𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗲

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙. 

As I celebrate another year of life, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude. This is a time for introspection, a moment to pause and consider the path my life has taken and the possibilities that lie ahead.

With the promise of a long weekend, we embarked on a journey of discovery, heading towards a provincial park just a few hours from home. It was a three-day adventure, a chance to heal and rejuvenate under the warm sun. 

We stayed at Coldspring Campground in Manning Park. This peaceful campsite, nestled near the river, offered a serene environment just a few steps from where we set up our tent and camping essentials. The sound of the river and the rustling of the trees provided a soothing backdrop to our stay.

Manning Park covers over 83 thousand hectares and has five Campgrounds and more than 400 campsites. It's one of British Columbia, Canada's most popular all-season destinations.

We visited some fantastic tourist spots, like the Cascade Lookout, which, at a higher elevation, offers 360-degree views of the Cascade Mountains between Canada and the US border.

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The mountain views were nothing short of breathtaking, with the lush greenery of the evergreen trees adding to the natural beauty. The sight of eagles soaring high, squirrels hopping, and birds chirping was a testament to the vibrant life that thrives in these surroundings.

The exhilarating 15-minute journey to the summit was incredible. That's why I always love the peak; it feels like being victorious. There, we feel good and develop a higher vision of what we can accomplish in life.

Our Soulful Sunday moment was spent in Lightning Park near Manning Park Resort. It's a go-to spot for families to enjoy the vibrant ambiance and gleaming lake waters.

Favorite water activities in summer include kayaking, stand-up paddling, fishing, and swimming. Adjacent is the Skyview and Lightning Lake campground, which is a 5-minute drive away from where we stay in Coldspring Campground. 

We set up a beach shade canopy and chairs and spent time facing the lake while overseeing different water activities that people enjoy. 

The summer heat was intense, and it was good to get a refreshing breeze off the lake while breathing out all worries and aches and getting revitalized.

We enjoy grilling fish and sweet corn at our campsite for dinner. This is something you should not miss while camping. 

To warm up on a cool evening, it feels good to be around a bonfire, watching the firewood get burned until the fire is out. We had some s'mores while sharing light stories. 

Just before we ended the night and headed to our sleeping tent, we had a great time stargazing and being awed by other celestial bodies. It's my first time here to see a flashing meteor promptly for a birthday wish. 

That was a memorable birthday celebration. I enjoyed being outdoors and in nature. I love the camping vibe and had the fun moments for making summer memories.

Life is good, and we always enjoy it and celebrate it. We gaze for the stars, dream it, and live it.

©️ 2024 Del Cusay

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙? 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨?

Our bigger world begins with us. When we discover more about ourselves, we realize our potential and how we can significantly impact the outside world while eliminating our fears and doubts. 

It begins when we question who we are and what we can do to make a difference and lasting impact on other people's lives and the community we live. 

As we celebrate the year of the water rabbit according to the Chinese animal sign, we have a moment for introspection for our greatest rediscovery and restart of our lives. 

The rabbit sign signifies springtime or rebirth, just as we would want to start a new world of living and experience. 

The rabbit is a gentle animal that commands peace and harmony. Like us, we would want to avoid hostility and violence in our thoughts and intentions. 

I do my yearly introspection during the Lunar New Year, and it's a great time to make changes in ourselves if we want to unblock the path leading to peace and prosperity. 

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2013: A New Beginning

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2017: An Auspicious Celebration

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2018: Prosperity and Abundance

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2019: Luck, Prosperity, and Faith

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2020: Love, Peace, and Harmony 

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022: Desire and Destiny 

We hope for a better life this year of the water rabbit. We keep on hoping for better days ahead. And we are hoping for the best decisions that will guide our path. 

As we are hopeful for the best year ahead, we also take action to fulfill our highest hopes and dreams despite the uncertainties. Our energy would bring us to a higher level of consciousness and allow us to live the best life we deserve -- living our life ahead of its time. 

©️ 2023 Del Cusay

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲

𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣, 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙮. 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙙, 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨.

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year. We sang Christmas carols, received gifts from our loved ones, and anticipated gifts from Santa Claus. 

Back then, on Christmas Eve in my home country, the Philippines, we celebrated mass together as a family and shared a meal for "Noche Buena." Family is forever. We had a joyous celebration together. 

As a grown-up adult, I still find meaning and joy in celebrating Christmas. This year, however, will be a different experience. It will be my first time celebrating Christmas away from my family in the Philippines. It's my first Christmas in Canada. 

Here at Lumagica in Surrey, Canada, it brings back wonderful memories of when I was a kid. There's a fascination with Christmas trees and lights, the joyful spirit of hearing Christmas carols, and the excitement of seeing Santa Claus. 

Lumagica is a magical light festival with a North Pole winter wonderland theme. It aims to attract families and give them a spectacular white Christmas.

