“The large, white rock figures prominently in narratives of the local Coast Salish peoples. One legend holds that the white rock marks the landing spot of a stone that was hurled across the Strait of Georgia by a young chief.[5] It was said that he and his bride would move from Vancouver Island to wherever the rock landed to make a home together. It was their descendants who became the Semiahmoo First Nation. (‘Semiahmoo’ is the Coast Salish word for ‘half-moon’,[citation needed]describing the shape of the bay.)”
When I got a chance to visit White Rock in British Columbia, my curiosity actually interested why the place called “White Rock”. And then my ex-colleague at work based in Burnaby mentioned that there was existing physical white rock along the seashore. And after he mentioned that information, I requested him if we can go there to see it for real. And the photo above was the “White Rock” we saw at Semiahmoo Bay with the Pier at the background of it. The snapshot was captured last June 2008 which part of my British Columbia adventure photo collection.
The chance that I got to be able to visit some parts of British Columbia was not an ordinary chance. When I got a single entry visa to Canada, I knew that it was a one-time chance to see this huge country at North America. After grabbing all my opportunity to see Alberta, the province of Edmonton where I was assigned for few weeks of work and training, I tried my best to get the opportunity to see British Columbia as well.
I remembered that it was less than two weeks before I left Canada to go back to my country, I requested my boss if I can fly earlier to Vancouver since it was the same route when I fly back on the actual date of my return in Philippines. I told my boss, that my route will be Edmonton to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Manila. At first he never agreed because he thought at first that my route was Edmonton to Toronto and Toronto to Manila. After correcting his thoughts about my flight, he told me that he will think about it.
After few hours passed, my boss called me back and told me that he was going to make my travel a business official, because the team that I worked with has collaboration with the team in Vancouver, my visit becomes semi-business trip, because there were few days left and the only thing that I can do in Vancouver was to meet the team.
My last day in Edmonton was Thursday (June 12, 2008) and that was the same day my colleague celebrated the 10th year anniversary in the company and somewhat my farewell to the team as well.
When I came to Vancouver, I tried to plan ahead the five days that I spent in British Columbia.
I arrived in Vancouver the next day, Friday June 13, 2008. From the airport, I went straight to the hotel (Ramada Hotel in Kingsway Burnaby) then rested for a while. After sometime passed, I went to the company branch office in Burnaby Vancouver where I had a chance to meet the whole team there. Here I also met my colleague from who was assigned in Vancouver while I was assigned in Edmonton. After meeting people, my colleague and I undergone some hours of knowledge and training sessions with few people in the team. The day finished so fast and I never realised that it was almost evening.
Because there was Filipino team member in Vancouver and we somewhat closed to him since he was the one came to Manila and interviewed us, he offered us some time to see places nearby. We went to Surrey City and drove down to Vancouver-Blaine Highway. At first, I never realized that we were going to the border between US and Canada until we arrived at Peach Arch Provincial Park, the area wherein anyone can be in two countries in one time. There is a part of the park called Peach Arch that once you stand on it, it means you are standing in two countries at the same time. When I learned that fact, I was really excited, I never been to US and that was my chance to be in US for a short period of time. Once we cross the arch, we were already in US and once we cross back again, we were in Canada immediately. We spent some time for photos around the area until we decided to leave the place.
Peace Arch Provincial Park
Road to USA
Canada Flag Garden
USA Flag Garden
Peace Arch Garden
Crow found in Peace Arch Garden
Peace Arch
Next, we drove down along Marine Drive in White Rock, where we saw scenic bay views in the area. Here we saw Semiahmoo Bay, Pier, the city itself and even the legendary historic White Rock while walking around the area. The place is a western coastal area where there is a main road near the coast and along the road are restaurant lane that people can enjoy seafood with beautiful bay views. I like the place because the city that located near in any body of water such as sea, lakes or rivers has different atmosphere compared to urban cities.
Marine Drive at White Rock
Semiahmoo Bay Snapshots
Semiahmoo Pier from Marine Drive
Side Views Snapshot from Semiahmoo Pier
At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards the bay
Some small boats and yachts at Semiahmoo Pier
White Rock City View from Semiahmoo Pier
White Rock City View from Semiahmoo Pier with train passing by
Legendary and historical White Rock
At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards White Rock
Maple Tree (Famous Trees in Canada and why Canada has Maple Leaf on its flag)
It was a quick tour since we sneak out some time after work and the last stop we had that night was at restaurant (I can’t recall the name because the surrounding area are full of seafood restaurants) located at Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston Richmond, where we enjoyed seafood as our dinner and bay wharf views.
Canada Flag Garden
USA Flag Garden
Peace Arch Garden
Crow found in Peace Arch Garden
Peace Arch
Marine Drive at White Rock
At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards the bay
Legendary and historical White Rock
At Semiahmoo Pier looking towards White Rock
Maple Tree (Famous Trees in Canada and why Canada has Maple Leaf on its flag)
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