Tag: Travel

Exploring Point Grey Road: Vancouver’s Luxurious Real Estate

June 2, 2025

Montreal has Westmount, Toronto has Rosedale, Ottawa has Rockcliffe Village, and Vancouver has Point Grey Road. The north side of Point Grey Road features elegant, architecturally designed residences. This location is attractive due to its expansive ocean views, framed by mountains in the background and Stanley Park across English Bay, highlighting the Vancouver skyline to the east.

Talk about privacy from the road!

We walked from my brother’s place in Kitsilano to Point Grey Road to explore the area, where the sidewalks were wide, complemented by attractive street furniture, including benches, light posts, and trash cans. The roadway was also spacious, reserved for walkers, joggers, and commuting cyclists traveling from downtown to the University of British Columbia.

   Point Grey Road sidewalk

I understand that Mike Harcourt, a former mayor of Vancouver, envisioned creating a continuous park on the north side of the street. To achieve this, he purchased available residences. He transformed them into parks that front Point Grey Road, extending to the shoreline to provide stunning views of the ocean and the Vancouver skyline. However, homeowners living along Point Grey Road opposed this initiative, and with rising real estate prices, the project ultimately came to a halt.

View from mini-park, the Vancouver skyline

A stroll along the upscale residences made me wonder who owns these homes. I found some online. One notable resident is Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon, a popular athleisure clothing brand. His property was valued at over $82 million in 2024, making it one of the most expensive real estate holdings in Canada. While Wilson has gained significant wealth from his clothing line, he has also stirred controversy with some of his comments.

      Chip Wilson’s place, totally private from the road

He faced accusations of racism for the name “Lululemon,” which features three “l’s.” He said he chose this name because he found it amusing to consider how Japanese people would pronounce it, given that there is no “l” in the Japanese alphabet.

Additionally, he was criticized for being “fatphobic” after suggesting that not all women are suited for his designs. He pointed out that women who do not have a gap between their thighs could cause the fabric to become sheer or translucent, leading to backlash for implying that those women were overweight.

People have also slammed him for stating that he has no issue with children working. He mentioned that his children have worked for his company and argued that there is nothing wrong with this. He was specifically referring to Asia, where much of his clothing line is produced by child labor.

His comment reminded me of children we saw in Myanmar, rolling cigarettes, sitting on the floor with inadequate lighting. When I inquired about why children work, I learned that many would starve without their jobs and that, for some, working is preferable to having nothing to do, especially when they are not attending school.

      An architectural home

Dr. David Suzuki is another fascinating figure who lives on Point Grey Road. He had a long-running, popular show on CBC called “The Nature of Things.” As an environmentalist, he advocates for living in harmony with nature. However, I find it hard to reconcile the idea of living in harmony with nature while owning a multimillion-dollar house on Point Grey Road, especially considering that he also possesses two other properties. Nonetheless, his educational broadcasts have been excellent and have been aired in forty countries.

Still, another homeowner on Point Grey Road was Nelson Skalbania, who took a chance on signing the seventeen-year-old Wayne Gretzky to the Indianapolis Racers hockey team and later on starring withe the Edmonton Oilers. As we know today, Gretzky has become arguably the greatest hockey player in history. The team’s owner, Skalbania, was interested in sports franchises; he bought and sold teams and even purchased the Atlanta Flames before relocating them to Calgary.

Continuing with the hockey theme, Trevor Linden owns a house on Point Grey Road. He played for the Vancouver Canucks and served as team captain and General Manager after his playing career ended.

Strolling along, I took a picture of what I thought was a very attractive house. After searching online, I discovered that it was designed by one of my classmates from the School of Architecture at the University of British Columbia in the 1960s. Paul Merrick was an exceptionally talented designer during our time in architecture school, and he established his firm in Vancouver after graduation. The article I read on this residence did not mention the owner’s name.