Christmas is fun for the whole family, the

adults and the little ones. But for the grown-ups, there's always that kid in us. We shout for joy; we genuinely enjoy! 

Let this Christmas season bring back that glow in our faces and sparkle in our eyes like a child. Find the magical experience that Christmas brings. Find happiness and joy in our hearts.

 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay 

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙠𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙟𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮. 

This outdoor destination is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia. The breathtaking sea view from the sky and on top of the mountain is worth the experience. It's exhilarating and truly spectacular. 

Let's explore this stunningly beautiful destination in Squamish, an hour's drive from North Vancouver, passing through the scenic sea-to-sky highway. 

From the base station, The Sea to Sky Gondola is a 10-minute/ 2 km ride to the summit. You'll see the forested mountain and the beautiful turquoise waters of the sea (Howe Sound) as you ascend to a higher elevation until reaching the summit lodge, which offers the most spectacular view of the surrounding mountain, the valley, and the sea. 

On the summit lodge, there are restaurants and cafes for refreshments, which extend to the outdoor patio and viewing deck, offering a view of the magnificent snow-capped mountains. 

The adventure never stops as you get to experience the surrounding trail network passing through the 100-meter Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. We walked through the most accessible trail (Spirit) and the best trail (Panorama), leading to the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform, where you can capture the best shots of the snow-capped mountain as a backdrop. 

Other trails take longer to explore, but you'll always be aware since all trails lead and end at the summit lodge viewing deck. The courses are for beginners and intermediates, so it's a family-friendly hiking experience with viewing areas and platforms for picture-taking to capture memorable moments. 

Sea to Sky Gondola is an all-year-round adventure. It's best in any season, whether on a hot, dry summer or a snowy and chilly winter. The nature trail and the viewing platforms are alluring and worth revisiting in a different season. 

The land of the Squamish First Nation is home to the Sea to Sky Gondola. The Squamish protect and preserve the beauty of their heritage and share it with everyone. It's not just about fun and adventure but also about indigenous people's culture, early beginnings, and evolution as a First Nation. 

Sea to Sky Gondola is one of the most incredible adventures of a lifetime in British Columbia. It's a place to go and chill, an adventure by nature with a thrill. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

𝗔 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡-𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙤 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩.

This park offers a magnificent view of North Shore mountains and the Capilano River at the foothill of the canyon. It's breathtaking and another adrenaline-rush adventure we're defying. 

It's officially Fall season in Canada, so this is the best time to see the changing color of the leaves from above the cliff. It's fantastic to see how nature paints a color like a surreal masterpiece. It's a beautiful and naturally colorful piece of heart. 

A Cliffwalk to Remember 

How does it feel hanging on a cliff? It's one of the most adrenaline-pumping experiences in the park and a source of knowledge and information about the importance of water elements and how we can do our share to conserve and make it pure and clean. 

The Cliffwalk is a series of narrow bridges, stairs, and boardwalks that follow the curve of a granite canyon cliff. It is refreshing to breathe in cleaner air and relax to hear the water gushing from the river below. 

The Treetops Adventures 

A series of 7 suspension bridges attached to centuries-old Douglas-fir trees offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest. It's beautiful how they used a tree collar instead of penetrating with nails to protect and not harm trees.  

The Suspension Bridge 

The main attraction is the 137-meter suspension bridge that connects both sides of the park, 130 feet above the Capilano River. 

It's one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia and one of the most thrilling sights to behold. 

It's one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia and one of the most thrilling sights to behold. 

The Capilano Suspension Bridge may have given us a scary and thrilling experience, but we made it to feel the fear and crossed the other side without hesitation. 

That was indeed a live-action adventure in a fun-filled nature. Like the suspension bridge, no matter how high or shaky we've been, we continue to be fearless, go with the flow, and be unshakable.   

©️  2022 Del Cusay

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙨 𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙮. 𝙄𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙬, 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮. 

We offer that certain glow to the world, the people around us, and everyone with whom we share our lives. 

But we may stumble and fall at the darkest moment when the light moves away. We kneel, we crawl, and we can hardly stand tall. 

In Richmond, British Columbia, 

we've found the brightest place to remind us 

to unleash our inner glow and become someone's dose of sunshine no matter what we can show. Before the summer ends, we travel to Richmond Country Farms, where the sunflower grows and truly glows. 

You can find different varieties of Sunflowers on a 20-acre property of this family-owned country farm that's genuinely a must-see summer attraction. They have a maze where you'll easily find a way out and a U-pic to take home freshly handpicked Sunflowers. 

It's the fourth year of the Richmond Sunflower Festival since it started just before the pandemic hit in 2019. The annual event didn't stop notable visitors; it put a smile on their faces when the world seemed dark, and people were down. 

