Happy British Columbia Day

Despite its not being a Canadian federal government holiday like Christmas or Good Friday (though it was recognized as “legal” in 1996), most residents do get British Columbia Day (or its equivalent in their region) off from work. The seeds for the traditional celebration becoming a recognized holiday were sown in 1969 when the government of Ontario named the first Monday in August “Simcoe Day” in honour of anti-slavery figure John Graves Simcoe. Before long (1974 in British Columbia), other territorial governments heard proposals from prominent politicians and affirmed that they should celebrate their honourable histories in an official capacity.

Canadians often refer to the holiday as one of the “stats” (statutory holidays), or “publics,” which, again, differ in the level of legal importance from territory to territory, and municipality to municipality. But the day does fall in the middle of the summer season, and not too many Canadians complain about a chance to plan a long weekend and make a fun family outing out of British Columbia Day!

British Columbia Day in Canada is the name for the first Monday in August when residents of British Columbia celebrate their local heritage. In other Canadian provinces, the same day is known by different names unique to their respective areas, for example, “George Hamilton Day” in Hamilton, Ontario, and “Saskatchewan Day” in the province of that name. British Columbia Day recalls explorer James Douglas’ discovery of the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, the site of the current city of Victoria, and the eventual announcement by the British that the region would become the colony called British Columbia. Similarly, other provinces focus on their particular items of culture, history, and political development.

All across Canada, the day is marked by parades, festivals, and other public gatherings, many of which are themed. As a primary example, British Columbia offers the Anime Revolution, the Vancouver Pride Parade, and the Powell Street Festival (a celebration of Asian-Canadian heritage).

Why We Love British Columbia Day

There are festivals galore

Right around British Columbia Day, plenty of street fairs and cultural activities take place. From a street dance festival to a Caribbean festival, there are many opportunities to join in the revelry of the occasion.

It’s at the height of summer

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy British Columbia's scenic beauty, from rugged coastlines to scenic mountain hiking trails. The fact that British Columbia Day falls smack in the middle of the summer season means you can always plan that adventurous weekend getaway.

WIt celebrates the diverse population of British Columbia

British Columbia is a melting pot of cultures, and the holiday recognizes the various ethnicities that make the region such a vibrant place. In fact, just for one example, there's a dedicated festival for anime lovers in Vancouver. Other celebrations are just as specifically targeted, and all are a good time!

A look back to some holidays we may have missed. March

March is the month when we start to come out of our winter blues with a vengeance.  On the first, we celebrate Madi Gras. Mardi Gras is a carnival celebration that begins on Twelfth Night (the Feast of Epiphany) on January 6 and culminates on the Tuesday before Lent. The best-known Mardi Gras is in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it’s a state legal holiday. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The biggest events happen on this day. The name Fat Tuesday comes from an old custom of parading a fat ox through the streets of Paris on Shrove Tuesday.

Mardi Gras traditions are rooted in ancient Greek and Roman customs. Carnival in Rome became popular around the middle of the second century as a way to feast and act wild before the sombre days of Lent. They wore costumes and masks. They celebrated Bacchus and Venus and all things glutinous and pleasurable. The Bacchus parade is still held during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

March 2 Lent begins for those who are Christian. Lent is a penitential time with prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. It’s the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, devote Christians fast by giving up decadent foods and/or luxuries.

On Mar. 03 Hina Matsuri (Hinamatsuri) is the Japanese Doll’s Festival. It’s also known as Momo-no-Sekku, the Peach Blossom Festival. This holiday used to follow the Lunar Calendar and fell closer to April when peach blossoms began to bloom. Though the trees no longer bloom during the festival, the peach blossoms are still an important decoration for this celebration.

The festival stems from the Heian period when people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits. During a custom called Hina-nagashi (doll floating), straw Hina dolls in miniature boats were set adrift on the river to be taken out to sea, taking misery and hardships with them. The Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto still floats dolls on straw mats down the stream that runs through the temple grounds and prays for the safety of children.

Mar. 04:  The Zhonghe Festival, also known as the Blue Dragon Festival, is held on the first day of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which occurs in February or March. It’s a celebration of the waking of the dragon that brings rain. It was an official festival in the Tang and Song Dynasties.

