Category Archives: ACTIVITIES

Lynn Canyon Park (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

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Lynn Canyon Park

On our 27th day in Canada, our whole family (Grace, Jandy, Cheska, Bryan, Kyle and I, with dog Luffy) decided to visit the 250-hectare (617-acre) Lynn Canyon Park, one of the gems of the  District of North Vancouver’s Parks system and a great place to learn about North Vancouver’s eco-system.

 

This public park, operated by the  District of North Vancouver, is located on the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations people who called the Lynn Creek area Kwa-hul-cha, referring to a settlement in the area.

Bryan and Cheska on their way to the Lynn Canyon Cafe and Ranger Station

When settlers moved to North Vancouver, they began to log the old growth forests as part of Vancouver’s growing logging industry. The Lynn Valley area, along with Lynn Creek and Lynn Canyon were renamed after sapper John Linn (1846-1876), a British pioneer and member of the Royal Engineers who, in 1869, moved his family onto 65 hectares of land on the mouth of the Lynn Creek near Burrard Inlet.

Lynn Canyon Cafe and Ranger Station

While the creek has been dubbed Fred’s Creek after fellow pioneer Fred Howson, the name Lynn, a corruption of the original spelling, soon became the common designation.  Lynn Valley Park and Canyons, as it was known in the 1950s, soon gave way to the current Lynn Canyon Park.

Waterfall seen on the way to the suspension bridge

In 1912, after the bulk of the Lynn Canyon’s old growth forests were logged by the Lynn Valley Lumber Company under Julius M. Fromme, the McTavish Brothers donated a 5 hectare piece of land around the newly constructed Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in the hopes that a park would attract people to the real estate development.

Bryan (with Luffy) and Cheska crossing the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

The  District of North Vancouver added another 4 hectares to create the original Lynn Canyon Park. On September 14, 2012, the park was formally opened.  In 1991, the District of North Vancouver added another 241 hectares to the park, making it one of the largest and most popular parks in Metro Vancouver.

View of Lynn Creek from the suspension bridge

This forested park features stunning creek and waterfall views and hiking trails through the temperate rainforest, a relatively rare ecosystem that extends along the coast of Alaska and British Columbia down to northern California. In the rainy months of the year, mist rises from the canyon and the creek rises dramatically.

Grace and the author at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Rangers are on site in July and August to offer walking tours and information about the area’s flora and fauna. For advanced hikers, there are trails that lead directly to Grouse or Seymour Demonstration Forest, in addition to nice cycling trails.  Due to its natural landscape many TV series such as Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis used the area for filming.

Cheska and Grace hiking the dirt trail

From Holdom Station, we took the SkyTrain to Gilmore Station, then took Bus 28 to Phibbs Exchange and, finally, the 20-min., 4-km. Bus 227, from Bay 12 Station, to the Westbound Peters Road@Duval Station.  From there, it was just a short walk to the entrance of Lynn Canyon Park.

Moss-covered trees

Past the entrance, we passed by the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre (has over 80 informative nature videos, on a large screen, about the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest and environmental issues, plus a nature-themed gift shop) on the left and Lynn Canyon Cafe (they serve fresh siphon coffee, lattes and more, crepes for breakfast and burgers, hot dogs, pasta, fish and chips for lunch) on the right.

A large boulder amidst tall stands of trees

A very popular area for hiking, we tried the 2.6-km. Lynn Canyon loop trail (one of 7 easy hiking trails), open year-round, which is generally considered a relatively easy route to hike (though not wheelchair or stroller friendly), taking an average of 50 mins. to complete.

In this free, self-guided adventure, there are three major attractions along this loop – the  Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Twin Falls and the 30-Foot pool. Dogs are welcome here, but must be on a leash so we did just that for Luffy.

While exploring the trail that was surrounded by second growth western red cedar, Douglas-fir, and Western hemlock trees draped with moss, we encountered a lot of people. Although there are quite a number of wooden stairs (a bit challenging for beginners), it was still a great family friendly trail, with lots of options for different level hikers. There were multiple photo-worthy stops along the route, especially as it was summer.

The first major attraction we encountered was the  Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.  On the way to the bridge, we espied a small, thin waterfall.  The bridge was used in Disney’s Descendants (as part of Auradon) that leads to Lynn Canyon’s 30 Foot Pool (used as the Enchanted Lake).  The bridge was also featured in the MacGyver episode “The Invisible Killer.”

Though not as long as the one at the widely-advertised Capilano Suspension Bridge, this 40-m. (130-ft.) long, wooden plank suspension bridge, built in 1912, is a good one and a different experience than its complement, offering a rustic and jiggling adventure, and the views from it are equally spectacular.

The author

If you want to see a suspension bridge but don’t want to pay for the one at Capilano Suspension Bridge, then this is the place to go as it’s less commercial and some people actually prefer it. About 50 m. (167 ft., the height of a 15-storey building) above the beautiful clear pools and rivers of Lynn Creek, it was just wide enough for two people to pass each other. Originally, visitors paid 10 cents (later reduced to 5 cents) to cross the bridge. Today, it’s free to cross the bridge.

The 30 Foot Pool

On the north side of the suspension bridge, the trail to the left lead us northwest through the park and a short walk took us to the popular 30-Foot pool, one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals and a safe place to swim compared to some of the river’s other sections. It was a very large area, with great spots for a picnic, and featured a beautiful swimming hole.

Visitors getting ready to dive, off rocks, into the 30 Foot Pool

As it was summer, a number of visitors were taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Others were also jumping off rocks and into the water (it looked extremely dangerous).  However, even in the summer months, the water is almost always extremely cold. If you are looking for a quiet place to sit by the river, this is the spot.

L-R: the author, Jandy, Grace, Cheska, Kyle and Bryan (with Luffy)

Beginning at the 30-Foot pool, we ascended one big flight of stairs and ended up at the start of the trail heading to the Northern region of the park, the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Rice Lake entrance (another beautiful location for walking around and fishing) which is about a further 20-min. walk away.

Stair leading up to the northern part of the park

As we did not wish to venture into these areas, we took the wooden boardwalks and trails that loops back towards the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

East of the suspension bridge is Twin Falls  which can be accessed from either side of the suspension bridge.  If we did not cross the bridge from the main entrance, we could have proceeded east, past the Lynn Canyon Café, and followed the trail down towards the river.

Twin Falls Bridge

Twin Falls is less accessible than the 30-Foot pool and not as popular among visitors but we still wanted to get to Twin Falls so, right after the bridge, we headed south (south is right and north is left) followed a series of boardwalks, steps and staircases to Twin Falls. There was a sign that pointed us in the right direction.

