UBC & Whistler

April studied at the University of British Columbia (UBC), so she took me for a “quick” tour of the campus. Its different from Stellenbosch, as most campuses are, in that it is all on one property. Saying that it isn’t small. It is huge! It has some great flower gardens, but the things that stick in my memory I have been able to capture in photos.

A Sequoia tree that has a soft bark. You can punch it as hard as you like and you won’t hurt yourself! From a look at the bark, many students have discovered this trick.

 

 

 

 

 

The clock tower on the main square was made “infamous” by a group against the slaughter of cattle (for food). So they protested by walking a cow to the top of the clock tower. What they didn’t know was that cow walk up stairs without any difficulty, but can’t/won’t walk down them. So to get the cow down they had to do the thing they were protesting!

Murphy just couldn’t help himself :)

 

 

On our way out, we saw a “robot competition.” Students from various universities designed, built and raced their machines. First a drag race and then a circuit. I just had to hang around. Jip, call me a nerd.

 

After being a bit delayed at UBC, we made our way to Whistler. Most people would be thinking skiing, but in summer they have downhill events. The one we caught was the BMX trick event. Loads of people and a 15 year old with the most insane moves ever.

The whole town is surrounded by slopes and hills. I can see how this would be a great winter ski place. But don’t think this place is only good with snow. It feels a bit like a European town. Shops on the ground floor with apartments on top. And because it is a bit of a drive to get here from anywhere, everyone stays in town. I can only imagine the parties :)

The BMX trick course – and the crowds

Road trip

In the spirit of wanting me to see and experience as much of Canada, April suggested we take a road trip. ROAD TRIP!!! Now how do I say “no” to that? I grew up driving to far off places. Ok, maybe not that far, but we used to drive somewhere when we went on holiday. You get to see much more. So we set off on a weeks worth of adventure of exploring B.C. (the province of British Columbia). Since writing about every little detail can get a bit boring, for you the reader, I think I’m going to let the photos do most of the talking. Lets start with our route…

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First stop: Bridal Vail falls (not the only one in B.C.
 
The town of Lytton boasts silhouette art. It is scattered all around the town and as far as I can remember, was done by different people. They have a brochure showing all the locations, so it is a bit of a treasure hunt.



Our first night’s camping next to lake Kamloops lake
Some random ice cream shop. You would also stop to take a photo of this :)
 
We did a 2 day hike in Mount Robson Park – Starting with smiles – This is the actual colour of the water, due to the rock being grinded by glacial motion -

1st night’s camp site (same as 2nd :-) ). Great view! Just a couple of critters (probably Pika) decided that they like my shoes. So they took a bite. See some of the damage.

Power waterfall on the way to the glacier – Some rodent enjoying a suntan. Not too bothered by us – See the glacier in the background? The board was erected in 1911 at the foot of the glacier – And the glacier.
 
Alex and I wanted to walk on a glacier in Torres del Paine. Finally got to do it. Not so safe I heard later – A Pika finally eating something tastier than my shoe – Drying out our gear after the hike.

Driving down the Columbia Ice fields. Ever met a “Mountee?” It just had to be a bear. One of the best shots of the ice fields.

A bit of a story to this one. April made a friend on the travel of Ireland. He happened to be working in Banff so we crashed in his basement for the night – The next day over breakfast we saw this old Jaguar…with an Eastern Cape (South Africa) registration on the front.

Historical town of Three Valley Gap. Everything is frozen in time.

See the red box, place to put “The Buzzer.” A boredom cure that is still found on Canadian local busses – Ever wonder why the conductors in old movies are always looking at their watches? Interesting read.

Driving in of “The Last Spike” in the railroad that connected Canada from East to West – Check it out…my family is famous!

Winelands of Kelowna, where only escorted guests are allowed. Need one? ;)
 
Go Trevor! – Random street art – Just for fun

Smores on the beach…continued – 16 July

…I didn’t want to just pay my $200 fine. This was a principle case for me, and I was concerned that if I tried to leave Canada with an outstanding ticket that I might get into trouble. So I hopped on April’s bike (about an hour cycle) and went to the ticketing office to deal with this.