Designed by Paul Merrick

Another renovated old house on the south side of Point Grey Road, at number 3148, is known as the “Peace House.” The name originates from its use during the 1960s by peace activists who lived there and protested against the storage of nuclear weapons at the Comox RCAF base. This house also attracted the wandering hippie crowd of the era, known as the Love-In Generation, including notable figures such as Timothy Leary, the Grateful Dead, who even performed a concert there, Baba Ram Dass, and Allen Ginsberg. Recognizing these names indeed reveals my age!

The “Peace House”

These beautiful, high-value homes are designed by architects and surrounded by meticulously maintained landscaped yards. I thought it would be a great experience to visit these homes inside. Would the homeowners be willing to open their houses for viewing?

Exploring Granville Island: A Vibrant Vancouver Destination

May 29, 2025

Granville Island is a vibrant thirty-five-acre urban district located under the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. Due to limited parking, we chose to take an Uber to get there. Granville Island is the most visited tourist destination in Canada after Niagara Falls, attracting over ten million visitors each year.


The sandbar that is now Granville Island was a traditional fishing site for the Squamish and Musqueam tribes. The early 1900s saw industry’s expansion into the land, supporting the maritime and lumber industries. Until 1972, hobos lived on the island before the federal government took control. Ron Basford, the minister responsible for the lands, envisioned redeveloping the area while preserving the original buildings and businesses. His vision ultimately grew into a roaring success.

There are no sidewalks here; the planners envisioned a pedestrian district. The streets are narrow, filled with throngs of people moving through the walkways. There are also three thousand people working on the Island. Cars move extremely slowly along the crowded streets. We initially thought a line of vehicles on the main street was a parking lot, but then the cars began to move—it was not a parking lot after all.


The taxi dropped us off at the Public Market, a large, renovated warehouse filled with a variety of merchants. The market features bakeries, fruit and vegetable stands, butchers, as well as specialty cheese and international food vendors. After noticing a lineup at the BC salmon seller, we decided to purchase some in a freeze-dried bag to take home. Of course, we couldn’t resist getting fresh, sweet cinnamon buns from a local bakery, so we hurried over to a roaster for their exceptional coffee to enjoy with the buns. There was a line at the coffee shop as well. We learned that all fifty merchants in the Public Market are local, and no chain stores are allowed.


To enjoy our sweets and coffee, we sat in the outdoor plaza outside the Public Market on the waterfront. The skyline of downtown Vancouver stretched before us, resembling a mushroom of high-rise buildings with attractive designs. Each unit appeared to have a balcony, allowing residents to take advantage of the surrounding views. Among them was a distinctive high-rise designed by Arthur Erickson, one of Canada’s most renowned architects. This unique apartment building bulges in the middle, making it an eye-catching sight. Although it may seem unusual, it stands out from the typical apartment towers.

As we walked along the waterfront, we noticed several houseboats tied up at the dock. Interestingly, most of these houseboats are two stories high and seem to be permanently moored to the shore. It makes you wonder what it would be like to live on a houseboat in downtown Vancouver. Would the residents have children? There are no schools or playgrounds on the island, although educational facilities are available on the mainland. Is this lifestyle suited only for adults?


There are two rows of boats tied up—one along the wall and the other tied to the first row of houseboats. I wonder if the first row of houseboats, which is next to the shoreline, is cheaper to dock but lacks a view because the second row of boats is parked in front of them. The density of the boats is so great that they are touching each other! Is there any privacy here? One would assume that good neighborly relations would naturally develop.


As we walked between renovated buildings, we passed restaurants, a community center, and many performing arts theaters. The Emily Carr University of Art and Design is also located there. We walked by the Granville Island Brewery, but it was too early for a beer.