View of Lynn Creek from Twin Falls Bridge

In less than 20 mins., we descended down to Twin Falls Bridge where we had a beautiful view of  Twin Falls, below the bridge, which is not large or high but rather just a section of rapids that drop a bit just under the bridge.   The hike back up the canyon took us up two large flights of wooden stairs back up the canyon on the other side (just a short walk back to where we started).

Twin Falls below the bridge

A diverse hiking experience along wooden stairs and boardwalks, the river and dirt trails, Lynn Canyon truly is a nice place for everyone.  Here, you can take your time hiking and enjoy the fresh air.  Even late in the day, the sun stayed with us most of the time.

From Twin Falls Bridge, ascending another flight of stairs

Lynn Canyon Ecology Center: 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7J 3G3, Canada.  Tel: 604-990-3755.  Email: ecocentre@dnv.org.  Website: www.ecologycentre.ca and www.lyncanyon.ca.  Open Mondays to Fridays, 10 AM to 4 PM, and weekends, 12 noon to 4 PM. Coordinates: 49°20′02″N 123°01′03″W. Walk in visits are accepted if space is available (maximum 15 people inside at a time). Proof of Vaccination required for ages 12 and up. Masks required for ages 5 and up. Admission is free but donations are accepted (suggested $2 per person).

How to Get There: the nearest bus stations are Eastbound Peters Rd @ Duval Rd. (a 492 m./7-min. walk), Northbound Lynn Valley Rd. @ Burrill Ave. (a 715 m./10-min. walk) and Northbound Underwood Ave. @ Evelyn St. (a 1.219 km./16-min. walk). Buses leave Lonsdale Quay about once every 15 mins. on weekdays (or 30 minutes on weekends and holidays). The ride on Bus #228, from Lonsdale Quay, takes just over 30 mins.

Space Needle (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)

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Seattle’s Space Needle

From Pike Place, Val drove Danny and I to the Seattle Center, home to Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the Space Needle in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood.  It had already stopped raining when we arrived and the sun was again shining.  We didn’t have time to explore the first two but Danny and I were excited to go up the open-air observation deck of the Space Needle 160 m.(520 ft.) above ground, our first time to do so.  Val had done this a couple of times, so he just offered to wait for us till we returned.

Check out “Pike Place”

The author (right) with friend Val Salgado with the Space Needle in the background

This observation tower, a designated a Seattle landmark, is considered to be an icon of the city.  Unlike many other similar structures (such as the CN Tower in Toronto), the Space Needle is not used for broadcasting purposes.The Space Needle was, upon completion by Howard S. Wright Construction Co., the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, replacing the Smith Tower in downtown Seattle as the tallest building west of the Mississippi since 1914.Today, it is dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, among them the 295 m. (967 ft.) high Columbia Center.

The author and Danny Macaventa

The Space Needle is 184 m.(605 ft.) high, 42 m.(138 ft.) wide and weighs 8,660 metric tons (9,550 short tons).  It was built to withstand wind speeds of up to 320 kms./hr. (200 mph), double the requirements in the building code of 1962. As the Space Needle sways only 25 mm.(1 in.) per 16 kms./hr.(10 mph) of wind speed, it can also be made to withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds.

The architecture of the Space Needle is the result of a compromise between the designs of local architect John Graham‘s concept of a flying saucer (the halo that houses the restaurant and observation deck)and the sketch (on a napkin) of Edward E. Carlson (president of a hotel company and chairman of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle)which depicted a giant balloon tethered to the ground (the gently sloping base). The hourglass profile of the tower was introduced by Victor Steinbrueck.

Carlson,inspired by a recent visit to the Stuttgart Tower of Germany, also had an idea for erecting a tower with a restaurant at the World’s Fair. As a result of his success in designing Northgate Mall, architect John Graham soon became involved, altering the restaurant’s original design to a revolving restaurant, similar to his previous design of the La Ronde tower restaurant at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Hawaii.From April 1, 1962, to April 1, 1982, the revolving restaurant was operated by Western International Hotels, of which Carlson was President, under a 20-year contract.

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair(which drew over 2.3 million visitors, with 20,000 people a day riding the elevators to the Observation Deck during the course of the Fair), the construction of the Space Needle was privately financed and built by the Pentagram Corporation (consisting of Bagley Wright, contractor Howard S. Wright, architect John Graham, Ned Skinner, and Norton Clapp).

With time an issue, the construction team worked around the clockand the Space Needle was finished in less than one year. The Space Needle had to withstand earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude (as strong as the 1700 Cascadia earthquake) so its earthquake stability was ensured when a hole was dug 9.1 m.(30 ft.) deep and 37 m.(120 ft.) across, and 467 concrete trucks took one full day to fill it. The foundation weighs 5,310 metric tons (5,850 short tons), including 230 metric tons (250 short tons) or of reinforcing steel, the same as the above-ground structure. The structure is bolted to the foundation with 72 bolts, each one 9.1 m.(30 ft.) long.

A scaled model of the Space Needle at the Building the Marvel” Exhibit

The domed top, housing the top five levels (including the restaurants and observation deck), was perfectly balanced so that the restaurant could rotate with the help of one tiny electric motor, originally 0.8 KW (1.1 HP), later replaced with a 1.1 KW (1.5 HP) motor. A grand spiral entryway(shown in a 1962 Seattle World’s Fair poster), with 848 steps from the basement to the top of the observation deck leading to the elevator, was ultimately omitted from final building plans. For paint colors, Orbital Olive was used for the body, Astronaut White for the legs, Re-entry Red for the saucer and Galaxy Gold for the roof.

During the World’s Fair, an imitation carillon (using recordings of bells, rather than live bells),built by the Schulmerich Bells Company of Hatfield, Pennsylvania under the name “Carillon Americana,” was installed in the Space Needle and played several times a day. The instrument, recreating the sounds of 538 bells, was the largest in the world until it was eclipsed by a 732 bell instrument at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Another scaled model of the Space Needle at the ground floor Gift Shop

The operator’s console, located in the base of the Space Needle, was completely enclosed in glass to allow observation of the musician playing the instrument. Also capable of being played from a roll, like a player piano, the 44 stentors (speakers) of the carillon were located underneath the Needle’s disc at the 61 m.(200-ft.) level, and were audible over the entire fairgrounds and up to 16 kms. (10 mi.) away. After the fair’s close, the carillon was disassembled.  The “Carillon Americana,” featured on a 12-track LP record (called “Bells On High-Fi,” catalog number AR-8, produced by Americana Records, of Sellersville, Pennsylvania), was recorded in a studio and performed by noted carillonneur John Klein (1915-1981).

