K is for Kayak

Come ply crystal clear waters, slide silently over drifting beds of giant kelp, paddle between islands where seals and seal lions play, explore hidden coves or glide past orcas. The meandering waterway of Victoria's Inner Harbour and the Gorge features an urban environment at first, then widens to Portage Inlet - a favourite of expert and novice kayakers alike. If you have never kayaked before, don't worry - it really is as easy as it looks.

L - is for Links

The lords of the links have blessed British Columbia like few places on earth. So, pack your bag and golf your way around all fore points of the compass in British Columbia. The courses are spectacular and the scenery absolutely awesome - from ocean's edge to mountain plateau. In fact, Golf Digest has rated Whistler one of the top 20 golf destinations in the world. NO wonder - with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Rober Cupp, it is a golfer's paradise.

M - is for Mountains.

British Columbians love their mountains. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the Coast Mountains, BCers like to climb them, ski them or just gaze in wonder at them. Fact is, we are completely surrounded by mountains - including the peaks in famous provincial parks like Bugaboo, Kokanee Glacier and Tweedsmuir. We even call two North Shore mountain peaks the Lions because we think they look like sleeping lions - and we named the Lions Gate Bridge after them.

Carol Bacon

Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.

250-469-2353

J - is for jazz

The Jazz scene in BC is so cool, daddy-o - real cool. vancouver's legandary jazz haunts include The cellar, The Yale and The Orpheum for bigger gigs. If that don't beal all, there are of course the International Jazz Festivals in Both Vancouver and Victoria, running simulataneiously from June 23rd t oJuly 2nd. You Dig?

Carol Bacon
Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.
250-469-2353

I - IS FOR ISLAND

Off the main land, there are over 200 islands. Many of these are visited by British Columbians, who go to rest and relax or play in the sun and sand. To help you sound like a local, here's a little BC-ese: we call our largest island - Vancouver Island - "The Island". However, with smaller islands, we drop "island" completely. So it's "Bowen" "Gabriola", "Gambier", "Savary", "Saltspring" and well you get the idea!

H is for Hiking

British Columbia fulfills anyone's desire to commune with nature. Even in our cities, there are paths through floral gardens and along rivers and the ocean. For bolderappetites, hike serious backcountry or mountainous routes, through astonishingly rigged terrain that abounds in wildlife. Treks on Stawamus Chief and Black Tusk around Joffre and Garibaldi lakes and in Whistler Valley lead to some of the province's most exhilarating views.

G - is for Granville Island

This jewel of Vancouver's False Creek, with its unique shops, restaurants, theatres (like the renowned Arts club Theatre), huge Public Market and artisan workshops, is a wonderful place to watch boats go by, feed seagulls and while away the day. But it wasn't always so, - it has a checkered past as a heavily industrialized district and even a Depression era shantytown. Go back a century and it wasn't even an island it was just a couple of sandbars.

Carol Bacon - Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.

250-469-2353

F is for Fan Tan Alley

Just steps away from the golden lions of the Gates of Harmonious Interest in Victoria's Chinatown (the oldest in Canada) lies Fan Tan Alley. Once home to infamous gambling establishments and opium dens, this is a fascinating place to explore. As is Vancouver's Chinatown, one of the largest and most unique in North America.

Carol Bacon
Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.
250-469-2353

E- is for English Bay

With beaches, spectacular sunsets and swaying palm trees, it is hard to believe that you are in British Columbia. Everybody hangs out there; it's been that way since Captain George Vancouver first dropped anchor in English Bay in 1792. In fact, its name commemorates when he met Spanish captains Valdes and Galiano there that same year. (This is the event that also resulted in naming of the Spanish Banks)

Carol Bacon

Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.

250-469-2353

carol.bacon@century21.ca

www.carolbacon.net

D is for Desert

D is for Desert

Tucked right by the southernmost boundary of British Columbia is Osoyoos, Canada's only true desert, complete with sagebrush and prickly pear cacti. Of course, Osoyoos is also home to the warmest of warm water lakes in British Columbia. It is the gateway to the Okanagan Wine Route through the Okanagan Valley. But it doesn't stop there, because the arid, ghost town of Walhachin is over-grown with sagebrush, cacti and picturesque rolling hills that bake in over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Discovery is around every corner and photo opportunities abound.

Move to Kelowna, Westbank and Peachland and you are only two hours away!

Carol Bacon

Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.

250-469-2353 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 250-469-2353 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

carol.bacon@century21.ca

www.carolbacon.net

ABC'S OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

ABC'S OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Journey the A to Z of British Columbia!

ABC

A - ADRENALINE

Heart pounding, adrenaline rush of high adventure, there is no better place than British Columbia. Whether you want to ascend mountains, descend glaciers on skis, gallop across the plains on horseback, tame wild rivers, explore caves or the ocean depths, you can do it in BC - where "A" is also for "Awesome".

B - BEACHES

With a jagged coastline that extends over 270,000 km, British Columbia is home to many beaches for you to explore from city beaches to secluded beaches. Sunbathing beaches, swimming beaches. Volleyball beaches. Strolling beaches. Surfing beaches. From Long Beach to Parksville to Rathtrevor, we are a premier sand and surf destination - even in our cities. In fact, Vancouver alone has 10 - including Wreck Beach, Canada's only official clothing - optional beach.

C - CALIFORNIA ROLL

Surprised to hear that the California Roll was invented in BC? It is true - this innovative, inside out maki roll of cucumber, crab and avocado, was created by one of Vancouver's most renowned chefs, Hidekazu Tojo.

Vancouver is a culinary hot spot for sushi and delicious fusion fare. Other famous chefs include Rob Feenie, winner of Iron Chef America, and restaurateur, Umberto Mengh

Give me a call and I will find you the perfect home in the Kelowna, Westbank or Peachland!

Carol Bacon

Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.

250-469-2353 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 250-469-2353 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

carol.bacon@century21.ca

www.carolbacon.net