๐๐ฉ'๐จ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐จ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง ๐ค๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐พ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง 2023 ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐๐๐ฉ ๐จ๐ค ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐๐ช๐ก ๐ข๐๐ข๐ค๐ง๐๐๐จ. ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐จ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐พ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ค๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐จ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ ๐ค๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ.
The westernmost province of Canada, British Columbia, is truly fascinating. I've seen some of its most breathtaking places worth visiting. I enjoyed the journey to these places and was inspired by nature and the people.
The year 2023 wasn't all about travel. It's been a roller coaster of events and a swing of emotions. Things happen swiftly and suddenly. We had joy on cloud nine and seasons in the sun.
Chinese New Year in Vancouver
We had a simple New Year's Eve celebration in Vancouver. A countdown and selfies on our hotel room's balcony overlooking the Vancouver skyline. That was a cheerful way of welcoming the New Year with the greatest hopes and aspirations.
We also welcomed the Chinese New Year in Vancouver Chinatown in late January 2023. It was a surprise to have met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waving and greeting people on a parade.
I've been celebrating the Chinese New Year for years, and it has never failed to give my family and me some luck and prosperity. In 2023, abundance is coming in, igniting optimism for greater hopes.
A Spirited Spring
I love Spring. It's the most loved season when everyone seems smiling and happy being outdoors after a long winter.
We traveled about two hours from home to spend our first Spring holiday in Harrison Hot Springs in the Fraser Valley. It's a healing place and highly revered by the local indigenous people. I felt the healing power of nature on its hot springs and probably the famous "Sasquatch" urban legend, a spiritual creature that has made several sightings documented.
Spring isn't complete without experiencing the Cherry Blossom Festival. This year, we celebrated it in Garry Point Park in Richmond and walked on a canopy of cherry trees.
It's nice to see couples, children, and families enjoying the colors and smell of the Cherry blossoms. It's one of the most beautiful gifts the Asian people gave to North America. And in Garry Point Park, hundreds of Cherry trees blossom magically.
There are more in Spring other than the Cherry blossoms. On May 22, 2023, celebrating Victoria Day, I had my first Rodeo experience at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair.
The best and award-winning cowboys and cowgirls in North America showcased their rodeo skills to thousands of spectators from British Columbia and other places in North America.
The Rodeo event teaches us about the livelihood and lifestyle of the great Cowboys and Ranchers. What we see in the game is what happens in the real world of Cattle and any livestock industry. Rodeo is not only fun, but it teaches us about patience, endurance, and perseverance.
When the Summer Comes
Summer is full of fun under the sun. It's excellent for outdoor activities anywhere. The first event we attended was the Pinoy Festival in Burnaby on June 25, 2023, at the beginning of summer.
The Pinoy Festival was the first and biggest Filipino cultural event in British Columbia, and we had the opportunity to meet and greet fellow Filipinos and watch their cultural performances.
It was also memorable to meet and hear the message of British Columbia Premier David Eby, who recognized the Filipino communities' significant contribution to the Province and the country.
Summer is best enjoyed when we travel a little bit far from home. On July 2, 2023, we drove an hour to Chilliwack to visit Minter Country Garden. We found the most extensive selection and display of trees, flowers, and ornamental plants there. We had lunch in their cafรฉ and bought the finest tea in their shop.
The garden has a relaxing ambiance, and it's worth the visit. I hope to return to buy some plants and bring a piece of nature at home.
On August 6, 2023, in the middle of summer, we discovered a lake in Coquitlam after failing to secure a parking spot on the beach we wished to visit. After almost two hours of searching for an alternative place, we finally settled and had a pleasant picnic day on Como Lake.
The place was surprisingly incredibly cooler than the rest of the metro, and the early fall foliage was evident. I like the residents' healthy lifestyle, which includes fitness walks, fishing, and outdoor games.
The best of Summer happened on my birthday when we went on a trip to Bowen Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. It's a romantic Island getaway that anyone can enjoy, even on a day trip.
We had a great time on a rocky shore in a marina just below the mountain, overlooking an Islet where small boats, jet skis, and ferries pass through.
It's a great feeling to unwind occasionally, and our Bowen Island trip was one of the most memorable birthday celebrations I've had. It was the best moment of contemplation and a heartfelt expression of gratitude for another year.
Fall in Love
The colors of the fall are truly magical. It gives a lovely vibe when trees change color and fall to the ground.
At the beginning of the fall, on September 30, 2023, we traveled to Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver to spend some time in nature.
The sound of the waterfalls was soothing to the senses as we crossed a suspension bridge leading to the trails. The water was the clearest I've seen up close on the stream. Several teens enjoyed jumping off the cliff and splashing in an emerald pool of water. We used the moment to take a deep breath and appreciate the breeze of nature.
A Sparkling Winter
British Columbia is known for its mild winter. But this year's season is warmer, and snowfall is not expected in the metro for the holidays and before the year ends.
Although we do not have a mountain resort adventure this holiday, we have enjoyed the sparkling lights of Christmas in the city.
Our Christmas shopping in Richmond was extraordinary. We took a picture of a massive Christmas tree while listening to a festive melody.
Our trip to the Vancouver Christmas Market was a wonderful experience. It feels like a real Christmas to be with happy and jolly people.
The most meaningful moment is Christmas day, and we celebrate it with joyful hope. We celebrated the mass and shared fun and laughter at a family gathering.
My family had the Merriest Christmas celebrations in my home country, the Philippines. I may not be present, but they're always in my heart every Christmas.
The year 2023 has been a great year against all odds. We continue to hope and dream about beautiful things and meaningful lives. We continue to be grateful for all the blessings and graces we receive. We end the year with love shared with our loved ones. We end the year with peace and joy in our hearts.
ยฉ๏ธ 2023 Del Cusay