Forties music drew us to a large plaza in front of the Ocean Concrete Company, the longest-established tenant on the Island since 1917. This cement factory features concrete silos decorated with a colorful mural by the Portuguese brothers Pandolfo, titled “Giant.” Despite the huge cement trucks parked in front, the mural made the industrial neighborhood feel more appealing. The music was coming from an outdoor free concert performed by the Firemen’s seventeen-piece band. We stood and listened to my favorite style of music until a few chairs became available in the plaza, allowing us to sit down.


Leaving the music behind, we walked along the waterfront, taking in the views of Vancouver’s skyline and False Creek. The wooden boardwalk felt comfortable under our feet. As we strolled, we passed by an upscale waterfront restaurant that is part of the luxurious Granville Island Hotel, our destination from which we called an Uber to return home.


Although we spent only a few hours on the Island, we could have easily spent the entire day exploring the galleries and studios of local artists, visiting the cement factory that offers tours, and enjoying the brewery.
The mixed land uses, the variety of local shops, the vibrant arts scene, and the bustling crowds reminded me of Jane Jacobs’ ideas about urban environments. Her philosophy is detailed in her bestselling book, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” published in 1961. Jacobs advocated for the renovation of old districts by preserving buildings, promoting mixed land uses, and encouraging high-density living with numerous streets to create dynamic urban spaces. She vehemently opposed urban renewal and redevelopment, especially those led by professional planners, favoring instead organic growth guided by local communities. Granville Island serves as a prime example of her principles in action.

Exciting Update: My Second Blook Coming on Kindle!

May 4, 2025

My second “blook” will soon be on sale on Amazon Kindle. I published my first, “Blog to Blook: Where My Hobby Led, ” in 2023. Let me start by quoting a couple of paragraphs from my first blook. This will help explain what a blook is. It will also show how I became involved with it.

“You may wonder, what exactly is a blook? The term combines the words “blog” and “book.” A blook is a printed book based on or consisting of blog content. The first book of this kind was “User Interface Design for Programmers” by Joel Spolsky. It was published in 2001. The book was popularized in 2003 by journalist Jeff Jarvis from New York. Since then, several other blooks have been published. In 2006, the Blooker Prize was established. It was modeled after the Man Booker Prize. The first Blooker Prize was awarded to “Julie and Julia” by Julie Power. It was a cookbook featuring recipes inspired by Julia Child’s blog. This cookbook also inspired a film of the same name, released in 2009.”


“I was intrigued by the concept of a blook. I felt inspired to create my own, having been a blogger for years. The pandemic was the catalyst for my blogging journey. When avoiding social interactions and staying home became not only desirable but often mandatory. When my gym and community center, where I played bridge, closed, I wondered what to do at home. Retirement gave me ample free time, so I wrote about my opinions and activities to stay engaged.”

I call my blog site an “evolving journey.” Readers can find unfiltered opinions on daily life. The site covers various global and local issues, including travel, immigration, and housing. I base my views on lived experiences in North America, Europe, and beyond.

The Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war inspired many of the blogs in my first blook. These blogs were interwoven with personal experiences. Other posts focused on Canadian healthcare and immigration policies and their impact on the availability of doctors and housing. I also wrote about memorable events, like attending graduations and vacationing with family.

The Ukraine war is still ongoing, but it has become less newsworthy. I shared my thoughts and memories about the war in Ukraine involving Russia in my first blook. As for Covid, it is mostly behind us now.

This volume includes blogs about travels to Corsica in France in 2023. It also covers travels to the West Coast, to Vancouver and Portland, in 2024. I wrote about forming a book club with friends. I reviewed our chosen books on blogs.

I have gained many subscribers for my blog and discovered a community of kindred spirits by reading their blogs. Some bloggers specialize in travel writing, while others focus on cooking and recipes. Many of them have a large group of readers. This led me to consider whether I should also specialize in a single topic. Still, I prefer to write about topics I find weird or controversial. I do not want to limit myself to one area, like travel. I will continue to write on various subjects that interest me.