Summer is fun, and we must enjoy the outdoors under the sun. Like the sunflowers on the farm, we can rise and shine again, grow and glow up again, smile and be lovable again. 

©️  2022 Del Cusay

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁

 

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙖'𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩— 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩. 

This regional district is part of mainland British Columbia and accessible only by ferry and seaplane. It has an island vibe, with several small towns offering many activities to enjoy and hidden gems to explore. 

After a 40-minute BC ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver, the road trip starts from the southern coast of Gibsons until we reach the heart of the Sunshine Coast— the district municipality of Sechelt. 

It's lovely weather to start the three-day birthday holiday. A warm sunny day that brightens up everyone's day. And our first stop is the sandy shore of Davis Bay in Sechelt. Its coastline offers a respite from a warm and dry summer. The sea breeze, the horizon, and the island views are perfect for a day of unwinding. We're beachin' and watching people surfin'.

As I reach another milestone, the beach is an ideal place to rejuvenate and plan for another year of discovery and adventure. The previous year may have been full of challenges, but I was able to surpass the trials along the way. And for this birthday celebration, all I want is a fresh start, to breathe in and out in front of the sea and release the obstacles behind. 

If the sea is a powerful extractor of what's pulling us from getting what we want, I must release all the unwanted and feel a more revitalized and renewed being. It feels good! And if that heals, then I must make it a birthday tradition to go to the sea, walk on the sand, and bathe in the sun. 

The Sunshine Coast may be a laid-back culture, but it's a vibrant community and a paradise to many, especially among outdoor enthusiasts. There are many things to do, from water sports like paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, fishing, scuba diving, and kite surfing to inland activities like hiking, camping, golfing, and mountain climbing. It's an endless adventure.  

There needs to be more than the three-day birthday holiday in Sunshine Coast to try the exciting activities the place has to offer, but I hope to come back to explore and discover more kept secrets of a paradise worth revisiting.

A road trip on a coastal highway, hiking on a forested trail, camping on a creekside, and a scenic walk on a waterfront park. These activities made my day. The best birthday on holiday. Sunshine Coast adventure all the way. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Summer Camping in Logan Lake

 
What makes me appreciate life most is finding time to travel long distances and create beautiful memories. It's when I learn new things, gain new perspectives about a place, and ponder on things that add value to living. 

It was my first long trip to British Columbia, Canada, at the beginning of summer. This new season is full of fun under the sun, discovery, and adventure as we transition from excellent to warm.

It took us 3 hours from Vancouver to reach the charming town of Logan Lake in the heart of the Highland Valley in the Thompson Okanagan region.

It was once a quiet town reserved for the miners and their families but now houses thousands of residents who enjoy the serenity of nature and for the visitors to spend time away from the hustle of their busy city life.

Logan Lake offers many activities during the summer season. Visitors may enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, and hiking. It's an ideal time to unwind, take a deep breath, and appreciate the lake's natural beauty and nature. 

Camping at Mile High Resort in Logan Lake was an incredible experience, and it allowed me to escape from reality and away from the city. Lush forests with breathtaking views of the lake surround it.  

The deluxe log cabin offers a comfortable and relaxing vibe while you hear the sound of nature and watch the galaxies and bright stars. Stargazing is just mesmerizing. It's an incredible experience to look up into the night sky and wish upon a star. 

What makes this summer season memorable are the stories, smiles, and laughter shared in a pristine setting. This romantic destination is perfect for a weekend getaway, where imagination sparks and ideas are born.

This summer getaway is genuinely unforgettable. Logan Lake is a great camping destination, and the Mile High Resort experience is worth reminiscing about during your holiday vacation.

©️ Del Cusay

Surrey Fusion Festival Returns at Holland Park

The largest and most diverse festival in Western Canada returns in its 15th year. We celebrated and enjoyed a weekend of multicultural understanding and experiencing diversity in food, culture, live music, and entertainment.

British Columbians and Surrey residents once again gathered at Holland Park two years after the pandemic. It was the largest crowd since it started in 2008, perhaps due to the people's desire to reunite and bring back a more lively scene where everyone can enjoy a wide variety of cultural offerings from different countries in the world.

This year's Surrey Fusion Festival theme is CommUNITY. A single word that describes how the world must be in difficult times where global health threats have affected us to live, interact, and socialize.

The 40 pavilions included the Latin countries of Bolivia, Argentina, and Columbia; Asian countries like India, Vietnam, and Indonesia; African countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria; European countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands; Southwestern Pacific countries like Tonga and Fiji, and Caribbean countries like Barbados and the Cayman Islands. These are some of the 40 pavilions that showcased their food, culture, arts, music, and dance.

The pandemic seems over as the crowd cheers for fun and a manic vibe. The delicious authentic food, arts, dance, and music draw people to taste and experience world cultures in one venue.

