Granville Island

Scenic Sunday

granville-public-market

The first time I was in Vancouver I had already wanted to check out this cool place with a huge impressive public market but due to time and transportation constraints at the time, I gave up the idea and vowed to make it there next time.  Next time has come and what was at the top of my agenda?

celines-fish-and-chips

fish-&-chips

Fish and chips (and the yummiest and biggest fried oysters I’ve ever encountered) at the Granville Public Market!

Although also pressed for time this time around as we were really just passing through Vancouver on our way to Alaska (and that’s for more exciting posts to watch out for in the next few weeks).  I made sure we make it there by hook or by crook!  It was worth the (long) wait.  Those who know me know that I love going to the market even though I am by no means considered a good cook.

food

fruits-2

fruits

bell-peppers

produce

I get a thrill each time I survey what’s in a market whether I am in my own neighborhood or out travelling.

dock

This island is in the middle of the city and is physically connected to downtown Vancouver by the Granville Street Bridge.  One can’t tell from there the gem that awaits them.  Embodying the surrounding metro, Granville Island is matchless.  Its humble origins are far from what it has become, a popular area boasting of impressive art galleries, shops, dining places and a fabulous public market that offer a wide array of fresh and cooked food (as seen above).

Let’s walk around, shall we?

dog-walkerI’d walk the dogs here too!

duck-pondDucks

ducks-2Ducks

ducks-3And more ducks!

feeding-the-pigeons-2Feeding them

pigeons-3

Pigeons

houses-2Sea Village houses

houses

shopsShops

neighborhoodThe neighborhood

little-girlAnd isn’t she a cutie?   🙂

More scenic posts here.

Catching the Sunset: Mt. Manabu

mwtsquare

Maculot

Sounds like a plan?  Yes, and a good one actually.  On Ninoy Aquino Day (his death anniversary), we were to drive to Sto. Tomas, Batangas City, have Bulalo (Bone Marrow) for lunch at Rose Sister of Grace, hang out at O’s house till 3pm and start trek soon after.  Get to the summit in 2 hours or so (that would be sometime before 6pm).

sunset

Catch the sunset, enjoy the view and do a night trek back.   A good plan.  Except for one small detail, we didn’t plan for an overnight.

trail

The trek to the peak was pretty much a walk in the part except for a few steep trails nearing the summit.

trail-to-summit

Approaching the summit, we passed by the campsite and it had me wishing for our own tents so we could stay longer and enjoy the sunset, the view and it’s pretty surroundings and not have to rush back down…”next time”, I made a mental note.

campsites

maculot-upclose

A glimpse of Mt. Maculot

mountain-range

And after the sun set, we started our descent (as planned), stopping by Mang Pirying’s mid way through the trail for some BEST TASTING kapeng barako (local coffee) cooked the old fashioned way – boiled with a hint of sweetness.

Mang-Pirying

Mang Pirying

Mang-Pirying's-wifeNanay Genia

Ahhh!!!  A great energy booster it was.

coffee

Before 9pm, we were back at O’s with dinner waiting for us after we all showered.  That’s what you call perfect hosts.

appetizer-at-OSome Jamon Serrano and Cheese before dinner, anyone?

A massage before bedtime had us sleeping like babies.  We woke up still with our bodies sore but revitalized nevertheless.  So do I still wish for that overnight at the summit?  You. Bet.

From Breakfast, we headed on to lunch at Casa Rap for more good food and nice ambiance.  Now that’s what you call a great weekend!

casa-rap-sign

casa-rap-

crispy-pata

Crispy Pata (Deep Fried Pork Leg)

ice-cream

Ice cream with a little “lambanog” (coconut wine)

More on other worlds, click here.

Vancouver VIA Rail

Vancouver-Via-RailCredits-  Template by Shabby Miss Jen’s Designs;  Paper by Jessica Sprague Blue Solid paper from Cr8 Mini Kit;  Elements:  Stapler Pair and Heart Sticker both by KPertiet;  Alpha by Jessica Sprague from Grand Intention Kit

Trains fascinate me because it evokes a feel of the olden days.  It is the only means of public transportation to Vancouver from Jasper unless one drives to Edmonton and fly out from there.  An opportunity I cannot pass up and so I booked us on the VIA Rail Canada and got ourselves to Vancouver via rail!

Not without some 7-hour delay.  While VIA Rail owns 223 kilometers of tracks, most of the infrastructure used by the passenger service is owned and managed by the freight railways operators.  In short, the train will be late and it is not their fault.  So looking at the glass half full, we took the opportunity to see more of Jasper.  How can one get tired of this quaint town anyway?  So off we went to Maligne Canyon… and got back way before the train arrived.   No complaints from us!

The 20-hour (thereabout) train ride offered beautiful sceneries.  The high-level coaches and lounge cars have big windows for better viewing pleasure.

Money well-spent…

VIA Rail Canada
Jasper Station
601Connaught Dr.,
Jasper, AB

More Glorious Lakes

Scenic Sunday

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This marks the end of my series of lakes and other bodies of waters around Jasper.  The many glorious lakes is clearly a major reason why Jasper has become a favorite.

Patricia Lake

patricia

Pyramid Lake

pyramid kayaks

pyramid

Cavell Lake

cavell lake

Unsure which lake this was but scuba diving in glacial fed waters?  Are. You. Kidding!?  Kudos to them!!!   🙂

scuba

For more scenic scenes, click here.

Maligne Valley

Scenic Sunday

IMG_3212

Pronounced “mah-leen”, is riddled by an extensive karsts system – a geological formation of caves above and below ground level.  In the case of Maligne Valley, no one knows where the water for Maligne Lake goes.  Located at the south end of Maligne Road, this gorgeous wildlife-filled, glacier fed lake is one of the largest in the Rockies.  Watch for elk, sheep, moose along the road, we were told and bears are usually spotted around the lake.

bridge-at-dusk

island

reflection

Completing the Maligne Valley highlight is Maligne Canyon where the river has eaten away at the limestone of the valley eroding the softer rocks.  The result is a smooth, steep walled canyon bringing forth one of the most spectacular gorge in the Canadian Rockies.  Waterfalls, fossils, potholes are just some of the wonders of the canyon.

canyon-waterfalls

stones

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