Eating and Walking: Discovering Wheeler’s Maple Sugar Shack

April 18, 2025

We went to a sugar shack in April this year. April weather is ideal for maple syrup flow, which happens when nighttime temperatures are -5 °C and daytime highs are 5°C (24°F to 40°F). Such weather is a pleasure to walk about, especially in contrast with the much colder weather in February and March.

I enjoy visiting maple sugar farms for their restaurants, which serve delectable pancakes with freshly made maple syrup, sausages, and beans. And post-lunch, I enjoy strolling through the woods and checking out the maple trees’ syrup containers.

We went to Wheeler’s this year for our annual sugar shack trip and pancake feast. The hour-long journey was worthwhile; a sunny day with blue skies followed the snowstorm, leaving the fields white.

Maple sugar shacks now typically require reservations. Despite this, the restaurant had few patrons when we got there. I think the idea is to ensure enough seats if a busload of tourists arrives.

The coffee flowed endlessly at Wheeler’s, and the enormous pancakes were eight inches in diameter. Thinking I was hungry for lunch, I ordered a two-pancake meal with three sausages and a side of beans. It was too much food, so I knew I would need a long walk afterward to burn off the meal. I recalled visiting a different sugar bush where we sampled local beer with friends last year.

We found many trails outside and took the longest, five kilometers long. The snow covered the ground, with some icy patches in places. Only a few people were walking, and the silence in the woods was peaceful, perfect for yoga classes.

The history of this farm is fascinating. Vernon and Judy Wheeler purchased the farm and planted sugar maples, and they, along with their four children, still operate the farm today. It takes thirty years for the trees to be ready for tapping, and they tapped their first trees in 1978. They installed six hundred kilometers of plastic pipes to collect sap from forty thousand trees. Vernon’s local builder helped construct the restaurant using local wood, which opened in 1996. Vernon also wrote a book about the farm’s history, available in the restaurant’s lobby.

The Wheelers keep the farm open year-round for visitors, with the only exception being Christmas Day. Families enjoy exploring the farm during the summer by hiking the grounds, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities.

Syrup production involves boiling sap down to a 40:1 ratio. Boiling the sap further makes a sweeter, darker, and thicker syrup. Customers can choose from three grades of syrup, ranging from light to dark, when making their purchases

Previously, people boiled sap outside in large kettles to evaporate the water. Today, however, they use reverse osmosis to produce the syrup. The factory at Wheeler’s is open for inspection and features a large room with advanced equipment. A kitchen and a small shop offering maple syrup items are situated between the appealing post-and-beam restaurant and the factory.

Panels within the plant’s viewing area show information about the maple syrup industry. Canada provides over 80 percent of the global maple syrup supply, 90 percent of which originates from Quebec, and 4 percent from Ontario.

It was an Indigenous child who discovered maple syrup hundreds of years ago by sucking on the icicle of a branch from a maple tree. The sugary taste was delightful, a treat Indigenous people quickly learned to harvest. It took about a hundred years for them to develop the method of boiling the sap to create today’s sweet syrup.

The two museums on Wheeler’s farm are possibly the most interesting part. One museum displays hundreds of maple syrup artifacts, the other shows Mr. Wheeler’s extensive chainsaw collection. The chainsaw collection amazed me; there are over four hundred old models, some of which I recognized, while others were unfamiliar.

      
A couple of soulful llamas stared at us as we approached the museums. The presence of llamas on this farm, among other options, puzzled me.

Maple syrup is a quintessential Canadian product. I recall trips to Europe where we searched for gifts for family and friends to take with us. We often bought small jars of maple syrup. Thankfully, travel for fresh maple syrup is no longer necessary; our neighbours’ parents run a maple farm, and we can purchase fresh maple syrup from them at wholesale prices.

Memories of Chapel Hill: Love, Weddings, and History

April 1, 2025

Chapel Hill. The University of North Carolina. Ah! All the memories came rushing back as we drove around, parked the car, and walked along Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

I recalled meeting the Dean of City Planning, who welcomed me upon my arrival. He greeted me warmly and instilled confidence in me that I could not fail here. After I met my future wife, we listened to Johnny Cash on the quad, frequented local pubs, and eventually got married!

