Another day in Vancouver

Sunday, June 17, 2018

First things first, I go for an early walk from the hotel to the Pacific Railway Station to see about what to do with my luggage all day. It's all good, I can check the big suitcase in whenever I like and leave the cabin bag in storage until tonight.
I grab some breakfast somewhere and thus fortified walk back to the hotel to pack up. After dropping everything off at the station, I walk to the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Park in nearby Chinatown.

The bamboo walk with the interesting rocks on either side

The carp and the waterlilies are both abundant 

Resident heron on the lookout for some tasty morsels

After a stroll around the public park, I go round to the Classical Chinese Garden where I am lucky enough to catch a guided tour led by a very knowledgeable volunteer.

Classical scholar's gardens were the private domains of China's traditional elite, scholar-officials (literati) and their families. These secluded, urban garden-homes are landscape masterpieces embodying the best of Chinese arts, gardening, philosophy and architecture.

This garden is modeled after the highest standards of private classical gardens in the city of Suzhou during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The buildings are built using Ming Dynasty building techniques, without the use of nails, screws or glue.

In the China Maple Hall, a formal reception hall, where the scholar received his guests, resides this beautifully framed example of the famous double-sided Suzhou silk embroidery. I suspect many people went blind over this kind of work.

Double-sided Suzhou silk embroidery

The same embroidery from the back.

Ming Dynasty vase

The ting

The focal point in the main court yard is the ting or cloudy and colourful pavilion. It sits high on a pile of weathered rocks emulating a mountain. It represents humans in their natural place between heaven and earth.

A rock wall with waterfall behind the ting.

Canadian Maple and Chinese Gingko growing side by side

Penjing - Landscape in a tray, is a forefather of the Bonsai, having been an art for over a thousand years in China.

One of the many different courtyard pavements - representing plum blossoms and some seed pods

One of the perfectly balanced gardens

Tai Hu rocks (from Lake Tai) - beautifully shaped limestone rocks used throughout the garden

Willow - feminine grace

Plum blossom surrounded by bats, a traditional good luck symbol

Cloudy, jade green water creating a tranquil atmosphere. The water is intentionally cloudy to intensify reflection.

Pine trees symbolize strength

Pebbles and rocks turned into works of art

Intricate pattern blending with Tai Hu rocks

A perfect little garden complete with landscape in a tray

Yet another courtyard, with a Leak Window, so called because they leak air, breeze, light and scenery.

This particular Penjing was transplanted into this garden bed. It is said to be about 200 years old.

A group of angels huddled together

Another group of interesting rocks

Both groups of rock above are displayed in front of very intricate windows in the Scholar's Studio. In this most serene part, the scholar read, wrote, composed poetry, studied music and painted.

The largest and newest hall is the Hall of One Hundred Rivers, built to showcase exhibitions and accommodate expanding educational and public programming needs.
Like rivers flowing into the sea, people with different virtues and contributions flow together to create a community and better society.
Sounds very Rotarian. No wonder, the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown contributed to the furnishing of the Scholar's Studio.

The Jade Water Pavilion 

Rock bamboo shoots and real bamboo, representing quiet resilience, bending, but not breaking.

The ting from a different angle

Henry the resident heron is happily feasting on small fry.

Having worked up quite an appetite, I treat myself to a Chinese meal in Chinatown (in a restaurant so authentic, I'm the odd one out) while I think about what I could do for the rest of the day. When I spot a bus stop for the no. 19 bus, going back to Stanley Park seems like the most logical thing to do.

This time, head off to the Beaver Lake and walk right around it. It is just so beautiful. Quite a few other people think so too, but it is by no means crowded.

Lilies and water lilies

On the opposite side, a heron on the lookout 

Different colours of water lilies in different parts of the lake

Forest on one side and water on the other

Inspiration for a painting

There are frogs everywhere, but one can only hear them 

An inquisitive squirrel,

and not particularly shy.

Another two squirrels.

The one on top of the railing is a totally different colour.

The black one is quite a bit larger

and a bit brazen, too.

The name monsteria springs to mind

The track leading away from the lake

I do love forests!

After this wonderful walk, it is time for me to catch a bus and a train to get to the Pacific Railway Station. Not surprisingly, I am very tired now. If anyone had told me I had to do all this walking today, I would have probably told them where to go. It is interesting how much one can do when having fun.

I reclaim my little bag and - along with quite a few other people - settle to wait until it is time to board the train. It is very reassuring to see my big suitcase getting taken to the train to be loaded.

At last, the call comes and we all go in search of our carriages and cabins. We are welcomed by a cabin attendant who explains the workings of the bed etc to us. Then we are told to go in search of the dome car. As soon as the train pulls out of the station, glasses of bubbly and little canapes are handed around. They do things in style on this train.

And thus begins the next leg of my adventure. Bunking down for the night takes on a whole new meaning when I pull my bed out of the wall.

More tomorrow.