Other features include a wellness garden where people can learn and experience yoga and meditation in an Indigenous Village to learn about their culture through traditional cultural sharing, Global beer, and wine tasting to sip some cold beverages from around the world and a cultural cooking arena for a showdown in a cooking competition. Also, there are stages where world-class performers share their talents with the crowd.

It was a great experience to have celebrated the Surrey Fusion Festival for the first time, and I would be glad to make it a yearly event to celebrate and have fun. Community is about the spirit of camaraderie that builds bridges for multicultural understanding and inclusivity. We unite to bring peace, love, and compassion to make our world a better place to live in and for the next generations to preserve and enrich their own culture for the world to see and embrace.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

White Rock Gallery: Beyond the Frame

To appreciate art, one must understand the most profound emotion, its meaningful realization, and the validation of purpose and intention.

That's the uplifting lesson I learned from a visit to an art gallery in White Rock, British Columbia. It's a city by the sea where arts, history, and culture thrive amidst the test of time.

An art gallery may be different from the usual place to visit in the present times. It may not be welcoming but intimidating to others interested in or appreciate fine arts.

Since 2012, I've learned to admire and appreciate works of art and masterpieces in the Cultural Center in my home country, the Philippines. I've carried the same passion and admiration whenever I visit another country or place with a high regard for culture and the arts.

In Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, every city has a public art gallery open to everyone, and the White Rock Gallery is one of the most beautiful places to be. It was my first Art Gallery experience in Canada, and it was meaningful.

Nowadays, people choose modern forms of entertainment and have yet to discover and learn about the joys of visiting an art gallery or exhibit. However, fine artists and art enthusiasts have devoted their time, resources, and money to making art more relevant in today's generation.

What makes art galleries intimidating to others is that we need to appreciate and decode their meaning from the artists' perspective or point of view. We couldn't interpret abstract paintings or even find meaning in realistic images.

With our smartphones, we can take a raw picture of a place, edit it, and call it art. It's the most accessible form of art we can do. However, fine art demands time, energy, emotion, and soul to create a more valuable masterpiece, so paintings and sculptures are expensive. 

We tend to ignore or snub expensive things because we can't afford them. Like fine arts, some wouldn't appreciate its value because they can't relate to and find meaning in a painting. But to afford it isn't just about owning it. It's also about enriching our life experience and worth as human beings just by visiting an art gallery, even once in a lifetime.

Art is part of our culture, and a deep appreciation and admiration give us a particular connection with our community. Art evokes various emotions depending on what the artists want us to feel. It makes us joyful, sorrowful, awed, and puzzled. It moves us, touches our souls, and makes us love at first sight.

As I viewed the gallery, some paintings attracted my attention, drew me closer to scrutinizing, and finally gave meaning to them. It gave me happiness and a sense of belonging to a community of artistic people who have the desire for understanding, passion, and motivation for self-expression.

©️  2022 Del Cusay

The Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery in Langley

 

The summer season in Canada is fast approaching, but the cool temperate climate prevails just before the end of spring.

In Langley, British Columbia, farm tourism draws many families for a weekend of pure fun and relaxation in a naturally beautiful outdoor setting and al-fresco dining.

Many family-owned and operated farm destinations exist in Langley and the Fraser Valley. Still, I was fascinated by the countryside ambiance of Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery.

The Berry Farm is a 200-acre property that opened to the public in 1974. Since then, the owners have enjoyed their bountiful harvest and served it to their guests and visitors. 

Just half an hour's travel from home, we had their famous waffle with fresh strawberry toppings and cream for breakfast. A fresh strawberry was picked in their field, and we had our own U-picked experience in the vast area.

Depending on the season, they also produce other berries like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, which their loyal customers patronize for the best culinary offering and U-picked experiences.

The beautifully landscaped lawn and garden are perfect for a great outdoor dining experience, and a raspberry field on a backdrop adds to the berry farm vibe.

Then fresh strawberry picking followed, which was a wonderful experience since their berries were sweet and delicious. We carefully picked the big and ripened strawberries for takeaway. Parents and their little kids enjoy picking experiences, and everyone seems happy to touch the soil and the earth-grounding experience.

Krause Berry Farms produces over a hundred products on the farm and sells them in its home and garden market. It also has a bakery where it makes freshly baked products like berry custard pies and cookies. 

Fresh berry waffles are served in their waffle bar indoors, and you can enjoy them in their garden or on a patio for a beautiful outdoor ambiance.  

The best farm experience happens when the owner cares a lot about making sustainable farming enjoyable and shared with the public. Krause Berry Farms has been producing crops sustainably and supporting and serving communities for several years, making it influential and a leader in the farm tourism industry.

A great week starts with envigorating thoughts, nourished by healthy food and enriched with a soulful experience. That's the way we do it as we journey to the valley at the Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay