Blogs from North Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, North America

“You are a fool!”my father said as a matter of fact while I packed my luggage. On the other hand, my mother stood in the doorway looking concern and distraught at my decision to travel to Vancouver. “Why don’t you think it through hon?” she sounded skeptical with hope but we both knew I had made up my mind. “Ma, I need to do this” and with that as my final say I kissed her temple and memorized her warm hug and as for my father, I didn't spare a second glance scared that his glare would change my mind. Sometimes in life, you have to make decisions that may be either good or bad, but that's not the concern…what matters most is the conviction of that decision. I have ... read more

Today was a trip to the Space Museum with a planetarium show. Kids were excited because they’d never seen a planetarium show. The show today was on the nursery where stars are born. As we were watching this amazing show, it was very quiet. All of a sudden Emilio said “Oh Wow” over something shown. People in the audience laughed. It was cute, but then he is our grandson so why wouldn’t we think that. The space museum is not as large as the Science World, but it has things that trigger interest. A replica space suit that kids can stand behind and pose in, replica space boot prints that kids can stand in and a machine to give a little perspective on weightlessness. There is an asteroid that people can try to lift and a ... read more

Need to catch up with things done over the last 10 days. Been meaning to update but just been TOO BUSY. Been to Whistler. Fascinating place totally geared for the tourist/adventurer in the summer and the ski bunnies in the winter. We got a bus from Vancouver, a 2 hour drive along a spectacular coastal highway and arrived at Whistler Village in stinking heat and crowds of tourists just like us from all parts of the globe. Our hotel was amazingly accommodating - the booking info said check-in was from 4.00pm (far too late in my opinion) but we arrived at 12.00 and they said, "Yep, no problem, we have your room ready". From then on they were great to deal with and soooo accommodating. We heartily recommend the Aava Hotel in Whistler. At the risk ... read more

Fabulous frocks, hair and makeup, high heels being gingerly stepped into - most out of practice - lots of laughs and a general air of something good about to happen. The make-up artists arrived early and set to with their huge bags of magic lotions, creams, brushes, quinquereme of ninevah, whatever. The results were outstanding but of course they had great canvases to work on. And so the day progressed; the bride driven off in a 1933 Beaufort, us taken away in a stretch limo, the ceremony going off smoothly, flower girls perfect. A very nice wedding. We got to bed at 2.00a.m. Next day somewhat quieter as old bones recovered from a late night and long forgotten dance moves. Joints and muscles we'd grown used to ignoring were there suddenly awoken and letting us know. ... read more

We left Wellington on August 1, firstly and briefly for Auckland and then onto a direct Air New Zealand flight to Vancouver. Twelve and a half hours which seems like a long time to be sitting or trying to sleep. It was but hearing the stories of our cuzzies from Australia who also flew over for the wedding, which is the main purpose of our trip, we realised how good it is to have the direct flight from NZ. Two of then flew Melbourne - Sydney - LA. Both had delays at LA; one of 5 hours and one of 11 hours. Our total travel time, Wellington to Vancouver was around 17 hours. Theirs was up to 30 hours. Avoid LA! We got here mid afternoon, stepping out into high 20's temperature and a smoke haze ... read more