Province of British Columbia Things to Do Tips by blint

SAVE BARKERVILLE!!! Barkerville is an original frontier town inhabited by Chinese, Brits, Eastern Canadians and Americans during the gold rush. It is so well preserved you really do feel you were there during the gold mining era. Shamefully they want to close it saying it is too expensive to maintain! This is one of BC's only TRUE historic sites. It SHOULD NOT be closed. Please try to see it while you can and sign the petition to say it shouldn't be closed and the government should keep it open to the public! Thank you.

Click here to save Barkerville

2004 Admission Rates

2 Day Pass
Adults (19-64) $12.50
Seniors (65+) $11.25
Youth (13-18) $7.25
Children (6-12) $3.50

Children under 6 Free
Family(2 adults and related youth or children) $28.50

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Phone: (250) 994-3332 or 994-3302
Directions: Barkerville, near Wells, Northern BC.
MAP
Website: http://www.heritage.gov.bc.ca/bark/bark.htm
Other Contact: eml: barkerville@gems8.gov.bc.ca

A desert in the north of Canada. Can you believe it???!!!??? Farswell canyon is in Northern BC near William's lake. I saw it on a day when a large rain storm was moving overhead. The contrast between Canada's only sand dune and the black sky was amazing. Unfortunately, over a year later, I'm still waiting to get all my Canada photos with these pictures on developed. I took over 10 rolls!

The river below the large sand dune is a beautiful shade of Turquiose too.

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Address: Northern BC

A really great stop off point. The Frazer is a beautiful river in Northern BC. You can find Jade rocks and other minerals and cool rocks along the shore. The colour of the water is an awesome turquoise as well due to the high mineral content.

If you are into geology and rock collecting this would be a great place to come. Some of the landscape around the river looks like a different planet because of all the mulicolour rock formations. From Green to red and maroon, to silver to yellow to orange and to white.You can find whatever colour you are looking for! Well almost!

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It is thought that coastal Indians settled the Vancouver area before 500 B.C. The British naval captain George Vancouver came across this region in 1792 and was originally founded as a sawmill settlement called Granville in the 1870s. The city was built in 1886 and renamed after Captain Vancouver.

Vancouver is the 3rd largest city in Canada although it isn't the capital of BC.

The best areas to go in Vancouver are: Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Shaughnessy, English Bay, and Queen Elizabeth Park and of course Granville island. To find out more about there places check out my Stanley Park and Granville island tips or visit the website listed below.

Remember that Vancouver is a relatively young city so you won't find historical monuments like in Europe, but it is a vibrant and beautiful city worth exploring for it's arts and culture. It is one of the most multi cultural cities I've ever seen.

It also has a gay quarter where you can shop at gay mart! you'll know when you are there because there are rainbow flags everywhere!!!

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Directions: In the South West of BC very close to the border with The USA.
Website: http://www.discovervancouver.com/attractions.asp

To the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs for all time".
Lord Stanley, at the Park dedication.

Originally a marine base for the Royal Navy, the British government gave back the 1000-acres forest land in 1888 for a very small amount. It was named after Lord Stanley, the former Canadian governor- general whose conservationist vision made it into a recreational area. It is one of the largest parks in the whole of North America. It is situated on a peninsula and surrounded on three sides by water.The park is home to large populations of raccoons, squirrels, skunks, as well as ducks,geese and other migrating birds.

Siwash Rock is an offshore monolith that the Squamish people who once lived in Stanley Park believe to be a symbol of 'clean fatherhood. You can also see a collection of beautiful Totem poles (see my Tomem pole tip).

Other points of interest include an iron figure of a girl/mermaid sitting on a rock in the water. Don't forget the beaches too!

By car, you can get to Stanley Park from either Georgia Street or Beach Avenue, though finding parking once you get there is often difficult. One alternative is to catch the #35/135 and #23/123 bus from Georgia Street that dops you at the entrance of Stanley Park and connects with the Stanley Park Shuttle Bus Service. The free Shuttle Bus Service starts in June and runs daily through to mid September from 10:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

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Directions: Ten minutes from the business district of downtown Vancouver city.

One cultural aspect of the park you shouldn't miss is the Totem Pole collection at Brockton Point. Most are very colourful like the one in the photo which is a close up of one of the faces on a totem pole.

Totem poles are use sybolisim to represent family ties; They show you the status of members of a tribe and where they come from. Many times they tell a story (about a spiritual encounter for example).

Stanley Park is a must see green area of Vancouver. Don't miss out on seeing it and the native culture it beholds!

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Directions: In Stanley Park. Follow the sign posts.

There is an aquariumin Stanley Park where you can see all sorts of aquatic life from Jelly fish to Beluga Whales!!!! it is the largest in Canada.

For information about transportation, hours and rates, group bookings, the latest animal activities, special events, rentals and programs, call the Info Line (604) 659-3474.

General Admission Rates (GST included)
Adults $16.50
Seniors/ Youths (13-18)/ Students $12.50
Children (4-12) $ 9.50
Children 3 years & under FREE

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (19 & older).

I'm sorry ut I haven't got my Aquarium photos back yet!

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Phone: (604) 659-3474
Address: 845 Avison Way,Vancouver, B.C. V6G 3E2
Directions: follow the sign posts!
Website: www.vanaqua.org">
Other Contact: guestrelations@vanaqua.org

This place is like Elf Land from Lord of the Rings. It is so beautiful and magical. The trees are so tall and old and look as edible as a Flake chocolate bar! I paid more attention to the trees and Reinecker Creek than the 14 km Waterfall at the end of the trail! There is supposed to be a cave behind the waterfall though I didn't dare check to see if this info was correct!

This is a must see and a half activity if you are in the Salmon Arm area.

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Address: Salmon Arm
Directions: By the Shuswap Lake.

The sunset over Shuwap Lake is fantastic. You can pull over from the road to get a great view! It is a beautiful lake at all times of the day. Shuswap is the name of a First Nation tribe that inhabited the area before the white men arrrived. They are almost extinct now.It is thought that the name is dirived from Isixwt, meaning downriver.

Te lake is made up of diferent 'arms': The Shuswap Lake Main Arm, Salmon Arm, Anstey Arm, and Seymour Arm. The interesting shape of the lake was caused by glacial scouring.

You can see many houseboats on the lake which is an interesting alternative for a hotel while you are on your vacations. You can also find great camp sites along the shore if you fancy keeping your feet firmly on dry land

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Address: Shuswap lake
Directions: Salmon Arm/Sicamous area in South East interior of BC

All museums are must see for any European's visiting Canada, but mainly for amusement. For you'll find they've more all the old building's into one place and called it a museum. I've seen my ex boyfriend's school in a museum which was quite a laugh. British Columbia's history is very short, so anything 100 years old is ancient, 80 years old is very old and even 30 year old fishing tackle is old enough to get into a museum in Salmon Arm! I've seen cash registers that I've used in Britain in a museum near Falkland!

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Address: O' Keefe Ranch (Falkland), Hainey House (Sam. Arm)