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Sointula – A Place of Harmony
Thursday, February 9th, 2006 by GetawayBC.com
Sointula, a short ferry ride away from Port McNeill, began as a communal colony of Finns hoping to build a utopia. Today it is a close community proud of its heritage.
The museum includes a remarkable three- room exhibit of daily life in Sointula’s early years, and is well worth the visit.
Sointula loves its artists, and is home to sculptors, artists, jewelers, musicians, and more highlighted each year during Artopia. Shoppers will love the selection of one-of-a-kind artwork. Unique fishnet rugs, soft and luxurious, are a local specialty.
For nature lovers, there are hiking trails aplenty. The 3-km Mateoja Heritage Trail is a rustic walk along rainforest trails, through an abandoned homestead to Big Lake. The 4-km Beautiful Bay Trail, a meandering trail over a ridge, has breathtaking views of the ocean. Whale lovers will be enthralled with the Bere Point Trail, which takes hikers near pebbled rubbing beaches popular with orcas. Bird watchers must see the tidal flats of Rough Bay, home to herons, gulls, eagles, and dozens of other bird species.
Boaters can rent either power or sail boats, and guides can take you to the best fishing and nature viewing locations. The marina has a full range of services, including public laundry and shower facilities.
Try the country life for a day – drive oxen, forge your own souvenirs, dip candles, and learn about the challenges of the past.
For a taste of real island life, why not visit a real lighthouse? Pulteney Point is a manned lighthouse, a rarity in this age of automation. Following a short drive, it’s a 15-minute walk along the beach.
The local Co-op, established in 1909, is the longest continually-operating co-operative in Canada. ;