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Canada
Diavik Diamond Mine
Photo by Planet Labs, Inc. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diavik_Diamond_Mine,_Canada_by_Planet_Labs.jpg
Where is it?
The Diavik Diamond Mine is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. It is situated on Lac de Gras, a large lake in the Canadian tundra, about 220 kilometers (137 miles) northeast of Yellowknife, the capital city of the Northwest Territories.
What is it?
The Diavik Diamond Mine is one of the largest and most productive diamond mines in the world. It began operations in 2003 and is owned by Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond Mines. The mine is located primarily on a series of islands in Lac de Gras and is notable for being an underground and open-pit mining operation.
Diavik is known for producing high-quality diamonds, and it is one of Canada's most significant diamond producers. The diamonds extracted from the mine are typically white, although colored diamonds are also found on occasion. The mining process involves both traditional open-pit mining and underground mining, with a significant emphasis on minimizing environmental impact, especially given the sensitive Arctic ecosystem.
The Diavik mine also has a state-of-the-art diamond sorting and processing facility located nearby. The mine is one of the few in the world that operates under such extreme conditions, requiring careful consideration of environmental and logistical challenges posed by the remote location and harsh Arctic weather.
Best Time to Visit
Access is Limited: The Diavik Diamond Mine is not a typical tourist destination. Visits to the mine are usually restricted to employees and industry professionals. However, the mine’s operations can be viewed during special tours or through arranged visits by approved parties.
Winter Months (November to March): Due to its remote Arctic location, the best time to visit the area around the mine is during the winter months, when ice roads are typically used to transport supplies and workers. However, access to the mine itself is usually controlled, so a specific arrangement is required.
Tips for the Trip
Work or Industry Visits: If you are working in the mining or diamond industry, or if you have a professional reason to visit, make sure to arrange visits through official channels.
Weather Conditions: Given the extreme Arctic conditions, make sure to prepare for harsh weather, with proper cold-weather gear if traveling to the area, even if you're not visiting the mine itself.
Photography and Restrictions: Due to security and operational concerns, photography inside the mine is usually restricted. Always check the regulations beforehand.
Bottle Houses
Photo by A Disappearing Act https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Les_maisons_de_bouteilles_-_Bottle_Houses_-_The_six_gabled_house_%281%29.jpg
Where is it?
The Bottle Houses are located on Prince Edward Island (PEI), off the eastern coast of Canada. Specifically, they are situated in the town of Kensington, which is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) west of the island's capital, Charlottetown.
What is it?
The Bottle Houses are a unique set of structures built primarily from recycled glass bottles. The most notable of these buildings is the Bottle House Museum, a collection of three buildings: a house, a chapel, and a tavern. They were constructed by Edouard Arsenault, a local man who started the project in the 1980s.
Arsenault had a vision of creating beautiful and functional buildings using the thousands of glass bottles he collected. The house itself is built with a combination of colorful glass bottles, cement, and mortar, creating intricate walls that allow light to shine through in colorful patterns. The chapel and tavern, which are also built from bottles, are similarly decorated and create a whimsical, almost magical atmosphere. The Bottle Houses are an impressive example of creative recycling and sustainable construction. The buildings have become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming from around the world to see the whimsical structures and the vast collection of colorful bottles that make up the buildings’ walls.
Best Time to Visit
Spring to Fall (May to October): The best time to visit the Bottle Houses is during the warmer months, from May to October, when the weather is more pleasant for outdoor activities and the gardens surrounding the buildings are in full bloom.
Morning or Afternoon: For a more peaceful experience, visiting in the morning or later afternoon is ideal when the area is less crowded.
Tips for the Trip
Photography: The Bottle Houses are incredibly photogenic, with the colorful glass reflecting sunlight in beautiful patterns. Make sure to bring a camera to capture the vibrant colors and unique architecture.
Explore the Grounds: The area surrounding the Bottle Houses is beautifully landscaped, with gardens and paths to explore. It’s a lovely place to walk around and enjoy the creative atmosphere.
Nearby Attractions: While in Kensington, you can explore other local attractions, such as the PEI Agricultural Museum or the North Shore of the island, known for its stunning beaches and scenery.