Stanley Park Revisited

It was one of those long weekends when the family is compelled to really, really do something. So, Lyn, known for her spontaneity, decided that they should have a picnic in Vancouver's most famous green tract of land: Stanley Park.

It's been more than a year since they visited the area. So, off they went one hot Sunday afternoon with picnic basket, cooler bag and digital camera in tow. It took two bus rides from their place in South Vancouver to reach the 400-hectare (1,000-acre) park, which is near downtown Vancouver.

After a short ride from the city centre, they reached Vancouver's first parkland. Of course, it was crawling with tourists and locals, but there was room for everyone — including dogs! Raf (a.k.a. Apa), as usual, was hungry by this time (even if they had lunch less than two hours ago). His first stop of the day was the concession stand for some french fries, while Ronnie's was the little boy's room.

After being temporarily sidetracked, the family searched for the ideal spot for an outdoor meal, which was an easy-to-prepare Filipino favourite: sliced smokies pan fried with onions and garlic, and served with steamed rice and Jufran banana catsup imported from the Philippines. However, Raf, the most westernized of the three, liked his with bread and Heinz.

An empty and quiet spot was waiting for them a few metres from the seawall. The view was fantastic! Right in front of them were the North Shore mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. The seawall, by the way, is an 8.85-km (5.5-mile) circular course surrounding the park. It took city builders 60 years to complete the wall, and promenaders two hours to complete the route.

After scarfing down Lyn's home-cooked meal and downing a few cans of root beer and orange drink, the three took pictures of themselves to remember this impromptu family outing. They almost didn't get any pictures, for Ronnie dropped the camera causing it not to focus properly. But after zooming in and out and turning the device on and off a few times, it was like new again. "I guess the camera got groggy after that nasty fall," he said to himself. "That could happen to you, too, if you bumped your head really hard."

Propping the camera securely on the tripod and setting it on timer, they happily snapped pictures of themselves along the seawall. Then they decided to shoot some more while walking to the bus station for the free shuttle ride around the park.

Thanks to the cool summer breeze wafting from the sea, the ride was relaxing. The shuttle goes around the entire park and stops briefly on its highlights like the Brockton Point and Lighthouse; Prospect Point, where you can get an almost bird's-eye view of the Lions Gate Bridge; and Hollow Tree, a 1,200-year-old red cedar. It takes around 45 minutes to go around Stanley Park. However, Lyn decided that the family get off at Second Beach and walk towards English Bay instead.

Fortunately, the Gay Pride Parade held at Davie St. was over when they got there. Otherwise, the streets would be teeming with gays, lesbians and proponents of same-sex marriage. Before heading home, the tired trio stopped at Denny's for some refreshments and reminiscing. Good times! •