Another Fun Day

When I took a look around the pool side tonight it made me think of a monastery. Everyone going in and out of the pools are wearing long white robes, supplied by the hotel, and in the mist and vapor of the steamy hot water rising above the pools and the semi-dark night, we look like a tribe of monks scurrying around the grounds.

There are signs posted here and there saying we are not allowed to take pictures in the pools. I agree, it's not right to take pictures of people we don't know if we don't have permission to do so. It's a matter of respect. Besides what if we capture someone on camera who is there with someone other than who he or she is supposed to be with. I'm sure that's happened before. But then, I've been known to not always follow rules and as you can see, I did sneak in a few pics, however I did choose a time when there was very few people around.

There are 3 outside pools of varying temperatures. One is deep and can be used for swimming. One is for families and kids. The third one is for adults only. There are also two inside adult only pools in a building intended for relaxation and reflection with soft music playing in the background. One pool is a deep one and the second, which is the hottest of all the pools, is a circular sitting pool.

The ceiling above this circular pool is high and dome like and reminds me of some of the native center I've visited. I sensed a powerful energy sitting in this pool.

I soaked 3 different times for about an hour each time today and I will be there again before our 11 am check out time tomorrow morning.

By afternoon we will be making our way back to Abbotsford where we will be starting our journey back home. We fly to Calgary and from there grab another flight to Grande Prairie arriving there at 11 pm. tomorrow night.

I went for a walk on the pathway by Harrison Lake after the rain tapered off late this afternoon. There was still lots of clouds in the sky but it wasn't cold. All in all we can't complain about the weather. We had a little bit of everything which is to be expected around this time of the year.

When it was raining Andree and I went exploring around town a little and came upon Sasquach sitting on a bench by the place we went for lunch. Andree sat down and assumed the same stance.

And me, I tried to get him to move or to give me a hug but the old guy just sat there grinning and wouldn't budge.

The Days Adventures

Before others were out and about this morning, I went for a walk on my own and came upon these colorful mushrooms. I have never seen the likes of these before.

I have to remain super attentive when I go for a walk in a strange place. My sense of direction sucks and I can easily get myself completely turned around and end up on a much longer walk than I set out for.

Fortunately I didn't get lost and got back in time to take our hosts out for morning brunch at a swanky little coffee shop type of restaurant after which they treated us by taking us to the beach. Today was the perfect beachcoming day. Neither hot nor cold and bright and sunny.

I had to keep reminding myself that we are flying back home and not driving. Otherwise I would have ended up with 50 lbs of rocks, shells, and various other beach treasures. I had some difficult choices to make and still I'll be adding a few pounds to our suitcase.

Kitsilano Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver. The beach faces out onto Burrard Inlet. I don't know that I'd enjoy it as much in the middle of summer when it's jammed full of people but on a day like today it was easy to do our own thing and not feel distracted by others who were out and about peacefully doing their own thing too.

Andree always likes to make a collage sort of things with what she gathers from her nature walk, then she takes a picture of her creation and leaves most of it behind only taking one or two pieces she can't part with home with her.

While she does her own thing, I usually go for a longer ocean walk and collect a few pieces myself. But the best part of it all is the total experience of the sound of the water, the cry of the sea gulls, the crunch of sea shells under my feet, the smell of the salt water, the ocean breeze against my skin, the newness of what my eyes feast upon - cargo ships of all shapes and sizes, sailboats gliding by, children and adults alike throwing rocks in the incoming tide, huge rocks with barnacles and seaweed hanging from their sides, the city skyline in the distance. All of it calling to me to pay attention, to be fully present and to appreciate each moment I'm in.

 

 But, eventually we had to pull ourselves away and make our way back to the house to pack our suitcase and start to make our way out of the city and get on the road to Harrison Hot Springs.

We got here around 5:00 pm and didn't lose any time at all to check into our room, change into our swim suits and go check out the hot pools. I could very easily get used to a life of exploration and travel that feeds my frequent yearning for adventure and change.  

Sea World - A Visual Journey

We started our day sitting in a circle in the living room, holding conversation and sipping on a cup of hot steaming tea until about 10:30, at which time, armed with umbrellas, we made our way to a local bistro for brunch.

From there, Anne took on the role of tour guide driving us around Vancouver pointing out various landmarks and different sections of the city, what they are known for, and explaining things along the way. One of our request of, things to do and see, was to go to various ocean front beaches and parks to go to in the city.

It was less than an ideal day for beachcoming in the pouring rain, but we made a stop at one of them just the same. There's only so many beaches a person can go by without stopping and picking a rock or two. Ahh... the smell of the ocean and the sound of the water splashing up against the rocks. I took a deep breathe and soaked it all in!

From there we made our way to Stanley Park, explored around there, then bought tickets for admission to the Vancouver Aquarium where we spent a good 4 hours and still we didn't see it all, but we did see most of it. It was our first time exploring the sea world and what a treat it was. Absolutely worth the money and the time.

There was lots to see and too much to mention but I did snap pictures so here's a short visual tour.

There was four of these little monkeys. I could sit and watch those all day. 

This pair played and gave us a good show.

Jelly fish galore!

A huge, huge, turtle.

The sea otter - another one i could watch all day long.

A huge white whale swimming on it's back.

The ships were all lined up waiting to get into port.

I'm bound and determined to find a few choice rocks.

Of course there was much, much more and the pictures are never like the real thing, so make sure that if and when you get a chance to go to Vancouver, you go visit the aquarium. it's well worth it.

Tomorrow, we've put in a request for our tour guide to take us to yet another beach so we can walk around and explore, then we want to visit a couple of specialty shops before we leave the city and make our way to Harrison Hot Springs. What a rough life we're living these past few days!