Semiahmoo Bay – The Hidden Panorama

Discovery (Post#3) : White Rock in White Rock

Excerpt from Wikipedia —

“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.

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.

Category: Semiahmoo Bay

Discovery : White Rock in White Rock

White Rock In British Columbia ?