Kelowna

We originally planned to drive in a northeasterly direction straight from Hope to Kamloops, a mere distance of 204Km. However, we were advised to visit Kelowna instead of going straight to Kamloops. This is because Kelowna is recognised as a favourite spot for holiday makers. This detour meant that we would have to change course. Instead, we had to drive first in a southeasterly direction, then northeast and finally northwest. This effectively almost doubled the distance to 407Km.

Kelowna is indeed a beautiful place. Developers took advantage of the picturesque Lake Okanagan and built luxurious condominiums by the lake side. Lake Okanagan is an inland huge lake formed by repeated glaciations. To be exact, the lake is 135Km long and 4Km to 5Km wide.

I was surprised to discover later that Sun Yet Sen visited this place in 1911 to raise fund for the revolution against the Qing Dynasty. In those days, 15% of the population in Kelowna was ethnic Chinese. But now, less than 1%  is ethnic Chinese.

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We saw Lake Okanagan Bridge from a distance. This bridge is unique because it is a pontoon bridge. Built over three years from 2005 -2008 at a cost of CAD 144m. This has been renamed after a Canadian Prime Minister, William Richards Bennett.

An aerial view of the floating bridge download from website.

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We met a man who is from Edmonton originally. He said he fell in love with this city and decided to stay there for good. He raised a wove as his pet and and this put him at odd with the authority occasionally.

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Kelowna is famous for wineries. We did not manage to see any of them but did see fruit farms at the fringe of the city. 

British Columbia wineries is huge. Its wineries alone contribute CAD3.75 billion to the country's economy. Okanagan Valley alone boasts 86% of BC's vineyard acreage. The valley stretches 250Km long!

Apples.

Apricots & Cherries.