Boundary Bay People Sanctuary By Anne Rayvals Contributor toTravelink Publishing Approximately 25,000 people live in Tsawwassen (home of the Chewasin people in the 19th Century). The name means "Land Facing the Sea." Southlands House by the Sea is a part of this pleasant place. There is a country estate feeling to Southlands. The spacious grounds and exquisite house might be called a people sanctuary, while Boundary Bay Regional Park next door is a 250-acre bird sanctuary and centre for eco-tourism. Here the internationally known Pacific Flyway is totally accessible. Visitors walk on the dyke or along Centennial Beach. Over a million wintering shorebirds and waterfowl come here, and as I strolled along the beach a blue heron lifted from the marsh and two bald eagles glided overhead. Adjectives washed into my head with the tide - serene, magical, enchanted. Another bird sanctuary, the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, is fifteen minutes away on Westham Island. This marshland reserve is home to 230 different birds and an annual stop for thousands of snowbirds each November. The Sanctuary charmed the Duke of Edinburgh, one of many famous people who visit here. Across the road from Southlands is a private golf club, available to guests who are in good standing at their own clubs. And just five minutes away the Tsawwassen Golf Club offers an 18-hole course for public use. At Southlands, charming, friendly hosts Lyla-Jo and Bruce Troniak greeted me. Bruce gave me a tour, beginning in the main house, and we stopped to appreciate the Great Room, with its stone fireplace and comfortable sitting area.Also on this floor are a pleasant dining room, a spacious kitchen and a second smaller dining room, occasionally used by corporate people as a boardroom. All the bedrooms are smoke free, with sitting areas, fireplaces, TVs, decks or patios. The Tower Suite, part of the original house, has floor to ceiling windows and a lounge complete with fridge, wet bar and full media, as well as a deck. Telephone and Internet access are available. The two queen tower rooms, romantically called Garden Room and Ocean Room, are beautifully done up in yellow and blue and share a four-piece bath. It is possible to rent the whole area as a private suite. Excellent for families or couples travelling together. The Carriage House, a separate building, has four rooms. Patios and decks lead to the garden and a fantastic view of Boundary Bay and the North Shore Mountains. High Country, furnished with Spanish pine and decorated in floral tones was my choice and I was fortunate enough to be assigned to this lovely room. The bath has a double shower with seats, and there is an intimate sitting area. But what I particularly appreciated was a door that opened onto a private patio and looked out over the tidal flats to the sea. After a comfortable night on my allergy-free feather bed, I woke to the sound of songbirds and watched a brilliant sunrise cut across the sky. Southlands seemed very distant from mainstream life at that moment, and it was difficult to realize that this quiet spot is so close to Vancouver. Breakfast, created by Lyla-Jo, was superb. We chatted as she served a pot of delicious herb tea (my preference), followed by a wonderful compote of fruit and yoghurt and hot croissants right from the oven. Dilled scrambled eggs offered on bread rounds sent my taste buds into shock from the flavourful taste. Notations in the guest book in High Countrywere full of praise for this Four Star B&B and I added mine before I regretfully picked up my bag to go. If You Go: SOUTHLANDS HOUSE by the Sea Bed and Breakfast 1160 Boundary Bay Rd. Tsawwassen, B.C. Canada V4L 2P6 Tel: 604-943-1846 Fax: 604-943-2481 E-Mail: btron@telus.net Web site: www.southlandshouse.com From Points South: US Highway I -5 becomes Highway 99 in Canada. Take Exit 28 onto Highway 17 to the ferries. At the second set of lights turn left onto 56th Street, then left again on 12th Avenue Southlands House is at the end of 12th across from Beach Grove Golf Club. From the Airport or Downtown Vancouver: Highway 99 South and through the Deas Tunnel Take Exit 28 onto Highway 17 south Follow instructions as above. Time: approx. 20-30 minutes From Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal: Highway 17 to traffic lights at 56th Street Follow directions as above. Time: approx. 10 minutes.