Here is the historical timeline of the Space Needle:

  • In 1961, investors discovered and bought (for $75,000) a suitable lot, measuring 37 by 37 m. (120 by 120 ft.), containing switching equipment for the fire and police alarm systems, for the proposed Space Needle site (it had no pre-selected site since it was not financed by the city and land had to be purchased within the fairgrounds).
  • In April 1962, the Space Needle was completed at a cost of $4.5 million.
  • On April 21, 1962, the last elevator car was installed the day before the Fair opened.
  • In 1963, a radio broadcast studio was built, used for morning broadcasts by Radio KING and its sister TV station KING-TV from July 1963 to May 1966, and KIRO Radio from 1966 to 1974, on the observation level of the Space Needle.
  • On March 27, 1964, as a result of the 9.2 earthquake in Alaska, the restaurant atop the Space Needle stopped rotating.
  • For six months in 1974, disc jockey Bobby Wooten of country music station KAYO-AM lived in an apartment built adjacent to the Space Needle’s broadcast studio, requiring a permit variance from the city government.
  • On March 4, 1974, Paul D. Baker committed suicide by jumping from the Space Needle, the first person to do so.
  • On May 25, 1974, Mary Lucille Wolf also jumped from the tower.
  • In 1977,Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner and Norton Clapp sold their interest to Howard S. Wright who now controls it under the name of Space Needle Corporation.
  • On July 5, 1978, in spite of the installation netting beneath and improved fencing around the observation deck, Dixie Reeder was able to commit suicide.
  • In 1982, the SkyLine level was added at the height of 30 m.(100 ft.).
  • In 1992, the University of Washington (UW) Huskies football team logo was painted at the tower after the team won the 1992 Rose Bowl.
  • In 1993, the elevators were replaced with new computerized versions that descend at a rate of 16 kms./hr. (10 mph).
  • In 1995, when the game show Wheel of Fortune taped episodes in Seattle, it was painted to resemble the titular wheel as part of an intro sequence with Vanna White.
  • On April 19, 1999, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board designated the tower a historic landmark.
  • On December 31, 1999, the Legacy Light or Skybeam, a powerful beam of light, was unveiled for the first time.
  • Between 1999 and 2000, renovations included the SkyCity restaurant, SpaceBase retail store, Skybeam installation, Observation Deck overhaul, lighting additions and repainting.
  • In 2000, renovations were completed at a cost ($21 million) approximately the same in inflated dollars as the original construction price.
  • In 2000, the Space Needle Restaurant (originally named Eye of the Needle) and the Emerald Suite, the two restaurants 150 m.(500 ft.) above the ground at the hovering disk of the Space Needle, were closed to make way for SkyCity, a larger restaurant that features Pacific Northwest cuisine.
  • In 2000, because of perceived terror threats against the structure after investigations into the foiled millennium bombing plots, public celebrations were canceled but the fireworks show was still performed.
  • In 2001, the 6.8 Mw Nisqually earthquake jolted the Space Needle enough for water to slosh out of the toilets in the restrooms.
  • From September 11, 2001, to September 22, 2001, in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Legacy Light (or Skybeam) remain lit for eleven days in a row.
  • In 2002, to promote tourism, a real estate consultant in Bellevue proposed the construction of five smaller replicas of the Space Needle around the city though official plans to build the proposed structures have not yet materialized.
  • On May 19, 2007, the Space Needle welcomed its 45 millionth visitor, Greg Novoa from California, who received a free trip for two to Paris.
  • In May 2008, since the opening of the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle received its first professional deep cleaning by being pressure washed by Kärcher with water at a pressure of almost 2,611 psi (18,000 kPa) and a temperature of approximately 194 °F (90 °C). In consideration of the Seattle Center and the nearby Experience Music Project, no detergents were used and the cleaning was only done at night so that the Space Needle could stay open to the public.
  • In April 2012, as part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Needle was painted “Galaxy Gold”, which is more of an orangish color in practice. This is the same color used when the needle was originally constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair. This temporary makeover was only intended to last through the summer.
  • In the summer of 2017, a renovation of the top of the Space Needle, called the Century Project,began. An all-glass floor was added to the restaurant, the observation platform windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass panels (to more closely match the 1962 original concept sketches) and the internal systems were upgraded and updated. The work, tocost $100 million in private funds provided by the Wright family (owners of the Space Needle),was scheduled to finish by June 2018. The designer is Olson Kundig Architects and the general contractor is Hoffman Construction Company. The rotating restaurant’s motor was replaced, the elevator capacity was increased by adding elevators or double-stacking them and,with the aim of achieving LEED Gold Certification, the energy efficiency of the building was improved. The temporary scaffold’s 13,000 kg.(28,000 lbs.), 4,148 sq. m. (4,650-sq. ft.) platform under the top structure, made by Safway Services (a company specializing in unique construction scaffolding),was assembled on the ground, and then lifted by cables 150 m.(500 ft.) from the ground to the underside of the structure, controlled by 12 operators standing on the platform as it was raised. So that the Space Needle was never completely shut down to the public, only one-sixth of the observation deck was closed at a time.
  • In August 2018, the Space Needle reopened as the Loupe, an indoor observation deck with a revolving glass floor that takes 45 mins. to do a full rotation. Two sets of stairs called the Oculus Stairs,named after the glass oculus at the base of the stairs where the Space Needle elevators can be seen ascending and descending,were added to connect the two new additional levels. A café, wine bar, more restrooms, and an additional accessibility elevator to the top observation deck were also added.
  • In 2020, the fireworks display was canceled because of high winds, with a laser light show being used at midnight instead.
  • In 2021, the fireworks show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and replaced by a broadcast-only augmented realitypresentation on KING-TV.

 

The queue at the Mezzanine Level

The Space Needle, a visual symbol of Seattle and of the Pacific Northwest, has made numerous appearances in films (It Happened at the World’s Fair in 1962, The Parallax View in 1974, Sleepless in Seattle in 1993,Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999,  Chronicle in 2012), TV shows (Frasier, Grey’s Anatomy, Dark Angel, Bill Nye the Science Guy, etc.), and other works of fiction, often being used in establishing shots as an economical means to tell the audience the setting is Seattle, and has been incorporated into the logos of NBA, WNBA, MLS, and NHL professional sports teams.

Queuing past the “Building the Marvel” Exhibit

After paying the admission fee, we joined the queue of visitors at the mezzanine level (overlooking the gift shop below) waiting for the three elevators (two of them high speed), which can each accommodate 25 people, to take us up the inside observation area.  As it was the summer month, there was a bit of a line as the number of visitors usually climbs to well over a thousand a day. While waiting for our turn, along the line was the “Building the Marvel Exhibit,” a custom exhibit installed in April 2016, of compelling images, interactive experiences, and fun and historical memorabilia that tells the story of how the Space Needle’s conception and construction.  There are also miniature replicas of the Needle, showing the construction’s progress, plus cool vintage advertisements, posters of the Words fair and clippings from magazine articles praising this architectural marvel.