The Longtaitou Festival, also known as the Dragon-Raising-its-Head Festival, is held on the second day of the second month. It also celebrates the waking of the dragon and the bringing of rain.

The dragon was regarded as the rain deity. The Dragon King or Dragon God is the god of water and weather. He can take many forms. As the Blue Dragon, he is the god of the east and of the essence of spring.

Mar. 16: Purim This Jewish holiday marks the deliverance of the Jewish people during the days of King Xerxes of Persia. Also known as the Feast of Lots–Purim is the Hebrew word for “lots.” Purim occurs on the 14th day of Adar and on the 15th in the cities of Jerusalem. Adar is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar (February or March). As with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown.

According to the story, a young Jewish girl saves her people from annihilation and the malice of Haman. The story is contained in the Book of Esther, which is read in its entirety on Purim. When Haman’s name is read aloud everyone hisses, boos, and twirls their graggers to drown out the name. The story of Esther is the only book in the Bible that makes no reference to God (Christian or Persian) or religious observance of any kind.

Mar. 17 St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated everywhere on March 17th by both Irish and non-Irish people. Parades, the wearing o’ the green, and an Irish feast are all customary on this day. A typical American favourite “Irish” dinner is corned beef & cabbage. Another favourite meal is one that is all green, food that is naturally green and food that is tinted green with food colouring. This day is celebrated with parties, wearing green, consuming beer, and a whole lot of fun in America.

Cities do it up for St. Patrick’s Day too. In Dublin, the Greening of the City lights up iconic buildings in a green hue. In London, there’s a mile-long parade. New York has the oldest and biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the US. Chicago turns the Chicago River Green, using over 40 lbs. of green dye. Boston holds a large parade and most of the city's plentiful Irish bars have specials.

Mar. 18 Holi, Holika, or Holi for short, is the Hindu Festival of Color. This festival comes during the full moon in the Hindu month of Phagan, in February or March. It marks the end of the nippy winter months and the beginning of spring. It celebrates good over evil.

Holika was a demoness in Hindu scriptures, who was burnt to death with the help of God Vishnu. Holika had an annual bonfire the night before Holi. On Holi, one forgets their worries, and colour can be found everywhere

Mar. 20 Ostara, also known as Eostre, Eostar, and Eostre, celebrates the rebirth of the earth. It occurs at the time at the Spring Equinox (March 20 or 21 in the Northern hemisphere and September 22 or 23 in the Southern hemisphere). It celebrates the return of spring and the balance of light and dark. There are no ties to ancient customs. It’s celebrated by modern Wiccans as one of the lesser sabbats.

This day is also known as Lady Day and Summer Finding.

Mar. 21 Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, lasts for thirteen days. It’s been celebrated for over 3,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin and the Balkans. Marking the first day of the first month (Farvardin) in the Iranian calendar, it coincides with the vernal equinox, which varies year to year between March 19-22, though it usually falls on March 20 or March 21.

Nowruz is celebrated by diverse communities with different faiths as a secular holiday. However, it remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Bahais, and some Muslim communities. 

February is a month where there is not a lot happening. Valentine’s day is come and gone, and people need a break from the winter blues. Many of us are just starting to realize that we spent way too much at Christmas and our great plans and resolutions made on New Year’s Day are a distant memory. 

Holiday thoughts

As you read this we are just landing in Australia, to spend time with my daughter and her family and friends for Christmas. Family and friends are an important part of this time of year and we have not been to Australia to see our Australian family for a while. In fact, we have not been back for five years and this is only the second time we have been there at Christmas. I have decided that I will not post or spend time on the net, so I have posted ahead and thanks to the technology of Blogger I will not miss a day, but in real life, I will be spending my time visiting with family and enjoying having Christmas in the heat. I will not have to worry about driving around in the snow, or scrapping windows before I get to leave for whatever I plan to do for the day.

I am looking forward to exploring more of the high country of Australia, visiting  Mt. Buller,  Benella,  Lake Eildon,  Wangaratta, and  Mansfield  to name a few of the places we are going to visit or revisit. If we get the time, I hope to explore the  Great Alpine Road  from  Wangaratta  to  Metung  or further. My wife and daughter love a good glass of wine so we may spend time exploring the wine regions of the high country as well as the  Yarra vineyards. I love a good beer and so I am looking forward to visiting the local breweries in the area.

