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Published: October 25th 2012
Tribune Bay - Hornby Island
During Pat and Dale's visit we decided to visit Denman and Hornby Islands. Because we had Nala (Chris' dog) with us, we couldn't do Tribune Bay Provincial Park which is know for its beautiful sand beaches. So second option was a beach off of the main bay marked by a small road on the map. We quickly realized that we had the wrong beach when Rick saw a group of naked bums walking across the parking lot. But, Nala needed a run and we wanted out of the car, so we continued on to the beach.
Notice that the clothes remained on and we had a wonderful hour relaxing and watching the tide pour in over the rocks.A New Phase
Qualicum Beach- another big change in our lives - and the last of the travel blogs for a while (so sad!!). The end of our China odyssey was so busy with packing, end of school, crates, and planning for one last holiday, that I feel like I need the closure of one last blog.
Saying goodbye to China was especially difficult. We were so fortunate though to have had one last trip with my brother Bob, his wife Nancy and daughters Catherine and Zoe. They joined us in Beijing for a two nights to adjust to time zones before heading off to Xi An to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Even though we had seen them before, they are well worth a second visit. From there we went to Chengdu to visit the pandas – one of the top things we saw in China. Absolutely the cutest things you can imagine. We had some adventures on the city buses and subways, interesting stays in houtong hostels in Beijing, and the beautiful Buddhazen hotel in Chengdu. We ate some great meals and really enjoyed the company travelling. The two weeks flew by.
Bob on the Xian City wall
We loved our two week July trip with Bob, Nancy, Katherine and Zoe. During our visit to Xian, home of the Terra Cotta Warriors, we rode bikes around the top of the ancient city wall - a 13 km trip. Here at one stop along the way, Bob showed how the Chinese armies impaled their enemies during battle. Go Bob, go! We left Bob in Beijing, where they flew home from, and flew back to Dalian for the first step of our leaving China. We had booked the 5 star Nikko hotel using Japan Airline points- since we stayed there on our way to Beijing, they kept our bags until our return. After repacking to redistribute weight in the bags, we finally got all of our treasures safely stowed and ready for the next day flight to Narita/Tokyo. I certainly shed a few tears that night as we ate delicious jaozi – steamed dumplings-in a small outdoor restaurant; as well as on the way to the airport that next morning.
A full day/night layover in Narita went quickly, catching up on sleep and taking in an outstanding outdoor barbecue buffet at the hotel– no street food here, but all you can eat seafood, thinly sliced meats, fresh fruits and veggies which you cooked over a grill built into the middle of your own table. Add to that all the liquor, wine and beer that you could drink, followed by a loaded dessert table made for a full set of bellies!
Next day to
Chengdu Panda Reserve
We were so glad to have had the chance to see the pandas at the Breeding Research Centre. Although all of the pandas here have been bred in captivity, they are unbelievably adorable. Talk about a lazy bunch, but you could watch them loll about eating bamboo for hours. Katherine loved the Red Pandas, but these 'adolescents' really won Rick and I over. Vancouver where we visited with Chris and spent a couple of nights with the Vancouver Baxendales, Dennis, Gary, Rhonda, and we visited with Chris. We have been so lucky to have had some wonderful visits all of them on our way through for the last three years. The big dilemma now was how to get all of our bags to the island and our new home. No car, too many bags to carry on to the ferry, too heavy for domestic airlines, too expensive to rent a car one way. Chris to the rescue who lent us his truck (and dog) which we loaded up and set off on July 19.
Long story short, we unpacked the storage unit with all of our things from Peace River, went to Calgary for three weeks, saw many friends and family, came back and picked up our China crates, opened them and took many loads of our ‘treasures’ to the local charity store. We are constantly scratching our heads at the things we decided to bring and the things that we decided not to bring with us (where is that waffle iron when you want it??)
After
Wen shu temple
The Wen Shu temple in Chengdu was near our idyllic Buddha Zen hotel, so we wandered over one afternoon with Nancy and Zoe while Bob and Katherine were visiting the giant Buddha.Inside was beautiful, but I especially loved the window where Rick had to buy the tickets! initially wondering what the heck we were doing here in B. C. (bring cash) we have settled in and are loving it here. We also love having family close by for the first time in years. What a thrill to have Chris come for the weekend, Nancy come for supper, Fran invite us for lunch, and Pat and Dale come to visit.