Inside the 25-pax elevator

Once inside the elevator, it took us 42 seconds to reach the top, travelling at a rate of 10 mph (or 880 ft. per min.). Stepping out of the elevator into the inside observation area, we had awe-inspiring and dramatic views of the downtown Seattle skyline, front and center, with buildings shimmering in the sun.

The Inside Observation Area

Seamless floor-to-ceiling  glass walls gave us unobstructed, 360-degree sights of the region –  Lake Union, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the inky waters of Elliott Bay, the ever-popular Great Wheel along the waterfront, and various islands in glittering Puget Sound, with ferries floating around  On a clear day, the flat top of snow-capped Mt. St. Helens can be seen in the distance.

The Inside Observation Area

From the inside observation area, Danny and I stepped out of the door (one of 12) into the open observation deck which was already filled with tourists taking photos and selfies.  Here, we had a more unparalleled experience with a unique, uninhibited bird’s-eye view of the abovementioned landmarks, protected by a series of 11 ft. tall and 7 ft. wide glass panels (which replaced the old wire cages) starting at the floor and tilting outwards.  Lining the edge of the panels are new glass benches, following the angle of the transparent walls, designed at a slant, a perfect, jaw-dropping selfie spot that makes you feel like you are hanging in the air, floating above Seattle.

Danny and the author at the Open Observation Deck

On our way back down, an elevator attendant took the time to point out locations of interest to us, sharing some historical landmark facts and answering questions. Our elevator had windows where we could watch our rapid descent.  Soon the doors opened and we disembarked into the gigantic gift shop at the ground floor before exiting the building.  Every year on New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle celebrates with a fireworks show at midnight that is synchronized to music. Alberto Navarro, a fireworks artist from Bellevue, is the lead architect of the show, which is viewed by thousands from the Seattle Center grounds.

View of the city skyline

To honor national holidays and special occasions in Seattle, the Legacy Light (or Skybeam), derived from the official 1962 World’s Fair poster (which depicted such a light source although none was incorporated into the original design), is lit. Powered by lamps that total 85 million candela shining skyward from the top of the Space Needle, it was originally planned to be turned on 75 nights per year but it has generally been used fewer than a dozen times per year as it is somewhat controversial because of the light pollution it creates.

View of Puget Sound

Since its opening, six (four of them part of an authorized promotion in 1996, withone of them got injured and broke a bone in her back while attempting the stunt) parachutists have leaped from the tower in a sport known as BASE jumping which is legal only with prior authorization (the other two jumped illegally and were arrested).

The Gift Shop

Seattle Needle: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, Washington 98109. Tel: (20) 905-2100. E-mail: guestservice@spaceneedle.com. Website:  www.spaceneedle.com. General admission:: US435 – 39 (regular, ages 13 -64), US$30  -33 (senior, aged 65+) and US$26 – 29 (youth, ages 5 – 12).  Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM (Sundays to Fridays) and 9 AM to 9 PM (Saturdays).  Coordinates: 47.6204°N 122.3491°W

Pikes Place Market (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)

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Pike Place Market

After our lunch at Seafood City, Val, Danny and I continued on our way to the iconic Pike Place Market, Seattle’s most popular tourist destination and the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the world, with more than 10 million annual visitors.  Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront on Puget Sound, it is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in the United States.

Opened on August 17, 1907, it is named after Pike Place, the central street which runs northwest from Pike Street to Virginia Street on the western edge of Downtown Seattle.  The market, serving as a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants, is built on the edge of a steep hill and consists of several lower levels located below the main level.

Flower stands

Each level features seemingly endless rows of flower stands, a variety of unique shops such as antique dealers, comic book and collectible shops, small family-owned restaurants, and one of the oldest head shops in Seattle. The upper street level contains wader-clad fishmongers, farm fresh produce stands and craft stalls operating in the covered arcades.

High school batchmates Val Sagado, Danny Macaventa and the author at Pikes Place Market

Home to nearly 500 residents who live in eight different buildings throughout the Market, the market’s mission and founding goal is allowing consumers to “Meet the Producer.”  Year-round, local farmers and craftspeople sell in the arcades from tables they rent, on a daily basis, from the Market.

Cheese Box

In the past, most of these buildings have been low-income housing.  However, some of them, such as the Livingston Baker apartments, no longer offers these. The Market is run by the quasi-government Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA). The first Starbucks store, founded in 1971 originally at its location at 2000 Western Ave., moved, in 1977, one block away to 1912 Pike Place where it has been in continuous operation ever since.

Check out “Pike Place Starbucks Store”

Sosio’s Produce

Val directed me to the Pike Place Fish Market, one of the Market’s major attractions, where employees threw three-foot long salmon and other fish to each other rather than passing them by hand. This tradition started when the fishmongers got tired of having to walk out to the Market’s fish table to retrieve a salmon each time someone ordered one.

Pure Food Fish Market

The owner realized it was easier to station an employee at the table and, when a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market’s ice-covered fish table picks up the fish and hurls it over the countertop, where street buskers catches it and preps it for sale.

Pit Bar-B-ue

This attraction of the flying fish has appeared in an episode of Frasier, the television sitcom  that was shot on location.  It has also been featured on The Learning Channel (TLC) and the opening credits of MTV‘s The Real World: Seattle. When the Seahawks host games at nearby CenturyLink Field, this attraction also appears on numerous prime-time installments of NFL games.

Oriental Market

A taste of the Philippines can be found at Oriental Mart, a three-generation, family-owned business. A mainstay of the Market opened in 1971 by Milagros Apostol, it has an 18-seat lunch counter, operated by Leila “Ate Lei’ Apostol (Milagros’ daughter), serving up a selection of award-winning authentic Filipino cuisine and other novelties such as the salmon collar sinigang and her “Do You Trust Me Plate.”

Ulis Bierstube

Pike Place Market: 1st Ave. and Pike St., Seattle, Washington 98101, USA.  Tel: (206) 682-7453. Website: www.pikeplacemarket.org. Coordinates: 47°36′34″N 122°20′30″W.

Pike Place Starbucks Store (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)

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Pike Place Starbucks Store

After lunch at Seafood City, Val drove Danny and I to the historic Pike Place Market in the downtown core of Seattle, Washington,.  Once parked, we walked towards the Pike Place Starbucks Store (also known as the Original Starbucks), the first Starbucks store in the world.

Check out “Pikes Place Market“

The store front

A known tourist attraction, it was hosting crowds during our visit. In fact, they say there was never a day without The Line which winds out the door and stretches down the street but it also keeps on moving as the baristas there are said to be as good as any on the planet.

However, many people, just like us, didn’t come to 1912 Pike for a cup of coffee. Instead, we came to experience the place where it all began. Founded in 1971, the store was opened by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, three partners who were inspired by Alfred Peet of Peet’s Coffee to open the store and sell high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans, tea and spices from around the world to take home as well as coffee making equipment and accessories.

