Sadly, our Canadian reunion with daughter and grandsons had to come to an end,
and off we flew to the west-coast city of Vancouver, BC...
for a very special meeting with author and talented blogger Kristie Hammond, of North of 49
Lovely Kristie took us to see Vancouver's famous Stanley Park:
an Oasis of Green, a city space which shows the wonderful dense green forests of the North-West of America..
It felt like being immersed in the paintings of my favourite Canadian artist, Emily Carr:
I loved it!
Spectacular indigenous American Totem Poles..
This prow from a Chinese ship is mentioned in Kristie's book 'Ting Ting', the story of a young Chinese girl who relocates to Canada after the events of Tiananmen Square, and her wish to belong.
Dear Kristie gave me my own copy of this and her second book,
'The Moment'. Thank you so much Kristie!
At the park, I saw my first Wild Rose. They are so pretty..
and nearby, the most beautiful music being played on an Erhu, a Chinese violin, by busker and talented classical musician Ji Rong Huang.
After enjoying Schubert's 'Serenade' and Massenet's 'Meditation', I just had to buy a CD..
It seemed only right to have a salmon lunch in a rustic Canadian cabin, perched on the hill above the bay..
watched by a bear..
We moved on to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden,
situated in Vancouver's Chinatown.
Another beautiful place, the Garden is the first classical garden constructed outside of China, a cooperative project between Canada and the People's Republic of China. It opened in 1985.
\
Peonies! I think this is the first time I have seen them growing on a bush.
So beautiful...
A perfect Moon Gate..
All too soon, it was time to return to the airport and continue our journey..
Dear Kristie, thank you for your generosity, and a wonderful, interesting and exciting day.
The wonder of a blogging friendship is obvious: we already knew much about each other, and it was a meeting of Old Friends.
A perfect note to end our Canadian journey.
xxxxx
Lovely Kristie took us to see Vancouver's famous Stanley Park:
an Oasis of Green, a city space which shows the wonderful dense green forests of the North-West of America..
It felt like being immersed in the paintings of my favourite Canadian artist, Emily Carr:
I loved it!
 |
| Emily Carr paintings, Google images. |
Spectacular indigenous American Totem Poles..
This prow from a Chinese ship is mentioned in Kristie's book 'Ting Ting', the story of a young Chinese girl who relocates to Canada after the events of Tiananmen Square, and her wish to belong.
Dear Kristie gave me my own copy of this and her second book,
'The Moment'. Thank you so much Kristie!
At the park, I saw my first Wild Rose. They are so pretty..
and nearby, the most beautiful music being played on an Erhu, a Chinese violin, by busker and talented classical musician Ji Rong Huang.
After enjoying Schubert's 'Serenade' and Massenet's 'Meditation', I just had to buy a CD..
It seemed only right to have a salmon lunch in a rustic Canadian cabin, perched on the hill above the bay..
watched by a bear..
We moved on to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden,
situated in Vancouver's Chinatown.
Another beautiful place, the Garden is the first classical garden constructed outside of China, a cooperative project between Canada and the People's Republic of China. It opened in 1985.
Peonies! I think this is the first time I have seen them growing on a bush.
So beautiful...
A perfect Moon Gate..
All too soon, it was time to return to the airport and continue our journey..
Dear Kristie, thank you for your generosity, and a wonderful, interesting and exciting day.
The wonder of a blogging friendship is obvious: we already knew much about each other, and it was a meeting of Old Friends.
A perfect note to end our Canadian journey.
 |
What lovely art work by Emily carr. I had not heard of her but I will look her up. very powerful and atmospheric. . It can be a bit deflating coming home after a nice holiday but it sounds as if it was lovely for you.
ReplyDeleteEmily Carr was a very interesting artist; I hope you enjoy looking at her life and work. As you say, very powerful, and evocative of the Pacific North West landscape. Coming back to earth now, after a great month of travel!
DeleteWhat lovely art work by Emily carr. I had not heard of her but I will look her up. very powerful and atmospheric. . It can be a bit deflating coming home after a nice holiday but it sounds as if it was lovely for you.
ReplyDeleteTrish, so happy that you had such an enjoyable time. I've been in Vancouver and enjoyed it immensely. Nice to connect to a friend, as well as the family.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda Kay, yes, we had a most enjoyable time on the North American continent, but now we have flown back across the world to our own little southerley nest! Meeting another blogger is great fun..