We also want to spend time exploring  Melbourne  itself and we will be visiting my daughters' in-laws who live on the  Mornington Peninsula. The last time we were there we did get a chance to spend a little time at  Arthurs Seat Eagle which we saw but did not have the time to take the ride to the top, this time we will take the time to soar to the top of this peak that gives spectacular views of the Peninsula and Melbourne. 

We have booked time in  Torquay  which is a seaside town at the east end of the  Great Ocean Road  coastal drive, southwest of  Melbourne, Australia. It’s known for surf beaches like  Bells Beach  and  Jan Juc Beach. The  Surf Coast Walk trail  starts at  Point Impossible Beach  and heads southwest via  Point Danger Marine Sanctuary  and is the gateway to towering  12 Apostles.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year. I also hope that 2020 gives you all of the joy and wishes you deserve.

Maui Beaches

I have only been to Maui four times and I love the Island, it is a paradise, and it is time to start planning your winter break. Maui is the place to go.

One of the best places to get information on the island is from Jon's Maui Vacation Facebook page, which is at  https://www.facebook.com/jonmaui but he also has a printable guide at  https://www.mauihawaii.org/mauiinfo/. 

Jon is an independent observer of all things Maui and his guide is one that represents his view not those of people who are interested in selling you something. Worth the time to review.

The island of Maui is home to some of the most amazing beaches. Some beaches offer swimming all year round, while others are best for surfing or snorkelling during certain times of the year. Depending on where you choose to stay, there are always some famous beaches nearby.

When I think of Maui I think of beaches.  Here’s what you need to know:    All beaches in Hawaii are public.  You can, and should, try out several beaches while you are on Maui.  Don’t only go to the beach in front of you. Here are some beaches recommended by Jon.

Kapalua Beach has been rated as the most beautiful beach in the world a few years ago.   That was before they built expensive condos that block some of the views, but Kapalua Bay is still worth seeing.  Kapalua means two borders (or more figuratively “arms embracing the sea”) which refers to the fingers of lava that reach out on both sides of this bay and block the strong waves from disturbing swimmers. More info is at  www.mauihawaii.org/sights/kapalua-beach

West Maui beaches If you drive along the west coast of Maui from Lahaina to Kapalua, you'll see many breathtaking beaches along the coast. Kaanapali Beach will offer you over three miles of white sand with a variety of watersports, including surfing, sailboating, and even catamaran rides. On the north end of the beach is Black Rock, which is well known for snorkelling.  

Kaanapali Beach is the “in place” to be on Maui,  the place where the action is.  Three great resort hotels (Sheraton, Westin,  Hyatt), one very good older hotel (Kaanapali Beach Hotel), two major condos (Kaanapali Alii, Whaler), a shopping center (Whalers Village), and two very good restaurants (Hula Grill, Leilani’s) are located on this beach.  There are booths to rent all sorts of water equipment, and you can even get some boat tours on catamarans that pick you up right on the beach.  Kaanapali Beach is my favorite place to stay on Maui.  More about Kaanapali Beach, including pictures, on the Kaanapali Beach page of this Maui website at   www.mauihawaii.org/kaanapali-beach

Baby Beach has much calmer waters than most other beaches because an offshore breakwater blocks many of the big waves from reaching the shore.  This makes it a good place for children to go in the ocean, though even here they, of course, need adult supervision.  Baby Beach is in the north part of Lahaina.  For more info, including how to find it, see
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/baby-beach

Olowalu is a popular snorkeling beach.  It’s south of Lahaina on Route 30, at Mile Marker 14.  Details and photos are at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/mile-marker-14

The rule with Hawaii and Maui is that the further south you travel, the less crowded the beaches will be. Kihei offers you a series of beaches along the six-mile coastline, some even offering lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Polo Beach and Wailea Beach offer both restrooms and equipment rentals. Or, if you prefer a more secluded beach, you should visit Maluaka Beach at the Maui Prince Hotel - where you may even encounter some green sea turtles. 

A few miles past the Maui Prince Hotel is the Big Beach of Makena, which is one of the best beaches on Maui. As the name implies, the beach is quite large, and best of all - empty. It offers white sand, picnic facilities, and even restrooms. Kamaole III Beach is the best beach in Kihei.  Kihei is a town crowded with condos, most of which are across the street from the beaches, rather than being ocean-front.  It’s a good place for families on a budget that does not allow staying at the big resort hotels.  More about the three Kamaole Beaches in Kihei, including pictures, is on the Kamaole Beaches page of this Maui website at   www.mauihawaii.org/kamaole-beaches-parks-kihei

Keawakapu Beach is a less crowded beach where Kihei meets Wailea.  Details and photos at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/keawakapu-beach

Big Beach is also called Makena Beach or Oneloa Beach.  You’ve got to see it because this beautiful area is the last large undeveloped beach on the sunny side of Maui.  It’s ¾ of a mile long, with not one hotel or condo in sight.  It’s south of all the Wailea hotels.  More info is at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/big-beach-makena

Ho’okipa Beach Park is the place to watch windsurfing.  (The waves are too rough for swimming.)  It’s on Route 36 just past the town of Paia, on the north shore.  More info at
www.mauihawaii.org/sights/hookipa

The beaches of East Maui are unlike others in Hawaii. Surround by lush scenery, the beaches are secluded, scenic, and very colourful. Hamoa Beach is a must visit if you plan to visit East Maui. As you approach the beach from the main road, you'll walk past colourful plants and palm trees surrounding Hamoa Beach. Just off Hana Highway is Hana Bay Beach, which offers black volcanic sand.

The Red Sand Beach is difficult to get to, you'll need to find a narrow path along the coast. The beach offers plenty of swimming and snorkelling, and you should be the only one there - which is great for those looking for privacy. Even though it is hard to get to, Red Sand Beach is truly one of a kind.

Never leave anything of value in your car or on the beach, since theft from beaches and rental cars does occur.  Most Maui beaches have no lifeguards.  Whether they are present or not, swimming in the ocean can be dangerous.  You could drown.  You could get cut by coral.  Something could bite you.  Swim at your own risk.  

Thinking of new beginnings

For many people this season is all about new beginnings.  As we move to the end of the year, we start planning New year's resolutions and promises that "from now on, things will be different".

Right now, your social media feeds are probably full of pictures of people at the gym, doing a juice cleanse, and generally trying to make sweeping changes in their lives.

If you're on of those people - GREAT!! I'm cheering for you.

For the rest of here is a suggestion:

Change can be still be meaningful if it is done in small steps.

Think of one small change you can easily make in your life.  Not a massive overhaul of everything. Nothing that involves new memberships or equipment. Just one small change.

• ·       Drink more water.
• ·       Go to bed 15 minutes earlier.
• ·       Spend 10 minutes doing something in a meditative state of mind.

Or anything else you can think of that isn't difficult to do and that you can see yourself doing with some real consistency.

Yes, the big, actions get all the glamour and glory - but sometimes it's the small actions that form the foundation for the bigger shifts and changes.

Do you need a holiday when you are retired?

I think that we do need a vacation no matter what stage of life we are at. Having been retired for  over 9 years, I still look forward to the idea of a vacation. When I was working I had a routine that consisted of Monday to Friday getting up, going to work, and on the weekends, doing chores and activities I no time for during the week. When I retired, I thought every day would be a holiday, but I (like most) am a creature of habit, soon I had activities which I embarked on during the week. Now those were my activities I was not subject to the stress and hassles of the working world, I made myself busy at things I wanted to do. Nevertheless, each of these activities, were/are demanding and I use a vacation to recharge my batteries.

To me a vacation is a break from the routine of daily life; a vacation is time or a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity. Vacations are usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday

However, because I do need to escape my day-to-day life means I have not given up vacationing. Last year were in Australia, the year before the Interior of BC, and every year my friends and I take a one week golf vacation somewhere in our home province. Everyone needs a break from routine, even if the routine is of our own making. So vacations are important to recharge your batteries. When you are retired not only do you get to choose, for the most part, what you do on a daily and weekly basis, you get to choose when you are going to take your vacation. When I was working my vacation was dictated by work schedules, now I can choose to vacation when I want to during the year. Freedom in retirement also means freedom to vacation.