The store interior

The name was inspired by the  Moby Dick, the 1851 classic tale of Herman Melville, which evoked the romance of the high seas and seafaring tradition of early coffee traders.  The name of the store was originally going to be called Cargo House or Pequod (Captain Ahab”s hip in the book), but the brand consultant (who also designed the chain’s logo , produced from an old 1800s map), but decided on Starbuck, the first mate and no-nonsense crew member on the Perquod. Starbos is also the name of a mining town which features in the book.

Everything in the entire store, truly one of a kind, is original, from the floors, the fixtures, the counters, etc.  They also still proudly display the brass labels that were on their bulk coffee bins in 1971.  However, while it commonly referred to as the first Starbucks location, the current address is the second for the Pike Place store as, for five years, the first restaurant was located at 2000 Western Avenue. In 1977, it moved one block away to 1912 Pike Place where it has been in continuous operation ever since.

Val Salgado, the author and Danny Macaventa outside the store

The sign outside this branch, unlike others, features the original logo – a seductive, bare-breasted siren that was modeled after a 15th-century Norse woodcut. It also features a pig statue called “Pork’n Beans,” a sculpture created locally for the 2001 Pigs on Parade competition that raised money for the Pike Place Market Foundation.

Starbucks logo from 1971 to 1987

Pike Place Starbucks Store: 1912 Pike Place, Seattle 98101, Washington .  Tel: +1 206-448-8762. Coordinates: 47.609899°N 122.342441°W.

Cultus Lake Provincial Park (British Columbia, Canada)

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Cultus Lake Provincial Park

On our 20th day in Canada, Grace, Jandy, Bryan, Cheska, Kyle and I were invited to join a family picnic hosted by our Vancouver friends Nene and Lito Del Rosario, with their children, sons-in-law, grandchildren and family friends, to be held at the 656-hectare Cultus Lake, one of the most popular destination areas in the Lower Mainland.

Tintin Del Rosario-Legaspi, Grace, Cheska and Kyle with our dog Luffy

We were picked up at Burnaby by Jullius and Tintin Legaspi, son-in-law and daughter, respectively, of Lito and Nene.  The 91.3-km. drive, via the Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1 E, took almost 1.5 hours. From the Trans-Canada Highway, we turned at the Yarrow (you can also turn at the Sardis Exit) Exit and drove a further 16 kms., along the Columbia Valley Highway, which lead directly into the park.

The Cultus Lake community

The placid Cultus Lake,  the source of the Sweltzer River, is a large, warm freshwater lake within a 2,729-hectare provincial park amidst scenic forest-clad Skagit Mountain Range in the Fraser Valley region of southern British Columbia.

Our picnic spot

At one time, the lake had a sawmill and booming ground until it became a provincial park on February 10, 1948. Cultus Lake, an important place for spirit quests of the Sto:lo people, was named with the Chinook Jargon word meaning primarily “bad,” “worthless” or “good for nothing,” though the same word can also mean “free,” “without purpose” or simply “nothing.”

The packed Main Beach

The wildly popular, generally calm lake is located 11 kms. (6.8 mi.) south of the Chilliwack River, near the city of Chilliwack and approximately 80 kms. (50 mi.) east of Vancouver.  The park is almost evenly divided between the mostly undeveloped northwest and the visitor-oriented facilities confined to the southeast sides of Cultus Lake.

Children’s playground, well within eye and ear shot to all the picnic tables, where kids can play while parents relax and enjoy lakeside lounging

The area, a popular recreation destination, has four campgrounds (Clear Creek, Delta Grove, Entrance Bay and Maple Bay) managed by British Columbia Parks/Sea to Sky Park Services in the area (in addition to a few privately-owned campgrounds), a large day-use area for swimming, picnicking and boating, and ample opportunities for fishing, water skiing, wind surfing, wakesurfing, kayaking, standup paddle-boarding and hiking.

Paddle boat, paddle board and kayak rental shop

As we visited during August 1, British Columbia Day (a public holiday), the tiny associated resort community of about 1,100 people grew considerably in size as folks like us flocked to the region to enjoy the lake, park and the area’s numerous outdoor activities.

The path leading to Jade Bay

The water, the picturesque views and the sandy beaches are what feed the park’s popularity during the warmer and busy summer months.  However, in the off season, it gets pretty quiet.

Paddle boats, paddle boards and kayaks for rent

As we arrived early in the morning at the Entrance Bay Campsite, we had first choice among a plethora of picnic tables in an expansive, flat grassy field offering plenty of shade from tall Douglas fir trees.  Nearby was a small children’s playground; toilet and changing facilities and a quick public boat launch.

I am guessing these are sculls

Our late breakfast was homemade pan de sal with spam and scrambled eggs while lunch was to be grilled pork liempo, hotdog and fish; igado (an Ilocano pork and liver stew), fried chicken and fried wonton.  For dessert, we had fried turon (banana lumpia).

The author taking a hike along Cultus Lake

After lunch, I tried to burn the calories by hiking all the way down to Jade Bay which is easily accessible from our campsite.  It laso has additional bathrooms and a boat ramp.

Main Beach Iced Coffee

The broad, roped-off swimming area had a long, pebbly and gently sloping beach with clear waters ideal for the kids. Our hosts brought along their inflatable stand-up paddle boards and kayak plus a unicorn-shaped party island for the kids. Jandy and I, as well as the others, tried kayaking.

By lunchtime, the area soon filled up with vacationers and, by late afternoon, the winds grew stronger and the waters choppy, making stand-up paddle-boarding almost an impossibility. Still, nothing can erase the enjoyment of the children as they frolicked along the beach.

Luxury lakeshore homes

Nearby is the fairly modern Cultus Lake Adventure Park (opened in July 2014 as the expansion of Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf, it has 18 rides and attractions) and also in the area is the Cultus Lake Waterpark and the scenic 18-hole Cultus Lake Golf Club.

A public boat launch

Cultus Lake Provincial Park: British Columbia, Canada. All four campsites are open from April to mid-October and offer free hot showers and flush toilets.  Parking is free throughout the provincial park, but not at Main Beach. Tel: (604) 986-9371.

Honda Celebration of Light (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

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Honda Celebration of Lights

Grace, Jandy and I were lucky that our one-and-a half month long visit coincided with the 30th edition of the Honda Celebration of Light (formerly known as Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire and The HSBC Celebration of Light), an annual international musical fireworks competition and one of Vancouver’s largest and most well-known festivals. Recognized as the largest and longest running off-shore fireworks competitions in the world, this multiple-day event has an estimated annual attendance of 1.4 million people.

People making their way, on foot, to Alexandra Park, English Bay Beach

The first “Symphony of Fire” was held from July 25 to August 5, 1990 with some the world’s best fireworks pyro technicians, from 3 counties, competing over 3 nights to present the best show. The event was last held in 2019 as in 2020, the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia.

Kyle, Bryan and Grace joining the crowd

This year’s much anticipated festival that embodies summer was held on July 23 (Saturday), with Japan’s Akariya Fireworks participating; on July 27 (Wednesday), with Canada’s award-winning Midnight Sun Fireworks participating; and July 30 (Saturday), with Spain’s Pirotecnia Zaragozana participating.

Mounted police patrolling at the corner of Beach Avenue and Denman Street

We attended the last mentioned.  Prior to the fireworks show, the Red Bull Air Show did a spectacular pre-show performance (happening on all three festival nights), with formation flyovers performed from the iconic Canadian Snowbird team, presented by Concord Pacific, at English Bay.

Alexandra Park slowing filling up with people

Joined by our grandson Kyle, we were to be met by my son-in law Bryan who booked an Uber to bring us to Alexandra Park.  We never got near there as road closures were already in effect from 7 PM in the West End, including Davie, Denman and Beach Avenue. Access roads into Kits Point were also closed from 6 PM.

The gazebo at Alexandra Park

Roads will only re-open once the crowds have dispersed and police have given their all clear at approximately 11 PM.  Instead, we were dropped off at Bidwell Street and walked over to a MacDonalds along Robson Street where we met with Bryan.

English Bay Beach already filled up

Together, the five of us joined others, on bikes, scooters or on foot, who were headed towards the festival site.  It was as if the entire city was moving in the same direction, with all roads lead to the English Bay. Policemen, on horseback, were patrolling the streets, scanning the crowd and seemingly looking for people with alcohol, making us feel very safe. As we got closer to the beach, we realized the magnitude of this event.

Upon reaching Alexandra Park, we chose a nice grassy spot unobstructed by trees, near the corner of Burnaby Street and Beach Avenue.  We came prepared as we brought along three portable folding seats, a beach mat, snacks and water.  The park was already slowly filling up.  There’s much more happening here than just fireworks as a whole family fun type of party atmosphere was happening, with and food carts, food vendors and concession stands were doing brisk business.

The Concord Lounge at English Bay

People and sunset watching was part of the fun too.  As it was early, we strolled along the English Bay Beach already seemingly packed with hundreds of thousands of people, many in swimming attire.  Never before had I seen so many people coming together.

Dinner with a view at Concord Lounge

The reserved seating of the Grandstand, the most popular of the festival’s ticketed venues for visitors, families or groups, offering elevated and direct sightlines to the fireworks barges, was also filled up.  Other reserved seating venues were the Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk Peninsula, overlooking English Bay, and the Scotiabank Lounge on the bathhouse roof in English Bay.

The Grandstand along English Bay

The pyro-musical performance can also be seen and heard from vantage points throughout Metro Vancouver such as Vanier Park at the edge of English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, the pedestrian sidewall at Burrard Bridge (standing room only), Dundarave Pier at the West end of West Vancouver seawall, Kits Point, Sunset Beach, Stanley Park and at sailboats and yachts on English Bay.

English Bay packed with yachts, speedboats and kayaks

Promptly, at 9 PM, the carefully designed and planned synchronized fireworks were launched from barges located in English Bay, regaling the crowd with a spectacular, 25-minute fireworks display, over the water, set to accompanying music so the colored lights seem like they’re dancing to the rhythm.

Sunset over English Bay

It was a spectacular show by the Spanish team, with brilliant firework shapes and colors we had never seen before. The mind blowing finale was one of the most incredible we have ever seen.  I can’t even imagine how much it cost so set up such a show.

Jandy and the author all set to watch the fireworks show at Alexandra Park

After the wonderful and free show, we packed up our chairs and joined the crowd making their way back home.  The frustration at trying to leave English Bay or the downtown core after the show was the only drawback.

We booked an Uber but had to walk a number of blocks to be picked up. Still, this attraction was well worth our time and the best part is that’s its absolutely FREE. The fireworks were excellent, the crowd was huge but well behaved, the overall atmosphere was friendly and cool and it was a fun event well worth going to when visiting Vancouver. It certainly helped that the weather was fine and warm.

The three teams representing their country and setting their colorful expressions to music were judged on the Sizing of the Show, Overall Design and Artistry, Synchronization, Originality of Effects, Quality of Soundtrack and Quality of Fireworks.

The winning team, announced on Tuesday, August 2, was the Canadian Team which delivered the show-stopping performance with a breathtaking display that pushed creative boundaries, according to a press release. It was a pleasant and memorable evening that made Vancouver look absolutely stunning. Over the course of the festival’s three nights, there were approximately 1.3 million attendees.

Honda Celebration of Light: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Website: www.hondacelebrationoflight.com.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park (Whistler, British Columbia, Canada)

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Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

From the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, a 43-km. (30 min.) drive brought Grace, Jandy, Danny and I to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park which is located adjacent to BC Highway 99, between Garibaldi and Whistler. Managed and operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. Sea for BC Parks, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, located 11 kms. (7 mi.) south of Whistler, off BC Highway 99, and 47 kms. (30 mi.) north of Squamish, is the perfect detour for anyone travelling between the two towns.

Danny, Grace and Jandy

A day use only park, it doesn’t have a lot of facilities, just a few outhouses and picnic tables.  The huge, de luxe parking can accommodate large recreational vehicles, though not overnight. There’s also a Squamish First Nation Info Legend Display Kiosk.

Check out “Sea-to-Sky Gondola”

There are two versions on the origin of the name Brandywine. In the first version, Jack Nelson and Bob Mollison, two surveyors for the Howe Sound and Northern Railway, made a wager over the height of the falls, with the closest guess winning a bottle of brandy (wine). Measuring the height with a chain, Mollison won the bottle of brandy and Nelson then named the falls Brandywine.  The second version comes from around the 1890s when Charles Chandler and George Mitchell passed out there after drinking too much Brandywine in their tea.

Squamish First Nation Info Legend Display Kiosk

The spectacular, 66-m. (218-ft.) high falls, located on Brandywine Creek, has its origin in the Powder Mountain Icefield to the west.  It was formed by the lip of a lava flow flanking the west bank of the Cheakamus River.

Cheakamus Creek

The vertical walls surrounding Brandywine Falls are comprise of the Cheakamus Valley basalts, at least four basaltic lava flows of Late Pleistocene Age that are part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, a northwest-southeast chain of volcanoes and related lavas that form the northern end of the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

The smooth, easy and flat trail

The lava, flowing over deposits of glacial till, silt, and gravel, then cooled, creating a hard, weather-resistant top cap over loose unconsolidated and easily weathered material, the perfect conditions for the creation of a waterfall.

