Two Birthdays - Skywatch Friday

On July 1st we celebrated Canada's 158th birthday of Confederation. On Friday, July 4th Americans will celebrate 249 years.  Happy Birthday to both nations.  These two countries are young compared to many nations around the world and we're both experiencing growing pains. I hope the next century will be kind to us all.

I took the following photos in the very early morning on Thursday just as the sun was rising.  The day started out cloudy and a bit cool after a hot few days.  The sun did come out in late afternoon but it's supposed to be cooler this weekend and then get back up in the high 20s next week.

The birds always fly with abandon in the early morning

I enjoy the beautiful red flowers

Thank you for stopping by my Skywatch Friday post. Have a wonderful weekend.

Off To Work We Go - Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 started by Toni Taddeo and kept going in honor and memory of her.

This week we go back 5 years to ask again about work....

This week is about work.

1. Describe the best job you ever had why was it good? (if it was awful, tell us about that instead).

I've had many good jobs. One of my earlier best jobs was working for a national non-profit organization in our nation's capital city. I was reviewing education legislation with a view to recommending changes.  This was just one aspect of a nation wide study and not so terribly interesting. But other parts of the study were short staffed and the rest of us had to help out. It meant I got to travel to far flung locations in the country to meet and interview people. I was able to get to places I would not ordinarily get to and a few I had already been through.  I enjoyed it a lot because we were basically setting our own schedules in the field, away from office politics and it was summer with great weather. I had the opportunity to travel to even more locations but I declined due to timing, fatigue and other work needs.

2.  How did you learn to do your job?

No one taught me anything. Basically all of us were simply expected to know how to do our jobs and for the most part, we did through a combination of education, work experiences and an awareness of the end goals of the project.

3. You are now in charge of your town's public relations committee.  Tell us why we need to move to your town.

You will love it here (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)  because we have everything you could possibly want in a place to live. We have immigrants from all around the world.  They bring their cultures and foods with them so you can experience the kind of food you like at a variety of festivals and restaurants.  

English Bay in the West End

Our temperatures are relatively moderate and the winters though sometimes cold with snow are milder and shorter than the rest of the country.  The natural beauty here is to die for with majestic mountains and fantastically beautiful ocean front. If you prefer the fresh water, there are a number of destinations that are not too far away where you can take a weekend getaway and spend some time in a cabin by the lake or river. 

English Bay looking west to the mountains & Pacific Ocean

English Bay

Looking to the North Shore Mountains from Downtown

Spring at False Creek

False Creek looking north to downtown Vancouver

False Creek with a view northeast

Aquabus at Granville Island Public Market

If it's culture you enjoy we have all manner of concerts in every type of musical genre, a variety of regular sporting events, festivals, museums, attractions for adults and families and last but not least, the weather is suited to a great variety of sporting activities.

Rolling Stones Concert

Leora Cash, local Jazz Musician

Star Wars Movie with Live Orchestra

Early Music Vancouver

Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake

4.  It's lunch time! Build your perfect sandwich for us.. what's in it and on it and what's in our cups?

My perfect sandwich is a toasted, lettuce, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.  For a drink we can have home made lemonade, not too sweet. If you prefer we can have cold tea with some ice cubes and freshly squeezed lemonade and then you add your own honey.   The sandwich may not be the healthiest lunch but it's tasty and eating it now and then won't hurt too much.

The Last Friday of June - Skywatch Friday

The sky is very gray and dull today. But there appears to be a lot going on.

All week workers have been replacing the siding of this apartment building in the photo below. I believe the building sustained some water damage and rot as is the case with so many buildings in this city.

The work is progressing quickly and the job looks very nice!

As I walked about running my errands, I saw that another movie is being shot in the neighborhood.

A lot of people were relaxing in these tents.

I've just noticed the wolf ? or maybe it's a coyote? on the banners.

There's some filming going on inside one of the restaurants near the bright lights.

There's always something interesting to look at when you look up.

Happy Skywatch Friday.

Travel Bug ~ Tuesday 4

Hello!  It's time for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea.

Annie says that finding reasons to blog and stay in touch with others, or to meet new bloggers is very important and I would agree with her.  Blogging also  provides you with a record of your thoughts and ideas to leave for your family.   It's a journal of sorts really that you share with others.

Summer is June 21st and people usually take advantage of the warm weather to take a trip or vacation or day trips to visit, shop or for recreation.

So let's talk about travel.

1.  What are the most memorable destinations you've visited, and what made them stand out? (this could include places like museums, art galleries, etc. not only a vacation site.)

Oh my!  I've had so many memorable travel experiences and fantastic places that I've visited over. the years.

Australia  - Everything was novel to me, from what side of the road you drive on, to the sayings like 'good on ya mate', the flora and fauna, the spectacular scenery and of course the weather. I was enamoured of the fine white sand along the Gold Coast at Surfer's Paradise but the entire eastern coast of Australia was beautiful and there were miles and miles of nothing. Similar to parts of Canada in that respect.  I've travelled to Australia 3 times, twice with my brother and once with my late mother.  On the first trip, my brother and I took a road trip all the way from Port Douglas in the Far North Queensland (FNQ), and south to Sydney in New South Wales. My brother drove the entire distance and we stopped at many points along the lengthy coast.  Oh and I can't forget about the Great Barrier Reef in FNQ.  We spent an entire day out on Green Island to explore the reef.

