, expect to play championship courses all throughout the region without even having to pay extravagant championship fees. You can also choose the less expensive nine- and eighteen-holers with sceneries that are just as astounding. Remember that when teeing off in BC, expect to be distracted in a pleasant way. Distracted to the beauty of waterfalls cascading down, mountains towering high, dense fir and cedar trees, sparkling lakes, fjords, and panoramic views. Not to mention the good chance of spotting wildlife on the fairway like white-tailed or fallow deer, elk, and coyotes, which are common on our golf courses. Watch out for eagles even, and don’t be surprised if your golf ball get snatched by an audacious raven.
Posted in Activities, Travel
May 22nd, 2007 / No Comments