Approaching the covered wooden bridge

Around 10,000 years later, ice from the Fraser Glaciation receded from Cheakamus Valley, releasing melt water and creating Brandywine Creek.  Working its way downstream, the creek started to erode the looser material and undercut the hard basalt top layer, creating the falls.

The covered wooden bridge

Around the early 1900s, Brandywine Falls used to have a train station and many log cabins (some still seen, in a dilapidated state, by the side of the trail) adjacent to the falls. As part of the BC Highway 99 improvements for the Whistler/Vancouver Winter Olympics, the area was subject to many day use improvements which replaced overnight camping with parking and picnic tables.

The BC Rail Track Crossing

Brandywine Falls is best seen from a large and elaborate observation platform at the top, directly opposite the falls, reached by a quick and easy, 1-km. (15-min.) hike over smooth, flat and easy terrain. From the parking lot (just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway), a short walking trail, beneath some towering fir trees, passes close to Cheakamus Creek.

The author, Grace and Jandy at the BC Rail Track Crossing

At the trailhead, we crossed a covered, wooden bridge over the creek. On the other side of the bridge, a marker (Falls Lookout 300 m) pointed us to the trail to the right.  The route to the left would take you along the Lava Lake Trail which extends 2.7 kms., through the forest, to a series of two small lakes at the northern boundary of the park.

The marker pointing us at the right direction towards the falls

Following the wide, well-groomed trail for a few hundred meters, we came upon the BC Rail tracks.  Just before the track, a split, off to the left, leads towards Swan Lake (not a great spot to swim as there is no beach).

Brandywine Falls

We crossed over to the other side of the track, first making sure that the coast is clear.  Keeping to the right, after 10 mins. and a few hundred meters, we were brought to a clearing beside the viewpoint.

The author, Grace and Jandy at the observation platform

The viewpoint also presents some marvelous views of the surrounding mountains and Daisy Lake, just downstream of the falls, which spreads out below as the monolithic Black Tusk probes the skyline. Depending on the time of year, the dammed lake may be, more or less, at “full pool.”

Daisy Lake

Spray from the escarpment that creates the falls, coats the sides of the gorge into which it plummets, with ice in winter and nourishes lush growth in warmer months.  During our visit, we were lucky to see a rainbow over the waterfall.

The rainbow over the falls

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park: Whistler, British Columbia.  Coordinates: 50°02′07″N 123°07′07″W.  There are no parking fees or entrance charges.

Shannon Falls Provincial Park (Squamish, British Columbia, Canada)

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Shannon Falls

From Britannia Beach, Grace, Jandy, Danny and I next drove the short 7.2-km. distance, along the Sea-to-Sky Highway on Howe Sound, to 87-hectare (210-acre) Shannon Falls Provincial Park, established on August 29, 1984 and located 58 kms. (36 mi.) from Vancouver and 2 kms. (1.2 mi.) south of Squamish.

Check out “Britannia Beach“

Picnic Area

One of the town’s most recognizable features and visible along the Sea-to-Sky Highway (making it a popular day-use park), facilities in this park are operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. The small concession and information center, located next to the flush toilet building on the trail to the waterfalls, is managed by the park operator and offers food snacks, park and outdoor recreation information and souvenirs.

Concession and Information Center

The main point of interest in this park, which also protects the surrounding area on the north-east shore of the Howe Sound, is the 335 m. (1,099 ft.) high, iconic, scenic and towering Shannon Falls, composed of a series of cliffs.

The start of the hike …..

The third highest waterfall in British Columbia, it is ranked behind the 481 m. high Della Falls (Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island) and the 396 m. Hunlen Falls (Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola).

Shannon Creek

The falls was named after William Shannon who first settled the property in 1889 and made bricks in the area. The tumbling waters of the falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot. Shannon Falls rarely freezes but, when it does, it’s the subject of intense ice climbing interest. The falls and adjoining woods are commonly used in television and film production.

It is just a short hike to the spectacular viewpoint just below the falls.  From the parking lot, we walked towards the park area where the picnic tables and the building with washrooms were located. From there, we veered left and began walking uphill as our path turned into a gravel trail.  At the first junction, we went straight and continued, along the gravel path, as we entered the forest and continued walking next to scenic Shannon Creek.

Shannon Falls seen from the viewpoint

The route, going up a short hill, then reaches a paved path.  We went right and, as we continued walking, soon heard the sound of the roaring falls until the waterfall came into view.  This first viewpoint was an excellent place to take photos and selfies. Further up the trail is the Sea to Summit Trail, a second viewpoint, with Shannon Falls viewed at a slightly different angle.

L-R: Jandy, Grace, Danny and the author at the viewpoint

Shannon Falls Provincial Park: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Tel: 604 986-9371.  E-mail: info@seatoskyparks.com.  Website: www.seatoskyparks.com.  Coordinates: 49°40′10″N 123°09′21″W

Fox & Firefly Cottages (Loboc, Bohol)

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Fox and Firefly Cottages

Lunch during our Bohol Food Trip was to be at Fox & Firefly Cottages, a bed and breakfast place located in the forest areas of Loboc. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with organic, homemade kombucha, an effervescent, sweetened black or green tea commonly consumed for its purported health benefits.

Also on hand to welcome us was owner Ms. Joan Christine Soupart, one-half of the husband-and-wife team (the other is avid Belgian paddle boarder Frederic “Fred” Soupart) behind this quaint inn and its SUP Tours Philippines Sports Center.  Joan is a registered Sivananda yoga teacher and ASI SUP yoga flow (Vinyasa) instructor.

Fred and Joan fell in love with the riverside town of Loboc, seeing it as an ideal place to exercise their passion for sports and adventure as well as to live with nature.  They built a three-bungalow inn (initially called Paddle’s Up Guesthouse) beside the ever flowing Loboc River in 2013.

Front Desk

Here, they could operate stand-up paddling (SUP) tours.  Now it is a favorite destination for adventure seekers, backpackers and nature lovers.  According to Joan, the place was renamed (in 2014) after their beloved Pomeranian-Japanese Spitz dog Fox as well as the occasional firefly that flutter around amid the trees along the Loboc River at night.

Fox and Fable Restaurant (second floor)

Lunch was served at their in-house Fox and Fables (also named after their dog Fables) Restaurant along the banks of the Loboc River.

Vegan fare at Fox and Fables Restaurant

Here, they serve traditional, Western, vegetarian and vegan meals anytime of the day. We feasted on healthy meals and vegan dishes such as monggo soup, avocado salad, somtom (Thai papaya salad), talong salad, G-chili shrimps, maranding manok (dry coconut chicken curry), chicken halang-halang soup (a Visayan version of tinola with coconut leaves and moringa leaves) and their vegan kare-kare which was paired with a bagoong alternative made from locally sourced mushrooms.

Author (foreground) at Fox and Fables Restaurant

They also offer specialty beverages such as organic drinks and shakes, cocktails, wines and authentic Belgian beer.