On the Ross River, FNQ on the Aboriginal Tour

On a boat in Sydney's Darlington Harbour

With David Hudson of the of Tjapukai Dance Theatre

A young dancer from the Wild World Show

On the catamaran to Green Island

Relaxing on Green Island for the day

Enjoying the fine, white sand at Surfer's Paradise 

New Zealand (North Island) - I loved the scenery and the quiet countryside. We saw more sheep than I've ever seen at any one time. A fantastic time time was had in the hot springs of Rotoru (Te Puia) and in the Maori's Marae listening to the cultural teachings, songs and dances of the Maori people.

Traditional Hut and totem pole of the Maori

Honolulu, Hawaii - I've been to Honolulu on overnight layovers from Australia.  Though I'm not a huge fan of the heat, I absolutely loved the tropical scenery. On 2 of my layovers, I took the 2.5 hour air conditioned bus tour around the island to experience the Halona Blow Hole and the lush, tropical scenery. I did a recent google search and found that the tours these days seem to be much more extensive and can last all day with increased costs to match. Personally I prefer a shorter tour. The ones I took were run by the original Hawaiians who gave a little insight into their history and lifestyle and the time allotted for the tour was perfect for learning a bit and seeing the sights on the Island of Oahu.

Kenya, East Africa - On my first visit to Kenya, I went on an unforgettable safari  to the world renowned Maasai Mara National Park. Part of the experience was seeing the Maasai men perform their traditional jumping dance and also visiting a traditional Maasai village. The Maasai people, like many tribes in the isolated areas of the country, still live in their traditional houses and compounds.

Wildlife at the Maasai Mara National Park

Paris, France - For years, I fantasized about travelling to Paris, France. For some reason I would promise my youngest nephew who was very small at the time, that we would travel there together.  When he grew up I never really thought he'd be interested but he was and we did it together! In 2019, we travelled to Paris for a few days and thoroughly enjoyed our short trip.  

Just being in Paris was a thrill though we also saw several of the usual tourist things. My personal favourite is the Sacre Couer Basilica and although you're not supposed to take photos inside, I took a few photos surreptiously.

The iconic Eiffel Tower

2.  Which hidden gem locations have you explored that you'd recommend to others?

These days it's pretty hard to say you've found or explored a 'hidden gem'. Most places that are worth seeing have pretty much been overrun with tourists.  There are many beautiful places in the world but I have to say that Canada is blessed with spectacular scenery.  British Columbia, the province where I live is no exception especially if you love mountains, valleys, & lots of waterways (lakes, rivers and oceans). If there are any hidden gems I'd have to say if you travel the province by car and explore some country roads you will find all manner of beautiful spots and many secluded areas near lakes where you can camp or rent a cabin. Virtually every where you go in British Columbia, there is a beautiful, gem and it's a 'hidden one' if it isn't on someone's 'must see' list. 

3.  What’s the most unique cultural experience you’ve had while traveling ?

Travelling in New Zealand where we experienced the marae (communal and sacred space which serves as a hub for community gatherings).  My brother and other men were invited to participate in a Haka Dance with the local Maori men and it was so much fun to watch them.  We also visited a cultural geyser site where foods were being cooked in the traditional way among the rocks and the hot steam.

In Cairns, Australia, my mother and I joined a tour where we were taken around to various sites where the Aborigines of the area showed us how they hunt, make things and forage for herbs and foods.  We also had an opportunity to see the Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Troupe in the Daintree Rain Forest.

In Kenya, I went on safari, a once in a lifetime experience.  As part of my lodging package, I got to see the men of the Maasai tribe do their traditional dancing and visited a traditional Maasai village.  I went to many places where the culture was on display.  For example, when I visited orphans raised by a widow woman, they broke out in traditional song to welcome me and did the same when I left.  This kind of greeting happened wherever I visited and made my trip so memorable.

4.What mode of transportation is your favorite for a long trip? How about a short trip?

For a long trip I prefer to take the plane. For a short trip I prefer to go by car. A train may have more room but it is very slow in Canada and I don't like to take forever to get somewhere. Many tourists who come to Canada, opt to take the train and better see the spectacular mountains between British Columbia and Alberta, the world famous Rocky Mountains.  

I've been on the trains in Germany but not as a tourist. I found it quite stressful dealing with train connections.  I was largely alone and had to struggle with heavy luggage up and down stairs with tight margins of time   I wasn't on holiday and the people organizing my travel itinerary left no room for flexibility. If I missed a connection it would have been a nightmare. It was also in the days before smart phones and Google so I couldn't do much advanced research.

Today, if I were to take a multi-country trip to Europe, I would likely travel by train so I could see the countryside.  I think it's an economical and comfortable mode of travel if you are not so fixed on the time for connections.  Well at least if you make your own arrangements you can make connections that are more suited to your needs.  I would also use the bullet train if I ever travel to Japan though I don't relish the idea of being crammed in the train like a sardine (I've seen it on television).

Note:  A post such as this is better enjoyed with personal photos. Most of my memorable experiences on the above travels were before smart phones the quality isn't very good. I also didn't capture many moments of our travels because it wasn't always convenient or culturally appropriate.  As for Kenyan & Parisian photos, I have so many and have uploaded them over time on various posts. I'll see if I can add a few here once again. In the meantime, I've added links in this post, to all the major sites.  Please do check them out.

Thank you for stopping by!

Skies of the Week - Skywatch Friday

Here are a few photos from the week.

Very early in the morning as the sun was rising.

Out and about on a beautiful, clear day. The blue skies reminded me of the song by the same name.

A few days later.  Looking up at the sky from home.  This is my favourite kind of sky.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch Friday post.