We initially had a civil ceremony in South Carolina without informing our families; it was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions. The experience of the civil process, alongside that of four other couples, felt rather mundane. Returning to Chapel Hill, my Peugeot 403 broke down on the road, and we had to hitchhike back.

Returning to our dorms after the ceremony was exhilarating. We had a piece of paper that officially declared us married, and we were embarking on a new life together, forever. I wondered if this was the same experience that pioneers felt when loading their wagons on the journey west.

At that moment, no one knew we were married—not even our school friends.

This exhilarating feeling lasted for a few weeks until we had our church wedding in the Episcopal Chapel of the Cross, which was attended by family and my classmates, with whom I had just graduated. In the lead-up to the wedding, the pastor asked us if our differing religious beliefs would ever cause friction between us. It seemed unlikely: I was a non-practicing Roman Catholic, while Kathy was Episcopalian. Having a church wedding was the traditional way to get married, which both our families accepted.

The memories bubbling up were from over fifty years ago. The Town of Chapel Hill has also aged. We walked along Franklin Street starting from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. There were many more restaurants, coffee shops, and fraternity and sorority houses than we could recall from the past, in addition to newer tourist shops, vaping lounges, and art galleries.

As we crossed Franklin Street, we approached the Chapel of the Cross, where we were married decades ago. I couldn’t remember much about the building except for the circular driveway in front. I remember it well because, after the ceremony, when we tried to drive away in Kathy’s car, my classmates had blocked our tires with rocks. I felt embarrassed as I heard all my friends laughing. I quickly exited the vehicle and moved the stones. However, a loud noise came from the wheels during my next attempt to speed off. I decided to ignore the noise as we drove away, stopping a few blocks later to empty the rocks from the hubcaps.

To my surprise, the Chapel did not evoke any strong emotions within me. I struggled to recall its architecture and viewed the Chapel as if I were seeing it for the first time. However, once we entered the building, the historical information provided in a brochure added to a cultural dimension that was entirely new to me and left a lasting impression.

Mary Ruffin Smith (1814-1885) was an early benefactor of the Chapel, constructed in 1843. Her father, a plantation owner, physician, and congressman, paid $450 for a mulatto slave, a fifteen-year-old girl, for Mary. One of Mary’s brothers took a fancy to the slave girl, Harriet, and stalked and sexually assaulted her. Mary’s other brother, Frank, took exception and pummeled Sidney, ordering him to stay away from Harriet. Sidney stayed away from Harriet after the incident, during which she gave birth to a girl, Cornelia. However, Frank fell in love with the girl and had three daughters with Harriet. Mary cared for Harriet and the four girls, bought them from the plantation, and took them to the Chapel of the Cross every Sunday. All the colored people sat on the balcony of the Chapel, not permitted to sit with the white folks. Mary had all four girls baptized at the Chapel, as well as Harriet.

The story continued with Pauli Murray (1910-1985), the granddaughter of Cornelia, the oldest of Harriet’s daughters. Murray was an author, activist, and writer. In 1938, she attempted to enroll at the University of North Carolina (UNC), but her admission was denied due to her race, despite her close relationship with her great-aunt Mary, who had donated a significant portion of her land to the university. Pauli Murray went on to become a lawyer and practice law. In 1977, she made history as the first African American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest in the United States. After her ordination, Rev. Pauli Murray took communion in the Chapel where her enslaved grandmother had been baptized.

This story left a significant impression on me. Perhaps it’s because topics like plantations, slavery, the significance of skin color, and religion are not part of my background. Instead, I could discuss the Iron Curtain, Communism, and the experiences of the Pioneers (the communist equivalent of the Boy Scouts), as I spent my youth in Hungary under Russian domination.