Rick is settling into retirement very well – he plays +55 hockey three times a week – funny that they play at 7:45 (am not pm) and go for coffee not beer afterwards. Second tournament next week! Already he is planning for slo pitch in the spring.
Although I am busy, I have not settled so well into retirement and would rather be working. I have joined a dance group, book club, play bridge twice a week at the duplicate club, and am starting to tutor a Chinese woman with the adult literacy group. Throw in a few golf games and a few hikes and morning walks on the beach - I guess I can get used to this, though. Although we have made a couple of connections with people from Maple
Lovely Ladies
Zoe and Katherine trying on new hats at the hostel in Beijing. Leaf and some people from Peace River, we are going to join the Newcomers Club. It is very active and a great way to meet people and get to know the community.
Redoing our kitchen has also been high on the priority list – after dozens of quotes and getting to know a few tradesmen well, we have made some decisions and should have the majority of the work done very soon. Lots of other work both inside and out, but we were lucky that after 8 years of renting, the house was in as good shape as it was. The kitchen is almost done, but you know how that goes – one thing leads to another and we will have additional work to do to tie everything together.
To catch up on family, Chris is in Vancouver now and loving it. He is still in construction which is much busier than it was in Whistler – he will miss the snowboarding though. But living right downtown off English Bay almost makes up for it. Having him only a ferry ride away is wonderful. Geoff is back in Halifax, still looking for work in
Here's to you, Chris and Geoff
The 365 Inn was where we spent a few days and drank a few beers with Chris and Geoff during their visit. We had to go back to revisit and have a delicious western style burger and fires with Bob and Nancy. the science field, but will take anything for now! He was out here for a couple of weeks and we had the pleasure of both sons for Thanksgiving dinner this year. We loved it. We also had a great meal with my sister, Nancy and cousins Gary and Rhonda in Shawnigan Lake. We were so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the holiday with such a lot of family. That hasn’t happened in years.
My mom is doing great – she is almost 89 and still living on her own in Calgary. Although she keeps busy with bridge and volunteering at the church, she is finding it lonely on her own, so it has been investigating retirement homes. She has a place picked out and is going to put her name in, but when she moves depends on when a suitable place comes open. I imagine sometime this winter or next spring she will make the move and I am again so grateful to be close by to go over and stay with her while that transition happens. I really admire her for the work that she has done to get ready for this.
Goodbye to China
Sad day to say goodbye- lots of good memories of China, people, places. After a warm and sunny September, we have hunkered down to a cloudy, rainy winter! Lots of snow everywhere, so we are thankful not to deal with that right now. Yardwork will have to wait until the spring. Good time to do some painting (inside/kitchen and tv room).
As of now, travel is put on hold. We are happy to explore this beautiful island.There are so many hikes to take, islands to visit and ferries to ride. We miss our home and friends in China a lot, but new adventures are awaiting this side of the ocean. We hope that opportunities arise to allow us to return though.
Lots of family pictures this time - scroll down for all of them. So sorry not to have had the chance to put up pictures from our May holiday with Larry and Linda. It was a wonderful trip to southern China with the highlight being the Dragon's Back Rice Terraces with the beautiful long haired women. We also spent a night in Shanghai then back to Jinshitan. I dropped my camera and all the pictures got lost so no photos, but lots of good memories. I hope to get copies
Calgary - Prince
After a quick unload in Qualicum, we headed to Calgary for three weeks to visit with family and friends. We went to Prince's Island for the Heritage Festival. Not all that exciting, but a nice afternoon out. from Linda sometime so that I can remember all the things we did with our great friends the Tutts.
Bye to all - much love Gail/Rick
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Lynn
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Welcome Back to Canada!
Wow, where did the time go? I enjoyed reading about your time in China, and the pictures really added to the experience. Thanks for sharing your adventures with me. Now that you are back in Canada, I hope we will be able to meet up sometime for a visit. Beth and I met up with Linda Tutt in Banff in September at the Melissa Road Race. She ran the 10 k, Kelsey ran the 22 k, while Larry waited at the finish line. It was good to see her.