By the sea of Pacific Spirit

Along the Wreck Beach Trail I spied poles rising over the sand in the distance. This was where most people hung out, sitting on logs staring into the Straight of Georgia.

Nanzenji Temple

This Kyoto temple was once the headquarters for a sect of Zen Buddhism, but in 1291 the detached palace was converted into a temple. As I passed by the main hall, I couldn’t help notice the number of gardeners busily keeping the grounds immaculate.

Vancouver’s infamous Wreck Beach

I stepped off UBC grounds and down steps for some 200 metres until I reached a stony beach. This was not your regular beach. The sign warned — a clothing optional beach. I had known this before I ventured down its steps, but thought on a brisk cool day I wouldn’t find anyone parading around without their clothes.

Fellmonger Park

Once this was the location of wool washers who used Hilliard Creek to scour wool after it was shorn from sheep. Fenced in were the remains of the buildings where scouring took place, but I wasn’t here for a history lesson, but a hike.

Kyoto’s Gion District

This was once an area of teahouses for travellers, but later changed to a pleasure district.

Beyond the museum

Outside Vancouver’s Anthropology Museum was the Haida house exhibit. This group of First Nation buildings were from those who inhabited the Queen Charlotte Islands. The buildings were constructed back in the early 1960s under the guidance of First Nation artist, Bill Reid. He even carved some of the house poles and free standing Haida poles.

A nest on high

Only after I finished the Wellington Point trail, did I notice a tower on the opposite side of the road. It stretched up for about one hundred metres, and bent over a jumble of twigs perched an osprey.