I tried to “choose” the friendlier looking of the two ladies sitting behind the counter. I didn’t succeed and was thinking this might not go well. Stating my dilemma, leaving the country in 2 weeks and wanting to contest the ticket, I asked what the contesting procedure is. Thinking that I could get a quick court date and talk to the judge, which honestly is a bit scary, but I thought I would have a good foot to stand on. The lady or rather official informed me that I would only get a court date next year some time. What could I do except laugh :) I have to say that she also found the reason for me getting a ticket strange (great, so it isn’t just me). So she asks me to wait and disappears for a while. Now I’m thinking “yes, something good might just happen.” She came back and found a technicality on the ticket which allowed her to cancel it. Whoop, whoop. Ruan is a free man again :)

April’s farewell from the WAG – 15 July

April has been working at the WAG (West Avenue Grill) for a while now. The people that she works with are great and they have become quite close. April and I share the thrill of the adventure of new things and she has been accepted to her masters, half in Finland and half in Canada. So her colleagues threw her a going away party right after work.

Parties are parties, but this one had quite an interesting end. Eric had converted his flat into club. No, I’m not joking. And this is not a half-assed attempt at it either. Huge speakers and sound system to match. Disco ball, which everyone seems to think is tacky but we all secretly love it. Especially if there is a laser…which he has! And a stocked bar which doubles as the DJ box. Then when you get tired, don’t even think of driving home…remember my ticket on the beach. They would probably ship you off to some far eastern country to perform slave labour if they caught you under the influence :) No, Eric has bunk beds in the spare room. Just crash there. The rest is party history.

Sitting at the bar at the WAG. The sign was put up by the manager…due to the staff. Classic – Centre of Eric’s living room/dance floor

 
Laser & bar – The DJ at work

The Sunshine Coast – 11 July

April’s aunt and uncle live close to Halfmoon bay, north of Vancouver on the Sechelt Peninsula. This area is also called the Sunshine Coast. We went for a two day visit along with April’s grandmother. There are no direct roads to Halfmoon bay from Vancouver so ferries are the used to ferry people, bicycles, cars and trucks across. I was shocked to see the prices that the ferry charges. As this is most people’s main or only method of transport to the mainland, I though it might be subsidised. It might be, but still expensive.

We arrived at April’s uncle & aunt’s place after a beautiful drive in between trees or along the water. Their house is mostly made out of wood. I loved it. Using that much wood in South Africa would cost you a small fortune, but this is close to lumber areas. April’s uncle used to build houses and it showed in the construction. What was very amusing is his business’ name. Their surname is Badley, so he called his company “Badley built corp.” What a sense of humour :)

Shortly after arriving the cat decided that it wanted to “play” with a little bird. This incident was spotted before the bird became a meal. Cat locked away, April showed off her birding skills she learned while doing bird banding. See the proper technique demonstrated below. There wasn’t much visible damage, but once set down the bird didn’t make a run for it. We suspect that the cat had played just a little too hard.

The Badley's quite enjoy sailing…and they had a trimaran :) I asked if we could go for a sail, which was well received. So we went down to the boat the next day to check it out. She has nice lines, but the weirdest/most interesting thing was that the mast doesn't have stays…and rotates! Pretty cool, but I would’ve wanted to see it in action. There was NO wind :( So we went for a hike instead.

April had to do a tour in Ireland to find out about one of the best standing waves in Canada, just around the corner from the Badleys. The spot is called “Skookumchuck” Narrows (meaning “Strong water”) at Sechelt inlet. We timed our hike through the forest perfectly catching the rising tide at its peak. Needless to say that we, by that I mean me, went crazy with photos and videos. The guys were doing some sick moves. Since this wave is not dependant on weather conditions, but tidal variation, it is very dependable. So there are quite a couple of people that come down with organised tours. You can’t be a novice :) Since it was my birthday, we went for drinks on the water with a great view just as the sun was setting. And on arrival back home, I was surprised with a piece of birthday cake. Very nice :)

 
View from the ferry – An artist with a sense of humour – April showing off her bird handling skills

The Badley residence – Proof of the company name :) – Their trimaran

Map of Skookumchuck narrows – A tea house on the way…in the middle of nowhere – The path – Great views along the trail

Surfs up – Kayakers waiting their turn – Chilling at our vantage point

Small marina where we had drinks on my birthday – Me with my birthday cake