Happy Birthday Queen Victoria

In Canada we had a three day weekend as people and business took the time off to celebrate Victoria Day. Victoria Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday before May 25, in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday. It is thought to be the start to summer, like Memorial Day for us Americans.  So since it was a 3 day holiday our teachers added on another day and called it Family weekend. 

 Since my parents had already scheduled an Alaskan Cruise for this week my actually family weekend was going to be less than six hours in Victoria, British Columbia. However, me and one of the other single ladies who is now part of my new family went and had a great weekend.  We went and explored some new and favorite sights in Vancouver and then went over to Victoria. Victoria is a 25min plane ride or a 5hr journey by buses, train and Ferry. We on a budget took the 5 hour route there and back.

 

In Victoria we stayed in a cute hotel located within walking distance of everything it was great! We had yummy food everywhere we went. We walked down to the Ocean through an old historical neighborhood admiring the ornate homes. We walked the shore line where seals were playing and searching for food and watched the nautical traffic coming in and out of the harbor.

 

 Saturday night we got to have dinner with my family. I loved seeing my parents and my Aunt and Uncle. I was grateful to get to see them even if it was for only a few hours, we made them count and had a good time.

 Then on Sunday we had a nice breakfast at this cute little restaurant. I  had Apple Pancakes with salted caramel which were Amazing! Then  we dressed up in what looked like a suit for an astronaut and boarded a Zodiac boat to go whale watching.  Oh course we volunteered to sit in the front and we headed out full speed in search for Whales. We found them!!!

 

 

 

We got to see both Killer whales and 2 humpback whales along with Sea Lions and seals! It is pretty cool to watch the massive tale of a humpback whale come out of the water.  My pictures of the whales are not that great because I did not want to miss what was happening in front of me.

 

 

 So I had a great 4 day weekend and would highly recommend Victoria for a nice little Ocean get away. The one thing we did not do that could be fun was going to High Tea. We ran out of time Maybe next time.

It's Been a Month

Time is flying here in Vancouver. I cannot believe I have been here over a month.  I’m enjoying getting out in the city and meeting people and sharing the Love of Christ with those I meet. I have started going to a meet up group where I am meeting people from all over the world who have come to Vancouver to work, study or escape war torn countries. I also have joined the gym/pool in my neighborhood.

The days are starting to get longer and last week was rain free! The good part of longer days and sunshine means more people are out of their homes and into the parks. It also means the Sun rises at 5 am and I wake up ready to go to early. So I have had to get creative on how to block the light from coming in through my window waking me up. 

I love spending times in parks.  I occasional borrow friends kids and head to the park. The parks have been a great place to meet people and where I have found myself having good conversations. The people of Vancouver LOVE their dogs, ever where I look are people with dogs (streets, parks, busses, restaurants, everywhere) and they have tons of parks dedicate to just dogs.  This makes me miss my Yorkie Sophie. I have to confess I have Skyped with here since being in Vancouver.

I’m grateful for every opportunity to get out with friends and explore God’s creation. I have been biking in Stanley Park which I really enjoy. I have also made it to Third Beach.  Not really the type of beach I am used to since I am truly a Floridian but hey I’ll take it. I am very thankful for a friend who took me and a few others outside of the city to explore! We went to an area called Squamish.  The drive up and back is Beautiful with bays, rivers, waterfalls, and snow caped mountains.  We stopped and watched the Kiteboarders for a while, made it to Shannon Falls and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

I’m looking forward to having my parent s pass through in a few weeks for family week.  I’ll get to see them as they stop in Victoria on their Anniversary Cruise. I am very blessed to have parents who love the Lord and have shown me and my brother what a loving, committed relationship, rooted in Christ looks like. It will be nice to see them one more time before I leave North America.  

Up in Squamish

Kiteboarders

Shannon Falls

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Twin Falls