The place also suffered during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) and, after repairs and renovation, reopened again on May 1, 2022.

We checked out one of the simply furnished, clean and comfortable cottages, one of 11, of this riverside accommodation facing a rice field.

Suite

Designed in the Filipino traditional architecture, with a modern but cozy feel, it featured a queen-size bed, a spacious patio with hammock, bamboo furnishings, fan (the cool, riverside breeze passes through naturally), mosquito nets and a private, nature-inspired outdoor bathroom.

Outdoor bathroom

Other facilities include a common lounge. They offer mountain biking tours and stand-up paddleboard activities. You may also practice yoga, join a class or meditate at their Santosha Yoga Shala.

Paddle boards for rent

Mountain bikes for rent

The inn also exhibit and sell artworks, inspired by nature and Boholano surroundings, by young Boholano artists.  Proceeds from the sale go to a village livelihood program called “Build a Boat, Build a Barangay.”

Artwork of Boholano artists for sale along the hallway

Fox and Firefly Cottages: Barangay Rd., Brgy. Valladolid, Loboc 6316.  Tel: (038) 537-9011.  Mobile number: (0917) 713-7577, (0947) 893-3022 and (0917) 703-9979. E-mail: info@suptoursphilippines.com. Website: www.foxandthefireflycottages.com and www.suptoursphilippines.com.

Bohol Provincial Tourism Office: G/F, New Provincial Capitol Bldg., C. Marapao St, Tagbilaran City, 6300.  Tel: (038) 411 3666.  Email: inquire@boholtourismph.com.  Website: www.bohol.ph.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII:  G/F, L.D.M Building, Legaspi St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 254 6650 and(032) 254 2811. E-mail: dotregion7@gmail.com.  Website: dot7@tourism.gov.ph.

Bluewater Panglao Resort: Bluewater Rd, Sitio Daurong, Brgy. Danao, Panglao, 6340 Bohol.  Tel: (038) 416-0702 and (038) 416-0695 to 96. Fax: (038) 416-0697.  Mobile numbers: (0998) 843-0262, (0998) 964-1868 (Ms. Margie Munsayac – VP-Sales and Marketing), (0998) 962-8277 (Ms. Louee Garcia), (0919) 912-9663 (Mr. Manuel Sandagaon) and (0908) 890-9013 (Ms. Kate Biol).   Email: panglao@bluewater.com.ph, resrvations.panglao@bluwater.com.ph, margie.munsayac@bluewater.com.ph, louee.garcia@bluewater.com.ph, manuel.sandagon@bluewater.com.ph and kate.biol@bluwater.com.ph.  Website: www.bluewaterpanglao.com.ph.  Manila sales office: Rm. 704, Cityland Herrera Tower, Rufino cor. Valera Sts., Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City, Metro Manila.  Tel: (632) 817-5751 and (632) 887-1348.  Fax: (632) 893-5391.

Cebu Pacific Air currently flies seven times daily from Manila and thrice weekly from Davao City (every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) to Bohol’s Panglao International Airport.  Visist www.cebupacificair.com to learn about their latest offerings, safety protocols and travel reminders.

Maragondon Cultural River Cruise (Cavite)

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Maragodon Cultural River Cruise

Part Three of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

From the Bonifacio Trial Museum, it was a short 5-min., 1.2-km. drive, via narrow alleys, to Caingin Fish Port, the gateway to our Maragondon Cultural River Cruise.  Docked at the port were two gaily decorated balsas (bamboo rafts), of operator Balsa de Santo Nino, for our two-hour cruise of part of the scenic, 35.6 km. long  Maragondon River (average width: 10 m.), one of six major river basins of Cavite, once adjudged as among the country’s cleanest and greenest bodies of water.  Each balsa can carry 10 to 15 passengers.

Check out “Bonifacio Trial Museum Revisited”

Caingin Fish Port and the Caingin Hanging Bridge

Also docked at the port was another larger floating restaurant type of raft similar to the one used in the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol.  According to AAP Lakbay consultant Ms. Eva Carmona, it was booked for a wedding reception. Nearby, across this river, was the dangling and swaying Caingin Hanging Bridge.  Erected in December 1999, it is the link going to the 280 m. high Mt. Buntis. 

Check out “Loboc River Cruise”

A floating restaurant type of raft

Upon boarding the two balsas, we were soon on our way, our balsas towed by a motorized banca. Cruising along the turquoise waters and the heavily vegetated riverbank, we also passed the Pinagsanhan Hanging Bridge (the link going to the 100 m. high Mt. Nagpatong, home of the Andres Bonifacio National Shrine) and some settlements, watching local residents doing their daily chores as we enjoyed the serene landscape of the river.

Boarding our respective balsas…..

On board …..

Throughout the cruise, we were serenaded by a quartet (2 men and 2 women), in native attire, rendering folk songs.  Our cruise took us, for 2 kms., from Brgy. Caingin to the boundary of the neighboring town of Ternate, before turning back to return to port.

Our on board entertainment …..

Each of our balsas had a bamboo table and benches. One had a bamboo deck, accessible by a bamboo stair, as a roof.  Arrayed on the table was our packed lunch catered by Honorio’s Restaurant, a Maragondon culinary icon.

Pack lunch catered by Honorio’s

Our lunch fare consisted of sinigang sa miso, pork adobo sa patis (wherein the soy sauce was replaced by fish sauce), pakbet and a dessert of sliced watermelon.  These we all washed down with bottled water or fresh buko juice straight from the shell.

Our balsa also towed a small 1.2 x 1.2 m. (4 x 4 ft.) outriggered bamboo raft (trono de hila) with a bamboo chair (or throne) on it where one or two passengers can take selfies or be photographed from the larger balsa.

Boarding the trono de hila …..

The author seated at the trono de hila

Also on board our balsa are two rubber inner tubes for those who want to engage in river floating.  Other recreational activities that could be done on the river include wakeboarding, with a motorized banca pulling you.

The Cavite Caravan participants

For those who still have time after the cruise, you can also visit the Maragondon Stone Sculptures (popularly called ukit-ukit) which are accessible by tricycle from the riverside of Brgy. Caingin.  It consists  of 9 religious images of Biblical scenes (the Last Supper, Pieta, Jesus Christ and the Virgin and the Christ) as well as Pope John Paul II carved directly on adobe outcrops along the road, last March 2014, by brothers Valerio and Oscar Suarez, both former ice sculptors.

Maragondon Stone Carvings (photo: Visit Maragondon Facebook Page)

Balsa de Santo Nino River Cruise: Brgy. Caingin Poblacion, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Mobile numbers: (0926) 593-5902.

Maragondon Municipal Tourism Office: G/F, Municipal Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 686-3139. Mobile number: (0926) 237-6537.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.