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Take a trip to British Columbia
Enjoy
mountain top picnics, snowboard contests, biking and more...
When it was freezing in the rest of Canada with
mercury dipping close to -10 degrees, British Columbia — a province of
Canada
was experiencing an enviably pleasant weather. That’s what overwhelmed me
during a week-long visit here in January.
What made an instant impression were the people.
They were hospitable and reflected an amazing sense of ownership toward the
province. Roads were clean, parking meters were selfoperated, work ethics
of every individual was superior. Right from the airport manpower to the
cabbies to shopkeepers, hotel staff and individuals of high authority,
their zeal to work and cheerfulness was infectious. The Indian community in
Surrey and Vancouver made me feel that I am not too far away from India,
either. So, it was home away from home, in a rather comforting manner.
One tour around the city and it was obvious that
the province is blessed geographically. It enjoys nature’s best attractions
that are truly worth boasting about. The challenge here was how to see and
do it all. Victoria, GasTown, Stanley Park, Granville Island Public Market,
seaplanes harbour, Squamish villages, the University of British
Columbia...phew! The brilliant array of must-visit highlights along with
outdoor and indoor activities one can indulge and experience in British
Columbia is simply exhaustive.
There are myriads of municipal, provincial and
national parks in which to walk, hike and bike. I particularly liked the
Museum of Anthropology,
where an elderly guide revealed her love for Kashmir to me and that she had
visited Gulmarg, since her father studied there as a child. With those
pleasing Kashmir-inspired memories, I visited Whistler, a ski haven located
just 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Vancouver downtown. Once on top, I felt
snowflakes kissing my face softly as we stood near the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
area. Oh! what a breathtaking feeling it was when my heart melted and my
spirits soared. In the mountains, I saw kids learning to ski on powder snow
and higher peaks attracting pro skiers from across the world.
By March and April, my friendly skier guide Steve
added, with a smile, British Columbia starts getting way more daylight. So,
the chairlifts in Whistler stay open for an extra half hour and he extended
an invitation to the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) from April
12 - 21.
For details: www.britishcolumbia.travel nimisha.tiwari@timesgroup.com
Nimisha
Tiwari ETTR130221
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