Bowen Island Experience

With both Ronnie and Lyn taking several days off to spend the last days of summer with Raf, the family agreed that now would be a good time to have a day trip outside the city. There were options like Vancouver Island, but they have been there three times already. And besides, you cough up money every time you enter one of its tourist attractions.

Salt Spring Island was another choice. It's only a two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. However, the ferry leaves around 10 in the morning and returns around 4 in the afternoon, leaving the family just a few hours to take in the sights and sounds of the island.

Then there's Bowen Island in the Sunshine Coast, which was only a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Plus, the ferry from the island leaves every hour by the hour, giving them lots of time to explore the small 51.8-sq. km (20-sq. mi.) haven.

The trip sounded like a plan, so one Saturday, the three woke up in time to catch the early bus that will take them to Horseshoe Bay. The winding drive leading to the ferries reminded Ronnie and Lyn of Kennon Road in Baguio, the Philippines' summer capital.

And West Vancouver's scenic vistas and multimillion-dollar homes will always take the breath away of anyone going to the ferry docks. "I'd like to move here someday," Lyn said wishfully as the three disembarked, heading to the ticket office. "But the mountains ruin the view," replied Ronnie.

It was almost 10 a.m. when the Queen of Capilano arrived. Since the travel time was short and weather nice and sunny, the three decided to enjoy the ride on the sun deck, which offered views of the Gulf Islands. Raf noticed that some of the passengers were wearing colourful clothes reminiscent of the 1960s and '70s, and several vehicles were carrying musical instruments. There was also a group of bagpipe players. Little did the Fuenteses know that Bowen Island was holding Bowfest that day, an annual themed festivity. This year's theme was Flower Power. (Ronnie thought that it was Wear Your Bright Shirt Day, and somehow missed the sign when they bought tickets.)

The ferry docked on Snug Cove a little before 10:30 a.m. The three had no idea where to go to, so they just followed where the rest of the foot passengers were going. They found themselves in front of the old Union Steamship Company Marina building, one of the famous landmarks in the area. You can buy souvenirs, pop and ice cream here, but it was temporarily closed in the morning to make way for the Bowfest parade, which was about to start.

The parade was short but sweet, and it was a big deal especially for this community of 3,500 people. There were bagpipe players, young and old people in Woodstock fashion, mascots, jugglers, belly dancers, young martial artists, and the ubiquitous police cars and fire engines. The procession was over in less than an hour, which was okay because it gave the three more time to check out what the island had to offer.

Artistic Lyn obviously wanted to visit Artisan Square, which was a short 15-minute hike from Viewpoint Trail. Considered Bowen Island's creative centre, Artisan Square is composed of galleries, shops, art studios and cafés. Making the uphill climb to the place wasn't a good idea at first because some parts of the path were made up of loose rocks. However, the views and the quiet were worth the extra effort. From the trail, they were rewarded with a spectacular panorama of Howe Sound and the marina! After surveying the centre, the three went downhill, which was a lot faster (thanks to gravity).

All that walking worked up an appetite. So, it was time to grab a bite. Lunch was at Doc Morgan's Inn along the boardwalk at Snug Cove. According to Lyn, the seafood chowder here was the best she has ever tasted. For dessert, they bought some chocolate chip cookies from a small neighbourhood bakery, and chowed them down by the pier where a Coast Guard hovercraft happened to dock. (Tip: Never stand behind a moving hovercraft; it will blow you away — literally.)

After getting enough wind gusts to last them a lifetime, the Fuenteses joined in in the Bowfest celebrations, but decided to watch the festivities from a distance while lying under a tree. It was also a perfect opportunity for Ronnie to catch some z's.

Ninety minutes of aspiring dancers, struggling musicians and '70s rock music seemed to be enough for one day, so the family figured it was time to head for home. They sauntered back to the dock to catch the 5 p.m. ferry to Vancouver.

Everyone one had a great time, and the family is thinking of visiting the island oasis again next summer. •

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The family always passes by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden every time they go downtown. This gem in Chinatown is one of Vancouver's attractions, and not once has the family visited it since they landed in B.C. almost 10 years ago.

So, one Saturday evening, Lyn decided that they visit this tourist magnet. Of course, Raf wasn't crazy about the idea of the family visiting Chinatown, particularly its wet sidewalks lined with shops hawking seafood, fruits and vegetables, and herbs. He didn't like the fishy smell, either. To convince him to come with them, Ronnie and Lyn told him that they're going to the "drier" part of Chinatown where they sell clothes, handicrafts and toys. Plus, eating out after the visit also helped. With that settled and a sunny Sunday weather forecast, the three went there the next day.

Constructed in March 1985, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the first full-scale classical scholar's garden made outside China. The design of the $7.2 million garden is based on the private classical ones constructed in the city of Suzhou in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and built using Chinese materials, tools and techniques.

Since it's the family's first visit, they didn't join a walking tour, but instead took a self-guided tour themselves. With a small map in hand, they went straight to a room called the Hall of One Hundred Rivers. Their reactions varied:

"It looks like one of the scenes from that Tenchu video game of yours," Lyn describing the area's interiors and exteriors.

"Hmmm, old lacquered Chinese fir smells funny," Ronnie, when he leaned on one of the room's wooden pillars.

"We're going the wrong way," Raf looking at the map.

Backtracking a little bit, the three proceeded to the China Maple Hall Courtyard, the main garden. The coutryard ground was covered with intricate patterns made from rocks and pebbles, and painstakingly and artfully laid by hand. But the focal point of the area was the ting, an elegant pavilion, piled high on naturally shaped Tai Hu limestone rocks from Lake Tai in Suzhou, China. And all around were penjing, the forefather of the Japanese bonsai.

After a few photos, the family moved on to the Magnolia Courtyard, where the three were afforded the view of the neighbouring Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park. Then they continued on to the Scholar's Study and Courtyard, where traditional Chinese intellectuals would read and write, compose poetry and music, and paint. Pressing on, they found themselves back to the Hall of One Hundred Rivers.

Compared to other gardens in the the province, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is relatively small. However, it was like looking at a scroll painting where the viewer is offered with a succession of changing landscapes. And now that the visit was over, the main question that lingered in Raf's mind was: "So, where do we eat?" •

Symphony in the Park

A week after their family picnic, the Fuenteses found themselves returning to Stanley Park. But this time, it was for a cultural event. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra was performing for free at the Lumberman's Arch.

One of the sponsors of the free concert was the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVRAA). Since Lyn works for them, she got reserved seatings for the family — with refreshments provided. As usual, Raf needed some solid food for his iced tea to wash down. So, off he went to the concession stand to buy french fries, which wasn't quite a good idea because with the long lineup, he got his order after 30 minutes. However, he was able to make it in time for the show.

The programme started with the conductor, Maestro Bramwell Tovey, arriving pompously in horse and carriage and escorted by two mounted police. With him conducting and the orchestra playing, the two-hour concert began with the singing of the Canadian national anthem. After that, he introduced their repertoire of classical music.

After performing Rossini's William Tell: Overture, Lehar's Gold & Silver Waltz, Dvorák's Slavonik Dance No. 8 in G minor and Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries (Die Walküre), it was time for a short number from Vancouver's own Christel Lee. The 14-year-old violinist was only 12 when she became the youngest winner of the 2003 Aspen Musical Festival Competition in its 55-year history. She performed Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso.

Unfortunately, the family didn't stay around until the end. They left early during the intermission to avoid the hundreds who'd be taking transit home, too; which was a good idea because when the three reached the bus terminal, there was already a lineup. And besides, Ronnie and Raf were wearing shorts and the night was getting breezy. •