Category: October 2015

Downtown Kelowna

On By mubeenazamIn October 2015, UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 1st October)

After my detour of Hell`s Gate, I thankfully arrived safe and sound in Kelowna just before sunset.  Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada.  It is the largest inland city in British Colombia. I found out that Kelowna derives from an Okanagan language term for “grizzly bear” which I suppose is good to know!

There were some nice sights and sounds of this place, I think I was just to tired to take too much note of it to be honest.  However, I did manage to get around Downtown a little, nice places to eat, some really nice and creative buildings, a nice little beach as the sun was setting, good coffee (I did like the name `Bean Scene`) and I also managed to see a bit of glass blowing, very skilled, there is a short video below too.

http://www.kelowna.ca/cm/site3.aspx


  
  


  
  


  
  


  

British Colombia – Hell’s Gate in Fraser Canyon

On By mubeenazamIn October 2015, UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 1st October)

Well, I tried to drive from Vancouver to Kelowna without stopping, and then I saw a sign saying `Hell`s Gate`, sounded interesting, so I took a slight detour and visited to see what it was all about.

If I am blatantly honest, I wouldn’t go again, I was happy I made this visit as it was another aspect of the gorgeous British Colombia that I got to see, however, I was looking forward to the Air tram which for me, was a bit of a let down.

Other than that, the history of this place is fascinating and it really makes you appreciate how people in the past ventured out on unknown territory not knowing where it would take them but what delights it would uncover for future generations.  One of the most interesting facts for me was how high the water was, if you look at the photo of the red bridge, you can see a white sign, this highlights where the water level was, it was in 1948 and the water level was over 70m high!  Below you will see plenty of interesting facts of information about this place and its history.

http://www.hellsgateairtram.com/




  


  


  


  


  

      

    

        

Edward Gardens, Toronto

On By mubeenazamIn October 2015, Uncategorized1 Comment

A refreshing walk, a beautiful day, the girls absolutely loved this place as they were able to explore comfortably at their own leisure, the fallen and the falling leaves were a true joy, the smell in the air of the changing of the weather, the crisp and fresh air was totally rejuvenating…

Nature definitely speaks to us, we just need to be attentive and receptive to its message!

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To paint or not to paint…I suppose it was going to happen…it should not even be a question!

On By mubeenazamIn October 2015, Uncategorized1 Comment

Any mention of painting drives them crazy, by ‘them’ I mean my crazy, creative, courageous girls.  They love it, and to be honest, it’s always a lot of fun, they make it a lot of fun.

However, today, I thought I would do a little experiment and see how Sara (the 2 year old going on 16) would react to a particular situation.  What would she do if I placed my head (this beautiful brown, perfectly shaped object) in her way while she is painting?  What would she do?  How long would the reaction take?  Would she react at all?  Would she talk to me to gain some sort of consent?  I was nervous, it was tense and let me tell you, I could see her thinking about it, what was she to do, how should she deal with this object?  I could feel that she was poised to attack, just as a predator leaps on their prey!

OK, so I know this is a bit dramatic, because it actually is a little dramatic, the fact is, Sara took very little time to react, she basically looked at me, smiled at me, and then she slapped my head with both her hands and created a unique, let me repeat, a unique piece of art, and since this day, she wants to see the photos all the time. Sara keeps asking me in the most adorable way…’Baba, can I paint your head again, I like it, I really like it!’  The last photo will give the answer I always give her when she asks, it ‘will’ happen again, she will paint!
  
  

Halloween…kids will be kids!

On By mubeenazamIn October 2015, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Just a few photos of the girls spending some time with their family and not really taking part in Halloween per se, but in their view (and their elder cousins I should add!) a fanatastic opportunity to collect a stash of sweets, candy, chocolate, the sticky chewy stuff, whatever you want to call it, that makes them go a little crazy…all free of charge, which is always welcome, sharing not an option…so grateful it only takes place once a year, but all good fun, and Sara (my Sara that is) is just totally adorable, I don’t even think she was aware what her cousin sisters stuck behind her…one for her wedding day photo I would suggest!  You need to guess the others?