I think the trick in retirement is realizing you no longer vacation to get away from something. Instead you are blessed with the freedom to vacation just to get to something wonderful. Rather than escape you now vacation to add to your list of memorable experiences. Stay as long as you want. Do as much or as little as you choose. And if you like what you have found you can do it again. Could it get any better?

Happy BC Day

The first Monday of August is known as British Columbia Day, BC Day or B.C. Day, in the province of British Columbia. It is a statutory holiday and gives Canadians in the province the chance to celebrate their achievements or relax with friends and family members.

British Columbia Day

In British Columbia many people use the long weekend to make short trips out of town and into one of the areas of beautiful scenery in this province. Some go camping, while others walk, hike or plan canoe trips. As the first Monday in August falls in the middle of the summer season, many people incorporate BC Day into their summer vacation or a plan it as part of a longer trip. In urban areas, particularly in Vancouver, various celebrations are organized. These include firework displays, parades and cultural festivals. Events are held to mark the achievements of people from Canada’s west coast in the areas of sport, technology, cuisine and Canadian-Japanese culture.

Public life
BC Day is a statutory holiday in British Columbia and many people have a day off work. Post offices and many businesses and organizations, such as libraries, are closed. A few stores may be open depending on the local custom. Public transport services may be reduced or may not run at all. Schools are closed as the first Monday in August falls in the middle of the summer holiday period.

Background
Indigenous peoples have inhabited British Columbia, as described in their oral traditions. There are claims by the English to have explored the region in the 16th century, but it was the Majorcan-born Spanish navigator Juan José Pérez Hernández who did the first documented travel 1774. In 1778 English explorer James Cook reached Nootka Sound and set foot on British Columbian soil. There were several gold finds in British Columbia in the 1850s. The British colonial office responded to this situation by establishing British Columbia’s mainland as a crown colony in 1858, naming it the Colony of British Columbia. In 1871 British Columbia became the sixth province of the Dominion of Canada.

The British Columbia Day Act was first introduced to the Legislative Assembly in 1974. The aim of the Bill was to create a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August to recognize the pioneers in the province and the act gained royal assent in 1996.

Symbols
There are a number of symbols of British Columbia. These include the Steller's Jay (a bird), the Pacific Dogwood (a flower), jade (a mineral), the Western Red Cedar (a tree) and the provincial tartan, which contains colors to represent many aspects of the province. Two important symbols of British Columbia are the flag and the coat of arms. The top part of the flag consists of a union flag with a crown in the center. These represent the colonial links with the country and monarch of the United Kingdom. The lower part of the flag consists of a setting sun on a background of blue and white waves. These represent the geographical location of the province on the west coast of Canada between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. These elements also appear in the coat of arms.

Tips that help plan a 'getaway at home

 At this time of year, with friends, family and social commitments, there is very little time for you. The key is to get out of your regular environment,  and put yourself in a place where you can focus on yourself without distractions. 

Here are a few other tips that help plan a 'getaway at home away from the hustle"

1. Have clear goals for what you want to accomplish.  When you plan your getaway, be very clear of your goals. Do  not allow yourself to be distracted with other tasks, because they will eat up your time fast! 

2. Try to make it official "time away from the everything." If you are officially out of touch during this time, you can avoid emails, Facebook, appointments with clients, and your time  will be much more restful, enjoyable and productive. 

3.  Be flexible with your schedule.  
If you have 4 hours away,  think of it as having 4 hours to get things done.  Think of your time as 4 hours. So break up your time  The KEY is to plan to focus on what you want to do and to and accomplish during your getaway so that you can return to the seasonal celebrations, refreshed and renewed.. 

3. Be disciplined.  Sometimes it can be tempting for your mind to wander,  but by setting goals, and rewarding yourself with breaks,  you will be able to be productive AND accomplish your goals. Which leads me to tip #4. 

4.  Reward yourself with fun and breaks. 
When you have accomplished a goal, take a break and do something nourishing like taking a walk,  eating a nice meal, or getting a massage.  You will be more productive, more creative and more energized by taking breaks as you achieve your milestones.