DeleteIt was a wonderful day, Patricia! Of course, it was far too short, and there were so many more things I would have liked to have shown you. You are right, it was like a meeting of Old Friends. You were very patient to answer all my Australian questions, and very brave to get in the car with me after I told you I have no sense of direction! Next time we will go to Granville Island. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristie, and it was wonderful of you to make the long drive to see us. Yes, far too short! I will email you. It is good to have Granville Island in reserve, just to make sure there is a next time :)
DeleteHow wonderful that you and Kristie got to meet!!! Isn't it a lot of fun meeting bloggers! So glad for you both!!! Kristie showed you some wonderful sights didn't she! I hope that your travels home have been good. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was super fun Amy, just like the blogger meetings I have read about. We saw the most wonderful sights in Vancouver and would probably never have managed it by ourselves in one day. Arrived home today, tired but happy. xx
DeleteWhat a spectacular day, in all senses of the word - the scenery, the flowers, the art and culture, and the company. A way to ease some of the sadness of leaving. Canada seems a very beautiful country. Safe travels...
ReplyDeleteYes, it was indeed spectacular Sarah Liz. It was a perfect way to add much pleasure to what is one of the longest journeys in the world! We are now safely home and de-briefing ourselves :)
DeleteBeautiful photos of beautiful spaces and other treasures...loved seeing them. Thank you for sharing and safe travels home xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle, it was all beautiful and exciting: family, bloggers, new Canadian landscapes and nature. Home now, and coming back to earth in every way - including jetlag! xx
DeleteHi Val, it was lovely that I met two other bloggers on our travels. Just as much fun as when I met up with you in Sydney. I am sure you will enjoy Kristie's blog, too. Now we are home, time to get back into the sewing, and hopefully go back to Sydney for more fabric this year :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely close to your trip. I love the art work and how special to meet a blogging friend. That's always so special. The Photos of the Chinese buildings, gardens and gates are just gorgeous, but it looks quite wintry still. Was it cold?
ReplyDeleteIt was a great finish to Canada, Val, and a really nice day out. Kristie was our perfect host! It was cold early, but became quite a warm Spring day. Vancouver always seems warmer than Ontario to me.
DeleteWhile I am writing this, you are probably back home. Just wondering your feelings right now.. After such a long trip to such a long away country. As always, your pictures are great. Thank you for keeping us dated.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a day or two of relaxation is on your to do list now?
I tried to keep up with the posts as I went along, to capture the feel of the moment (and because I'd never get to it once I returned home). Yes, we are home now, and the best description of how I feel would be Disoriented! The last five nights in succession I have slept in Ottawa, Vancouver, on the plane over the Pacific, Auckland, Brisbane. All different time zones around the Globe. No wonder my brain is a bit muddled :) Yes, we need a couple of days before resuming the pace of life, just doing the laundry and fetching in some food today. I haven't finished unpacking yet...
DeleteWhat a lovely day. I've really enjoyed reading about your visit from both your perspective and Kristie's. It sounds like you had a very nice time together. This is a beautiful place and I've enjoyed your photos. I hope your trip home went well and that you're relaxing by now. Take care, Patricia.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer, it was a lovely day with Kristie (as was my day with Shane in New Zealand on the way over). Bloggers make good friends :) We arrived safely home, always a relief after travelling across the Pacific, and now just need to rid ourselves of jetlag! Happy Sunday to you and your sweet family.
DeletePatricia, Van Couver is a lovely area. I really like those paintings, they're enchanting. The wild rose is beautiful, wow, look at that color! I would have loved to heard the Chinese violin playing. It's such pretty music, and I have a favorite Chinese song myself. The garden is so pretty with the peonies and gates. Thanks for sharing a bit of Van Couver with us, especially since I probably won't ever visit myself. Nel and Jess are going to Spain this summer and always traveling. Lucky girls.
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Hi Sheri, glad you enjoyed the post; we did have a lovely day with Kristie. It is very different from southern California! Spain is on my wish list too, a very appealing place. One of our sons was there last month - the young ones do get around these days :)
Deletelove P.
Just catching the tail end of your trip. Vancouver (and a few places on the West Coast) is the one part of Canada I've visited. Your pictures are great. Hopefully you are home relaxing by now.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Hello Darla - I thought of you when on the west coast, knowing you were not too far south of us. The Pacific north west is so beautiful. We are home, still finishing the last of the laundry and unpacking, but definitely unwinding :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful day that must have been for you both, Patricia. There is something very special about meeting a fellow blogger, especially when they take you around and show you so much of a beautiful city. I envy you meeting Kristie. :)
ReplyDelete