Summer in Vancouver

As my BA flight got ready to land us down at Vancouver International I got to momentarily view the dark mountains of B.C. A smooth touch down and a while later moving down escalators, I was pleasantly confronted by a shoal of fish whooshing down towards me as if I were in deep-ocean! Gliding downwards enchanted with the art installations: culturally depicting their First Nation’s People symbols and ethos, I feel encompassed by an ethereal aura….. that is until I join the very real Q at Immigration and Customs.

Being driven to my place of residence for the next eight days, what is calming are the trees: the ever-present Maple and different type of fir, rooted in abundance; ebony squirrels cavorting around an inquisitive starling, whilst a raven catwalks on green grass amongst the sprays of wild flower. A pretty treat for your senses are the road islands landscaped with lush summer flowering, as also are the baskets of flowers hanging from street lamp-posts.

From the location that is Richmond – Vancouver, I venture down a boardwalk by the Fraser river; an invigorating morning stroll past trumpeting swans and a family of loons. This morning, I tour the old heritage building that is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Its six o’clock in the evening and I take to the boardwalk again; this time with an old friend and we are soon in a quaint little fishing village – Steveston by the Fraser river. We pass by riverside cafes, fresh seafood markets, fishing boats moored at the wharf where you can also book yourself on a whale-watching trip; the waters around Vancouver are visited by Orca pods. We shop at little curio shops, take a picture of the little Post-Office and stroll back to Pajo’s at the wharf; an on the water eatery among the moored boats. We choose everyone’s favorite: Fish ‘n’ Chips and mushy peas. It’s a clear day and we stare at Mt. Baker on the distant horizon, that would be in the state of Washington, U.S.A.. Walking away from the village we encounter a convoy of Bikers; could they be a platoon of Hell’s Angels who were converging at Langley, B.C. for a special anniversary? I get a picture of my friend with one of them, a cool photo-frame for keeps. We sip at our after dinner coffee, walking back past cherry trees with little dots of red – the remnants of the season. A few hours after sunrise and we are driving down to Lynn Canyon Park; since I was too chicken, I chose to do the Baby Brother of Capilano Suspension Bridge: at fifty meters high it felt like Capilano anyway! – over the rush of water below.

We drive down to Stanley Park: the green jewel of Vancouver; a rainforest of towering ancient red cedar and Douglas fir. Jutting out into the ocean, the park lay vulnerable to a windstorm in December of 2006, that knocked down thousands of precious trees like matchsticks. Stopped at the impressive and famous Hollow Tree and took snapshots at Prospect Point; no we didn’t feed the raucous raccoons ! At Brockton we stared at tall Totem Poles that mesmerized us back in time. At the gift shop, picked up a couple of hand crafted miniatures and a little jade bear on amethyst, the semi precious rocks of B.C. Best way to end your trip at Stanley Park is a horse drawn carriage ride along Park Drive.

Shorts/capris and tees and smart sandals on your feet, a hat shielding you from the very crisp sun are just the type of day-wear that one needs in summer; Jeans and blouse tops should do for the evenings. If you are going to be walking a lot then a comfortable pair of shoes should ease you through. A lite-jacket for early morning strolls when there is a nip in the air.

Shopping in Vancouver is easy; the stores/malls have all that you want: shoes? jeans? blouses/Tees? perfumes/cosmetics? evening wear? Well the only important factor that you have to boldly deal with, is the weight of your luggage! Summer fruit is in abundance; the biggest red and cream-colored cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blue berries, cranberries, berries, berries and more, that you can fruitfully gorge on. You have a global choice when it comes to deciding on food; there are specialty and ethnic restaurants/bistros/cafes and of course the usual fast food stops.

Some of the items that can be bought at the duty-free shops at Vancouver International: hand-crafted by the First Nation’s People – jewelry: dream-catchers, trinkets made with inlay of turquoise/jade/amethyst; hand crafted miniature totem poles, art cards and Tees with Native Indian symbols etc.

If you need to catch a bite, there is a food court: hot meals or fast foods and beverages; or you can pick up fresh salads and boxes of cubed fruit.

Before walking through security, go feast your eyes on the tall Jade sculpture…….

Marinella Proença

Vancouver, B.C. has a soul as pure as her Mountains

On eagle’s wings she soars past Heaven’s domain. ©